Hundreds of guests – family, friends, Rabbonim, dignitaries, philanthropists and community leaders from around the world filled the downtown Moscow Media-Dome for the Russian Jewish event of the year: the chasuna of Mendel Wilansky of Portland, Maine and Leah Lazar, daughter of the beloved Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar.
Among the guests who traveled from near and far were Reb Abe Eisner, noted askan and HASC Center Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Rav Judah Mischel, Camp HASC’s Executive Director. Invited as special guests of the Chief Rabbi, Mr. Eisner and Rav Judah represented the special children and families of HASC on the global stage.
While in Moscow, the HASC leadership toured local mosdos and spent time with Rabbi Yosef Lipsker, proud Camp HASC parent and Director of the Jewish Day School at historic Marina Roscha Synagogue.
They visited with HASC camper Levi Lipsker at the family at home in Moscow, as well as at Levi’s special class at Marina Roscha.
According to Rav Judah, it was the “highlight of the trip… when we get to see our campers in their home environment and form a personal, working relationship with their teachers and year-round therapists, it makes the care we provide so much more effective and meaningful.”
The lavish wedding, a central event for Jewish Moscow was a celebration of Jewish life that has flourished in Russia in recent years. Chasidic superstar Benny Friedman kept guests on their feet, dancing throughout the night, singing a special production of his latest hit (in Russian, Yidish, English and Hebrew!) that could not have been more appropriate: “Charasho, Charasho, slava Bogu – charasho! It’s All Good, Baruch Hashem! Life is good Life is great, It’s a chance to celebrate.”
Rabbi Leibel Korf, Chabad Shliach to Los Feliz, California and a relative of the chosson, traveled to Russia for the simcha. A parent of two children at Camp HASC, Rabbi Korf thanked Mr. Eisner for his “incredible efforts on behalf of the families of HASC. The break we had during the summer-time was a life-saver.”
The relationship between Rabbi Lazar and Camp HASC runs deep, and the Chief Rabbi made extraordinary efforts to spend time Upstate, arriving for a historic visit this past summer by helicopter, for a moving and inspiring tour.
Mr. Eisner summed up the journey to Moscow by praising Rabbi Lazar’s generosity and warmth: “When the Ba’al Simcha, the Kallah’s father- who is busy with his own family and guests from around the world, continuously made time throughout the chasunah to introduce us to his family, friends and associates, it speaks volumes to how deeply the Rav appreciates the efforts of Camp HASC to provide for special children, as well as to the global impact of the organization. It was a great zechus to participate.”
