Moshe Reuven Azman

Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman (born in 14 March 1966 in Leningrad, USSR) is the Chabad chief Rabbi of Ukraine, one of three rabbis with a claim on the title, and one of two Chabad rabbis with a claim. He is the Rabbi of the Brodski Synagogue in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.

His election as Chief Rabbi by a group formed by some wealthy Jewish businessmen in October 2005, caused considerable controversy in the Ukraine Jewish community. Azman's election was endorsed by a group of secular Jewish leaders attending a Kiev Jewish conference, but not by any rabbinical authorities.[1] A group of rabbis from the non-Chabad Federation of Jewish Communities attacked the appointment describing it as "illegitimate" and "insulting to the feelings of every believer".[1] 150 secular Jewish leaders from 100 Ukrainian cities and towns later protested the vote as well.[1]

Chabad maintains a Chief Rabbi in Ukraine in opposition to non-Chabad Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich.[2] [3]

Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ukrainian community split over chief rabbi The Global Jewish News Source, Vladimir Matveyev, October 28, 2005
  2. ↑ Recent election of third chief rabbi in Ukraine splits Jewish community, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, October 24, 2005
  3. ↑ Chabad dispute escalates, Baltimore Jewish Times, October 21, 2005