In celebration of S. Petersburg’s 300th birthday, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin issued a gold medal award to the city’s Chief Rabbi and Chabad-Lubavitch representative, Mendel Pewzner. At a public ceremony last week Petersburg’s Mayor, Mr. Alexander Dmitreivitz presented Rabbi Pewzner with the award on behalf of President Putin.

As he displayed the award to a crowd of hundreds who attended an elaborate ceremony, the Mayor explained that Mr. Putin issued this medal to Petersburg’s chief rabbi on this occasion, in recognition of the rabbi’s activities for the benefit of Petersburg’s Jewish community.

The award presentation and an elegant dinner party that followed, was held in Petersburg’s grand synagogue and attended by numerous dignitaries and public officials.