From here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/76763
8. (C) Gadzhi's Kaspiysk summer house is an enormous structure on the shore of the Caspian, essentially a huge circular reception room -- much like a large restaurant -- attached to a 40-meter high green airport tower on columns, accessible only by elevator, with a couple of bedrooms, a reception room, and a grotto whose glass floor was the roof of a huge fish tank. The heavily guarded compound also boasts a second house, outbuildings, a tennis court, and two piers out into the Caspian, one rigged with block and tackle for launching jet skis. The house filled up with visitors from all over the Caucasus during the afternoon of August 21. The Chair of Ingushetia's parliament drove in with two colleagues; visitors from Moscow included politicians, businessmen and an Avar football coach. Many of the visitors grew up with Gadzhi in Khasavyurt, including an Ingush Olympic wrestler named Vakha who seemed to be perpetually tipsy. Another group of Gadzhi's boyhood friends from Khasavyurt was led by a man who looked like Shamil Basayev on his day off -- flip-flops, t-shirt, baseball cap, beard -- but turned out to be the chief rabbi of Stavropol Kray. He told us he has 12,000 co-religionists in the province, 8,000 of them in its capital, Pyatigorsk. 70 percent are, like him, Persian-speaking Mountain Jews; the rest are a mixture of Europeans, Georgians and Bukharans.
The Rabbi, I'm assuming, is Rabbi Shertil Shalumov, and I've already written about him if you look in the archives. He is a good man, and leads his community well. He is a mountain Jew himself. His cell phone ringtone was a Piamenta song.
Shamil Basayev is a Chechnyan rebel leader. It's somewhat insulting to refer to Rabbi Shalumov as a Chechnyan rebel leader...
For a picture of Rabbi Shalumov, check out the Hachnosas Sefer Torah pictures...
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
15 remains found
From here:In short, the remains of 15 people killed during the second world war were found near Stavropol. Rabbi Nesterov, Father Pavel and the assistant to Stavropol's chief mufti, along with the city mayor and many dignitaries went to the local cemetery to bury the remains.
They all made speeches, and pledged together to set up a memorial and find out who these people were.
Also according to here, where you can see a photo of Natasha feeding some traditional Jewish foods to bystanders, it talks about the Jewish table set up in the local park for 'Stavropol day'.
Monday, September 27, 2010
For the fun of it
I decided to search in Russian for news of Stavropol Jewry.
Well, the fight is still going on out there. Yefim still up to his dirty tricks. As mentioned, his girlfriend works for one of Stavropol's local newspapers. Here is an excerpt from an article in there:
You can clearly see that the new experts of local government in international work J. Shepelin and V. Novikov don't know how to cope with a situation. They divide diasporas choosing which ones are "close" to city administration and which ones are now "far" from it. As it is known, such divisions are peculiar to people and the result of mafia-like activity.
Take the scandal of today, September 20. At a government meeting, the local officials didn't call the original city Jewish organisation "Shalom" which established Judaism back in the city. On the contrary, instead they called the newly appeared rabbi, the Chassid Nesterov, who only represents the Stavropol mountain Jews and an other fringe Jewry. Novikov defines now to whom and how to participate in city life.
Note: Novikov is the mayor, I believe.
Source: http://pan.ru/index.php3?tp=2&bid=30908&id=30890
Well, the fight is still going on out there. Yefim still up to his dirty tricks. As mentioned, his girlfriend works for one of Stavropol's local newspapers. Here is an excerpt from an article in there:
You can clearly see that the new experts of local government in international work J. Shepelin and V. Novikov don't know how to cope with a situation. They divide diasporas choosing which ones are "close" to city administration and which ones are now "far" from it. As it is known, such divisions are peculiar to people and the result of mafia-like activity.
Take the scandal of today, September 20. At a government meeting, the local officials didn't call the original city Jewish organisation "Shalom" which established Judaism back in the city. On the contrary, instead they called the newly appeared rabbi, the Chassid Nesterov, who only represents the Stavropol mountain Jews and an other fringe Jewry. Novikov defines now to whom and how to participate in city life.
