Yistoky Monthly Newspaper

Chabad Moldova stands as a beacon of Jewish life, centered in the heart of Kishinev (Chișinău) and extending its impact throughout the country.

For many, the name Moldova might not evoke immediate images—it often blends into the patchwork of nations labeled as the “former Soviet Union.” However, in recent years, Moldova has gained prominence due to its strategic role in the region, particularly following the Ukraine-Russia conflict. For others, the name Chișinău carries darker associations, recalling the tragic pogroms that devastated the Jewish community in the early 20th century.

Today, those grim scenes have been replaced with joy and vitality as Jewish life flourishes once again. After decades of war, destruction, and oppression, the Jewish community of Chișinău is experiencing a powerful revival. Jewish life is thriving in Chișinău and surrounding cities, with ongoing growth and development. This renaissance can be traced back to Rabbi Zalman Abelsky, of blessed memory, who together with his wife, answered the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s call to come to Moldova and its capital, Chișinău. Leaving behind an extensive family and countless educational endeavors in Israel, they arrived with a mission: to rebuild the Jewish community that had been decimated by the Holocaust and the communist regime.

Rabbi Zalman Tuvia HaKohen Abelsky was born in Moscow in 1927 . His father, Rabbi Shmaryahu, passed away while he was still a child. He was raised by his grandfather, Rabbi Yeshaya Zusha Shubov , the “Boyder Rav.”

From kishinev.org/news/istoky