First Baby Brit for Far East Russian Community

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Chief Mohel of Russia, Yeshaya Shafit, performed the surgery, having traveled here all the way from Moscow for this life-changing event (8531 km)!

Monday, April 14 2008

KHABAROVSK, Russia - A joyous event has occured in the life of the Jewish community of Khabarovsk – a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia – with the advent of a Baby Brit Mila. In accordance with Jewish tradition, the Brit took place when the boy was just eight days old.

This day is not only important for the parents of the newborn, but also for the entire community. The boy received the name David on this occasion, which marked the first Baby Brit in eighty years for the Khabarovsk community. Chief Mohel of Russia Yeshaya Shafit performed the surgery, having traveled here all the way from Moscow for this life-changing event. Chief Rabbi of Khabarovsk Yakov Snetkov held the infant during the ceremony.

"We ended up taking the decision to have our son circumcised because of our daughter, who studies at the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School," commented Irina Malykhin, the mother of the baby. "She tells us everything she learns about Jewish tradition, so she very much influenced this decision."
Chief Mohel Shafit's visit was also well-timed to complete the circumcision of several other men, who undertook to make this Jewish commitment to G-D, thanks to the educational and outreach work done by students in the 'STARS' youth program. Afterwards, the Synagogue hosted a celebratory meal, prepared by Mrs. Adel Snetkov, that involved participants, their families and other guests. (Source)