Kazan Update - 08.23.2001

 

See earlier release

PRESS RELEASE:

Kazan Jewish School Allowed to Reopen

WASHINGTON, DC

NCSJ reports that Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev, President of Russia’s Tatarstan region, notified the Jewish Community of Kazan that they will be able to continue repairs on the Jewish school and reopen in time for the upcoming school year.

According to Mikhail Abramovitch Skoblyonk, Chairman of the Kazan Jewish Community Council of Trustees, President Shaimiev reversed a previous order to close the school that would have dispersed the students throughout non-Jewish schools in the area.

The school was damaged by a suspicious fire in mid-July and closed by order of the regional government of Tatarstan. Shaimiev’s decision states that studies may continue at the present location for one year during which time the President will find another building for the community. Mr. Skoblyonk said in response to this action, “It is a wise decision by Mr. Shaimiev.”

The Kazan Jewish school is the site of a World ORT Technology Center and with 400 students is one of the largest Jewish schools in Europe. Following the fire, the Jewish community had been actively engaged in efforts to repair the school when they received an order from Kazan Mayor Kamil Ikshakov to disband the school. Their efforts to rebuild were stopped by Kazan police.

The Jewish community received support from local and international Jewish organizations, the Embassies of Israel and Germany, as well as the U.S. government and Russian federal authorities to continue reconstruction of the school.

NCSJ worked closely with the Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut, who have a partnership with Kazan, and Russian Jewish organizations, including the Russian Jewish Congress, to help resolve the situation. A joint letter from Adolf Shayevich, Chief Rabbi of Russia, and Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, was sent to President Shaimiyev appealing that he “not allow the discrimination of the religious rights of religious minorities in Tatarstan to take place.”