"An authoritative spiritual leader and public figure, you are making an important contribution into the development of religious and cultural life of Russia's Jewish community and implementation of educational programs. Your activities serve the consolidation of interfaith dialogue, civil peace and accord in the country," reads the President's telegram.
Berl Lazar was born in Milan to a rabbi's family and followed in his father's footsteps. At the age of 14 he left for the United States and studied at rabbinical schools in New York and New Jersey. He graduated from the New York Rabbinical Academy with the diplomas of a rabbi and a religious judge. In 1989 Berl Lazar came to the Soviet Union to restore and coordinate Jewish communities. At first he wanted to work in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) but finally chose Moscow. In 1990 he became rabbi at the Maryina Roshcha synagogue. Berl Lazar has been Russia's chief rabbi since 2000. On March 17, 2001 he entered the Russian President's council for cooperation with religious associations. In July 2002 Berl Lazar was elected chairman of the Rabbi Council of the World Congress of Russian-speaking Jews.
Berl Lazar also chairs the rabbi council of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In addition, he coordinates the work of over 200 rabbis in the former Soviet Union.
