Montreal Lubavitch Rabbi Abraham Cohen recently returned from the strife-ridden Democratic Republic of the Congo where he was host at a gala event marking the 20th anniversary of the presence of Chabad in Central Africa.

Rabbi Cohen, who is director of the Chaya Mushka Seminary and spiritual leader of Congregation Zichron Kedoshim, was also reunited with a friend since childhood, Rabbi Shlomo Bentolila, a Montreal native.

Based in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa for those 20 years, Rabbi Bentolila is Chabad’s representative in the region where civil war has raged for much of that time. It’s the only Chabad in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa.

Rabbi Bentolila, the father of four, has overseen educational and social service programs in 14 countries. “It was remarkable to see how much has been accomplished in so little time,” Rabbi Cohen said.

Tending to the needs of the small Jewish population can be a tough assignment, Rabbi Cohen found.

“Despite an attack earlier in the week at the military base in Kinshasa, and at the presidential residence [where more than a dozen people were killed], dozens flew in to participate in the event,” he said.

In all, hundreds attended the celebration held at Kinshasa’s Grand Hotel, among them government officials, including Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito, several cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors and prominent businessmen. Rabbinic colleagues of Rabbi Bentolila travelled from numerous countries to participate.

Congolese president Joseph Kabila called Rabbi Bentolila during the event to congratulate him.

“He expressed gratitude for the confidence that Chabad and the Jewish community have in his country,” Rabbi Cohen said.

Despite the strife, the streets of Kinshasa were calm and he felt safe.

Chabad is expanding its presence in Central Africa. It was announced at the gala that full-time emissaries will be sent in the coming months to Nairobi, Kenya and Lagos, Nigeria, who will work under Rabbi Bentolila’s auspices.