Governor Matvienko Marks Chanukah with S. Petersburg Jews
	S. PETERSBURG, Russia – While celebrating Chanukah in the city's 'Ice Palace' is a long-standing tradition for the Jewish community of S. Petersburg, this year was the first time this celebration involved Governor of S. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko. On the eighth day of Chanukah, the top official joined Chief Rabbi of S. Petersburg Menachem Mendel Pewzner and community Chairman Mark Grubarg in lighting the candles of a giant Chanukah Menorah. Considered to be the Jewish festivity with the largest attendance of any
regularly held in Russia's northern capital, this year's event was grander than ever. Not only did this event mark the 15-year anniversary of the first public candle-lighting ceremony in the 'Ice Palace', but so did the holiday coincide with several other anniversaries, making this year's event particularly colorful. For instance, featured performers Iosif Kobzon also marked his 70th year anniversary this year, as did singer Edith Piekh, while the Turetskiy Choir proudly marks 15 years since its foundation. After three months of intensive preparation for this event, the entertainment line-up was extraordinary, featuring performances by an impressive line-up of national and internationally-renowned performers. After traveling to the northern capital on 12 trains and three planes, an estimated 400 performers arrived just a few days before the concert and dedicated a lengthy day to rehearsing for the event. The giant Chanukah Menorah, which was created by special order for the Jewish community of S. Petersburg, will be kept in the Great Choral Synagogue. Chanukah celebrations in this and other settlements – big and small, central and remote – across the Former Soviet Union were made possible through support provided by the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS and the Ohr Avner Foundation, sponsored by Lev and Olga Leviev, in addition to numerous local and other patrons.