GUESTS OF ST. PETERSBURG JEWISH RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY

St.-Petersburg Jewish religious community enjoys great authority not only in the city but all over the world as well.  At different times the Grand Choral Synagogue was honored by the visits of high-rank guests. In 1990-ies it was officially visited by Ministers Yitzhak Rabin, Yitzhak Shamir, the former Israeli Prime-Minister Ariel Sharon (at that time - Minister of Defence), Knesset chairman Avrom Burg; the first Mayor of St.- Petersburg, Anatoly Sobchak was present at Chanukah celebration in 1994.

Visit of the Governor of St.-Petersburg Valentina Matvienko and the Chairman of Legislative Assembly Vadim Tulpanov

6 October 2008 On 6 October 2008 the Governor of St.-Petersburg Valentina Matvienko and the Chairman of Legislative Assembly Vadim Tulpanov honored with their presence the banquet in the Grand Choral Synagogue dedicated  to Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year. The guests heartily congratulated the Jewish  community and its leaders – the Chief Rabbi of St.-Petersburg Menachem-Mendel Pewzner and the Chairman of the community Mark Grubarg. Mrs. Matvienko underlined the great contribution made by the Jewish community to the cultural and business life of the city and mentioned her official visit to Israel in the previous summer. “I was greeted most warmly and respectfully by the Jewish State”, said Mrs Matvienko.  The Governor of  St.-Petersburg finished her speech with the words: “Jewish New year has become my holiday as well”.

Visit of  Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Mekhmet Chynar

July 2008 The Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in  St.- Petersburg  Mr. Mekhmet Chynar and Vice-Consul Mr. Ozgyun Talyu. The guests met the Chief Rabbi of St.-Petersburg Menachem Pewzner and the Chairman of the community Mark Grubarg. The friendly talk dealt with the life of Jewish communities in Turkey and Russia.  During the meeting an agreement on cultural exchange was reached: Mr. Mekhmet Chynar promised to bring an exhibition of ancient Jewish photos already exhibited in Bulgarian Burgas, and Mr. Grubarg – to present the Turkish side with the exhibits of the exposition “Jewish wedding” of the museum at the Grand Choral Synagogue. And the end of the visit the guests had a tour round the Grand Choral Synagogue. Mr. Mekhmet Chynar was so fascinated  by the beauty of the Synagogue that he expressed the wish to attend with his wife a Saturday service and listen to the praying chorus.

Visit of Israeli professor Zaki Shalom

10 April 2008 On 10 April 2008 the Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by high-ranked  guests: the professor of Ben-Gurion Institute and of Yaffa center of strategic researches Dr. Zaki Shalom with his spouse; Deputy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the State of Israel in the Russian Federation Yuval Fuks and head of the diplomatic representation of the State of Israel  in the North-West of Russia Mr. Boleslav Yatvezky. The guests met with the Chairman of the community Mark Grubarg and the representative of the community Shaul Bruk and discussed the matters connected with the life of Jewish community and Russian-Israeli cooperation. The same day Prof. Zaki Shalom delivered a lecture to the students of St.-Petersburg State University on the problems of Middle East and the ways of their solution.

Visit of a delegation from Sweden

10 February 2008 On 10 February 2008 the Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the organizers of the exhibition “Raul Wallenberg – one as good as many", held in the Museum of Russian political history: Deputy Consul General of Sweden in St.-Petersburg Mr. Bente Mikael, director of Jewish Museum in Stockholm Ms. Ivonne Yakobson and the former Minister of Culture of Sweden Leif Pagrotsky. The guests met with the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg, had a tour round the Grand Choral Synagogue and spoke about their mission. “I regard organization of this exhibition as one of the most important things I have done in this position – said Mr. Bente Mikael. – We are interested to make this exhibition visited by as many people as possible”.

Visit of the Governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko and the Chairman of Legislative Assembly Vadim Tulpanov

19 September 2007 On 19 September 2007 the Governor of  St.-Petersburg Valentina Matvienko and the Chairman of Legislative Assembly Vadim Tulpanov honored with their presence the banquet in the Grand Choral Synagogue dedicated  to Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year. The high-ranked guests congratulated the Jewish community and personally the Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg M.-M. Pewzner and the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg with the Jewish New year. Mrs. Matvienko praised the great contribution made by M.-M. Pewzner and M.D. Grubarg  to the cultural life of the city and appealed to the Jewish cultural figures to be more active in the oncoming year.

