Israel President Peres in Russia. Photo: GPO.

Israeli President Shimon Peres inaugurated the Jewish Museum of Tolerance in Moscow on Thursday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Peres, Lavrov, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar and Rabbi Alexander Boroda, chief of the local Chabad House, all gave speeches at the event. “At this emotional moment I can see generations of my people before my very eyes and I carry them with me. My parents were born in Russia. In my home we spoke Yiddish, Hebrew and Russian,” the Israeli president said, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Sponsored by the World Zionist Congress and American businessman Ronald Lauder, the museum cost about $60 million. The idea for its construction was initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the museum is composed of 4,500 square meters (48,450 square feet), outlining the history of Jews around the world and in the Soviet Union. There is also a section for children.

“The diplomatic, economic and scientific ties have been strengthened with unique cultural relations between us. Russian culture flows through Israel’s veins and Jewish culture is intertwined in Russia’s culture,” Peres said.