Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod Becomes Chief Rabbi of Moldova, Honored by President

At just 36 years old, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod was officially appointed as the Chief Rabbi of Moldova in a heartfelt ceremony held in Chisinau. The event was attended by Israel's Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar and included a blessing from the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, who praised the Jewish community's contributions and emphasized the country's commitment to fighting antisemitism. Rabbi Axelrod, who has lived in Moldova for 12 years with his family, is the grandson of the previous emissary sent by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1989, who rebuilt the Jewish community after the fall of the Soviet Union. Axelrod described his appointment as a "closing of a circle" and a mission to restore Jewish life in a country historically remembered for the Kishinev pogroms.

Rabbi Axelrod has served as a key Jewish leader in Moldova and was elected by a broad majority of the country's Jewish community leaders in a special election convened two months prior. The Moldovan government quickly recognized the election results. During the ceremony, Chief Rabbi Bar highlighted the symbolic importance of this moment, comparing it to the renewal of the moon after darkness, signaling a new era of Jewish light in Chisinau.

Moldova has recently become a strategic hub due to the war in Ukraine, with the local Chabad community, led by Rabbi Zusha Abelsky, providing refuge and support to thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Approximately 500 refugees have settled in Moldova, significantly increasing the Jewish population. Rabbi Axelrod emphasized that their vision is to reach every Jewish home in Moldova, strengthen Jewish identity and tradition, and bring light to the community until the ultimate redemption.

The appointment marks a historic moment for Moldovan Jewry, symbolizing resilience and renewal amid past tragedies and current challenges.