Why is Russia Expelling Rabbi Ze'ev Wagner?

This happened last Friday. Just minutes before the onset of Shabbat, Rabbi Ze'ev Wagner, Chabad emissary in Russia and Rabbi of the city of Tula, was surprised, along with his family, to find policemen at their door with an expulsion order for Rabbi Wagner. The reason was not clarified at that moment, leaving them to greet Shabbat with a heavy heart.

According to the court's decision, as stated in the notice, Rabbi Wagner must leave his home in the city of Tula within two weeks unless a different decision is made regarding his case. Unless notified of a change, the order stands.

"Since 1989, my father has served as a rabbi in Russia," his daughter Yehudit, who resides in Israel, explains to Hidabroot. "In 2012, he moved with my late mother to live in Tula, where he was invited to serve as the community's rabbi. There was one individual involved in this rabbinical appointment process who disliked the new idea and started harassing my father. Things escalated when he decided to falsely accuse him of missionary work, which is illegal. Additionally, he exploited the fact that my father has been on a tourist visa for the past month and a half, after the expiration of his regular work visa, which has not yet been renewed."

Rabbi Wagner

Rabbi Wagner with his sons

In recent months, Rabbi Wagner's wife passed away, and he continued to manage the location alone. Three of his children also serve as emissaries in various cities in Russia.

Now, Rabbi Wagner faces the authorities, accused of missionary activity and serving as a community rabbi without a work permit. Yesterday (Monday), Rabbi Wagner filed an appeal in court, arguing that missionary work and Judaism are contrary and have no basis. "How can it be possible to accuse a Jew serving as a community rabbi, of missionary activity?" the family painfully wonders.

There is an estimation regarding the appeal that no hearing will occur until the end of January, due to the holidays recognized during this period in Russia, which implies that the expulsion date will precede the appeal hearing, leaving the date for a delay uncertain.

Torah scroll event in Tula 5774

Two of Rabbi Wagner's sons also reside in Russia. Rabbi Aharon Wagner, emissary and Rabbi of Irkutsk in Siberia, and Rabbi Binyamin Wagner, emissary and Rabbi of Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, says to Hidabroot: "I believe in the justice and fairness of the Russian court system, and that the truth will come to light."

Rabbi Wagner's daughter, Nati Neimark, Chabad emissary in the city of Perm, also says: "No misfortune comes from above. We trust and believe in Hashem that everything will be alright, and the truth will prevail."

Synagogue in the city of Tula

It is difficult to summarize over 20 years of activity as an emissary, rabbi, and someone engaged in spreading Judaism with full force and enthusiasm - with such an unfair expulsion. It is also painful to think of so many Jews who have been or still are distant, just looking for that figure to provide support and closeness to Judaism, those who have trusted Rabbi Wagner and his actions for years, who will suddenly be forced to be without a Torah figure. The family does not intend to give up on their activities and mission and will do whatever is required to bring justice to light as soon as possible.