Lubavitcher Photographer Captures Scenes of Azerbaijan

Photographer Mordechai Lubecki of Paris, France, recently returned from a whirlwind three-day visit to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where he documented the vibrant and growing Jewish community under the leadership of shliach Rabbi Shneor Segal.

Photographer Mordechai Lubecki of Paris, France, recently returned from a whirlwind three-day visit to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where he documented the vibrant and growing Jewish community under the leadership of shliach Rabbi Shneor Segal.

Rabbi Segal has been serving as the Rebbe’s shliach in Baku since 2002. Over the years, he and his family have worked tirelessly to build a strong, welcoming Chabad presence for both the local Yidden and the many Jewish visitors to the region.

The Chabad House, located at 171 Dilara Alieva Street, serves as the heart of Jewish life in Baku. There, Yidden can find Shabbos seudos, kosher food, shiurim, a mikvah, and a warm community atmosphere. With everything from daily minyanim to Yom Tov programs, the center ensures that every Jew in Baku has a place to call home.

In 2019, the city welcomed its first kosher restaurant, 7/40, under Rabbi Segal’s hashgacha. Situated on Samed Vurgun Street, the eatery fuses traditional Azerbaijani flavors with Middle Eastern cuisine, and serves both locals and visitors alike. Its high standards of kashrus and pleasant ambiance have made it a popular spot for a kosher bite in the region.

The Ohr Avner Chabad Day School, which opened its doors in 2010, is another cornerstone of the community. With nearly 400 students enrolled, the school offers a full curriculum infused with Yiddishkeit and Chassidishe values. The modern campus also features sports facilities and hosts cultural events, playing a key role in nurturing the next generation of Azerbaijani Jews.

Mordechai Lubecki’s visit captured the warmth and growth of this far-flung community. From the spirited davening in the local shuls, to the joyful singing of the children’s choir, and the delicious kosher meals aboard Azerbaijan Airlines—now offering kosher options thanks to Rabbi Segal’s efforts—the message was clear: Jewish life in Baku is alive, proud, and full of light.

With peace, growth, and a strong Jewish infrastructure, the Baku community stands as a shining example of what’s possible when Yidden come together with achdus, under the banner of the Rebbe’s shlichus.

Photos: Mordechai Lubecki