On December 2, President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin visited the city's synagogue. They participated in a tour of the synagogue premises, including the prayer hall and an exhibition organized by the Jewish community of Kazan.
Chief Rabbi of Tatarstan Yitzchak Gorelik and community chairman Michael Skoblionok told the guests about the activities of the Jewish community of Tatarstan, the history of the Kazan synagogue, and showed them the holy ark that holds the Torah scroll.
The president and the mayor were then given a report of the Jewish community’s accomplishments until now. Currently, the Jewish community of Kazan is one of the largest in Russia. The Jewish community boats a number of organizations including the Jewish Center Charitable Foundation Chesed Moshe, the Ohr Avner Chabad Kindergarten and School, Jewish Secondary School № 12 (ORT-Mishpahteinu), and the Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Kazan.
The community runs several educational projects: a Sunday School (for children of preschool and primary school age), Beit Midrash study center for adults, a family club and a women's club. In addition, there is a group for older people for communicating in Yiddish, and a Golden Age club. On Sundays, there are gatherings dedicated to interesting topics, where participants have the chance to become acquainted with Israeli cinema, music and literature. Every summer, family and children's camps are organized for community members.
The community publishes the “Jewish Street” newspaper, and runs an art studio and the Freilachs Dance Ensemble. The JCC’s creative arts and dance groups have won awards at numerous festivals. The Jewish community is part of the Assembly of the Peoples Republic of Tatarstan and a proud member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia.