The Moscow office of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) in partnership with "Shahar" movement and the project "AH!" held a gala evening dedicated to Rosh Hashanah – New Year 5777 on the Jewish calendar. "Express Gazeta", "Dni.ru" and "MK-Israel" provided the information support to the event.
Celebration was attended by about one hundred fifty guests – leaders and activists of Jewish organizations, rabbis, Israeli diplomats, figures of culture and science, journalists. Among those who came were former Minister of Economy of Russia Andrey Nechayev and former Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Fyodor Shelov-Kovedyaev, economist Mikhail Khazin, Director of the Israeli Cultural Center Anna Ukolova, publisher Felix Dektor, experts in Jewish studies Arkady Kovelman, Victoria Mochalova, Semen Yakerson, a leading expert on the Islamic world Alexander Ignatenko, filmmakers Vladimir Dvinskiy and Vladimir Sinelnikov, poet Alexander Yelin.
The guests were welcomed by EAJC Secretary General Michael Chlenov, leader of the "Shahar" Alexander Kargin, businessman and philanthropist Alexander Haminsky, co-owner of the restaurant "Scandinavia" Yuri Gevirts. Deputy Moscow Chief Rabbi Shimon Levin said the blessing and trumpeted the shofar.
Popular singer Alla Reed sang songs in Hebrew and Yiddish. The event was moderated by Igor Pankov, journalist of "Nashe Radio" station.
The festival was full of jokes and funny raffles. A lottery was held throughout the evening. Lottery prizes were colorful albums "Jewish Holidays in Postcards", issued with the support of EAJC, the new book "Peysbook" by Alexander Haminsky and concert tickets, granted by "Nashe radio". The main prize was a bottle of kosher wine autographed by the event organizers.