On April 6, the First International Interfaith Passover Marathon opened with a celebration at the Memorial Synagogue of Poklonnaya Gora. The project, done under the slogan “Holidary Traditions. Holiday Taste. Holiday Music” was organized by the Moscow Jewish Community House (MEOD) and the Discovery Center for the Support of Educational Programs.

The marathon is conducted with the aid of the Department for Interregional Cooperation, National Policy and Ties with Religious Organizations of the Moscow City Hall and the Russian Jewish Congress (RJC). Among the contributors to the project were JAFI, the Jewish National Cultural Autonomy of Moscow, the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, representatives of which were part of the Organizational Committee.

Among those who spoke at the opening ceremony were: Deputy Head of the Ties With Religious Organizations Department of the Department for Interregional Cooperation, National Policy and Ties with Religious Organizations of Moscow Anton Ignatenko; RJC Executive Vice President Benny Briskin; JAFI representative on Social Ties Rivka Kuznetsova; Rabbi of the Progressive Judaism Community Alexander Lyskovoi; hieromok Dimitri (Pershin); and PR Councillor of the State of Israel in Russia Alex Kagalsky. EAJC PR Department Head Roman Spector greeted the gathering on its behalf.

After the official speeches were over, a concert took place. The musicians included the men’s choir “Hasid Chapel,” the women’s choir “Ringel,” and a number of other young and talented musicians.

The Passover marathon will take place up until April 24. Its program includes lectures on Pesach and Passover traditions, workshops on passover cooking, concerts, exhibitions, and tours.