A state delegation led by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog arrived for a historic visit to Kazakhstan. At the entrance of the Chabad House in Astana, the President was welcomed by the Rebbe’s shluchim, the Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, and the Chief Rabbi of Astana, Rabbi Shmuel Karnaoch.

Also participating in the visit were the Israeli Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Yoav Bistritsky; the chairman of the Jewish community in Kazakhstan, Mr. Albert Shamouni; the Nativ consul, Dr. Boleslav Yitvatsky; the shliach in Kyrgyzstan, Rabbi Aryeh Reichman; the shliach in Uzbekistan, Rabbi Chaim Sheikevitz; and the Rebbe’s shluchim from across Kazakhstan.

In the guest book of “Beis Rachel Chabad Lubavitch,” the President wrote, “It is an honor for me, and I am moved to visit this magnificent shul, a symbol of the unbreakable spirit of the Jewish people, and a deep expression of our dedication to our communities and to the tradition that sustains us everywhere and at all times.”

During the meeting with the shluchim, the President heard about Jewish life in Kazakhstan and its extensive activities. They discussed the challenges facing the community, efforts to preserve Jewish identity, and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with Israel.

A moving moment took place when Rabbi Cohen showed the President from a sefer how his grandfather, Rabbi Aharon Tzvi Hirsch Cohen, used to visit the home of the President’s grandfather, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Herzog, and daven and learn with him. The President, who is named after his illustrious grandfather, was deeply moved to see his picture appear in the sefer.

In a special meeting with the shluchim, the President shared that he merited to attend Simchas Torah by the Rebbe, and that the power of the hakafos and the niggun of the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchak, continues to accompany him in his public work until today. He showed great interest in the life story of the Rebbe’s father and the significance of his holy tziyun in Almaty.

At a special ceremony held in the shul, Rabbi Cohen recited a prayer for the safety of IDF soldiers, security forces, and the President. The President expressed his support for the shluchim and emphasized that the State of Israel sees strengthening ties with Jewish communities in the Diaspora as a central value.

The shluchim presented him with a Tanya printed in Astana, a set of “Toras Menachem – Tiferes Levi Yitzchak,” and a special commemorative cube featuring photographs of all Chabad houses in the country, with the center highlighting the holy resting place of Harav Levi Yitzchak in Almaty.

In his remarks, the President said, “There is no doubt that the work of Chabad here in Kazakhstan and throughout the world is extraordinary. It preserves Judaism and connects all Jews, wherever they may be.”

The President also thanked the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for inviting him on the state visit, as Israeli economic representatives meet with the Kazakh government to strengthen cooperation.

President Herzog also praised the thriving and flourishing Jewish community, which meets its challenges in an impressive manner.

Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev noted that the presence of Harav Levi Yitzchak’s resting place in Kazakhstan brings blessings to the country.