A Tour Through Chabad of Azerbaijan

Photographer Mordechai Lubecki took a 3-day tour of the Chabad centers of Baku, Azerbaijan, including two synagogues, a kosher store, Chabad House, restaurant, Mikvah, and High School.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Shneor Segal, an emissary of Chabad-Lubavitch since 2002, the Jewish community of Baku has experienced significant growth. The Jewish Community Center, located at 171 Dilara Alieva Street, offers a range of services, including Shabbat meals, prepared kosher food, and educational activities.

In 2019, Azerbaijan’s first kosher restaurant, 7/40, opened on Samed Vurgun Street in Baku. This restaurant offers a fusion of Azerbaijani cuisine and Middle Eastern Israeli dishes, attracting both Jewish and non-Jewish customers. Rabbi Shneor Segal oversees the establishment’s kosher certification.

The Ohr Avner Jewish School in Baku, opened in 2010, serves approximately 400 students. This modern facility also includes a community center and sports facilities, serving as an educational and cultural pillar for the 12,000 members of the local Jewish community.