Berel Lazar
playerNations & Geopolitics
A rabbi whose religious movement started in Brooklyn ended up sitting close to real power inside the Kremlin.
Who they are
Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia since 2000 and often called 'Putin's Rabbi.'
What they do
He leads a Chabad-connected Jewish federation in Russia that helps Putin project an image of tolerance abroad.
How it works
The federation is funded by billionaires Abramovich and Leviev, and it lets Putin look tolerant to the West while keeping tight control at home. During the Ukraine war, Abramovich reportedly used Chabad's network as a direct back-channel between Putin and Zelensky.
Why it matters
It shows how a global religious network that began in Brooklyn can end up positioned at the highest levels of influence inside Russia — a matter of structure and function, not a claim about a religious group as a whole.
The engine's record — word for word
Chief Rabbi of Russia (FJCR, appointed 2000). Putins Rabbi. Chabad-controlled Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia funded by Abramovich and Leviev. Secures Russian geopolitical flank — projects tolerance image to West while Putin maintains absolute domestic control. During Ukraine war, Abramovich used Chabad network channels as direct intermediary between Putin and Zelensky. Structural function: global religious network originating in Brooklyn positioned at supreme influence within the Kremlin.
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