Euroasian Jewish News

Jewish Agency Chairman Visits Moscow, Petersburg Jewish Communities

Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog visited the Jewish communities of Moscow and Petersburg earlier this week, where he met with local leaders, toured community institutions and discussed plans for further cooperation.

As part of the working visit, Mr. Herzog, who was elected Jewish Agency’s chairman over the summer, met with Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, visited the community center in Moscow and the historic genizah archive at the Grand Choral synagogue in Petersburg.

“We discussed issues concerning cooperation with Russia’s government; deepening the development of educational, cultural and social programs of the Agency; interactions between Israel and the Jewish diaspora; anti-Semitism,” said Rabbi Lazar about the visit.

Mr. Herzog praised the amount and the extent of various programs developed in the community and presented Rabbi Lazar with a book about his grandfather – a prominent rabbi in Ireland and later the Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Following the visit to Moscow’s JCC, Mr. Herzog also came to Petersburg, where he took much interest in learning about the historic Grand Choral Synagogue and its archive. He also met with the city’s rabbi and community president.

FJC