A Celebration For Africa

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Menachem Speiter and Israel Bardugo

An evening dedicated to the growth of Jewish life and continuity in the continent of Africa will be taking place Tuesday tonight in Kinshasa, the French speaking capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Looking over the Congo River, dignitaries and laymen from neighboring countries will be saluting Rabbi Shlomo Bentolila and his wife Miriam for 20 years of dedicated work, at times under dire circumstances.

The couple were sent on Shlichus with the Rebbe’s blessings in Shvat of 5751 (1991) and have not left their mission even after the Second Congo War broke out in 1998 and many violent acts, described as some of the worst in the world.

As Executive Director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Central Africa, Rabbi Bentolila has also focused his efforts on assisting Jewish people living or visiting in 13 African countries.

Testimony to his and his family’s devotion will be tonight when among the guests at the gala dinner will be officials from Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn and fellow Chabad Shluchim.

Among them are Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch and Director of the International Kinus Hashluchim who came with his son Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky. Both are regularly involved in the activities in Africa, sending groups of bochurim each holiday to small communities.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Director of American Friends of Lubavitch, came from Washington, DC. Rabbi Lazer Avtzon, Director of Global Jewish (GJARN) humanitarian organization, flew from New York.

Arriving from Africa were Rabbi Mendel Lipskier, Head Shliach of South Africa, and Rabbi Asher Deren, Director of The Shul of Table View in Cape Town.

Photographer-turned-event planner Israel Bardugo is the producer of the event. French Chassidic singer Yoni Shlomo will be entertaining.