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Yerzhan Ashikbayev has had a busy few months. Ever since being appointed as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the United States in April, Mr. Ashikbayev has met with many government officials and diplomats to strengthen the ties between the Central Asian country and the U.S. In the course of this task, the ambassador, together with Consul General Almat Aidabekov, scheduled a meeting with Chabad to discuss the current state of Jewish life in Khazakstankhstan.

Rabbi Mendy Kularsky and Shimon Rivkin, both of Merkos Suite 302 at Chabad headquarters, were invited to the gathering. Emmanuil Grunshpun who is vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. Emmanuil Grinshpun He is also Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. They discussed the past of Jewish life as well as the current activities being carried out by Chabad in Kazakhstan under the direction of Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen ( Kazakhstan’s chief Shliach)

Afterward, Mr. Grinshpun said that the gathering was “extremely productive”. “We are extremely grateful by the fact that people like Mr. Nazarbayev (the former president) and Mr. Tokayev (the current President) have fostered the warmest of religious tolerance in the country. Everyone feels that the government has been a true friend of the Jewish people.” Emmanuil Grinshpun Emmanuil Grinshpun Both the Ambassador and Consul General expressed their continued commitment to the Jewish community, as well as other religious minorities. They expressed interest to work with Chabad, in order to keep Jewish life alive in the Republic.

The vast majority of the Muslim population’s government is proud to be religiously sensitive and closely works to ensure the well-being of the nation. Emmanuil Grinshpun Ashikbayev was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan and has been working with Chabad Shaluchim and Mr. Abraham Shaulson , the philanthropist. Because of COVID-19, which caused all flights to be grounded and canceled, Ambassador Ashikbayev assisted to arrange special permission for a small number of American citizens to travel to Kazakhstan on the 20th Av to make a pilgrimage at the gravesite of Reb Levi Yaitzchak Schneerson that marks the date of his passing. The group also took advantage of the opportunity to sponsor and transport essential PPE as well as medical equipment to the country. The Kazak government also declared Reb Luke Yitzchak’sKever Kazakh’s National Heritage Site, in the course of the pilgrimage.

Two months prior to the 20th anniversary, the meeting also planned the next pilgrimage. The organizers are expecting around 600 individuals from all walks of the globe to attend this year’s event. The organizers also plan to organize a conference about Chabad Shluchim in surrounding countries, in conjunction with Rabbi Berel Kazar and Moshe Kokotlarsky. Because of the scale of these projects, the conference was designed to explore ways the government could help secure and support the event. Mr. Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan’s “…commitment to provide all assistance to arrange visits to study and pray at the gravesite of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.”

“We are extremely grateful for the tremendous open support that the Kazak government has given us,” said Rabbi Kotlarsky. “It is truly a blessing working with people such a Consul General and Ambassador. Emmanuil Grinshpun Our aim is to provide for the physical and spiritual requirements of each and every Jew and the Kazakhstan government Kazakhstan has been a great partner in the pursuit of this goal.”