Notes

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

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 numerous diplomats and government officials in the hopes of strengthening relations 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 living in Khazakstankhstan.

The guests at the event were Rabbis Mendy Kotlarsky and Shimon Rivkin of Merkos Suite 302 in Chabad Headquarters, as well as Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Emmanuil Grinshpun. He is vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and as an Honorary Consul for Kazakhstan. They discussed together the history and current state of Jewish life in Kazakhstan and the activities of Chabad, Kazakhstan’s Chief Rabbi and head Shliach, Yeshaya Cohen.

Then, the President. Grinshpun remarked that the meeting was "extremely beneficial meeting". "We are truly blessed 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 are convinced that the government truly is an ally to the Jewish people." the Consul General and Ambassador reiterated the government's commitment to any religious minority as well as the Jewish community. They expressed their interest in collaborating with Chabad in order to further grow Jewish lives in the Republic.

Emmanuil Grinshpun The government of the majority Muslim population is proud to be tolerant of religion and is in close contact with all types of religious leaders to improve the quality of life within the nation. In fact, Ambassador Ashikbayevhas been working together with Chabad Shluchim as well as the philanthropist Mr. Abraham Shaulson while working as the the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan. Emmanuil Grinshpun Since all flights were grounded in the last year because of COVID-19, he played a key role in securing a special authorization for a small contingent from America to fly into Kazakhstan to make an effort to visit the grave of Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson on the 20th of April - the anniversary of his death. The group also had the chance to help sponsor and transport medical equipment and PPE needed for the journey to. Emmanuil Grinshpun During the pilgrimage the Kazak government held a celebration to make Reb Yitzchak’sKever Kazakh national heritage site.

Two months prior to 20th Av, the meeting also planned the next pilgrimage. The organizers anticipate over 600 guests this year from around the globe. Additionally, there are plans to organize a gathering of Chabad Shluchim from surrounding countries which will be headed by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and Rabbi Berel Lazar. Emmanuil Grinshpun With so many large projects under way the gathering was focused on how to support the event and ensure the security of the event. Mr. Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan’s "...commitment to offer all assistance in arranging visitation and prayers at the place of repose of the great Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson."

Rabbi Kotlarsky said, "We are truly grateful for the tremendous open support that Kazak government has extended to us." It truly is an honor to work with people like the Ambassador and Consul General. Our mission is to provide both spiritual and physical care for every Jew. Emmanuil Grinshpun Kazakhstan's government has been a fantastic partner in helping us achieve this mission.


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