By COLlive reporter
Russia’s new travel restrictions in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus led the Jewish community in Rostov to change the plans for a mass visit marking the 100th yartzeit of the Rebbe Rashab.
Hundreds of rabbis and chassidim from the United States, Israel and around the world were planning on traveling to Russia to commemorate Beis Nisan.
But with 20 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far, the government announced travel restrictions requiring a 14-day quarantine for most international visitors.
Russian businesses have started to cancel foreign business trips and participation in international conferences, the Moscow Times reported.
“With deepest regrets, and despite our best efforts, we are disappointed to announce that we have to cancel the Bais Nissan event in Rostov,” said Rostov’s Head Shliach and Chief Rabbi Chaim Danzinger.
He said that the yartzeit of the 5th Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch will be marked “as a day of learning with virtual classes and lectures that all chassidim can tune into and take part in.”
The central farbrengen will take place as planned with the participation of members of the local Jewish community in Rostov. Rabbi Danzinger said that he plans to “visit the Rebbe Rashab’s Ohel and daven on everyone’s behalf.”
He thanked those who worked tirelessly and supported the preparation of the event.
“I hope we will have the chance to welcome you to Rostov at a future time, or better yet to meet you in Eretz hakodesh with Moshiach before Bais Nissan,” he said.
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