They are Jewish and Chanukah is coming up. But in a country like the Democratic Republic of the Congo going to a nearby Judaica store for candles or a bakery for latkes is not an option.
For that they turn to the Kinshasa based Rabbi Shlomo Bentolila who directs Chabad-Lubavitch of Central Africa.
Throughout Chanukah – as during the whole year – the Chabad Shliach was busy supplying local Jewish, visitors and businessman alike, with whatever they need to practice their religion.
Photographer Israel Bardugo, a regular contributor to COLlive.com, spent the week with in the Congo and documented “how the light of Chanukah was brought to every Jew in the area.”
Bardugo, on his second visit to the region, said he needed a special government permit to freely photograph life in the country.
Not uncle but brother in law …
yep it is
thats mendachem chadads uncle!
yeah he is
Wherever theres coca cola, theres chabad:) lol
Go rabbi bentotlila- a real shliach- in the full sense of the word!
is he on the video “lamplighters”
simply unbeliveble – moshiah is here already!!!
right!
House of Yo Mama,right?
no words… bringing light to the darkest corners of the world. CHAZAK!!!
Shlomo’s mesiras nefesh to rent a gondola to go bring Menorahs to yidden, is like the first generation of Shluchim whose selfless devotion to the Rebbe knows no boundaries… He is not like the new 23’s whose Shlichus is all about Ipads etc. He is truly a gem in the Rebbe’s crown of African Shlichus…
As a bochur who went to africa for pesach. I tell you the amazing work the bentolilas do for the jewish community throughout africa. Someone asked me when we where there, “Why does a rabbi in Congo care about the jews in the whole africa’?
Seriously touched me to the core to see these pictures. The shliach looks so devoted to the Rebbes work its unbelievable!! Like i don’t know if i wuold ever be able to live in a place like that but now i would think about it becasue i see that this Shliach can do iT!!!
you should have alot of hatzlacha. i cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to live over there.
Thank you for sharing; the rich beauty of the land and the simple but special people that you are in contact with on a day to day. Be blessed in all you do
You look so mimish in the talis with the Torah I thought u were gmg
NOW THATS A SHLIACH I TAKE MAY HAT OFF. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONE TALKING AT THE CONVETION HE HAS A STORY OR TWO. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL HART WARMING SOUL. HASHEM SHOULD BLESS YOU AND YOUR DEAR WIFE AND FAMILY WITH ALL AND MORE .
i wouldnt expect such a nice shul in congo!!! kol hakavod for all the shlichus!!!
keep on going reb Shlomo you are an inspiration for a lot of us
MGPDCM
Shlomo and miriam , it is so nice to see you on col. You are doing such an amazing job . We miss you.
Shlomi and Yael Sufrin
the pictures are beautiful!!!!!!
kol hakavod !
Good old Shlomo Bentolila. Hatzlocho Raboh Umuflogoh Mayoh Peomim Cocho! (Did you meet any old neighbors from Montreal?)( What’s the name of the river?) Hope you and your family are good.
Dear shlomO I don’t think there is words to describe what you have done in Africa, you have reachedbthe Jews in 20 countries. May you go from strength to strength! From your beloved friend who is writing this from his IPAD
Thanks for posting:)
it must have been quite an experience as a photojournalist out there!