Note: Novikov is the mayor, I believe.
Source: http://pan.ru/index.php3?tp=2&bid=30908&id=30890
Sunday, September 26, 2010
I may be wrong
But I'm pretty sure this guy (Alexander Ridchenko) is the FSB guy who interrogated me the Friday night when I was thrown out of Russia.I have this photo because he 'visited' my odnoklassniki page (and you can see guests on that website).
Again, I'm not sure if it's him. I only vaguely remember him, but I'm pretty sure it was an officer Ridchenko.
Rosh Hashana in Stavropol
STAVROPOL, Russia – This year, Jews of Stavropol welcomed the new year at the Intourist Hotel. The Chief Rabbi of Stavropol Alexander Nesterov, the Jewish community of Stavropol, and the charitable fund Chesed Bentsion, were the sponsors of the pre-Rosh Hashanah celebration.
Representatives of many communities attended the celebration and extended their best wishes to the Jewish community for the upcoming year. Among them were representatives of the Ossetian, Georgian, Armenian, and Dagestani peoples, the Slavic national-cultural autonomy, the Chief Mufti of Stavropol Region, and Father Vladimir Volkov, a representative of the Stavropol and Vladikavkaz diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Local officials also came out on this occasion, with words shared by V. Novikov, the chairman of the Nationalities Committee of Stavropol, A. Selyukov, who represents Russia’s President on human rights issues in the Stavropol Region, Deputy Governor S.N. Erin, and other regional government representatives.
Rabbi Nesterov gave the opening speech, wishing everyone a happy and sweet New Year. Both the Mufti and Father Vladimir congratulated all Jews on this holiday, noting that such events contribute to the strengthening of friendship between communities, faiths and society in the North Caucasus region.
Rabbi Alexander then blew the shofar, after which guests enjoyed apples with honey, pastries, and other refreshments. The evening featured a concert by students from the Sunday school, who sang Jewish songs of the High Holiday season and danced, and a musical performance that included both traditional Jewish tunes as well as popular hits.
"The Jewish community is confident that the New Year will bring mutual understanding and friendly relations, in the spirit of tolerance which is so much a part of our Jewish tradition,” emphasized Rabbi Nesterov.
Source: http://www.fjc.ru/news/newsArticle.asp?AID=1305122
Note: the pitcure used in that source is not one of Stavropol...
The photo at the top is an actual photo someone took on Rosh Hashana of Rabbi Nesterov blowing the shofar. :-)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Some news from the community in Stavropol
1 - Some anti-Semite went around Lenin square spraypainting 'kill the Jews' and 'Heil Hitler' (ym"sh). He was caught, however, and forced to remove the spraypaint as well as imprisoned for a couple of years.
At least the courts there got something right.
2 - Feofan is the Christian archbishop of Russia and one of its top religious leaders. He lives in Stavropol and his church is in the center of the city and is quite magnificent. People come from all over to see him. I've heard he is a miracle-worker too.
Back when I was in Stavropol, former community leader Yefim Fainer told me that he tried to organize a meeting with Feofan but the archbishop didn't like meeting people of other religions and so we never met.
It's been a month since Rabbi Alexander Nesterov arrived in Stavropol, and he's already met with Feofan, which is excellent news.
Feofan and Rabbi Nesterov discussed the people of Stavropol needing religion and how many have been trying to shake the peace. They decided that the religious leaders have to be united.
3 - Then Rabbi Nesterov was brought to meet the grand Mufti of Stavropol, Muhammed-Hadzhi Rakhimov, which is another thing I never got to do, since apparently according to Yefim the Muslim leader 'wanted nothing to do with Jews.'
This is even better news, and is sure to establish Rabbi Nesterov in Stavropol as a religious leader.
They spoke about the necessity to discuss everything that happens in international relations.
