Putin transferred Schneerson Collection to Jewish Museum

Dramatic development in the Schneerson Collection case, accompanying Chabad for over two decades: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived today (Thursday) afternoon to the Jewish Museum in the capital Moscow with about 450 books that belonged to the Chabad Rebbes and were stored in the National Archives of the Russian government.

The President was welcomed by the heads of the emissaries in the country, led by the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar and Rabbi Yitzhak Kogan, Member of Chabad in the CIS.

Putin began his speech: "A year ago opened a Jewish Museum which continues the Jewish tradition and actually tells the story of the Jewish people. In general, this museum is a key factor in speech between the two nations, and makes peace between religions, is the basis of the existence and development of Russia".

The President spoke at length about the museum and its contribution to the Russian people. As we know, President Putin was well involved and contributed to the establishment of the museum with a monthly salary - a move that echoes widespread in Russia.
Referring to the Schneerson Collection, Putin said: "Today, these books return to the Jewish people. I know how much struggles you led so these books will be in your hands.

"I hope that after the Schneerson directory returns to the Jewish center, any man in Russia and the world, can come here, and read these books, relaxed and calm, meet and see new things. Even a modern time person needs it. These books have great importance to world of Jewry, and not only Russian Jewry. "

President Putin continued: "I congratulate you for your success, you have a big responsibility on your shoulders, a very great responsibility for education of children and the Jews." The President concluded by saying: "I give the Jews the books with all my heart."

Return of the books takes place under wide media coverage: two hundred journalists crowded the lobby of the Jewish Museum, located in the center of Kiryat Chabad institutions in Moscow, for the arrival of the President.

The surrounding streets were closed to traffic, and people living in them were asked not to leave the buildings, until the arrival of the president's entourage. Snipers were stationed on rooftops.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov, Rabbi Sholom Ber Levin and Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, delegation of the, Chabad Association, appointed - by the Rebbe of Lubavitch to run through legal means to return books to the library of the world Chabad Lubavitch center in Crown Heights, opposed the transfer of books to the Jewish museum - and demand that the books be returned to the library of Chabad Society. A third member of the delegation, Rabbi Yitzhak Kogan, participates in the ceremony.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!