A new children education center opened its doors in FJC’s Jewish community of Krasnoyarsk, southern Russia yesterday. The center, designed by Israeli architects, includes a children’s tolerance museum, a Sunday school, a well-equipped gym for sport activities, an auditorium and dance studios. It also hosts an interactive exhibit “Museum-Lectorium” that allows all children to become familiar with the basics of Jewish culture.

The opening was attended by Krasnoyarsk’s Governor, who said he highly values the initiatives of the Jewish community that help develop the city’s cultural scene as a whole. “I am very glad that Krasnoyarsk is now a home to such a unique children’s center that carries a strong message of mutual respect and understanding,” he said at a meeting with the chief rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar before the opening. The mayor also noted that the center’s opening gives a push for the development of the city territory surrounding it.

The rabbi of Krasnoyarsk, Rabbi Benjamin Wagner, also present at the meeting added that the center originally was conceived as a place of innovative educational formats – interactive and accessible to children. “Every space in the center is built in a way to allow children learn and play independently,” he said.

The center can also be used for hosting various cultural, educational and sport events for the general population of Krasnoyarsk children, rabbi Wagner said. “In “Museum- Lectorium” they can visit the tent of Avraham, try on traditional Jewish clothes, watch educational cartoons, see and touch the Torah scroll and even try writing Hebrew letters on kosher parchment.”

After the meeting the city officials and community heads proceeded to the center opening ceremony, which was marked by a festive concert and a celebration for all the Krasnoyarsk community members of all ages.