Moscow Shluchim Gather for Regional Kinus

The annual gathering of Chabad House directors in Moscow was held this week over two days at the yeshiva ketana campus in the Istra suburb, where they discussed halachic and communal topics, addressing challenges faced by the shluchim and heads of mosdos.

In an uplifting atmosphere following Sukkos and Simchas Torah, the annual gathering of Chabad House directors in Moscow was held this week in the town of Istra, 40 kilometers west of the Russian capital.

The rabbis gathered for two days at the large campus of the yeshiva ketana, where they discussed halachic and communal topics, addressing challenges faced by the rabbis and administrators of their institutions. The participants also attended lectures by various experts, aiming to strengthen and develop their communities, which serve thousands of Jews across Moscow’s many neighborhoods.

A sense of excitement filled the room when Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, director of the Jewish community and head of Chabad Houses in Moscow, warmly welcomed Rabbi Zev Korbsky, who was recently appointed as a new shliach in the Pushkino neighborhood. The appointment follows his more than 40 years of dedicated service, during which he was the first shliach to establish a Jewish school in Russia and has been a prominent community activist ever since.

Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, the founder and head of Jewish institutions in Russia, discussed halachic issues and encouraged the participants in their dedicated work. He explained his decision during Simchat Torah to bolster Jewish activities, adding rabbis and shluchim, especially focusing on expanding Torah classes across the city.

Rabbi Alexander Boroda, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, spoke about the importance of having all activities adhere to legal and judicial guidelines so that they will continue to receive, with Hashem’s help, government support and recognition. The Russian government has consistently supported and encouraged the growth of the Jewish community for more than 20 years.

The rabbonim and dayanim of Russia’s Chief Rabbinate answered questions from the shluchim, leading to lengthy discussions on various halachic issues, alongside farbrengens that lasted hours and lifted the participants’ spirits. The inspiration received from Sukkos and Simchas Torah will continue to be felt in the days and months ahead in the spirit of “v’Yaakov halach l’darko.”

At the end of the successful gathering, the participants expressed their appreciation to the event’s organizer, Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, and to Rabbi Yaakov Klein, a member of the Chabad Moscow administration board and rabbi of the Arbat community.

Photo: Levi Nazarov