New Jewish Center in Cambodia

Tuesday, December 1st will be remembered as one of the most significant days in the history of Jews in Cambodia.

Over 100 Jews from Phnom Penh as well as some others from Siam Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang have gathered with nearly 50 out of country guests to celebrate the Inauguration of the new Jewish center.

The new 8 story building will be a home for all the needs of the Jewish community: Shul, social hall, industrial kitchen, restaurant, kosher shop, preschool, Mikvah, residential unit for the Rabbi, offices and storage space.

The event begun at Himawari Hotel. Rabbi Sholom Butman from Tel Aviv, the grandfather of Rabbi Butman was honored to read the Rebbe’s letters to similar events. Rabbi Mendel Moscowitz from Chicago, Mrs. Mashie Butman’s father, was honored with the English translation.

How beautiful it was to see how the police officers blocked the main road so the large crowd can march from the hotel to the new building…

The guest of honor, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky from Chabad headquarters in NY, escorted by his son Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky was honored to place the Mezuzah in the main door post. Rabbi Kotlarsky dedicated the Mezuzah to Mr. George Rohr, whose grant has a substantial part in the project.

Rabbi Yehuda David Rubinstein and Rabbi Berish Rubinstein who are among the supporters of the Mikvah, were honored with placing the Mezuzah on the Mikvah’s main door.

On the second floor, in Shul a large bar was prepared by Mrs. Mashie Butman. The Lechaim was flowing and a spontaneous dancing took place.

Following the second part of the event, the crowd was brought over by buses to dinner at Raffles Hotel. The surprise of the event was the participation of a representative of the Royal Palace, HMH Prince Norodom Sirivudh.

The prince apologized on behalf of the Royal Palace that HM the king was unable to accept the delegation of Jewish leaders presented in the room, as he had to leave the country for several days.

“I wish each and every one of you much success in what brings you to our country and wish for Rabbi Butman and his wife to be a home for many Jews.” he concluded.

The head Shliach, Rabbi Yosef C. Kantor, from Bangkok, Thailand connected the event with the special occasion on which the event is took place, 19th of Kislev. “the only way to explain how a young couple can reach such a milestone, in so few years after starting is the 210 years of the movement prior the their arrival”.

The keynote was delivered by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky who turned to the local Jews and pointed that the new building is only a tool for the goal of having more activities with the participation of more Jews.

A film that reported the activities of Chabad through the eyes of local community members was presented.

Rabbi Butman shared with the crowd some of the miracles that were part of the project and thanked the many donors headed by Mr. George Rohr from NY, The Schechter family from Taiwan who sponsored the Shul, AVF Cambodia who sponsored the social hall. Meromim Foundation, and many others whose support has turned the dream to reality.

Rabbi Butman also thanked the 20 Chabad Rabbis who came from all over Asia: Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore, as well as family, friends and supporters who made efforts to come from all over the world.

Upon the conclusion of the formal part of the event, the participants received a special gift, a miniature model of the building that can be used as a tzedakah box.

Following the formal part, the guests proceeded back to the Chabad house for a farbrangen.