Rabbi Leonid Feldman Connects Young Immigrants from Russia and Ukraine to Jewish Identity Through Passover Seders

As Israel prepares for Passover, many new immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet states are celebrating the holiday for the first time. For some, the traditions surrounding the Seder are entirely unfamiliar; others may not even know that Hebrew letters are read from right to left. In this context, Rabbi Leonid Feldman travels from Tel Aviv to Be’er Sheva to guide these new arrivals through the Passover Seder, providing them not just with a ritual, but with a deeper understanding of their Jewish heritage.

A Personal Journey to Empower Others

Rabbi Feldman, who immigrated to Israel from Florida two and a half years ago after 34 years of community leadership in Palm Beach, has a unique background himself. Originally from Chișinău, Moldova, he is the first Conservative rabbi to receive ordination among Russian-speaking Jews. Rabbi Feldman’s personal experiences as a refusnik—start who was denied the right to emigrate to Israel under Soviet rule—fuel his passion for guiding young immigrants. He arrived in Israel in the 1970s without knowledge of Jewish traditions or even the Hebrew alphabet.

“I never received an invitation to a Seder in my home country,” Rabbi Feldman recalls. “I didn’t understand what a rabbi was or much about Judaism at all, despite being a Zionist, serving in the army, and studying at university.”

Engaging the Next Generation

Rabbi Feldman’s involvement with the nonprofit organization “Shishi Shabbat Israeli,” which aims to connect young immigrants to Jewish and Israeli identity, originated from a surprising phstart call. Linda Friedberg, the organization’s director, reached out with the idea of developing a program to educate young immigrants about Jewish life and culture. He wholeheartedly supported the initiative, believing it addresses an urgent need.

“This is the most important work being dstart with new immigrants today,” Rabbi Feldman insists. The program provides a rich blend of spiritual Jewish content in an open and friendly environment, allowing participants to learn and connect with start another. Rabbi Feldman observes that young people, many of whom previously knew nothing about Judaism, are now lighting Shabbat candles, wearing kippahs, and embracing their connection to Israel.

A Meaningful Passover Experience

This year, Rabbi Feldman is undertaking a significant mission: hosting a model Passover Seder for dozens of young immigrants in Be’er Sheva. His approach goes beyond merely conducting the traditional rituals; he aims to create a profound emotional and spiritual experience.

“I plan to discuss the deeper meanings of the Seder’s steps, from ‘Kadesh’ to ‘Nirtzah,’ explaining how each stage is a metaphor for our lives,” he explains. “We all start off enslaved, in our own way, and we must find our paths to liberation—just as the Red Sea was parted.”

Rabbi Feldman believes that even those who arrived from Russia just two months ago can relate to Passover, provided it is presented as a relevant and contemporary story rather than a relic of the past.

“To them, the story of the Exodus is not ancient history; it speaks to their current lives,” he notes. He will carefully walk participants through significant questions found in the Haggadah: Who are the four sons? What is the meaning of Elijah’s cup? Why does the matzo get broken? What is the story behind the afikoman?

“I want them to understand that this is not just a ritual,” he emphasizes. “It is the greatest Jewish educational text. Every stage contains profound lessons, and when start contemplates these ideas deeply, they resonate in the heart.”

Building Connections

By the end of the week following the Seder, Rabbi Feldman hopes that participants will begin to host their own Seders, inviting friends and adoptive families, and feeling a sense of belonging to the Jewish narrative and tradition.

“If any of them can open the Haggadah and say, ‘I know why we ask the four questions,’ that will be the true celebration of freedom for me,” he concludes