Rabbi Nesterov told the Mufti how difficult it was to work with youth today and how they need religion now more than ever. He said that all faiths have this problem and we need to teach them about other cultures and tolerance.
The mufti agreed.
4 - Then he did another thing I didn't get to do. He met with a bubnch of ministers. I'm not sure who the one in the photo is. With him is new community leader Kostya Solomonov.
He spoke with the minister of education about the teaching of history and comparative religion in the schools.
He chatted with the minister of labour and social protection about the government helping socially dependable people. Rabbi Nesterov suggested they organize something in which the community as well as the ministry combine to help these people.
He then met with the minister of justice, where they talked about the the public work of religious organizations and the legal side of it.
He also visited Ministry of Health of Stavropol Territory and the ministry of property relations, Office of Public Prosecutor of Stavropol Territory.
5 - This one I did, but it wasn't organized through Yefim. I just traveled there myself to meet the leaders of nearby Jewish communities.
Here's Rabbi Nesterov with the leaders of the community of Kislovodsk.
They met in the Sochnut offices. Here he is with many of the community leaders who traveled to Stavropol, along with their youth leaders. Natasha Kulugina of the Sochnut is standing in this picture. I'm sure she organized this - she is a very good woman.
6 - And finally, he went around Stavropol visiting the Jews who cannot leave the house. Again, I am sure Natasha took him. Yefim never did anything of the sort, and before one Pesach Natasha went with me to all these very poor people and introduced me to the Jews and I gave them Matza and chatted with them all.
I've written about Gennady Khasminsky, the actor who loved Lecha Dodi and friday night Davening at my home.
Well, here's Rabbi Nesterov blowing the shofar for him in his home (which I also visited). Gennady also is wearing Tefillin.
Keep it up, Rabbi Nesterov!!
Here's a source
At least the courts there got something right.
2 - Feofan is the Christian archbishop of Russia and one of its top religious leaders. He lives in Stavropol and his church is in the center of the city and is quite magnificent. People come from all over to see him. I've heard he is a miracle-worker too.
Back when I was in Stavropol, former community leader Yefim Fainer told me that he tried to organize a meeting with Feofan but the archbishop didn't like meeting people of other religions and so we never met.
It's been a month since Rabbi Alexander Nesterov arrived in Stavropol, and he's already met with Feofan, which is excellent news.
Feofan and Rabbi Nesterov discussed the people of Stavropol needing religion and how many have been trying to shake the peace. They decided that the religious leaders have to be united.
3 - Then Rabbi Nesterov was brought to meet the grand Mufti of Stavropol, Muhammed-Hadzhi Rakhimov, which is another thing I never got to do, since apparently according to Yefim the Muslim leader 'wanted nothing to do with Jews.'
This is even better news, and is sure to establish Rabbi Nesterov in Stavropol as a religious leader.
They spoke about the necessity to discuss everything that happens in international relations.
Rabbi Nesterov told the Mufti how difficult it was to work with youth today and how they need religion now more than ever. He said that all faiths have this problem and we need to teach them about other cultures and tolerance.
The mufti agreed.
4 - Then he did another thing I didn't get to do. He met with a bubnch of ministers. I'm not sure who the one in the photo is. With him is new community leader Kostya Solomonov.
He spoke with the minister of education about the teaching of history and comparative religion in the schools.
He chatted with the minister of labour and social protection about the government helping socially dependable people. Rabbi Nesterov suggested they organize something in which the community as well as the ministry combine to help these people.
He then met with the minister of justice, where they talked about the the public work of religious organizations and the legal side of it.
He also visited Ministry of Health of Stavropol Territory and the ministry of property relations, Office of Public Prosecutor of Stavropol Territory.
5 - This one I did, but it wasn't organized through Yefim. I just traveled there myself to meet the leaders of nearby Jewish communities.
Here's Rabbi Nesterov with the leaders of the community of Kislovodsk.
