Shliach Awarded Top Honor in Muslim-Majority Republic

In these days, as autumn winds envelop the streets of Ufa, the capital of the Muslim Republic of Bashkortostan in Russia, and the Torah reading of Parshas “Lech Lecha” echoed in synagogues as an eternal call for a continuous movement of Shlichus and growth, the local Jewish community marked a historic milestone.

Twenty-seven years have passed since the first foundations were laid for the revival of Jewish life in the region—years during which a spiritual wasteland was transformed into a vibrant empire of Torah, education, and Chesed. This week, this momentum of activity reached the highest level of state recognition when the Ufa City Council convened for a special session and decided to award the Chief Rabbi of the Muslim Republic of Bashkortostan and the city of Ufa, Shliach Rabbi Dan Halevi Krichevsky, the distinguished title of “Honorary Citizen of Ufa”—an honorary freeman of the capital.

The official ceremony at the city council was characterized by an atmosphere of deep respect and appreciation for the Jewish community and its institutions. In their remarks, city council members and local government leaders highlighted Rabbi Krichevsky’s unique contribution to the fabric of life in the city, which is home to millions of residents of various religions and nationalities. The official reasoning for the decision emphasized that the Rabbi’s contribution to establishing interfaith dialogue, fostering intercultural brotherhood, and promoting large-scale social projects in the capital is tremendous and immeasurable. The choice to award the Chabad Shliach with the highest civic honor in the city was received with emotional gratitude by members of the Jewish community, who see it as a great Kiddush Hashem and an expression of the strong standing of Judaism in the Southern Ural region.

Behind this honorable title lie nearly three decades of diligent work and Mesiras Nefesh, during which a magnificent community was built from scratch, with the encouragement and blessing of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar. When Rabbi Krichevsky first arrived in Ufa on Shlichus from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the community operated out of temporary structures. Today, a magnificent community center stands in the heart of the city, housing the central synagogue, which bustles with life every single day with Tefillos, Torah classes, and Chassidic Farbrengens. Alongside the synagogue operates an extensive educational campus that includes a Jewish school and kindergartens from the “Ohr Avner” network, as well as the ‘Beit Shvidler’ educational center, where community children are educated upon the foundations of Jewish tradition and values. This is in addition to a strict Kashrus system, a Mikvah Taharah, and extensive activities for youth and young families.

A special focus of the activities in Ufa, which has garnered immense resonance even among the authorities and the general population, is the groundbreaking welfare and rehabilitation system established by the Shliach. Driven by a Chassidic perspective that views every individual as an entire world, the Rabbi founded the Pensionat—an old age home and the “Shalom” resort campus, which provide a warm and supportive environment for the elderly and the needy.

Within the community center complex, a state-of-the-art therapeutic pool was constructed for children with special needs and health limitations, providing them with advanced hydrotherapy treatments, along with a therapeutic dental clinic, and more. During these very days, construction is being completed on the new flagship project—a large-scale rehabilitation center for children with disabilities, which will generously serve the children of the region. Furthermore, the charity and Chesed funds established by Rabbi Krichevsky provide ongoing assistance, food baskets, and medical support to hundreds of elderly individuals, low-income families, and orphans.

As news of the official decision spread, numerous congratulatory messages from public figures, Shluchim, and friends poured into Rabbi Krichevsky’s office. In emotional remarks delivered to community leaders and activists, the Shliach expressed deep gratitude to the Ufa municipality and the members of the city council for their trust and appreciation, but he quickly clarified to whom the true merit belongs. “This honorable recognition does not belong to me personally,” emphasized Rabbi Krichevsky, “but rather, it is a certificate of honor for the entire Jewish community and for each and every one of the partners, the dedicated staff members, and the esteemed donors who work day and night and stand behind our Torah and Chesed enterprises, with the guidance and backing of the Chief Rabbi, shlita.”

The shliach concluded his remarks with an inspiring connection to the weekly Torah portion: “We are standing at the threshold of the holy Shabbos of Parshas ‘Lech Lecha.’ The Chassidic meaning of this command is to never remain stagnant and to never settle for what has already been achieved. Despite the seemingly impressive achievements accumulated over twenty-seven years of Shlichus, our gaze is directed solely forward—to completing the rehabilitation center, expanding the boundaries of holiness, and bringing the Jewish light to every soul.”

In this uplifting spirit, the community members in Ufa prepared for a Sabbos of spiritual elevation and thanksgiving, driven by a resolute determination to continue leading their institutions to new heights of action and unity.

Photo: Community Spokesperson’s Office