Visit of Mr. Gregg Rickman, special envoy of the US Department of State

18 May 2007 On 18 May 2007 the Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the US Department of State special envoy to monitor & combat anti-Semitism Mr. Gregg Rickman. He met with the Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg M.-M. Pewzner and the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg. During the long conversation the problem of anti-Semitism was discussed. Mr. Rickman expressed the opinion that against the background of other European countries Russia seems rather safe in terms of anti-Semitism. The special envoy stressed that there is no anti-Semitism at governmental level and that Jewish communities of Russia have the possibility to exist and develop without fear of the authorities.

Visit of the Israeli Minister of Absorption Mr. Zeev Boym

19 April 2007 The Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the Israeli Minister of Absorption Mr. Zeev Boym. He went for a tour round the synagogue, attended the classes of students’ educational program “STARS”, asked the students about their plans for future. The visit finished by the dinner in the restaurant “Lechaim”, which the Jewish community gave in honor of the minister. Mr. Zeev Boym  communicated his reminiscences about the Lubavicher Rebe, told about the nearest plans of the ministry , which include strengthening the ties with  Jewish communities of the CIS and expressed the hope that repatriation of Jews of CIS to Israel will continue.

Visit of Consul of Germany Mr. Berndt Braun

6 November 2006 The Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the new Consul of Germany in St.-Petersburg Mr. Berndt Braun. During his meeting with the Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg Mr. M.-M. Pewzner and the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg the Consul asked several questions about the activities of the Petersburg Jewish community, informed on the new details of filling the documents for emigration to Germany and told about the life of Jewish community in Germany.

Visit of the head of Iranian Jews Mr. Moris Motamet

19 June  2006 The Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the head of Iranian Jews Mr. Moris Motamet  who was visiting St.-Petersburg. After the tour Mr. Motamet met the head of the Informational Department of St.-Petersburg  community Mr. Moshe Treskunov and answered his questions about the lifestyle of the Iranian  Jewish  community and their relations with the Muslim population and the government.

Visit of  the chairman of the European Council of Jewish  Communities Mr. Jonathan Josef

16 June  2006 On 16 June  2006   the chairman of the European Council of Jewish  Communities Mr. Jonathan Josef   visited the  Grand Choral Synagogue where he met with the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg, the Chief Rabbi of St.-Petersburg Mr. M.-M. Pewzner and the director of St.-Petersburg department of Russian Jewish Committee Mrs. Eugenia Lvova. During their meeting they discussed the plan of holding of the next session of the Council in St. Petersburg (the previous one took place in Rome) as well as the prospects of development of Jewish tourism in our city.

Visit of the Consul of France Mr. Pascal Mober.

25 May 2006 On 25 May 2006 the Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the Consul General of France in St.- Petersburg Mr. Pascal Mober and the Press-attaché of the French consulate Ms. Emmanuel Berarde.  The guests were met by the Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg M.-M. Pewzner, the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg, and the representative of Russian-Jewish Congress Mr. V. Ya. Pratusevich. The guests showed vivid interest towards different aspects of the activities of the community, asked the opinion of the community leaders about the events taking place in the city  and the country. At the end the guests were presented the album “Selected Pearls” by S.M. Yakerson, dedicated to masterpieces of Jewish culture stored in the city collections.

Visit of the First Vice-Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment of Israel Mr. Ehud Olmert

29 June  2005 On 29 June the Grand Choral Synagogue was visited by the First Vice-Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment of Israel Mr. Ehud Olmert with a delegation of representatives of the greatest Israeli companies and organizations. After the meeting Mr. Olmert and the delegation made an excursion round the Synagogue. The Minister, who visited the St.-Petersburg synagogue for the first time, was fascinated with the beauty and splendor of the building. He said that the place was charged with spirituality and the connection with the Almighty was very strong there. Mr. Olmert left a memorable note in the  report  book.

Visit of  the Consul of the USA in St.-Petersburg Ms. Mary A. Kruger

11 August 2005 On 11 August the new Consul of the USA in St. Petersburg Ms. Mary A. Kruger visited the Grand Choral Synagogue. The New Consul showed great interest towards the situation in the Jewish life of the city and marked great positive shifts in this sphere. Also the consul was pleased by the condition of the Synagogue after restoration.  The friendly ties between the Consulate and the Jewish community have been existing for a long time. At the meeting it was decided to continue and broaden the contacts between the Consulate and the Jewish community.

Visit of  Mr. Thomas Pritzker and Baron Rothschild.

2 June  2004 Members of the family of Thomas Pritzker, the son of the founder of the most prestigious architectural award – the Pritzker prize – and their retinue from Chicago visited the Grand Choral Synagogue. Chief rabbi of St.-Petersburg M.-M. Pewzner also spoke with the chairman of the prize juries, Baron Rothschild. The Baron showed interest in the life of the Jewish  community of the city.

