(lubavitch.com) Israel's President Shimon Peres joined Chabad's Rabbi Shimon Freundlich Saturday night, for the reading of the Book of Lamentations in observance of Tisha B'Av. Following the reading, the President chatted wtih Rabbi Freundlich, who has taken a leading role in providing for the 63 Jewish athletes, representing 7 countries, and all Jewish participants at the Beijing Olympics.

Rabbi Freundlich is mashgiach of Dini's, the only kosher restaurant in China, where of Jewish athletes and delegates enjoyed Shabbat dinner this past weekend. Chabad has also arranged for daily services in the city's three Chabad centers, as well as at the Bet Knesset synagogue that was set up by Freundlich in the Olympic Village.