The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress unites a number of Jewish communities and organizations, spanning from the Balkans and Eastern Europe to the Far East and Oceania. The EAJC takes a highly active role in the Jewish life of the Euro-Asian region, performing a number of critical functions:

• Representing Jewish communities in international organizations, engaging in active public diplomacy, and cooperating with government bodies in the interests of the communities and the State of Israel;

• Conducting large-scale research and publishing academic papers analyzing the state of Jewish communities in the region to establish a scientific foundation for strategic decision-making;

• Defining the vectors and priorities for the development of Jewish life in the region;

• Providing continuous support for ongoing projects and new initiatives, with an emphasis on innovative approaches to Jewish community work;

• Initiating its own strategic projects that reflect the EAJC's position as a regional and international Jewish leader.

The Congress's portfolio of projects fully reflects the diversity and uniqueness of Jewish life in our region, with program policy structured around the following key areas: assisting community structures, comprehensive support for the State of Israel, developing Jewish education, preserving the memory of the Holocaust, combating antisemitism, social assistance, and youth engagement.

The past year of 5781 on the Jewish calendar was marked by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, presenting numerous challenges to the leaders of the Jewish world. These new conditions prompted communities to reassess their operational approaches, devise new work formats, and abandon outdated mechanisms. However, while in 5780 the Jewish world still expected a swift resolution to the crisis and a rapid return to familiar forms of community life, practice demonstrated the necessity of long-term adaptation to new realities, which may fundamentally transform traditional communal institutions. In this regard, the EAJC continues to emphasize the importance of innovative approaches and ensuring that community activities align with the current circumstances. 

Nevertheless, the defining role of traditional formats of organized Jewish life as a source of Jewish identity was reaffirmed by a large-scale sociological study, "Jews of Post-Soviet Euro-Asia," conducted by the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies.  

Several communities and organizations that faced funding cuts last year continue to experience financial difficulties today. The EAJC views it as its duty to preserve the diversity of Jewish life in the region and to assist communities affected by the pandemic. 

Research and Analytical Activities

The Congress conducts large-scale research to better understand the status and needs of communities, using this analysis to determine the strategy and tactics of its work. 

The Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies continues its work as a special project of the EAJC. Established in November 2018, it has become a reputable academic center studying the contemporary state of Jewish communities in the region, including their relations with the State of Israel, migration processes, as well as the cultural and historical heritage of Jewish communities.

Among the Institute's experts are Dr. Leonid Smilovitsky, Dr. Sam Kliger, Dr. Nati Kantorovich, Rafael Sattarov, Dr. Dina Lisnyansky, Dr. Dmitry Shevelev, Dr. Asaf Kaniel, Dr. Iosif Brener, Dr. Olaf Glöckner, Dr. Vladimir Mesamed, Dr. Velvl Chernin, Prof. Mikhail Chlenov, the Chairman of the Academic Council of the Institute, Prof. Zeev Khanin, and the author of this publication, the Executive Vice President of the Institute, along with many others. 

Over the past year, selected findings of the comprehensive study on the Jewish population of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Kazakhstan, conducted in 2019–2020 at the initiative of the EAJC, were presented online on a dedicated platform. More detailed results of the project, which reveals key aspects of Jewish identity, its current state, and dynamics, were previously published in a corresponding monograph, available in digital format on the aforementioned platform. The findings of the study generated significant interest among Jewish communal leaders across the post-Soviet space. 

In November 2020, the preceding Yearbook, "Jews of Europe and Asia: Status, Heritage, and Prospects" for 5780 (2019–2020), prepared by the Institute in academic cooperation with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was published. Thus, the EAJC continues its long-standing tradition, annually presenting an overview of Jewish life in the region to the scientific community, the broader Jewish public, and the leadership of the states whose Jewish communities are part of the Congress. 