They met in the Sochnut offices. Here he is with many of the community leaders who traveled to Stavropol, along with their youth leaders. Natasha Kulugina of the Sochnut is standing in this picture. I'm sure she organized this - she is a very good woman.
6 - And finally, he went around Stavropol visiting the Jews who cannot leave the house. Again, I am sure Natasha took him. Yefim never did anything of the sort, and before one Pesach Natasha went with me to all these very poor people and introduced me to the Jews and I gave them Matza and chatted with them all.
I've written about Gennady Khasminsky, the actor who loved Lecha Dodi and friday night Davening at my home.
Well, here's Rabbi Nesterov blowing the shofar for him in his home (which I also visited). Gennady also is wearing Tefillin.
Keep it up, Rabbi Nesterov!!
Here's a source
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Lots to update
How long has it been? A year?
Well, here's an update. With pictures! (see below).
This past Shabbos I was in the Russian shul for the kiddush and they asked me to speak. I was after a few Lechaims, and seeing a new face that looked 'Stavropolish' on my way to the front of the table where they wanted me to stand, I asked the man in Russian "mountain Jew?"
"Yes."
"From where?"
"Pyatigorsk."
"Cool. You were my responsibility a year ago. I lived in Stavropol."
His eyes lit up.
Then I told the story of Chaim Khanukayev, which I'd written here before about the student, a great grandson of Rabbi Rachman of Grozni Chechnya (he showed me a picture) who lives in Zelenokumsk (find it on a map).
We tried to meet many times, but it didn't work out.
Punkt on the second that my secretary asks me in the street why I wear a hat and jacket in public when it's dangerous and I tell her that I meet Jews that way, I got a phone call from Chaim, who had spotted me from across the street ONLY BECAUSE OF MY HAT AND JACKET and given me a hug, after which we had him over a few times.
Anyway, after the story I spoke to this guy, Arkady. Turns out his cousins live in Stavropol, and he talks to them regularly. I know them. The wife isn't a Jew but wants to convert. They have a baby boy.
Hashgacha protis.
So I decided to post, because of the other good news.
A new Rabbi just moved to Stavropol!
Yes, it's true. I knew about it for a while and have been giving all my files over to him.
His name is Alex Nesterov, and he's from Ufa, Russia. He's a real good guy. Married, with a baby.
I'm so grateful that all our work didn't go for nothing. Also, I have to thank Rabbi Lazar for treating us way and beyond what anyone could have ever hoped.
He sent me most of these photos.
I also need to update the political situation.
After throwing us out, Yefim lost everyone and everything. He's only full of hatred. Finally the community banded together and with help from Moscow, they created a new Jewish community - of Stavropol Krai!
Kostya Solomonov is the president of the new community, and he calls me regularly to chat and discuss what should be done.
Hopefully he will now do this with the new Rabbi and our chats will mostly be just catching up. He always tells me the community still wants us back as a second Rabbi.
Rabbi Lazar and Alexander Boroda flew down to introduce Rabbi Nesterov to the community. They met with the governor and toured the old Shul. According to the news, the work will get started for the shul to be returned to the community. Rabbi Lazar also was clear that he was giving this new community his full support.
He also met with all potential and former sponsors.
Here are some news articles.
http://feor.ru/news/index.php?newsid=9030
http://www.jewish.ru/news/cis/2010/06/news994286140.php
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=35990 - mentions that there are 3000 Jews in Stavropol.
http://www.aen.ru/?page=article&category=tradition&article_id=1510&PHPSESSID=mr9gi7h7gutimbq35aocn039q2 with a picture
http://www.gubernator.stavkray.ru/?go=news&news=2296 - THIS IS FROM GOVERNOR GAIEVSKY'S SITE. Pictures of the Rabbis meeting Gaievsky (who is rumored to be Jewish, by the way). Their it says that Rabbi Nesterov was also at the meeting.
(L-R) President of cmomunity Kostya Solomonov, Sochnut head Natasha Kuligina, Rabbi Alex Nesterov the Rabbi of Stavropol, Reb Alexander Boroda head of the Russian Jewish Federation and Rabbi Berel Lazar chief Rabbi of Russia
The crowd.
