Russia's Chief Rabbi Congratulates Russian Jews On VE-Day

Russia's chief rabbi Berl Lazar congratulated all Russian Jews on VE-Day. Talking to RIA-NOVOSTI here today, Lazar's spokesman Borukh Gorin noted that the rabbi's message, which is addressed to Russia's Jewish communities, states expressly that the USSR's victory was made possible by millions of Soviet soldiers, including nearly 2 million Jews. We also owe that victory to Allied armies, to home-front workers, to farmers and to all forces of good and peace, Lazar's message reads in part. The destruction of fascism and Nazism was pre-determined from the very outset; however, victory cost us dearly, with millions and millions of people perishing in gas chambers and concentration camps. The blood of war victims compels us to eradicate hatred in our present-day world. We'll score a final spiritual victory only if we fulfil God's commandment -- Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor, as Thou Doest Thyself, stresses Lazar.