Video: Jewish Life in Minsk in 90s

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Zalman Goldstein, who runs the Jewish Learning Group, publisher of books and media on Judaism, recently digitized unedited original DV videotapes that provide a glimpse into another time.

After the fall of the Iron Curtain of Communist Russia, Goldstein was one of the Chabad bochurim dispatched by the Ezras Achim organization to visit Jewish communities in the Soviet Union countries.

“In 1991, I was privileged to be sent with a friend as part of a mission from “Ezras Achim” in New York to assist, teach and inspire the local Jewish community in Minsk, after the Iron Curtain has fallen,” he says.

“I’m glad I thought to take along a video camera!” Goldstein told COLlive.com about the 4-hour travelogue he now posted of Jewish life and outreach work in Minsk, Belarus during the years 1991 and 1992.

In addition to documenting Jewish life, he notes that “AeroFlot’s commercial aircraft cockpit doors weren’t exactly closed in those days. I had great fun sitting in the middle pull-down jump seat for the flight.”

“I don’t know where many people in the video are today,” he added. “If you recognize anyone in the video, please drop a comment below or email me at [email protected].”

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