Dear Dmitry, Religion’s Good

Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar took part in a meeting of President Dmitry Medvedev with all the traditional religions of Russia.

The main topics of conversation were the role of clergy in the army and especially the teaching of the foundations of religious culture in schools.

The President supported the idea of teaching in the schools of Russia on the basis of religion, and considered it useful to enter the institution of military and naval clergy.

Rabbi Lazar, in his speech at the meeting, praised the decision.

“When representatives of all our traditional religions help each other and work peacefully – it gives soldiers an example of how important it is to treat each other with respect,” he said.

Lazar added that he has received positive feedback from Jewish people serving in the Russian army.

“We have received very good feedback from soldiers and officers, and generals,” he said, adding that without education “there are ethnic conflicts and destructive ideas of xenophobia and extremism.”