On 7 March 2004, the Lithuanian Jewish Community elected a new Chief Rabbi of Lithuania. This honourable and responsible position was taken by Chaim Burshtein, a Russian-born Israeli Orthodox Rabbi, currently being a 37 years old man. He comes from Sanct-Petersburg, is the father of seven children. In the meanwhile, his family is residing in Israel. Rabbi Ch. Burshtein started his activities in Lithuania already in April of this year.

Rabbi Ch. Burshtein has kindly agreed to give an interview for our magazine and tell our readers about himself and his plans for the nearest future.

- Tell us something in brief about yourself and activities you are engaged in recently.

- I have got the higher education, my speciality is business management, which I have acquired in Russia. In 1980, our family submitted an application to leave for Israel, however we received a negative reply. We could not leave the Soviet Union for 7 years. An individual whose requests to come back to his historical motherland used to be constantly rejected, experienced his own happiness and disappointments. In the course of those long and tough seven years I was twice taken to the inquisitorial prison, due to various reasons - more than 40 times - I was detained and apprehended by KGB officials. In fact, these were certain preventive measures from their side so that it was possible to preclude me from the participation in the Jewish events. The foregoing struggle used to go on until I decided to use a certain fighting method. Its essence was as following – at the time of detention I started shouting, rather loudly, that I was the Israeli citizen and the risk of being expelled from the country threatened me because I belonged to the Jewish nation. I acquired the Israeli citizenship in 1984, however I could leave only in 1987... About 130 people had the citizenship of Israel at that time. It goes without saying that the authorities of the USSR refused to recognize the foregoing citizenship, however it secured me certain protection. KGB was compelled to treat the foregoing group of people in a much more patient way so that to avoid any possible publicity. Finally, after my last imprisonment, I was issued a permit to leave the territory of the USSR. After my arrival to Israel, I joined Jeshiva “Shvut Ami”. That is the Jerusalem Jeshiva meant for emigrants from Russia. I was given the Rabbi’s Smich in the Chief Rabbinate of Israel from the Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Icchoc Kolic. I was Ber-Sheva Jewish Community Rabbi for 10 years. I worked as the Chief Rabbi of the Russian Sanct Petersburg Russia Northwest Region for two and a half years, furthermore, I was the Judge of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow. But I would like to note the following: firstly, I was a teacher. I worked as a teacher / lecturer in a few seminars and lyceums in the USA, Israel, Germany, Russia, etc., meant for emigrants from Russia.

- What was your reaction towards the proposal to take the position as the Chief Rabbi of Lithuania?

- I am especially pleased that the Lithuanian Jews, when electing the Chief Rabbi, decided on my candidacy. Vilnius always was a particular city for me. In the meanwhile I feel great responsibility and I am ready to make every endeavour for the good of the Lithuanian Jews. Firstly, that is related to the nurture and education of Jews. I am ready to visit the Jewish school and conduct lessons, i.e. I am striving for active and efficient work with children and youth. If talking about personal matters, each Lithuanian Jew will have the possibility to visit me and have an individual talk. 

- What is the program for your future activities?

- Firstly, I would like to put in due order and arrange normal living conditions in respect of religion for those who are interested in it. Furthermore, I am ready to try to teach people that are presently remote from religion by their mode of life, and give them more knowledge of the Jewish religious life.

- What was your personal impression of the Lithuanian Jewish Community?

- The very first impression was related to sensation of pain upon realizing what has happened with the Jews of Lithuania after the Catastrophe. In the meanwhile, we are living under such conditions that in terms of our number it is impossible to approximate to the former number of Jews that was present before the Catastrophe, consequently, it is impossible, in fact, to talk of the knowledge level of the Jews… But is necessary to mention here a very important thing: I have met here quite a number of kind ad sincere people and the communication system dominating among them is based on regard and mutual assistance. The place where people’s behaviour with each other is grounded on respect and honour is highly esteemed by the God.

- Aren’t you scared or disappointed of our low-level knowledge regarding the Jewish traditions?

- We are ready to spare no efforts and work together in the foregoing field. In my opinion, it is necessary to introduce to the local Jews analytic method of Torah study, discovery of the Divinity in Torah. The above mentioned knowledge is necessary so that people could understand the following (rather simple) fact – the Jews are the only nation that has succeeded in surviving and continuing its existence for ages, furthermore: it has managed to avoid the impact of various religions, ideas, etc., however, the reason of it is not the blind (bigoted) commitment or dedication to our belief, but the fact that such belief is exclusively strong. The Jewish nation used to follow, without any deviations, its own way for ages, which explains the reason why the teaching in the form of fire was given to it. The foregoing comparison is not accidental: Torah, as the fire, affects everything what falls under its influence. The teaching itself, intolerant of any changes, helps the Jewish nation to preserve its peculiarity and distinction.