Immigration authorities in Canada have issued a deportation order against Menachem Mendel Kivak, an avreich from Toronto who was born in Moldavia, and his brother, a talmid of Toronto’s Reishis Chochma Yeshiva.

Menachem Mendel and his brother arrived in Canada with his brother when he was 13, and they have resided in Toronto since that time. A number of months ago, Menachem Mendel realized that his passport and that of his brother had expired. The avreich turned to Moldavian Consular officials to begin the process of obtaining a new passport. He was instructed to return to Moldavia to get a passport and try to address his situation since he is listed as being AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) from the armed forces.

Kivak is quoted as telling Chadrei Chareidim “if I return to Moldavia, I will immediately be drafted into the military, both of us, me and my younger brother. In the Moldavian army, a Jew cannot make it. At one time there was a sizable Jewish community there but today, the number of Jews remaining is small, and there is barely a minyan in the local Chabad house”.

He continued explaining that his young wife and child cannot accompany him, since if he is in the army; there is nothing for them to do there. Community askanim have hired lawyers who are working to assist them.

On Wednesday, 26 Cheshvan, he was to have reported to immigration authorities to sign on paperwork regarding his deportation and his handover to Moldavian custody. When he arrived, authorities realized that the deportation order against him was expired; and it will take a month or so to obtain another. The askanim hope to use this period to build their case towards preventing the deportation of the two brothers.

The tzibur is called upon to recite tehillim and daven on behalf of the brothers, Menachem Mendel and David ben Sarah.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)