From our humble beginnings, Sha’arei Tzedek has grown into an organization which provides more than 1000 meals a day and more than 5, 000 food packages a month, as well as additional programs meeting a broad spectrum of community needs.

The Jews of Russia have suffered enormously. The fall of communism did not solve Russia’s problems overnight. Years later, the economy and the political andsocial structure are still developing. Today, more than 65,000 Jews in Moscow are living in extreme poverty.

Sha’arei Tzedek began in 1996 as an effort to combat the most immediate crisis facing so many families: hunger.

In a building next to the historic Marina Roscha Shul, dozens of individuals relied on us for their only hot meal each day. From that small beginning, Sha’arei Tzedek has grown into an organization which provides more than 1000 meals a day and more than 5, 000 food packages a month, as well as additional programs meeting a broad spectrum of community needs.

Six years ago, with help from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, we were able to respond to an acute need for subsidized medical care. From a humble beginning of just six doctors offering basic services our medical program has grown to include 180 doctors, nurses, and Paramedical professionals serving over 16, 000 clients.

Building on the trust we’ve established within the community through our
emergency food and medical programs, we have been able to develop
a number of courses, fitness clubs, counseling services, and other
projects under our community support branch. Established in 2005, the
community support branch is tailored to the needs of our clients and is
continually evolving.

In our first decade, we’ve had tremendous growth and success, and
with our soon to be opened new building we are planning on doubling
(literally) our efforts on behalf of Moscow’s Jewish community.