Visit of  the American mission "UNITED JEWISH COMMUNITY"

17 April 2004 About 150 activists and leaders of American Jewish  communities got acquainted with the life of the Jewish  community of St.-Petersburg. The guests visited the Grand Choral Synagogue, saw the exhibition “Images of one people” opened at the State Ethnographical Museum – the prototype of the future Jewish museum. At the end of the visit there was a reception with participation of the Governor of  St.-Petersburg Valentina Matvienko, the Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg M.-M. Pewzner and the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg.

Visit of the St. Petersburg Governor Contender Valentina Matvienko

3 October  2003 The St.-Petersburg Governor contender Valentina Matvienko took part  in the reception timed to beginning of the Jewish New Year. At the reception there were more than 200 representatives of Jewish community, scientists, businessmen, cultural workers, among them the artistic director of theater named after V.F. Komissarzhevskaya Victor Novikov, a popular actor from the “Gorodok” TV show Ilia Oleinikov,  the head of the greatest Russian timber complex “Ilim Pulp” Zakhar Smushkin, the leader of St. Petersburg jazz philharmonic hall David Goloschekin. Mrs. Matvienko  was the first to warmly greet the guests: she had to hurry to the final TV-debates. Then spoke the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Vadim Tulpanov. Right from the plane came the Acting Governor Alexander Beglov. He handed the Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg M.-M. Pewzner and the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg jubilee medals “To the memory of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg".

Visit of the Governor of  St.-Petersburg  Vladimir Yakovlev

7 September 2002 The Governor of  St.-Petersburg  Vladimir Yakovlev  was present at the ceremonial event dedicated to the holiday of Rosh-Ashanah at the Grand Choral Synagogue . The head of the city administration congratulated all Jews of St.-Petersburg upon the beginning of the new 5763 year.

Visit of the US President George Bush and Mrs. Lora Bush

26 May 2002 Mr. George Bush and his wife Lora met with the leaders of the Russian Jewish community.  During the visit of the US President to the Synagogue they discussed the position of Jews in Russia, the matters connected with revival of Jewry, peculiarities of education and upbringing of Jewish  youth. All the participants supported the efforts of the US President to put an end to the obsolete American law connected with Jewish emigration from Russia. Mr. Bush and his wife Lora met with the leaders of the community at the Grand Choral Synagogue. The meeting lasted more than 40 minutes. The president said that “the restored building symbolizes Russia’s progress in the field of religious freedom”.

Visit of the Minister of Connections with the Diasporah of the Israeli Government Mr. Natan Scharansky

18 May 2003 During the celebration of the Day of Israel in St.-Petersburg all the ceremonies were participated by:   the chairman of Israeli committee “St.-Petersburg-300”, the Minister on Jerusalem and Connections with the Diasporah of the Israeli Government Mr. Natan Scharansky, the president of the Federation of Jewish  community of the CIS, the chairman of educational foundation Ohr Avner, the main sponsor of all presents to the city and festive events on behalf of the committee “St.-Petersburg-300”, Israeli businessman and art supporter Lev Levaev with his wife, the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl-Lazar. In the evening of the 18th of  May the delegation was present at the concert of the State philharmonic orchestra of Israel directed by Zubin  Meta and met with the leaders of the  community.

Visit of  the chairman of Gistadrut Amir Peretz

11 April 2005 The Grand Choral Synagogue of St.-Petersburg was visited by the delegation of Israeli trade-unions headed by the chairman of Gistadrut Mr. Amir Peretz. The guests and their retinue were met by the Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg M.-M. Pewzner and the Chairman of the community M.D. Grubarg.  The Consul of the State of Israel in St.- Petersburg Mr. Marat  Boguslavlsy and the representative of the Jewish Agency for Isreal in St. Petersburg Mr. Shlomo Kim participated in the meeting. Mr. Amir Peretz and his colleagues were interested first of all in the life of the Jewish community. They expressed their satisfaction with the fact that the Jews of St.-Petersburg are protected socially and have the right to practice Jewish rituals.

Visit of Mrs. Lili Safra (the ceremony of opening of the Central Prayer Hall after reconstruction)

26 June  2001 On the 26th of June after 4-year long restoration works the innauguration of the Central hall of the Grand Choral Synagogue was held. As a sign of the Community’s gratitude, the Synagogue was given the name of Edmond J. Safra – the sponsor and the founder of the Safra charitable foundation. The repair works which cost 5 million dollars were sponsored by the Sephardic Jewish family of Edmond and Lili Safra. Unfortunately, Mr. Edmond Safra did not live to see the opening of the Synagogue, but his widow was present at the inauguration ceremony.