In 2021the Day of Salvation and Liberation was celebrated in dozens of countries and on all continents

On May 6-7, 2021, Jewish communities around the world celebrated the Day of Salvation and Liberation on 26 Iyar.
In Moscow, commemorative events began at 9 am with the laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremony was attended by President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia Alexander Boroda, President of the STMEGI Foundation German Zakharyayev, , and Vice President of the STMEGI Foundation Eduard Zakharyayev, as well as representatives of the Mountain Jewish community and the students of the Jewish schools of Moscow.
On the same day, the III International Scientific Conference “Victory in the Great Patriotic War as a Historical Event in the Life of the Jewish People” started. This year it was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Nazi Germany into the territory of the USSR and the beginning of the mass extermination of Jews in Europe.
Deputy Head of the Public Projects Department of the Presidential Office Aleksey Zharich read out a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin. President of the STMEGI International Charity Foundation German Zakharyayev stressed that the memory of the Great Patriotic War is sacred for every citizen of Russia and every Jew. Preserving the truth about this victory is an important moral task and duty to the victims of Nazism.
The head of the faction of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia in the State Duma Vladimir Zhirinovsky called to take measures against the growth of anti-Semitism. The Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Konstantin Dolgov, the leader of the Israel Our Home party Avigdor Lieberman, as well as Chief Rabbis of Russia Adolf Shaevich (KEROOR) and Berl Lazar (FEOR) were among the speakers.
Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation for Science and Education Damir Khairetdinov read out a welcoming address from the Chief Mufti of Russia Ravil Gainutdin. The scientists from Russia, Ukraine, France, Israel and Germany, specialists in the history of World War II and the Holocaust took part in the plenary sessions,. Within the framework of the conference, the film “Iyar, 26. Belarus”, made by STMEGI-TV and dedicated to the Holocaust in Belarus, was demonstrated.
Events dedicated to the 26th Iyar continued in the evening of the same day in the main synagogues of Moscow – the Choral Synagogue and the Jewish Community Center of Moscow.
Jewish women from Moscow gathered to perform an "hafrashat khala" (the ritual of separating the dough for challah) in honor of the soldiers of the Red Army who saved the Jewish people from the threat of extermination by the Nazis.
The main prayer of the Day of Liberation and Salvation was held at the main holy site of Judaism - the Western Wall in Jerusalem. It was attended by the chief rabbis of Israel, members of the government, members of the Knesset, and other guests of honor. On May 9, on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, the demonstration called “Immortal Regiment” dedicated to the 26th of Iyar, took place.
Also on Victory Day, an event was held in Strasbourg, timed to coincide with the end of the Second World War in Europe and the Jewish Day of Salvation and Liberation 26 Iyar. The meeting took place in the building of the Council of Europe, the guests of the program were Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Björn Berg, Special Representative of the Council of Europe for Combating Anti-Semitism Daniel Holtgan. The participants of the event discussed the current situation in Europe, the challenges that Jews face today. Anti-Semitic sentiments in Europe and the necessity to combat them have become one of the main topics.
Commemorating events and religious ceremonies were held in dozens of Jewish communities in Russia – from Kaliningrad to Birobidzhan and from Murmansk to Derbent – as well as in many communities in the largest cities in Israel, Europe, North and South America.