Rabbi Gerson’s father was Rabbi Reuven, the chief rabbi of the Caucasus. From a young age he received a religious education and showed outstanding ability in studying the Torah. In 1853, after the death of his father, he took responsibility for the community. In his day, Red Village’s Mountain Jews had reached a very high spiritual-religious level and through his efforts he managed to unite them. He opened and headed the first beit-din (religious court) in Guba, the only one in the entire Caucasus. Thanks to him, about 18 synagogues, yeshivas, and cheders (religious schools) were opened. He corresponded with other heads of Jewish communities all over the world and under his leadership Red Village was called the Caucasian Jerusalem. Rabbi Gershon passed away in 1891 and his grave has survived to this day. Restored in 2013, it still attracts the attention of Mountain Jews all over the world.