Among those present at the grand opening ceremony were Israel’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ran Iichay, the leader of the Foreign Ministry delegation in Almaty, Ayimdos Bozzhigitov
Ambassador Yishai and the head of the Foreign Ministry delegation were given the honor of cutting the ribbon at the new restaurant. Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan, Rabbi Yeshayah Elazar Cohen, put up one mezuzah and Mr. Iishay put up another.
When Rabbi Cohen addressed the crowd, he explained the importance of a mezuzah and how it guards us from harm. He also used this opportunity to present the significance of the mitzvos of mezuzah and kashrus to the many guests and media representatives
Rabbi Cohen presented the restaurant’s manager, shlicha Rut Zakshever, with a kashrus certificate. Rabbi Cohen remarked that throughout the 14 years that he has been in Kazakhstan, tourists have only been able to get kosher food at the shul, but now this restaurant will be able to provide kosher lemehadrin food to anyone who wants it. “We are talking about a huge responsibility when it comes to giving out a kashrus certificate,” he said. “But when we saw how well everything is being run here, we decided that we should definitely give a certificate.”
Ambassador Iishay said that now there is a place to buy kosher food, in the best Jewish tradition, and to get to learn about Jewish culture through its cuisine. He added that when the Israeli embassy moved to Astana, he was asked how he could leave behind a desolate place like Almaty. He replied that in fact he was leaving behind an active shul and Jewish center, and now there is also a kosher restaurant, all which serve as a consulate for the Jewish nation.
