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Israeli delegation. Thousands of kosher meals prepared
Photo: Getty Images

Torah lessons in Sochi amid fears of terror

Jewish community in city hosting Winter Olympics all prepared to greet some 20,000 Jewish visitors from Israel and around the world. 'We will cater to all their needs,' says local Chabad rabbi

Some 400,000 residents live in the city of Sochi, which is located on the Black Sea coast. In the past seven years, since it was chosen to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, the city has been preparing for the major event by constructing new hotels, paving new transportation lines and building sports facilities.

 

 

Another person who has been quite busy throughout this period is Chabad Rabbi Ari Edelkopf, who launched an operation of his own to welcome 20,000 Jewish visitors from around the world, led by the five athletes of the Israeli delegation.

 

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (Photo: AP)
Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (Photo: AP)

 

Israeli delegation in Sochi (Photo: Reuters)
Israeli delegation in Sochi (Photo: Reuters)

 

"We have prepared for all the needs of the Jews arriving here," the rabbi said, "so that their spiritual and religious needs are not harmed during their stay in Sochi. We are expecting tens of thousands of visitors to arrive from the United States, Canada, Austria, South Africa and of course Israel."

 

Edelkopf, 35, was born in Israel and raised in Los Angeles, and has served as a Chabad emissary for the past 12 years. He says Sochi's Jewish community includes 3,000 members, some of whom will be involved in preparing thousands of kosher meals. Most of them will man the synagogue regularly, but Torah lessons will be held on a daily basis for the many visitors.

 

Torah lessons to be held every day (Photo: Shutterstock)
Torah lessons to be held every day (Photo: Shutterstock)

 

"We acquired two temporary centers strategically located near the Olympic area," Edelkopf said, "in addition to our community center which is open all year round. They will be staffed by 12 rabbis. Prayer services will be held throughout the week, as well as courses on topics ranging from the weekly Torah portion to in-depth Talmud study. On Shabbat there will be a prayer as well as a traditional Shabbat meal."

 

The Sochi games made headlines for political and security-related reasons as well, following the wave of terror attacks Russia has been hit by in the past year. Terror remains a sensitive issue among Israelis following the murder of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

 

"Our community is in constant touch with Russian government workers and security experts," Edelkopf said. When asked about possible concerns, he admitted they were being taken seriously. "Because of the nature of the issue, I cannot say any more.

 

"We have a very united and warm community, we are already ready and are looking forward to the Jewish and Israeli guests who will arrive here. We will cater to all their needs in the next two weeks and we hope they have a pleasant stay."

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.09.14, 20:40
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