Ten years ago I met a wonderful man. I interviewed Chief Rabbi of Russia Adolf Shaevich for "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" (NG "Religion"). The article was dated to his 60th birthday. And ten years later, when Adolf Shaevich turned 70, I was lucky to return to this topic once again...
Adolf Shaevich was born on October 28, 1937 in Khabarovsk and spent 35 years in Biribidzhan. His parents were driven to the Far East in 1930-s by the idea to build a new Jewish state. After finishing high school Shaevich worked as a power station motor-mechanic at one of the state farms founded on virgin lands. Later he went up to Khabarovsk Polytechnic Institute, which he graduated from with a degree in engineering. Being an expert in road-building machinery he worked at Biribidzhan Department of Mechanization for more than 10 years. In 1972 Shaevich made up his mind to go to Moscow. He knew nobody in the city except for one medical doctor, Biribidzhan native. However Shaevich failed to find a job in the capital: all the doors closed in front of Jews in those days. On his friends advice Shaevich took advantage of another opportunity - he entered yeshiva at Moscow Choral Synagogue.
And a year later he was sent to Rabbinical Seminary in Budapest. American Rabbi Arthur Schneier was the very person who helped it happen. In Budapest Adolf Shaevich made new friends. Years in the seminary influenced his views substantionally. Besides, there, in Budapest, he met his Fate... In 1980 Shaevich completed his yeshiva studies and returned to Moscow. In 1983 he became Chief Rabbi of Moscow and in 1993 Adolf Shaevich was elected Chief Rabbi of Russia. Since then he serves his people holding that honorary and important position...
...Biribidzhan in the Far East and Budapest in Europe, mundane and spiritual, unbelief and faith - are deeply intertwined in the life of Adolf Shaevich. But he was never false to himself, he always was and he is today a modest and a kind person. And a True Character.
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