The Institute is also preparing for publication a collection of articles dedicated to the issues of antisemitism, tolerance, and historical memory in the post-Soviet space. The monograph provides a detailed analysis of the level of antisemitism in the largest post-Soviet nations, examining the phenomenon comprehensively from historical, sociological, and political perspectives. 

Experts from the Institute participated in the 12th Stern Readings on "Israel and the Diaspora: Realities and Challenges of the 21st Century." The Stern Readings is an annual Israeli forum "with a Russian accent," dedicated to the memory of the former Knesset Member Dr. Yuri Stern, an activist of the underground Zionist movement in the USSR and a prominent representative of the Russian-speaking community in Israel.

The EAJC highly values the contribution of repatriated scientists from the former USSR to the development of the State of Israel. In June 2021, as part of a joint project with the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), the ceremonial opening of the "Grove of Repatriate Scientists" took place at Kibbutz Ruhama. This initiative served as an expression of gratitude from the Congress leadership to all scientific figures, research institute staff, and university professors who immigrated to Israel. 

Community Support

The EAJC supports communal activities, facilitates the study of the historical and cultural heritage of Jewish communities, advocates for their interests at the state level, and fosters intercommunal dialogue across the Euro-Asian region.

Supporting communities during the pandemic remains one of the primary tasks of the EAJC. Under these new circumstances, the Congress has established regular communication with local Jewish leaders, receiving firsthand information and addressing the basic needs of communities. In addition to financial support, the EAJC helps communities form a strategic vision for future development. 

Furthermore, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress devotes significant attention to the study of Jewish historical heritage and the cultural characteristics of the region.

Last year, in cooperation with the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine (JCU), an academic initiative to study the history of Ukrainian Jewry was launched at the Goldstein-Goren Diaspora Research Center at Tel Aviv University. Dr. Judith Kalik is investigating the specifics of Jewish community life within the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional environment of Ukraine during the 16th to 19th centuries, with particular focus on the niche occupied by Jews in the alcohol trade. Dr. Alex Valdman will focus on the period from 1861 to 1917, examining the economic relations between Jews and the non-Jewish majority in the context of the development of the railway system in Ukraine. The project was initiated by the President of the JCU and First Vice President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Boris Lozhkin, with the support of EAJC President Michael Mirilashvili.

The EAJC acts as a partner in another JCU initiative—the annual Kyiv Jewish Forum, which took place in May 2019, September 2020 (held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic), and is scheduled for early 5782 (autumn 2021). The Forum has become one of Eastern Europe's largest platforms for politicians, experts, and community leaders from Europe, Euro-Asia, and America to discuss current issues facing Jewish communities. The program of each Forum includes a special session presenting the results of long-term and rapid research conducted under the auspices of the IEAEJS.  

Support for Israel

The EAJC supports the State of Israel and facilitates the strengthening of its ties with the Jewish Diaspora and the countries of the Euro-Asian region. The Congress has established close relations with the Government of Israel and the Knesset, Israeli embassies in the region, and diplomatic missions of EAJC member states in the Jewish state.

Following another escalation of conflict and unprecedentedly heavy rocket barrages launched at Israel by the terrorist group Hamas in May 2021, EAJC leaders strongly condemned the aggression and proposed an investment program for defensive infrastructure in Israel's southern cities and towns. Within the framework of a joint project between the EAJC and the KKL-JNF, allocated funds will be used to construct protected spaces and bomb shelters, as well as a road along the Gaza Strip border for the needs of the military, local population, and security forces. Significant support for this initiative was provided by EAJC Vice President Boris Spektor.

Also this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, in partnership with the EAJC, conducted an online seminar for young leaders of Russian-speaking Jewish Diaspora communities. More than 30 young individuals from various countries discussed pressing issues and challenges facing Israel and world Jewry with leading experts. The nine online sessions covered topics such as the situation in the Middle East, contemporary Jewish identity, the image of Israel in Russian-language media, the specifics of various streams of Judaism, and more. A separate session was also held with the participation of Russian-speaking members of the Knesset.

