‘The Jewish community in Russia has been developing like nowhere else in the world’: Russia’s chief rabbi Berel Lazar
On November 4, a solemn ceremony of awarding state awards took place in the Kremlin. Among the awardees is the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, to whom Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Honor.
The Chief Rabbi of Russia received an award for his significant contribution to strengthening interethnic and interreligious harmony, the development of spiritual and moral values and active social activity.
After the presentation, Berl Lazar addressed the president with words of gratitude:
Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich!
First of all, thank you very much for the honor, for your attention. I understand that this is a reward for the entire Jewish community, for all rabbis.
Exactly 25 years ago you opened the first Jewish community center. Since then, the Jewish community in Russia has been developing like nowhere else in the world. This is largely thanks to you. Friendship between us, religious leaders, is also the uniqueness of Russia.
I am proud to live in this country, I serve God here. I understand that everything that has been done is not enough, you need to do even more. Let the whole world see how we are friends, how we work together, how we help each other. I think this is the pride of each of us. We are very grateful to you for this.
Thank You.
Source: https://mjcc.ru/news/glavnyiy-ravvin-rossii-berl-lazar-nagrazhdyon-ordenom-pochyota/