Brazilian Amazon Community Moved by Special Visitor

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and former Chief Rabbi of Israel, closed a circle as he strengthened a small Jewish community in the Brazilian Amazon.

During a private visit to Brazil, the Morrocan-born Rabbi paid a special visit to Belem, a city north of Brazil which has a small community of Moroccan expats that settled there in 1840. They settled near the Amazon river, and established a Jewish community, with shuls, schools and Chesed organizations. The names of many of the Jewish residents, who have been there for decades, are similar to those in many communities which were originally from Morocco, such as Benzecry, Benmoyal, Benshimon and Atias.

For the past 180 years, many of the residents have kept the flame of Judaism alive, but some have unfortunately assimilated with time. For the past 30 years, Chabad Shliach Rabbi Disraeli Zagury has been leading the Jewish activities in the area.

Rabbi Zagury serves as the rabbi, chazan, teacher, mohel, shochet and head of the local Chevra Kaddisha. Thanks to his dedication, Judaism exists in the entire area with many calling his success “miraculous and above nature.”

In Belem, some 70 percent of Jewish residents purchase kosher meat, an impressive amount compared to cities with larger Jewish populations. All this is due to the dedication of Rabbi and Mrs. Zagury, their son Shlomo and son-in-law Rabbi Aryeh Raichman, the Shliach in Manaus.

Rabbi Amar, while visiting Brazil, decided to visit his brethren in Belem, to strengthen the community. He addressed the community, and inspired them all in his soft-spoken manner and princely Rabbinic look, which awoke the hearts of all who heard him.

He visited the institutions of Rabbi Zagury and blessed the members of the community, many of whom were strengthened in their observance of Torah and Mitzvos.

The highlight of the visit was Rabbi Amar’s participation in the wedding of a young Jewish couple from Belo Horizonte, who have become close to Chabad. Rabbi Amar blessed the couple and added to the joyous occasion in the city.

In the entire 180 years of the community, they never had experienced such an important and special visit, the residents said.