VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia – On October 26-28, Rabbi Aaron Gurevich, head of FJC Russia’s Department for Cooperating with the Military, Ministry of Emergency Affairs and Law Enforcement Agencies visited the republics of North Ossetia (Russia) and South Ossetia (Georgia).
Rabbi Gurevich visited part of the 58th Army of the North Caucasus Military District, which is located in a state of high alert. Rabbi Gurevich talked to the army commanders and with the Jewish soldiers serving there. During his stay in Tskhinvali, he paid particular attention to restoring the Jewish quarter and the cultural component therein, with the assistance of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia. He held a meeting with the head of the State Committee on Rebuilding the Republic, Mr. Z.G. Kabesov.
Since the Jewish quarter is in ruins, the State Committee has developed a master plan to restore the region and Rabbi Gurevich participated in those consultations during his visit. The question arose about the synagogue’s restoration as an object of cultural and historical value. The priorities were identified in order to minimize the total volume of work. The first floor of the synagogue will be rebuilt, including the creation of a museum dedicated to the history of the Jews of Tskhinvali. Plans also extend to the restoration of the Jewish Community Center, putting the Jewish cemetery back in order, as well as the tomb of the tzadik Rabbi Hvolis. Rabbi Gurevich also held a meeting with a representative of the International Bureau for Human Rights of the Government of South Ossetia, Minister for Nationalities and Religion.
Rabbi Gurevich’s visit to North Ossetia was primarily dedicated to supporting the Jewish community of Vladikavkaz. There, he held a meeting with the republic’s Vice-Premier, Mr. S.S. Tobolov, which also involved the Minister of Transport, Minister of Investment, Minister for Nationalities, and the head of the Government of North Ossetia, Mr. N.A. Hlintsov. The press corps under the president of the Republic of North Ossetia is providing media coverage of the assistance the Jewish community of Vladikavkaz is providing to Jews in Tskhinvali. The discussion also concerned providing support to the Jewish community of Vladikavkaz in relation to the social projects it carries out.
You Can Help
