Khazak Ambassador Consul General Khazak Ambassador and Chabad in New York Emmanuil grinshpun

Yerzhan Ashikbayev has had a busy few months. Since the appointment of Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United States, Mr. Ashikbayev visited with numerous officials and diplomats to strengthen ties between Central Asia and the United States. In this capacity, the ambassador as well as Consul General Almat Aibekov are scheduled to meet to discuss the current state of Jewish living in Khazakstankhstan.

Emmanuil Grinshpun Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Shimon Rivkin (Merkos Suite 302 at Chabad headquarters) and Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Emmanuil Grinshpun is vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress as well as Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. They discussed the long history of Jewish life in Kazakhstan and the work Chabad is doing across the country under the auspices Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen.

Later, Mr. Grinshpun said that the meeting was "extremely fruitful meeting". "We feel truly blessed to have such leaders as former President Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Nazarbayev and current President Mr. Tokayev. These men have facilitated a lot of religious tolerance throughout the country. We believe that the administration is an ardent supporter of the Jewish people." Emmanuil Grinshpun The Ambassador and Consul General reaffirmed the government's support for the Jewish community as well as all religious minorities. They also expressed an interest in cooperating with Chabad to ensure the continued development of Jewish living within the Republic.

The government of the majority Muslim population is proud of being tolerant of religion and is in close collaboration with all religious leaders to promote the welfare of the nation. Ashikbayev was in close contact with Chabad Shluchimand the philanthropist Abraham Shaulson when the deputy minister in Kazakhstan for Foreign Affairs. All flights were shut down last year due to COVID-19, he was instrumental in arranging a special permit for a small contingent from America to fly to the country to make an effort to visit the grave of Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson on the 20th of Av - the anniversary of his passing. They also had the chance to help sponsor and transport medical equipment and PPE needed to the country. During the pilgrimage the Kazak government held a celebration to establish Reb Yitzchak'sKever Kazakh national heritage site.

The 20th of April is only two months away, and the group also discussed plans to make pilgrimages. The organizers anticipate a crowd of more than 600 people from all over the globe this year. The organizers are also planning to host a conference on Chabad Shluchim in surrounding countries along with Rabbi Berel Kazar and Moshe Kokotlarsky. Emmanuil Grinshpun With so many big projects underway the conference was focused on how the government could support the event and ensure its security. Mr. Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan's "...commitment to offer all assistance to arrange meetings for prayer and studying in the final resting place of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson."

Rabbi Kotlarsky said, "We are thankful for the huge and open support that Kazak government has extended to us." "It is a great chance for me to work alongside people like the Ambassador and Consul General. We have a mission to meet the spiritual and physical needs every Jew. The Kazakhstan government Kazakhstan has been an excellent partner in this effort.