Chief Rabbi Of Russia Satisfied With Development Of Jewish Religious, Cultural Life In Russia

Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar expressed his satisfaction with the development of the Jewish religious and cultural life in the country. He announced this at a press conference following the 2nd meeting of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia in Moscow on Monday. The status of the Jews in Russia has improved over the last few years and Jewish communities have appeared in many cities, Berl Lazar said. In his opinion, the development of the Jewish religious and cultural life in the country has become possible due to the new Russian policy. "Anti-Semitism at the state level has disappeared and we are seeing great changes in everyday life," the Chief Rabbi of Russia stressed. According to him, "the Jews are willing to stay in Russia under present conditions". The number of Jewish communities in Russia has increased more than twice within the last two years, Mikhail Gluz, the chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia said. "Our principal aim is to give Russian Jews the right to have a valuable religious and cultural life," the chairman stated. "Foreign Jewish communities can learn something from us," he concluded.