Moscow Yeshiva Graduates 40 New Shochtim

The Machon Ran Yeshiva of Moscow has conducted its final exams, culminating in the graduation of new shochtim and rabbis. This past week, 40 graduates received certification as shochtim and are now qualified for the kosher slaughter of poultry and cattle. These same young men also received their rabbinic ordination.

A number of prominent rabbinic authorities travelled from Israel to Moscow to test the students’ knowledge and skills. Among the visiting rabbis were Chief Rabbi of Kfar Chabad Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi, and Rabbi Meir Aharon, dean of the Ohr Zarua Kollel in Rehovot.

On Sunday, July 24, the exam took place at the Ohr Menachem Mendel Center in the Moscow suburb of Ramenskoye. The exams began with a test of students’ knowledge of the laws of kashrut and shechita. Upon successful completion of this part of the exam, students were then required to demonstrate their practical skill of slaughtering cattle according to the many intricate details of Jewish law and verifying the kosher status of the slaughtered animal.

On the following day, the students took their exam for Rabbinic Ordination which all of the students passed successfully. In all, 30 students received a total of 40 diplomas certifying their qualifications as Shochtim and rabbis (while several others received both titles).

That evening in Ramenskoye, the The Machon Ran Yeshiva held a gathering and diploma award ceremony. A festive dinner was attended by the new graduates, alumni, representatives of the community synagogue on Bolshaya Bronnaya, and supporters of the yeshiva. Among the latter group are Nisson Baer, Emmanuel Volovik, Eli Doliner, Anatoly Kachanov and Yosef Mikhailov.

The graduation ceremony was attended by the president of the Russian Jewish Congress, Yuri Kanner. On behalf of the Congress, Mr. Kanner congratulated the leaders of the yeshiva and Rabbi Yitzchak Kogan on the occasion of yet another successful graduation.