Berel Lazar

Berel Lazar is a prominent Orthodox rabbi, affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. He has been actively serving in Russia since 1990, and has held key positions in the country's Jewish community. As a respected figure in Russian Judaism, Lazar has fostered connections with the nation's leadership, notably with President Vladimir Putin.

Lazar's leadership roles include serving as the Chief Rabbi of Russia, a position he has held since 2000. He also chairs the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS. In addition to his religious duties, Lazar has been involved in public service, becoming a member of the Public Chamber of Russia in 2005. His close relationship with President Putin has led to him being referred to as "Putin's rabbi," reflecting his unique position within the Russian Jewish community and his connections to the country's government.