The president presents Rabbi Gorelik with an award to honor his leadership in development of the community, as well as his contribution to peace and brotherhood among the inhabitants of Tatarstan at large.

The Nov. 8 ceremony was widely attended by members of the community in Kazan, including a government delegation led by the republic’s president, Mr. Rustam Minnikhanov.

Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, affixes a mezuzah to the entrance of the first ever yeshiva in Tatarstan, Russia’s largest Muslim republic.

Mr. Minnikhanov: “The Jewish community here serves as an example to all of us how important tradition is, and how vital it is to pass on these values from generation to generation. I am very happy that a center for Torah study has opened today in the city of Kazan. It is the privilege and obligation of every nation. I am sure that anyone who will walk into this center, will only leave as a better person..”