Chief Rabbinate of Moldova
The Chief Rabbinate of Moldova serves as the central spiritual authority of the Jewish community in the country and works to preserve, strengthen, and develop Jewish life throughout Moldova.
After decades of religious suppression under the communist regime, Jewish life in Moldova began to revive with the fall of the Iron Curtain. In 1989, Rabbi Zalman Abelsky zt”l and Rebbetzin Leah Abelsky shetichyeh were sent to Moldova by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, laying the foundations for renewed Jewish institutions in the country.
Rabbi Zalman Abelsky was appointed Chief Rabbi of Moldova and led the community with great dedication for many years. Under his leadership, synagogues were restored, Jewish educational institutions were established, kosher supervision was organized, a mikvah was built, Torah classes were introduced, and community assistance programs were developed.
Following his passing in 2014, the Chief Rabbinate continued its activities through Chabad institutions and its emissaries. Today, Rabbi Mendel Axelrod serves as the Chief Rabbi of Moldova.
The Chief Rabbinate provides religious and communal services to the Jewish population of Moldova, including:
- Jewish marriage registration and wedding services
- Kashrut supervision and kosher food certification
- Mikvah and family purity services
- Synagogues, daily prayers, and Shabbat services
- Jewish education for children, youth, and adults
- Assistance for the needy and elderly
- Holiday programs and Jewish events
- Connection with Jewish communities throughout the country
Today, the Chief Rabbinate operates through a network of Chabad emissaries and communities in various cities, continuing to care for the spiritual and material needs of Moldova’s Jews.
The Chief Rabbinate of Moldova stands as a symbol of Jewish renewal in the country and serves as a central address for every Jew seeking connection to tradition, community, and Jewish heritage.