Russia’s President Vladimir Putin hosted today (Yud Shevat) the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, for a detailed discussion on the state of Jewish communities in Russia and planned projects for Russian Jewry in cities throughout the country.
At the opening of the meeting, which was held in front of the media, the President told Rabbi Lazar:
“I’m very happy to see you, we meet regularly. These days, the world marks Holocaust Remembrance Day, in memory of the Holocaust victims. This day is particularly significant in Russia because we remember the disasters that Nazism brought to our country. More than a million Soviet and Russian Jews fell victim to these crimes.
“It’s no coincidence that this day, as decided by the United Nations General Assembly, coincides with the complete liberation of Leningrad from the blockade. Since, after all, these were crimes involving the destruction of an entire, vast population center, and above all, the victims were civilians—of all nationalities—not combatants, as they say in such cases, not soldiers. The Nazis simply set themselves the goal of destroying an entire city. Of course, this too is, most certainly, a crime against humanity.
“I know that during these days the Jewish community in Russia is holding a whole series of events dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and many people of various nationalities are participating in these events.”
The Chief Rabbi responded: “Indeed, we marked this important day with the participation of representatives of all traditional religions and people of various nationalities. Because in today’s Russia we feel that it’s not just a dialogue, but mutual respect with everyone around us. We want people not only to remember – this is truly a sacred memory – but also for the lessons of the Holocaust to reach everyone, so they know what people suffered. It was rightly said that these were civilians, people who had nothing to do with it and suffered only because of their nationality or religious affiliation.
“When we look and see that, unfortunately, this continues today in various countries around the world, above all, we are proud to live here, because here, Thank G-d, we truly feel comfortable and secure.
“Today, when I speak with my colleagues in the West, they ask if it is possible to sit next to a Mufti or leaders of other religions; I tell them, we don’t just sit next to each other, we work on various projects together. We live in peace.
“The level of antisemitism seen in the world today—I am sure you have heard about what happened in Australia, in Manchester, England, and elsewhere—here, with G-d’s mercy, we don’t feel it. It’s difficult to understand why people act this way, what is happening in their heads, why they cultivate such jealousy and hatred; I don’t even understand where it comes from or how to fight it.
“All of this is thanks to you. Because I remember well what happened here 30 years ago, in the early 90s: synagogues were burned, there were many cases of antisemitism, it was truly difficult, and today we see even the younger generation befriending one another and returning to Eternal Values, thank G-d. And we are very grateful to you for everything you do every day.
“You mentioned that we are marking these events during these days. For us, the Chassidim, today is a special day: exactly 75 years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe accepted the leadership. He is a leader of the highest stature, who always said that unity is the strongest weapon. When people respect one another, it is stronger than anything else in the world. And this is what we must constantly tell and show. Then, with G-d’s help, we will see the world we all long for. That the world has become not just a farce and chaos, but a garden. As he himself says in the first discourse, ‘Basi L’Gani’ – the world is a most beautiful garden; we only need to release the potential inherent within it.”
President Putin replied: “You have just mentioned the peace and harmony between the representatives of Russia’s various religions, and I must say that this stems primarily from the shared religious culture of the peoples of Russia. This is the basis for the relations that have developed between representatives of different religions. And every nation, every faith, makes its contribution, because it understands that the stability and resilience of Russia depend on the interaction between representatives of different ethnic groups, peoples, and faiths. And every nation in Russia contributes to this stability and to creating the conditions for future development and our victories in all fields. This is very important, and we will certainly support it.”
The Chief Rabbi commented: “I don’t want to argue with you, but you are too modest. Because without you, this wouldn’t have happened. I remember well the moment you brought everyone together. And for you, it was an important moment, so that we could find a way to be friends. So, thank you very much.”
President Putin: “You just mentioned Eternal Values, and they are universal. And in many countries, many people have reflected on this and now realize that it is easy to destroy, but difficult to restore and preserve. We have worked on this together—yes, together—and we will continue to do so for the interests of the entire country.”
The President of the Federation of Communities, Rabbi Alexander Boroda, who also participated in the meeting, said:
“The idea of patriotism, the idea of love for the Motherland, which all religions promote and which serves as an example of how one should love the country, the Motherland—this is what underlies the unity of Russia today, what unites us all. All religions in Russia are united by this common content, this common meaning, and the state’s emphasis on traditional religious values as the basis for spiritual and moral education is incredible support for us and truly a stronghold and foundation of the united values of the state.
“The Rabbi just spoke about the West, with its complex system of values, if one can put it that way. Russia, in this sense, serves as an incredible example of what a family is, what raising children is, and what respect for parents is. All rational people, and generally all religions in the world, should look at Russia as a model for development. And may G-d grant that this awareness arrives.”
More than once, the Russian President has shared stories of the Jewish neighbor he had in his childhood, whom he would see praying and studying, and who would even treat him to Jewish foods like ‘Gefilte Fish’. Now, in the meeting, which later continued without the media, the Chief Rabbi brought this up, noting that he recently discovered that the family was a Chassidic family from Leningrad. They maintained their observance with complete mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice), down to the finest detail. One can see the wondrous hashgacha pratis (Divine Providence) that arranged for the future President of Russia to grow up alongside a Chassidic family whose conduct left a lasting impression on his life.
The President was moved and shared additional memories from those wonderful years alongside the family, expressing his joy that the Jewish communities continue exactly like that Chassidic neighbor in study and practice.
Photo: Spokesperson for the Office of the President of Russia
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