A new era for Moldovan Jewry: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod officially crowned Chief Rabbi

In an atmosphere charged with emotion and history, world-renowned rabbis, heads of Jewish communities, and diplomatic representatives gathered in Chisinau for a historic ceremony: the official crowning of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod as Chief Rabbi of the Republic of Moldova. The event, which encapsulates the story of hope, restoration, and continuity, served as a significant turning point for the local community, which has seen a renewed flourishing in recent years while preserving the memory of its rich past.

The ceremony was marked by the closing of a circle between a glorious past generation and the generation of the future. Rabbi Axelrod, a descendant of a distinguished rabbinical dynasty and grandson of Rabbi Zalman Abelsky (of blessed memory) — who laid the foundations for the restoration of religious life in Moldova after the fall of the Communist regime — bears a heavy responsibility that he has managed with dedication for a decade.

"This day is not just an official meeting, but a day of responsibility, acceptance, and a big step forward for the entire Jewish community in Moldova," noted Alexander Bilitsky, head of the Jewish community in Moldova, who emphasized the paramount importance of close cooperation between spiritual and communal leadership.

International status and high-ranking rabbinical presence

A long line of prominent figures from Israel and the world arrived at the historic event, including the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Ber, who strengthened the community and emphasized the importance of spreading Jewish light and unity in the modern world, in the face of growing challenges of antisemitism. The Israeli Ambassador to Moldova, Yoram Elron, welcomed the close cooperation and the central role of Chabad emissaries in strengthening the bond between the Diaspora and the State of Israel.

Mendy Kotlarsky, representing the Chabad World Emissary Center, arrived from New York to support the mission in Moldova, continuing the dedicated path of his late father, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky (of blessed memory). Delegations of rabbis and community leaders from Romania, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and other European countries testified to the strength of the global Chabad network.

Speakers at the ceremony repeatedly mentioned the complex history of the Jewry of Bessarabia and Moldova — a place that once bustled with hundreds of flourishing synagogues, endured the horrors of the Holocaust and Soviet oppression, and is now being revived. The highlight of the evening was the moving coronation ceremony, where Rabbi Axelrod was wrapped in a tallit, and the Chief Rabbis signed the official letter of appointment. Participants viewed this as a clear symbol of the "dawn" and the victory of the Jewish spirit, which continues to establish institutions of Torah, education, and kindness throughout the country.

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Reactions from the ceremony

Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Ber: "We are going through complex times in which antisemitism is raising its head, but the Jewish people are alive. To see the light that has been rekindled here in Moldova, in a place where there was great darkness, is the greatest proof of the victory of the Jewish spirit."

Mendy Kotlarsky, one of the leaders of the Chabad Emissary Center (Ahavat Olam): "We came here to recognize the enormous investment that began in 1990 from the ruins. The story of the Chabad emissaries in Moldova, who stood by the side of every Jew, is a model of giving and true love for Israel."

Alexander Bilitsky, head of the Jewish community in Moldova: "We want to see living synagogues all over the country, communities full of people, where tradition flourishes and illuminates the future of us all."

Yoram Elron, Israeli Ambassador to Moldova: "The role of a Chief Rabbi is one of connection and unity, preserving tradition, and building a path for the entire community. The work of the community and the Chabad movement in Moldova is a profound testimony to action, concern for others, and strengthening the eternal bond between the Jews of this place and the State of Israel."