A delegation of leading Russian Jewish philanthropists is to visit London this weekend to discuss business and charity-giving with representatives of British Jewry.
Mikhail Mirilashvili, God Nisanov, German Khan and Mikhal Fridman were due to arrive on Thursday night with their families to spend Shabbat here. The group, organised by the Russian Jewish Congress, is led by Chief Rabbi of Moscow and Conference of European Rabbis president, Pinchas Goldschmidt, and was due to be joined by World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder.
Rabbi Goldschmidt said: "The warm and constructive relationship between Jewish communities in the UK and Russia goes back to the various campaigns for the freedom of Soviet Jewry in the '70s and '80s.
"Today we have a great deal to share, particularly as regards the importance of philanthropy and business ethics. Everyone is looking forward to a truly inspiring Shabbat in London".
Their itinerary includes Saturday night dinner with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, while London Beth Din head Dayan Menachem Gelley will speak at a Friday night session.
Who's who?
God Nisanov: Baku-born, worth £2bn. Owns major shopping malls
Mikhael Mirilashvili:worth £1.9bn. Georgia native who made fortune building casinos and investing in petrol
German Khan: worth £6.3bn, co-founder of Russia's biggest investment firm alongside Mikhail Fridman, who is worth almost £10bn and is the world's 48th richest person
Ronald Lauder: son of make-up entrepreneur Estée Lauder and World Jewish Congress president