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Soviet Jews Observe Seder Without Matzoh; Crowd Synagogue Services

March 30, 1964
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Religious Jews throughout the Soviet Union observed the seder but without matzoth since only a few families succeeded in baking matzoth for themselves, it was established here today on the basis of reports from Moscow. Most of the matzoh parcels sent by relatives from abroad to Jews in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Odessa, Minsk, Kishinev and other Soviet cities remained undelivered.

The Central Synagogue in Moscow, as well as the two smaller congregations in the capital and its environs, were reported filled beyond capacity for services during the first two nights and days of Passover. Large crowds of worshipers were reported having attended synagogue services also in the other principal Jewish centers around the USSR.

The Israel Ambassador in Moscow, Yosef Tekoah, conducted a seder in his Embassy Friday evening, with 57 persons in attendance. But not one Moscow Jew had been invited to the Embassy seder this year, as had been the custom in previous years.

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