Hundreds Prepare to Spend Shabbos in Almaty

Hundreds of visitors—including shluchim, Chassidim, yeshiva students, and community members from the United States, Eretz Yisrael, and Europe—have already begun arriving at the central synagogue and Chabad House in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for an uplifting Shabbos ahead of the yahrtzeit of the Rebbe's father, the renowned kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson of blessed memory.

Hundreds of visitors—including shluchim, Chassidim, yeshiva students, and community members from the United States, Eretz Yisrael, and Europe—have already begun arriving at the central synagogue and Chabad House in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for an uplifting Shabbos ahead of the yahrtzeit of the Rebbe’s father, the renowned kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson of blessed memory.

The guests were warmly welcomed by the Chief Rabbi and Head Shliach of Kazakhstan, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, together with the Rebbe’s shluchim serving in Almaty and throughout the country.

Early in the morning, several consecutive Shacharis minyanim were held, with dozens of members of the local Jewish community joining the visiting guests.

Following breakfast, a special seminar was held for Jewish participants who had traveled to Almaty from communities across Kazakhstan where the Rebbe’s shluchim serve, as they do each year. The lectures were delivered by the local shluchim, along with a special guest speaker, Rabbi Nachum Yitzchak Gorelik, the Rebbe’s shliach and Chief Rabbi of Kazan, Russia.

Later in the morning, the funeral of one of the senior members of the local Jewish community, who passed away yesterday, took place in the city. Visiting guests also attended the funeral, including philanthropist Reb Avi Shaulzon, who each year invests generously to support the many visitors who come to honor Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.

The dedicated members of the Beis Cohen shlichus carried out the taharah and burial while simultaneously completing the final preparations for Shabbos, during which approximately 250 guests will gather at the Chabad House for davening, farbrengens, and Shabbos meals in its spacious dining hall.

As in previous years, the annual partnership campaign with the shluchim in Kazakhstan is currently underway. The campaign supports the upkeep of the holy resting place of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, who was exiled to Kazakhstan and buried there 82 years ago, as well as the continuation of the activities inspired by his legacy.

“There is no doubt that the work being done in Kazakhstan brings tremendous nachas to the Rebbe and to his father,” said one of the shluchim who arrived in the country for the first time today and witnessed the remarkable revival of Jewish life firsthand. “It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be partners in this mission.”

As previously reported, the Rebbe promised “up to five hundred-fold” blessings to those who contribute in memory of his father.

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