Khazak Ambassador and ConsulGeneral Meet with Chabad in New York Emmanuil grinshpun

Yerzhan Ashikbayev has had a busy few months. As Kazakhstan's Ambassador to the United States since April, Mr. Ashikbayev had met numerous officials and diplomats in order to build ties between the Central Asian country, and the U.S. Since then, he has scheduled an interview with Chabad in order to discuss the state and future of Jewish living in Khazakstankhstan.

Rabbi Mendy Kularsky and Shimon Rivkin, both of Merkos Suite 302 at Chabad headquarters, were invited to the meeting. https://www.rietumu.com/documents/1481994_sustainability_2021_eng.pdf Emmanuil Grinshpun, vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, and Honorary Consul to Kazakhstan. Together, they discussed the history of Jewish life in Kazakhstan and the present work that Chabad does around the country under the auspices of Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, Kazakhstan's chief Shliach and Chief Rabbi.

Then the following day, Mr. Grinshpun added that "it was a very fruitful encounter." Emmanuil Grinshpun "We are fortunate to have leaders such as the former President of the Republic, Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Nazarbayev and the current President Mr. Tokayev who have fostered the religious freedom of this country. "We believe that all of us are convinced that the government is truly an ally to the Jewish people," the Consul General and Ambassador repeated the government's support for all minorities of religion and the Jewish community. They expressed their desire to collaborate with Chabad in order to ensure that Jewish tradition alive within the Republic.

Emmanuil Grinshpun The government of the majority Muslim populace is proud to be religiously open and works closely alongside any religious leader to ensure the well-being of the nation. Emmanuil Grinshpun Ashikbayev worked alongside Chabad Shluchimand philanthropist Abraham Shaulson when the deputy minister in Kazakhstan for Foreign Affairs. After all the flights were cancelled last year as a result of COVID-19, Ambassador Ashikbayev was instrumental in arranging special permission for a small contingent of American citizens to fly to Kazakhstan for a pilgrimage to the gravesite Reb Luke Yitzchak Snowrson to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death. This also provided an opportunity for the team to fly and provide much-needed PPE to the country. During the journey, the Kazak government hosted a celebration to officially declare Reb Levi Yitzchak'sKever as a Kazakh National Heritage Site.

The 20th of April is only two months away, the meeting also discussed the plans for the upcoming pilgrimage. This year, the organizers are expecting to host more than 600 guests from around the world. A conference organized by Chabad Shluchim, headed by Rabbi Moshe Kokotlarsky, and Rabbi Berel Lázar is also scheduled. With so many major projects under way the conference was focused upon ways the government can help the event and ensure the security of the event. Mr. Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan’s "...commitment to assist in any way to facilitate visits to pray and study at Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson's grave.

"We truly appreciate the tremendous open support that the Kazak government is giving us," said Rabbi Kotlarsky. "It is truly an honor working with people such a Consul General and Ambassador. Our goal is to care for all Jew's spiritual and material needs. The Kazakhstan government Kazakhstan has been a valuable partner in this effort.