Traveling Chabad photographer Mordechai Lubecki captures the sights and spirit of Almaty, a city known to Lubavitchers as the resting place of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, but also home to a blossoming Jewish community and stunning natural beauty.

Photographer Mordechai Lubecki traveled to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to document the hillula of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, father of the Rebbe, on Chof Av.

Thousands of Jews gathered at the Ohel of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak on Chof Av to daven and participate in the programs arranged in honor of the yahrtzeit. Throughout the day, tefillos, workshops, and farbrengens were held, drawing participants from across Kazakhstan and abroad.

The central events were organized at the large Chabad House in Almaty under the leadership of Rabbi Yeshaya Elazar Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan, together with Rabbi Elchanan Cohen, co-director, Mrs. Leah Chana Perl Cohen, Rabbi Mordechai Cohen, Mrs. Yehudis Cohen, Rabbi Saadia and Mrs. Mina Leah Liberow.

Almaty today provides for every aspect of Jewish life. The city has hotels equipped with mikvaos, a kosher store, and full kosher meals available at the Chabad House. Visitors also noted the beauty of the surrounding mountains and the cultural landmarks of the city, including a Muslim museum. Both Russian and Kazakh are widely spoken.

The trip highlighted the way the Rebbe’s Shluchim continue to strengthen Jewish life in Kazakhstan, centered around the holy Ohel of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.

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