The Jewish community of Irkutsk celebrated the opening of the city's first Jewish kindergarten, located in the center of Irkutsk near the city’s synagogue.
The kindergarten is located in a facility that is 500 square meters in size. In its initial stage, it will hold three classes of students. "The renovation of the premises and the purchase of the furniture, toys and equipment for the kindergarten cost more than five million rubles, which was provided thanks to sponsors from Irkutsk,” explained Chief Rabbi of Irkutsk Rabbi Aaron Wagner. “The fees paid by parents are minimal and purely symbolic. It is the sponsors who will be financing the operating costs during the first year. Then we hope to receive funds from the municipal budget, just as the Christian Orthodox school does.”
According to Rabbi Wagner, specially trained teachers, as well as caretakers, will be employed in the kindergarten. The curriculum will include learning about Jewish holidays and other basic Jewish concepts. The school day will include healthy meals and snacks all of which will be kosher, of course.
"It is highly symbolic that today’s ribbon at the kindergarten’s entrance was cut by the oldest member of the Irkutsk Jewish community, Boris Gornykh, who just celebrated his 100th birthday last week. A three-year-old girl handed him the scissors for the ceremony,” noted Rabbi Wagner. The rabbi added, “We are certain that teaching Jewish values and ideals will help maintain a strong connection between the generations.”