YEKATERINBURG, Russia – Russia's Chief Mohel Yeshaya Shafit has paid a visit to the city of Yekaterinburg, traveling here from Moscow to fulfill an important mission. He had quite a busy day as he conducted Brit Mila ceremonies for ten local Jews. The Chief Rabbi of Yekaterinburg and Sverdlovsk Region, Zelig Ashkenazi, recited a prayer and gave a new Jewish name on the newly-circumcised men, which they had each adopted in memory of relatives who have passed away.

"There was a time when we used to have to phone people to ask them to undergo a circumcision," explained Rabbi Ashkenazi. "Now, it is the case that more and more people are lining up to wait their turn to undergo this ceremony. This proves that our work is enjoying success in many fields," he affirmed.

On this occasion, the circumcision involved both for adult men and several boys. The leadership of the local community is hopeful that, in future, all Jews of Yekaterinburg will eventually join in the covenant of Avraham Avinu on the 8th day after birth, as is required according to Jewish tradition.

The Jewish community of Yekaterinburg, a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, is the center of Jewish life for Russia's entire Urals Region