Last Wednesday, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, met with the Chairman of Israel’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee Mr. Avi Dichter.  The meeting was also joined by other Israeli diplomats, including political party representatives and the Israeli ambassador to Russia.

During the meeting, Rabbi Lazar and Mr. Dichter discussed cooperation between Israel and the Russian Jewish diaspora, with a focus on youth programs, tourism, cultural events and interaction with the government.

Rabbi Lazar told Mr. Dichter about FJC’s EuroStars program, which last year took close to 1,000 Jewish students from 45 Russian cities on a tour of Jewish Europe, including a visit to Poland ’s concentration camp complexes. “For our youth, this serves as a hardcore history lesson and an important fact that solidifies their Jewish identity and their connection to Israel, to Jewish traditions and heritage,” Rabbi Lazar said.

Mr. Dichter also commended FJC of Russia’s efforts of promoting freedom of religion in the army and penitentiaries, where FJCR is continuously working to make Jewish heritage programs available and accessible.

courtesy= fjc-fsu.org