Chief Rabbi of Russia Makes Impressive Visit to Tashkent to Strengthen Uzbek Jewry
In honor of the “Shloshim” of the veteran emissary in Uzbekistan, Rabbi Dovid Abba Gurevitch, who worked for many years in the city of Tashkent – a memorial event was held that united all the communities, under the leadership of the Chabad emissary in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, Rabbi Chaim Shaikevitz, an event that has not been seen in Uzbekistan for many years, uniting all the communities and Jewish organizations
The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar Shlita, who came especially from Russia, at the head of a delegation including the director of the Jewish community in Moscow, Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, and the director of the Chamesh Institute, Rabbi Avraham Bekerman, father-in-law of Rabbi Sheikevich, who had been on shlichus in Tashkent as a young man, and was privileged to be with the Gurevitch family in close ties.
Rabbi Baruch Gurevitch, a shliach in Chicago, reminisced about his great father. Rabbi Shaikevitz recited “Kel malei rachamim”. Rabbi Lazar Shlita gave the keynote address, in which he spoke about Rabbi Gurevitch’s activities during his years in Tashkent, and later called for unity between the communities and increased development of Torah and educational institutions throughout the country. In his speech, he praised Rabbi Shaikevitz, who invests his life in and continues the great shlichus in the city, engaging with the community and tourists who visit. The special guest who came from the Holy Land, Rabbi of Bat Yam, Rabbi Yaakov Roja, recited Tehillim.
The Rabbi’s visit to Russia was used for a joint and thorough visit to the ancient Jewish cemetery, located in the center of Tashkent city, where many God-fearing Jews and Chassidim are buried. The two rabbis monitored the work on site for the success of the Beis HaChaim and the preservation of the honor of the Jewish dead according to Halacha, while coordinating with the government, which sent senior representatives on its behalf for the rabbinical tour.
Later in the day, the delegation met with the mayor and senior officials with the aim of strengthening the connection between the Jewish community and the city authorities and preserving Jewish institutions in the city. As well as with the chairman of the State Committee for Religions of Uzbekistan, who hosted the Chief Rabbi at the Academy for Islamic Studies and spoke about the importance of maintaining the connection between the Jewish community and other religions in the city.
Accompanied by the shliach Rabbi Shaikevitz, the Chief Rabbi traveled to all the active Bukharian and Ashkenazi communities in the city, and everywhere he encouraged both the local Jews and their community leaders.
Israeli Ambassador Mr. Gideon Lustig received the rabbis in his office in the embassy building and spent some time praising Chabad’s activities and the connection with the communities.
The visit made an impression on the entire community, encouraging peace and unity between the various communities and organizations.
Photo: Chabad of Tashkent
