SHAYEVICH, ADOLF

(1938– )

Religious leader. One of two claimants for the title of Chief Rabbi of Russia, Adolf Shayevich is a native of Birobijan in theJewish Autonomous Oblastand the chief rabbi ofMoscow. The rabbi’s claim to be Russia’s supreme authority onJudaismis recognized by the Russian Jewish Congress, a rabbinical council established in 1996 and supported by many of Russia’s most prominentJews. In a move closely tied toVladimirPutin’s attempt to marginalize the influence of Jewisholigarch Vladimir Gusinsky, the Kremlin recognized Italian-born rabbiBerel Lazaras the leader of Russia’s Jewish community in 2000; Shayevich, an ally of Gusinsky, previously held that distinction.