Jews of Perm Unite for Bar Mitzva of Shliach’s Son

Many guests arrived from far and near for the Bar Mitzva celebration of the son of Rabbi Zalman and Sarah Duetch, shluchim to Perm, Russia. The community currently stands at the threshold of a major milestone: laying the foundation for a large community center and campus.

Photos: Alexander Titov

Located on the banks of the Kama River near the Ural Mountains, the natural border between Europe and Aisa, the city of Perm merited a special occasion this week. Young and old, children and seniors, friends, supporters and community members all gathered together to celebrate the Bar Mitzva of their beloved Shliach’s son.

For over two decades Rabbi Zalman Deutch and his wife are devotedly working with the local Jewish community, growing and expanding their activities. Their beautiful “Ohr Avner School” has produced graduates who continued to study at yeshivas and seminaries, many of them have already established their own warm Jewish homes.

The community currently stands at the threshold of a major milestone: laying the foundation for a large community center and campus. Their excitement can be felt in the air.

Many guests arrived from far and near for the Bar Mitzva celebration, amongst them the Bar Mitzva boy’s grandfather, the chassid Rabbi Chaim Sholom Duetch from Yerushalayim, as well as many Rabbis and Shluchim from other cities in Russia who came to show their appreciation to Rabbi Deutch who is always so helpful to all the Shluchim with his important initiatives and projects.

The guests who arrived from Moscow brought with them a gift from Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, a set of Shulchan Aruch with a personal inscription for the Bar Mitzva boy.

The celebration began with the recital of Tehillim for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, and words of encouragement from the grandfather Rabbi Chaim Sholom Deutch.

During their visit, the guests got to see firsthand the beautiful community that is growing and developing with minyanim, children’s programs and a Jewish school.