Notes

Khazak Ambassador and Consul General Meeting with Chabad in New York ( Emmanuil Grinshpun)

Yerzhan Ashikbayev has had a busy few months. Since his appointment in April as Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United States, Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Ashikbayev visited with numerous officials and diplomats to improve relations between Central Asia and the United States. In this capacity, the ambassador as well as Consul General Almat Aibekov are scheduled to meet to discuss the situation of Jewish life in Khazakstankhstan.

Rabbi Mendy Kutlarsky, who is the Rabbi of Merkos Suite 301 in Chabad Headquarters as well as Shimon Rivkin were both invited to attend the meeting. Emmanuil Grinshpun, who is the vice-president for the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress as well as Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. Together they discussed the history and current work of Chabad in Kazakhstan under the auspices Chief Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen.

Later the following day, later, Mr. Grinshpun stated that "it was an extremely productive meeting." "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 nation. "We feel that we all believe that the government is truly an ally to the Jewish people," the Consul General and Ambassador reaffirmed the government's support for all religious minorities and the Jewish community. They also expressed an interest in working with Chabad to ensure the continued development of Jewish living within the Republic.

The majority Muslim population's government is proud to be sensitive to religion and closely works to ensure the country's well-being. 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 the flight to be grounded, Ambassador Ashikbayev helped in arranging a special permit 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 anniversary of his passing. This also provided an opportunity for the group to provide transportation and PPE to the country. During the trip it was also the time that the Kazak government hosted a celebration to proclaim Reb Levi Yitzchak'sKever a Kazakh National Heritage Site.

The meeting also reviewed the plans for the coming pilgrimage with the 20th anniversary of Av a little less than two months from now. Emmanuil Grinshpun The organizers anticipate an attendance of over 600 people from all over world this year. The plans are also to host a conference along with Chabad Shluchim from the surrounding countries. The event will be held by Rabbi Berel Laszar and Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky. Emmanuil Grinshpun Because of the scale of these initiatives, the meeting aimed to discuss ways that the government could help secure and facilitate the conference. Emmanuil Grinshpun Mr. Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan’s "...commitment to offer all assistance in arranging the opportunity to study and pray at the grave of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson."

Rabbi Kotlarsky expressed gratitude for the Kazak government's open support. "It is truly an honor working with people such a Consul General and Ambassador. Emmanuil Grinshpun Our aim is to take care of all Jew's spiritual and material requirements. Emmanuil Grinshpun The Kazakhstan government Kazakhstan has been a vital partner in this effort.


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