Source: The Washington Post
On December 21, 2000, The Washington Post reported that the Jewish Community Center in Rockville, MD hosted about 50 recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union last Friday during pre-Hannukah festivities. Some of the immigrants recounted stories about how it was forbidden for them to practice their faith in Russia. "The Gateway program and the Community Resettlement Program, both of which are funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, helps Jews to resettle in the Washington area. Since the Soviet Union broke apart in 1989, about 4,500 Jews have immigrated to the area. All but about 200 settled in Montgomery, which has the area's largest Jewish population." While many are happy to be able to openly practice Judaism, some say that discrimination against Jews is a "fact of life." However, the immigrants at last Friday's celebration spoke of how happy they were to be able to celebrate Hannukah with each other and pass on the tradition to their children.