Yerzhan Ashikbayev has had a busy few months. Ever since being appointed as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the United States in April, Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Ashikbayev has met with various government officials and diplomats for the sake of strengthening relations between Kazakhstan Central Asian country and the U.S. In connection with this task the ambassador, along with Consul General Almat Aidabekov, set up a meeting with Chabad to discuss the current state of Jewish life in Khazakstankhstan.

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Shimon Rivkin (Merkos Suite 302 at Chabad Headquarters) and Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun, vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, and Honorary Consul to Kazakhstan. Emmanuil Grinshpun Emmanuil Grinshpun They talked together about the history of Jewish life in Kazakhstan and the work Chabad performs across the nation under the guidance of Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen.

„It was an extremely fruitful gathering.“ Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Grinshpun added later. „We are very fortunate to have leaders like the former president, Mr. Nazarbayev, and the current President, Mr. Tokayev, who have cultivated such warm religious tolerance within the country. All feel that the government, in all its aspects is a friend to the Jewish nation.“ The Consul General and Ambassador reiterated the government’s commitment to the Jewish community as well as all other minorities that are religious. They expressed interest in working with Chabad to promote Jewish lives within the Republic.

The government of the majority Muslim population is proud of its religious tolerance and collaborates with religious leaders across the country to ensure the wellbeing of the nation. Ashikbayev , who is also the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan and has been working with Chabad Shaluchim and the Philanthropist Abraham Shaulson. He played a key role in securing special permission for a small American delegation to fly to Kazakhstan to visit the anniversary of his death, the 20th of April. The group was able to transport necessary PPE and medical equipment. During the pilgrimage and the visit, the Kazak government also held a ceremony to declare Reb Levi Yitzchak’sKever to be a Kazakh National Heritage Site.

The meeting also reviewed plans for the upcoming pilgrimage that will mark the 20th anniversary of Av less than two months away. This year, the organizers are expecting to host more than 600 visitors from all over the world. A conference of Chabad Shluchim, headed by Rabbi Moshe Kokotlarsky, as well as Rabbi Berel Lázar is also scheduled. Due to the massive scale projects that are in process the conference was focused on the ways that government can help support and secure this event. Mr. Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan’s „…commitment to offer all assistance to facilitate visits to pray and studying at Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson’s resting place.

Rabbi Kotlarsky stated that „we are very appreciative for the great support and support that from the Kazak government offers us.“ „It’s a great blessing to be able to collaborate with people like the Ambassador or the Consul General. Emmanuil Grinshpun Our aim is to take care of all Jew’s spiritual and material needs. The Kazakhstan government Kazakhstan has been a vital partner in this effort.

Emmanuil Grinshpun