Jewish News from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan - 4-Jul-05

I would like to share with you a little of what has been going on lately in the Jewish community of Kazakhstan.

Thank G-d, work has already begun for the new mikva that will soon enhance the synagogue in Pavlodar---the first mikva to be built in this region of the former Soviet Union. The necessity to build the mikva was especially felt when a couple from Pavlodar wanted to marry properly according to Jewish law and observe the laws of mikva. The wedding was conducted in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, where the nearest mikva is to be found, and which regularly receives those from the nearby regions (including Pavlodar) seeking a mikva. At this opportunity, the shul will be expanded as well, G-d willing.

The activities in Pavlodar have increased so intensely that the community realized it would be necessary to purchase a new vehicle to keep up with and advance the growing activities; indeed, on their own, they fundraised and successfully pooled together the funds to buy a van to facilitate these activities. Since then, the outreach programs have also spread to and benefited the nearby towns and villages. Rabbi Shmuel Karnaukh now regularly visits several families and groups regularly in their far-flung locations.

In Astana, a new institution has been established, delivering hot lunches and food packages to the ill and homebound daily.

On Shavuot eve, a group of 31 young men, students and businesspeople who have recently began to rediscover their Jewish heritage and enhance their observance, spent the night in the synagogue, studying Torah with great enthusiasm until the wee hours of the morning, when they immersed in the mikveh in preparation for receiving the Torah with joy.

On Shavuot day, four minyanim were held at various times for the reading of the Aseret Hadibrot. An exciting children's program was held with prizes and ice cream.

This year, the Center is conducting four summer camps with increased recreational programs and more counselors from abroad to ensure a both materially and spiritually richer summer experience for the Jewish children of Kazakhstan.

The already warm relations with the domestic government and with the President in particular are steadily progressing, providing greater stability and confidence to the Jewish community. Recently, the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, was invited by the President to a national holiday reception at which he presented the chief rabbi and head shliach a memorial present and a personal certificate of honor. A special meeting was arranged for the mayor of Moscow to meet with Rabbi Cohen as well. In Astana, many dignitaries have made special visits to the new, magnificent synagogue and met with Rabbi Yehuda Kubalkin, the chief rabbi of the capital district, most recently the Kazakhstani ambassador to Israel. The archbishop of Kazakhstan also wished to meet with Rabbi Kubalkin at the synagogue. Rabbi Kubalkin acceded on condition that the former would come without any religious garb or icons, to which he happily agreed. Truly a lesson in Jewish pride---if we only will be firm and unwavering in our commitment to the laws of our Torah, our neighbors will understand.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Moshe D. Cohen
Director, Kazakhstan Jewry Aid Fund