“Russia Has Anti-Semites, Not Anti-Semitism”

(lubavitch.com) Earlier this month, Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar,  said that “Russia has anti-Semites, not anti-Semitism.”

“There is no anti-Semitism as an organized force exercising political power. This results from the authorities’ continuous policy, involving the President, to root out anti-Semitism, aggressive nationalism and extremism. Russia is much more intent on pursuing this fight than the countries with the established democracy.”

In a similar vein, Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger spoke warmly of his recent visit to Russia when interviewed by Interfax. The rabbi voiced his positive impressions of Jewish life in the former Soviet stronghold. “We are very glad that Jewish traditions [are] developing in Russia. We are very glad of every new synagogue [being built]  here . . .” and of the Torah scrolls that are coming into Russia.