Rabbi Lazar with the Davydov family.
Kostya Solomonov president of the community now, Rabbi Lazar, and Rabbi Nesterov
Ilana Berkun holds the Nesterov baby.
Well, here's an update. With pictures! (see below).
This past Shabbos I was in the Russian shul for the kiddush and they asked me to speak. I was after a few Lechaims, and seeing a new face that looked 'Stavropolish' on my way to the front of the table where they wanted me to stand, I asked the man in Russian "mountain Jew?"
"Yes."
"From where?"
"Pyatigorsk."
"Cool. You were my responsibility a year ago. I lived in Stavropol."
His eyes lit up.
Then I told the story of Chaim Khanukayev, which I'd written here before about the student, a great grandson of Rabbi Rachman of Grozni Chechnya (he showed me a picture) who lives in Zelenokumsk (find it on a map).
We tried to meet many times, but it didn't work out.
Punkt on the second that my secretary asks me in the street why I wear a hat and jacket in public when it's dangerous and I tell her that I meet Jews that way, I got a phone call from Chaim, who had spotted me from across the street ONLY BECAUSE OF MY HAT AND JACKET and given me a hug, after which we had him over a few times.
Anyway, after the story I spoke to this guy, Arkady. Turns out his cousins live in Stavropol, and he talks to them regularly. I know them. The wife isn't a Jew but wants to convert. They have a baby boy.
Hashgacha protis.
So I decided to post, because of the other good news.
A new Rabbi just moved to Stavropol!
Yes, it's true. I knew about it for a while and have been giving all my files over to him.
His name is Alex Nesterov, and he's from Ufa, Russia. He's a real good guy. Married, with a baby.
I'm so grateful that all our work didn't go for nothing. Also, I have to thank Rabbi Lazar for treating us way and beyond what anyone could have ever hoped.
He sent me most of these photos.
I also need to update the political situation.
After throwing us out, Yefim lost everyone and everything. He's only full of hatred. Finally the community banded together and with help from Moscow, they created a new Jewish community - of Stavropol Krai!
Kostya Solomonov is the president of the new community, and he calls me regularly to chat and discuss what should be done.
Hopefully he will now do this with the new Rabbi and our chats will mostly be just catching up. He always tells me the community still wants us back as a second Rabbi.
Rabbi Lazar and Alexander Boroda flew down to introduce Rabbi Nesterov to the community. They met with the governor and toured the old Shul. According to the news, the work will get started for the shul to be returned to the community. Rabbi Lazar also was clear that he was giving this new community his full support.
He also met with all potential and former sponsors.
Here are some news articles.
http://feor.ru/news/index.php?newsid=9030
http://www.jewish.ru/news/cis/2010/06/news994286140.php
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=35990 - mentions that there are 3000 Jews in Stavropol.
http://www.aen.ru/?page=article&category=tradition&article_id=1510&PHPSESSID=mr9gi7h7gutimbq35aocn039q2 with a picture
http://www.gubernator.stavkray.ru/?go=news&news=2296 - THIS IS FROM GOVERNOR GAIEVSKY'S SITE. Pictures of the Rabbis meeting Gaievsky (who is rumored to be Jewish, by the way). Their it says that Rabbi Nesterov was also at the meeting.
(L-R) President of cmomunity Kostya Solomonov, Sochnut head Natasha Kuligina, Rabbi Alex Nesterov the Rabbi of Stavropol, Reb Alexander Boroda head of the Russian Jewish Federation and Rabbi Berel Lazar chief Rabbi of Russia
The crowd.
Rabbi Lazar with the Davydov family.
Kostya Solomonov president of the community now, Rabbi Lazar, and Rabbi Nesterov
Ilana Berkun holds the Nesterov baby.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
For all you hockey fans
I cfried from laughter: http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2010/01/other-toronto-maple-leaf-training-camp.html
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