Moldovan Ambassador Honored for Assisting Uman Travelers at Country's 35th Independence Celebration

At a recent event celebrating Moldova’s 35th anniversary of independence, special recognition was given to the Moldovan government and its Ambassador to the United States for their invaluable assistance to the thousands of Breslov Chassidim who traveled through the country en route to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

Congressman Mike Lawler addressed the gathering via Zoom, expressing his profound appreciation to the Ambassador for his tireless efforts in ensuring a smoother and faster border crossing for thousands of American citizens. Congressman Lawler himself played a pivotal role in facilitating the travel logistics, working directly with the Moldovan Ambassador. Spearheading these efforts on the ground was Lawler’s dedicated staff member, Mr. Rafi Silberberg, who worked around the clock to ensure the safety and welfare of the travelers.

In a separate meeting held at the Moldovan Embassy, the Ambassador met privately with veteran askan Rabbi Moshe David Niederman and a delegation of Breslov askanim. Rabbi Niederman had been specifically requested by leading Breslov Rabbanim to intercede and help coordinate the border crossings for the Uman travelers. During the meeting, Rabbi Niederman personally thanked the Ambassador for his extraordinary accommodations and presented him with a special plaque as a token of deep hakaras hatov for his dedicated work.

The Ambassador’s personal dedication was a central focus of the meeting. Remarkably, even as he mourned the passing of his father during that exact time period, the Ambassador did not step away from his duties. Instead, he remained in constant contact with top border officials and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite procedures and ease the crossing process. He took special care to ensure the safe and swift passage of the Breslov Rabbanim and American citizens who had pre-registered for the journey.

The combined shtadlanus of Congressman Lawler and Rabbi Niederman fostered an unprecedented level of cooperation with the Moldovan government in the days surrounding Rosh Hashanah. Askanim are hopeful that this strong relationship will continue to benefit the thousands of Yidden who make the annual trip to the Rosh Hashanah kibbutz in Uman.