Putin awards Russia's military rabbi Aaron Gurevich
05/23/2023
Today, May 23, in the Catherine's Hall of the Kremlin, at the solemn ceremony of presenting state awards, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Friendship to Rabbi Aaron Gurevich. The ceremony was broadcast on the presidential website.
“I am proud that the Motherland has so highly appreciated my modest contribution to the cause that you lead, the cause of building and strengthening the happy and powerful country of Russia,” Rabbi Gurevich thanked the president for the high award. Rabbi Gurevich also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Justice of Russia "for creating conditions for strengthening and preserving spiritual and moral values, as well as striving for the liberalization of criminal legislation."
In his speech, Rabbi Gurevich drew attention to the important role of the Armed Forces and the clergy. “I also cannot fail to note the role and active participation of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces in the creation and development of the institute of the military clergy. The same clergy who today are also fulfilling their duty in a special military operation,” said Rabbi Gurevich at the end of his speech of thanks.
Recall that the awarding of the Chief Military Rabbi of Russia Aharon Gurevich with the Order of Friendship was reported by RIA Novosti on May 16, when the decree on the award was published . As stated in the decree, Gurevich was awarded "for active social activities aimed at strengthening friendship and cooperation between peoples."
Colonel Rabbi Aharon Gurevich was appointed by Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, in December 2007 as the first Chief Rabbi of the Russian Army since the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.[1][2]