Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber, a Russian-speaking Rabbi and halachic authority, founded the Russian-speaking religious community in Eretz Yisrael. Rav Yitzchok Zilber, native of Kazan, Russia descends from a distinguished family of rabbanim. Once in Eretz Yisroel, Rav Zilber was shocked at what he found - people everywhere were being mechalel Shabbat. He recalled how when he first arrived in Yerushalayim, there wasn't a single baal teshuva among Russian immigrants. Rav Zilber was also moser nefesh to help Russian women receive gittin. He went to great lengths, searching for missing husbands all over the world. By the time he was 15, Rav Zilber was giving shiurim throughout the city, despite the fact that it was against the law. He died a few hours before Tisha B'Av 5764 (2004).
