A New Chapter for Moldova's Jews: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod Inaugurated as Chief Rabbi

The Jewish community of Moldova inaugurated Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod as its Chief Rabbi following an election involving representatives from across the country's Jewish institutions.

The inauguration ceremony in Chișinău was led by Israel's Chief Rabbi, Kalman Ber, who attended alongside chief rabbis and community leaders from Jewish organizations worldwide.

The appointment marks a continuation of rabbinic leadership in Moldova spanning generations. Rabbi Yehuda Leib Tsirelson served as Chief Rabbi of Bessarabia beginning in 1908 until his death in Chișinău in 1941. Rabbi Zalman Abelsky, sent by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1989 during the Soviet period, subsequently rebuilt Jewish communal life in the country. Rabbi Axelrod is Abelsky's grandson.

Addressing those gathered, Rabbi Ber stated: "From today, Chișinău will be remembered not for the Kishinev pogroms, but for Rabbi Axelrod."