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Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic President Welcomes Chabad Rabbi |
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President Leonel Fernández Reyna at the National Palace in Santo Domingo with Chabad emissary
Following the president’s greeting, Pelman discussed the Lubavitcher Rebbe, noting that he was meeting the President on the third of Tammuz, the day of the Rebbe’s passing. He spoke about the mission of Chabad, its global network of embassy-like Chabad Houses, and the need to develop and grow in the Dominican Republic.
“It was very warm and positive meeting. The President welcomed us and called it an honor to have Chabad in the country,” Pelman told Lubavitch.com. Rabbi Mendel Zarchi, Chabad representative to Puerto Rico, and a group of Jewish businessmen active in the Domincan Republic joined Pelman at the meeting.
“We acknowledged the Dominican Republic’s efforts to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust by taking in immigrants,” said Pelman. “I told the president that we want to give back by using the Chabad house and its services to encourage Jewish business and investment in the country.”
Reyna discussed his upcoming trip to Israel where he plans on meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres and other officials to learn how to reproduce the country’s technological development and advancement.
“It is very impressive to me to see what Israel has accomplished in 60 years. It’s a modern and beautiful country, and we can also do it here. I’m going there to learn how,” Reyna said, according to Pelman. “Anything you need to help Chabad grow here, let me know. It will greatly help our country.”
Reyna provided a government liaison for future communication and collaboration. Pelman said his official acknowledgement as one of the country’s spiritual leaders entitles him to police protection, should he request it, and will facilitate his efforts to obtain program funding as well as a larger facility in the country’s capital.
The group of 10 American and Israeli businessmen, dependent on Pelman for kosher food and synagogue services during business trips, arranged the meeting. “They told me that they want to see Chabad and Jewish business and investment increase in the Dominican Republic,” shared Pelman.
Rabbi Pelman opened his Chabad center in Santo Domingo just under two years ago, serving an estimated 200 Jewish residents, as well as businessmen and tourists. The city’s two largest hotels are nearby and Chabad’s kosher catering service is busy. Rabbi Pelman and his wife Michal operate a kindergarten and Hebrew school, and lead adult Jewish education
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Read Comments (8) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 30, 2009 at 04:09 PM wow Says:
kol hakavod may u have loads of hatzlacha
2
Jun 30, 2009 at 04:36 PM Aryeh Says:
B"H! We can have a kosher vacation in DR! Cheap Jet Blue tickets, really great private accommodations for very little money and a minyan!
3
Jun 30, 2009 at 04:35 PM Charlie Hall Says:
In the 1930s the Dominican Republic was the only country in the world that agreed to accept European Jewish immigrants.
4
Jun 30, 2009 at 05:49 PM Anonymous Says:
DR has street names after Jews on Sosia part of DR.
5
Jun 30, 2009 at 05:49 PM Anonymous Says:
“ B"H! We can have a kosher vacation in DR! Cheap Jet Blue tickets, really great private accommodations for very little money and a minyan! ”
but please remember to leave a generous donation to the chabad house. too many people use them out without showing hakoras hatov.
6
Jun 30, 2009 at 07:00 PM Anonymous Says:
“ In the 1930s the Dominican Republic was the only country in the world that agreed to accept European Jewish immigrants. ”
The shul in Sousia (midway between Peurta Plata and Santiago) is a museum today. All the german immigrants of the 30s no longer live there as most have. emigrated or gone south to Santo Domingo
7
Jun 30, 2009 at 09:27 PM murray Says:
“ In the 1930s the Dominican Republic was the only country in the world that agreed to accept European Jewish immigrants. ”
Their motives were Not the greatest- They hoped for an inter-mingling, and to produce a next generation of lighter complexion individuals. Still -this was a Great act on their part-unfortunately there was an invitation and room for 10's of thousands more Jews..........they just never came.
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Jul 01, 2009 at 12:34 PM Raphael Kaufman Says:
Having worked in the DR I can vouch for the hospitality of the people and the cooperation of the Government. P.S. It's Sosua, not Sousia