By Libby Herz – COLlive
During a visit to Florida, President Santiago Peña of Paraguay received a warm welcome from the Jewish community, who expressed their gratitude and blessings.
His visit came just days after his courageous announcement to move the Paraguayan embassy to Jerusalem. This move, scheduled to take place in the coming months, signifies Paraguay’s unwavering support for the people of Israel during these challenging times.
Rabbi Chaim Cunin of West Coast Chabad and Chabad House Publications, was joined by Rabbi Levi Feigelstock of Chabad of Paraguay, and Rabbi Shmuel and Tzippy Mann of Chabad Lubavitch of the Venetian and Sunset Islands.
They presented the President with the newly released Spanish edition of the Rebbe’s Chumash, underscoring the spiritual connection and shared values between the Paraguayan leadership and the Jewish community.
Marc Benguigui, a long-time Chabad supporter and friend of Rabbi Cunin, coordinated the event with the assistance of Rabbi Levi Matusof.
The event was graciously hosted by Rabbi Shmuel and Tzippy Mann at the Bloch Family Chabad Center of Venetian and Sunset Islands.
Rabbi Feigelstock, who arrived from Paraguay special for the event, met the newly elected President for the first time and conveyed the Rebbe’s blessings along with deep gratitude from the Paraguayan Jewish community.
Pato Fuks, who recently presented the Spanish edition of the Rebbe’s Chumash to President Javier Milei of Argentina, joined the ceremony. Fuks, a prominent investor and philanthropist in Paraguay, shared with President Peña his deep and personal connection with the Rebbe, and how visits the Rebbe’s Ohel and seeks the Rebbe’s guidance and blessings in all that he does.
Vivian Perez, whom together with her husband Michael had the honor of dedicating the Spanish edition of the Rebbe’s Chumash, delivered powerful and heartfelt remarks, emphasizing the President’s steadfast support for Israel and the fortifying power of the Torah’s blessings. “We are living in the time of the confusion of truth,” she said. “You have chosen to be on the side of G-d and the truth,” she told the President.
Rabbi Cunin concluded the event with an inspirational message, calling up the President and offering the Rebbe’s blessings. “As the Rebbe’s emissaries, we share the Rebbe’s blessings with you,” he said. “May you continue to stand courageous and strong on behalf of the people of Israel, to be a light and guide for all people, culminating when all nations will be at peace with one another with the imminent revelation of Moshiach.” Cunin’s blessing encapsulated the spirit of mutual respect, hope, and a shared vision for a bright future for Paraguay.
The Rebbe’s Chumash is a project of Chabad House Publications, director and general editor Rabbi Chaim Nochum Cunin, editor-in-chief Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky, and executive editor Esther Oxman. The editor-in-chief of the Spanish edition is Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov, the Rebbe’s Head Shliach to Uruguay.
The Rebbe’s Chumash in Spanish is dedicated by the Perez family of Bal Harbor, Florida.
Hatzlaja Raba Rabino Levi