Chamah Celebrates Medical Center

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Monika Lightstone Photography

Hundreds of guests and supporters of the Russian Jewish community filled the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the international Chamah organization.

The elegant gala event, chaired by Mr. Mitch Benerofe, celebrated the organization’s humanitarian and educational programs in Russia, Israel and the US.

Master of ceremonies of the evening was Rabbi Benzion Laskin, program director of Chamah and a noted speaker in Russian speaking communities.

Chamah, today led by its President Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman, Vice President Rabbi Moshiach Chudaitov, Executive Director Rabbi Binyomin Malachovski and Program Director Rabbi Benzion Laskin was established secretly in the USSR in 1952 with the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s encouragement and support.

Among the honorees were the Joseph Alexander Foundation, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and Mr. Thomas Corby, who is among the founders of the recently opened First Jewish Medical & Rehabilitation Center in Moscow, Russia.

The five-floor facility will offer low-cost and no-cost services in Cardiology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Geriatric Medicine, Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Proctology, Pulmonary Medicine, Rheumatology and Urology.

“Growing up in the worst times in the Soviet Union, we never would have dreamed that such a Jewish institution of this kind would ever exist in Moscow,” said Rabbi Chudaitov, “for us, this is a real miracle.”

He added that “This is remarkable in a city where private medical attention is available only to the very wealthy.” The facility is currently offering rehabilitation and physical therapy services. The remaining clinics are expected to open in the coming months.

Over the past 62 years, Chamah has grown from an underground movement into an international organization serving Russian Jewry all over the world.

A special video presentation highlighted unique and life-saving programs that Chamah undertakes internationally, such as Chamah’s aid to the communities of Southern Israel during the Gaza War, a new Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Moscow, and the annual National Russian Shabbaton, organized together with Lubavitch Youth Organization which takes place this year Feb 20-22 in Stamford, CT.

Musical entertainment was provided by award-winning Israeli composer Zlata Razdolina and the Jewish Jazz orchestra, as well as Chaverim vocal arts ensemble, Music Director Izchak Haimov and Producer Margarita Kagan.