A Magnificent Jewish Center Inaugurated in Russia’s Automotive Capital
The days of the month of Tammuz, carrying the profound significance of the redemption of the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, took on a vivid and tangible expression this week of the triumph of spirit over matter, especially as we enter the centennial year of his redemption.
Across the Muslim Republic of Tatarstan in Russia, in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny, an unprecedented atmosphere of spiritual elevation was felt. The city, currently marking the 400th anniversary of its founding and known worldwide primarily for its extensive automotive industry and the giant ‘Kamaz’ factory celebrating its 50th anniversary, took on a festive spirit. Against the roar of the factories and the momentum of industrial development, entirely different sounds emerged and rose. The local Philharmonic Orchestra, playing the melodies of the 12th and 13th of Tammuz Festival of Redemption with great emotion, welcomed the masses of celebrants who flocked to the opening celebration of the new and magnificent Jewish Center and synagogue located in the heart of the city. For the many attendees, who stood in awe of the building now serving as a living testament to an unstoppable Jewish revival, it was a pure moment of “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Behind the impressive structure, which spans two spacious floors and includes a beautiful sanctuary, a rich library, an event hall, and a community kitchen—lies a story of wondrous Divine Providence.
The Mara D’Asra, the young and energetic Shliach Rabbi Chaim Dovid Payer, brought a moving life circle to a close on this day. As an eleven-year-old boy in the city of Kazan, his Jewish world began to take shape when he came to the local synagogue to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for his father. He was welcomed warmly and received dedicated, personal guidance from the Rabbi of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Shliach Rabbi Yitzchok Gorelik. From that moment, his path was paved for an impressive journey of returning to his roots, which led him to study in the ‘Tomchei Temimim’ yeshivas in Moscow and the Holy Land, and ultimately to his rabbinic ordination. Now, under the directive of Rabbi B. Lazar, Rabbi Payer has returned to the republic where he was born to serve as the spiritual leader of the community in Naberezhnye Chelny, the second-largest city in the Republic of Tatarstan. He works vigorously, receiving constant support from his father-in-law, Rabbi Shevach Zlatopolsky, who serves as a Shliach in Almaty.
The historic event was led by the guest of honor, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, who opened the emotional chain of events by affixing the mezuzahs, and was subsequently honored with writing the first letter in a magnificent Torah scroll that will be donated to the community. Immediately afterward, the distinguished guests went out to the sounds of the crowd’s singing to the center’s plaza, for the pouring and laying of the cornerstone for a Mikvah Taharah, which will be built in the complex and complete the spiritual infrastructure for the Jews of the region.
A long and distinguished line of public figures came to salute the community’s development, headed by Mayor Mr. Nail Magdeev, President of the Russian Jewish Congress Mr. Yakov Gentsis, and members of the family of the philanthropist Mr. Vainer, who assisted with a generous heart.
Joining them was a respected gallery of rabbis and shluchim who arrived from near and far to rejoice in the community’s celebration: The Rabbi of the Republic of Bashkortostan and the city of Ufa, Shliach Rabbi Dan HaLevi Krichevsky; Rabbi of the city of Chelyabinsk, Shliach Rabbi Meir Kirsh; Rabbi of the city of Sochi, Shliach Rabbi Sholom Lazar; Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities and the ‘Ohr Avner’ Foundation, Shliach Rabbi Dovid Mondshine; Director of the Shluchim Office in Russia, Shliach Rabbi Menachem Mendel Mondshine; Shliach in the Zhulebino neighborhood of Moscow, Rabbi Yitzchak Voldorsky; Maggid Shiur at the Mesivta in Moscow, Rabbi Meir Fyodorov; Maggid Shiur at the Yeshiva Gedolah in Moscow, Rabbi Nissan Pill; and the Sofer Stam Rabbi Efraim HaKohen Cohen. Alongside them were the leaders and prominent members of the community, representatives of various religions, and many friends.
An uplifting moment took place when the Philharmonic Orchestra played the melody of the 12th of Tammuz, and the conductor, Mr. Lermont, one of the community’s dignitaries, invited all the rabbis to sing the melody accompanied by the instruments—a sight that deeply moved the mayor and the numerous participants.
At the opening ceremony, the Chief Rabbi of Russia delivered a fascinating and uplifting address, in which he dwelled upon the meaning of the sanctuary residing in the heart of every Jew. In his remarks, he revealed a detail that evoked awe and publicly sanctified God’s name: the President of the Muslim Republic was the one who pushed, supported, and even invested substantial financial resources into establishing the Jewish center, serving as a rare paragon of mutual respect and brotherhood in a multinational country. The open doors of the new Jewish center, now bustling with life and prayer, promise to empower the local community, connect more and more Jews to their heritage, and illuminate the entire automotive capital with the precious light of Torah and Chassidus for generations.
Later in his address, the Chief Rabbi noted among other things: “It is said in the Torah, ‘And they shall make Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them’ (b’socham). The commentators point out that the meaning of the verse is seemingly unclear: if it had been written ‘and I will dwell within it’ (b’socho), it would be understood that by building the Holy Temple, one brings about the resting of the Divine Presence within the house.
“However, it says ‘among them’ (b’socham)—within each and every individual. And since the Almighty is already present within every one of us anyway, what then is the need for the building? The explanation is that by building a sanctuary and revealing the desire for it to be the center of our lives, we establish a permanence for the Divine Presence to dwell within us. We proudly demonstrate that the Divine presence is the most important thing for us, and by doing so, we establish His dwelling place in the heart of every single Jew.
“When infrastructure is built in the city and living conditions are improved, it is wonderful. When I am told that a grand, wide road will be paved here, that is all well and good. But where is the center of the city? Here, in the place where the sanctuary resides. And it is wonderful to see the visible joy in everyone who enters here and feels at home. Why? Because thanks to the sanctuary, the potential within everyone can be exposed and revealed. It could be a small child, or it could be a person who has already lived a full and worthy life.
“I would like to welcome here, first and foremost, Mr. Vainer, the father and his son. Exactly today, ninety-nine years ago, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, who in those days fought against the Communist regime that opposed religion and faith in God, was released from his imprisonment, and it was a moment of the triumph of the spirit. Today, when we see how we stand together, representatives of other religions, our brothers whom we are so glad are with us today—we see how much religions are respected specifically here in Russia. This is a truly multinational country, and not just in words. What we currently see in the West, unfortunately, is not a cause for joy, but we see how here in Russia, peoples live in peace and live together. Why? Because we have respect for religion, faith in God, and this is what unites us.
“Therefore, I wish each and every one of you great success, happiness, and spiritual growth. You are fortunate to have such a wonderful rabbi come to you. Someone said today that he is very young; I say that being young is a wonderful virtue, as he has a lot of energy. He will still learn much from you. He already feels not just ‘at home,’ but this has already become his hometown. Thank you for welcoming him so wonderfully. Thank you to Rabbi Gorelik, who invests so much, not only in the building but in creating a wonderful Jewish life in all of Tatarstan.
“I bless you that this should be a good beginning. The very fact that such a center has been built is a wonderful thing, but now everyone is needed here every single day. Why? Because only together will we be able to reveal our potential and glorify this beautiful city. My blessings for a long life. May God grant that we can always show everyone how to be friends and how to unite forces. This is the blessing I wish for each and every one of us—health, happiness, and success, and that this center will beautify the life of every person and empower what already exists within them, so that it becomes much greater and more beautiful, and in the merit of all this, may we merit the true and complete redemption speedily.”
Photography: Yegor Sukhov
