New Shluchim to Historic Chassidic Town Find Jews Ready to Dance
Gomel, Belarus, once one of the earliest centers of Chabad Chassidus, welcomes Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Rochel Kot as its new Shluchim, bringing renewed energy to Jewish life in a city steeped in Chabad history • Full Story
On Shemini Atzeres, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kot prepared to dance with the Torah at the Shul in Gomel, Belarus, expecting to dance alone. The Chassidic custom is to hold Hakafos on Shemini Atzeres as well as Simchas Torah, but it was not customary at the local Shul.
When community president Yosef Zholdov noticed Rabbi Kot preparing, he asked about the custom. After hearing the explanation, Zholdov replied, “If the rabbi will do Hakafos, I will too.” Another Jewish man soon joined them, and all three danced together.
“From the rosh kehila and on, this town has a Chassidic spirit,” Rabbi Kot said.
The moment came just weeks after Rabbi Kot and his wife, Rochel, arrived as Shluchim to the historic city, also known as Homel. In a 1940 talk, the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, described Homel as one of the first towns after Liozna to embrace Chabad Chassidus, with both Torah scholars and ordinary tradesmen among its Chassidim.
Gomel is especially associated with Rabbi Yitzchak Aizik Halevi Epstein – Eizik Homelier, a prominent disciple of the Alter Rebbe who served as the city’s rabbi for 58 years. The city later endured pogroms, Soviet religious restrictions and the Holocaust, but Jewish life gradually rebuilt after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The Kots have begun developing programs for the local community, including Hebrew school, children’s activities, and initiatives for teenagers and young adults. Their first events drew dozens of participants, including many who had not regularly attended synagogue programs.
With a permanent Chabad presence now established, the couple hopes to strengthen Jewish identity and reconnect more residents with their heritage in a city whose history is deeply intertwined with Chabad.
12
Join ChabadInfo's News Roundup and alerts for the HOTTEST Chabad news and updates!
Related Posts:
Most Popular
New Videos
Editor's Picks
