Rabbi Arthur Schneier of the Park East Synagogue in New York delivered a sermon at Moscow’s Choral Synagogue during a recent Sabbath service, it was learned here today. Rabbi Schneier, who is president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, was in the Soviet Union on a visit.
In his sermon, the rabbi said, “Closer ties with Jews throughout the world is a major challenge to the new chief rabbi of Moscow.” He congratulated Rabbi Jacob Fischman, saying, “I pray that the almighty may give him wisdom and courage in carrying out his awesome responsibilities.”
Rabbi Fischman responded by saying he was determined to “work heart and soul” for the welfare of his congregation. He pleaded for the support of everyone. Rabbi Schneier’s 13-year-old son Mare was called to the Torah during the service. The New York rabbi has visited the Soviet Union several times since 1966. In Nov. 1971, he was one of the rabbis officiating at the funeral of the former chief rabbi of Moscow, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Levin.
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