Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday awarded the Order of Honor to Rabbi Berel Lazar, the Chief Rabbi of Russia and the leading emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in the country.
Recognized for Advancing Interfaith Dialogue
According to the official document outlining the reasons for the award, Rabbi Lazar was honored for his important contributions to the work of Russia’s Interfaith Relations Council. The announcement was published through Russia’s official legal and governmental communication channels.
In the Kremlin’s statement, it was noted that the award was presented “for his services in ensuring the effective functioning of the Council for Cooperation with Religious Organizations under the President of the Russian Federation.”
The Order of Honor is one of the highest civilian decorations in the Russian Federation, established in March 1994. It is awarded to citizens who have achieved significant accomplishments in public service, including industry, research, social and cultural development, charitable activity, education, and efforts that improve public welfare and law and order.
Meeting with Hostage Survivor in Moscow
Earlier today, it was also reported that Putin met in Moscow with freed Israeli hostage Sasha Troponov, along with his mother Yelena and partner Sapir Cohen, who were also freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza.
During the meeting, Sasha shared what gave him hope during his ordeal: “I was alone most of the time. I didn’t know what was happening with my family. When I heard that my mom, Sapir, and my grandmother had been released—it gave me hope to hold on.”
Sasha was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with his mother, grandmother, and partner. His father, Vitaly Troponov, was murdered that morning. Sasha spent nearly 500 days in captivity, much of it alone and at times locked in a tunnel. During his imprisonment, he doubted he would survive.
The Meeting in Russia:
Putin with words of GRATITUDE to Hamas political wing for agreeing to release Russian-Israeli hostage https://t.co/vnTegy0fPZ pic.twitter.com/VAHHKSoH9u
— RT (@RT_com) April 16, 2025
