The Jewish community of Panama came together this past weekend for a series of uplifting events celebrating Torah study, strengthening local institutions, and marking significant milestones in communal life. The three-day visit culminated in a moving Siyum HaShas and semicha ceremony, highlighting the remarkable growth of Torah learning throughout Central America.

The guest of honor was Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, who arrived in Panama for a special three-day visit organized by Kollel Torah Panama under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shuchat.

The visit opened with Shacharis at Beis El Synagogue together with the mesivta students, followed by extensive tours of local educational institutions. At Torah Ohr Talmud Torah, students welcomed Rabbi Lazar with spirited singing and heard words of chizuk and Chassidus, while the dedicated staff received special recognition for their efforts. He also visited the Bais Yaakov girls’ school, where he was deeply impressed by the high standard of chinuch, and later addressed students gathered at the city’s main Talmud Torah.

A special shiur for approximately fifty women, focusing on the unique strength and role of the Jewish woman, was hosted at the home of the Dornbusch family, among the supporters and founders of the local yeshiva and Talmud Torah.

On Friday, students of the yeshiva gedolah were tested on Maseches Bava Kamma by Rabbi Lazar together with the mara d’asra, Rabbi Aharon Leib Laine, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Panama and Head Shliach; Rabbi Avraham Farkash, rav of the Shabat Achim-Pacifica community; and Rabbi Shuchat.

The highlight of the visit took place on Motzaei Shabbos with a grand Siyum HaShas and semicha ceremony. The Siyum HaShas was completed by talmid Yosef Yitzchak Rabinowitz, who began his in-depth Torah studies while attending yeshiva ketanah in Moscow and merited to complete Shas in Panama. Joining him at the celebration was his father, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Rabinowitz, a senior leader of the JLI network.

The evening was preceded by a distinguished reception attended by Panama’s rabbinic leadership, community leaders, diplomats, including Israel’s ambassador and consul, and public officials, all of whom expressed admiration for the flourishing world of Torah learning in Russia and throughout the Diaspora.

Throughout Shabbos, Rabbi Lazar participated in farbrengens, shiurim, drashos, and tefillos in the city’s major shuls, including Beis El and Shabat Achim, inspiring community members of all ages.

A particularly historic moment took place during the Motzaei Shabbos gathering, when leaders from across Panama’s Jewish community came together in a rare display of unity. Among those present were outgoing Chief Sephardic Rabbi Rabbi David Peretz, who delivered emotional farewell remarks during one of his final communal appearances before concluding his term, and incoming Chief Sephardic Rabbi Rabbi Ariel Silveira, who will officially assume his new position in the coming days. Also participating were Chabad shluchim throughout Panama, members of the leadership of the Shabat Achim and Beis El communities, and many local rabbanim.

In his keynote address, Rabbi Lazar reflected on his early years in Russia during the final decades of Communist rule and contrasted those difficult times with the vibrant Torah renaissance now flourishing throughout the former Soviet Union and beyond.

On Sunday, Rabbi Lazar paid a special visit to Rabbi Silveira at his office, offering blessings and encouragement ahead of his assumption of the position of Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Panama. The meeting emphasized the spirit of cooperation and friendship that characterizes the city’s Jewish communities.

Students of Yeshivas Ohel Torah of Boro Park, currently spending the summer in Panama, also enjoyed a memorable farbrengen with Rabbi Lazar and their educational staff. During the gathering, he encouraged the bochurim to strengthen their diligence in Torah study and personally blessed each of them for future success in building Torah-true Jewish homes.

The visit also coincided with several personal and communal celebrations. On Sunday, Rabbi Lazar officiated at the wedding of a member of the Chafetz family of Italy and the Azrak family, well known for their longstanding support of Torah institutions.

As the historic visit drew to a close, participants left inspired and energized by the tremendous growth of Torah learning and Jewish life throughout Panama and Central America.

Photos: Community Spokesperson