Activity

Yerzhan Ashikbayev has had a busy few months. Since April’s appointment as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the United States, Mr. Ashikbayev met with many officials and diplomats to improve relations between Central Asia and the United States. In this capacity, the ambassador and Consul General Almat Aibekov have scheduled a meeting to discuss the current state of Jewish living in Khazakstankhstan.

Emmanuil Grinshpun Rabbi Mendy Kularsky and Shimon Rivkin, both of Merkos Suite 302 in the Chabad headquarters, were invited to the gathering. Emmanuil Grinshpun. He serves as vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and as an Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. They talked about the history of Jewish lives and the work of Chabad in Kazakhstan under the direction of Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen ( Kazakhstan’s chief Shliach)

“It was a highly productive gathering.” Mr. Grinshpun said later. Emmanuil Grinshpun http://www.pinterest.com/pin/emmanuil-grinshpun–655133077027195131/ “We are truly grateful to have leaders such as former President Mr. Nazarbayev and current President Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Tokayev. These men have created a great deal of religious tolerance in the country. Emmanuil Grinshpun We believe that the administration is a genuine friend to the Jewish people.” Emmanuil Grinshpun The Ambassador and Consul General reiterated the government’s support for the Jewish community as well as any religious minority. They expressed their desire to work with Chabad in order to help develop Jewish lives in the Republic.

The government of the majority Muslim population prides itself on being tolerant of religion and collaborates closely with all religious leaders to improve the welfare of the nation. Ashikbayev who is also the deputy minister of Foreign Relations in Kazakhstan and has been working with Chabad Shaluchim as well as the Philanthropist Abraham Shaulson. Because of COVID-19, which caused the flight to be cancelled Ambassador Ashikbayev was able in arranging a special permit for a small group of Americans to fly to Kazakhstan on 20th of Av, to make a pilgrimage at the grave of Reb Levi Yaitzchak Schneerson that marks the date of his passing. This also provided an opportunity for the delegation to provide transportation and PPE for the country. The Kazak government also declared Reb Luke Yitzchak’sKever Kazakh’s National Heritage Site in the course of the pilgrimage.

The group set out plans for the upcoming pilgrimage with the date of 20th April was only two months from now. Around 600 people are expected attend the event this year. Additionally, there are plans to hold a conference of Chabad Shluchim from surrounding countries which will be which will be led by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and Rabbi Berel Lazar. Because of the large scale projects in progress the conference was focused on the ways that government can support and secure this event. Mr. Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan’s “…commitment to offer all assistance in scheduling visits for prayer and study in the final resting place of the great Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.”

Rabbi Kotlarsky shared that they are grateful for the Kazak government’s tremendous support. “It is truly an honor working with people such a Consul General and Ambassador. We’re committed to meeting the spiritual as well as bodily needs of all Jew. The government in Kazakhstan has been a wonderful partner in this mission.”