Strengthening the Diaspora's ties with the State of Israel is one of the central areas of the EAJC's work. Within its specialized "public diplomacy" program, the Congress actively participates in building an objective understanding of the Jewish state, establishing long-term relations with opinion leaders in the region. The EAJC consistently advocates for the active involvement of Diaspora Jews in Israeli life and the reflection of their positions on key issues concerning Israeli society. Israel must initiate this process as the nation-state of all Jewish people and the center of the Jewish world.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is engaged in dialogue with the governments of the region regarding their ratification of the working definition of antisemitism developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which, among other things, equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism. The EAJC also consistently advocates for the relocation of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Israel to Jerusalem (Serbia and Kosovo have already made such decisions). 

In May 2021, EAJC leaders actively supported a bill introduced in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposing to officially designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. By passing a corresponding resolution at its General Assembly in June 2021, the EAJC expressed its unconditional support for Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and the right to defend itself against any threats, and emphasized the importance of international pressure on radical Islamist groups like Hamas.

According to the results of a survey conducted by the EAJC, Israel remains the most important factor in the personal, cultural, and ethno-national identification of Jews in the former Soviet Union. Approximately 69% of the Jewish population in the post-Soviet space experience solidarity with Israel to some degree. In this regard, we believe that the Jewish state should step up its engagement with the Diaspora, focusing particularly on the security of local communities and countering antisemitism, as well as involving local Jews in discussions on pressing issues in Israel.

In June 2021, EAJC leaders met with the President-elect of Israel, Isaac Herzog. During the meeting, the President, who previously served as the head of the Jewish Agency for Israel (Sokhnut) and is well acquainted with Jewish life in the Diaspora, supported the EAJC's initiative, expressing readiness for active cooperation between the President's Office and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.

Jewish Education and Publishing Projects

The EAJC actively supports school and preschool Jewish education, and initiates projects that raise the general level of Jewish literacy.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, along with several entities operating with its support, continues to expand its online presence, making Jewish education highly accessible. Since the start of the pandemic, the Congress has developed a series of online projects that have served as models for new formats of engagement. 

Under the "EAJC Online" project, high-quality educational content is delivered in various formats, covering Israeli affairs, Jewish tradition, history, and culture. All materials are also published on the Congress's Telegram channel of the same name.

A new educational initiative is the "Shoah" resource, which aggregates selected information about various aspects of the Holocaust in a series of interactive formats with simple navigation.

As part of "EAJC Online," in cooperation with the Tel Aviv-based Jewish Point community, the Congress prepared a dedicated web page containing detailed information about the holiday of Passover. 

Under the auspices of the EAJC, an active online project for learning spoken Hebrew is running on a Telegram channel, offering various educational materials suitable for both beginners and those already fully immersed in the language environment.  

JFuture, a Sunday Jewish educational platform utilizing new technologies and teaching methodologies, continues its active operations. Within the framework of JFuture, children and parents can receive professional expert consultations, expand their knowledge, and spend quality time together. The Sunday schools are primarily geared toward Jewish families not involved in the formal education system, introducing them to community life and strengthening Jewish self-identification. Classes are held weekly at community centers, and the JFuture curricula, designed by leading specialists, are supplemented by a wide range of multimedia tools.

The EAJC continues to support the Limmud educational conferences, which are based on a modern approach to traditional Jewish values and bring Jews together around the ideas of education and pluralism. Aaron G. Frenkel, Chairman of the EAJC Board, consistently serves as one of Limmud's sponsors. 

With the support of the EAJC, the Sefer Center for University Teaching of Jewish Civilization, established in 1994, continues its scientific activities. The Center is widely regarded as the leading institution in the post-Soviet space for developing all traditional aspects of academic Jewish studies. In July 2021, with the assistance of the EAJC and in cooperation with the Center for Slavic-Judaic Studies of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sefer held its 27th International Conference on Jewish Studies online. The conference sections covered the following areas: Biblical and Talmudic studies, Jewish thought, Jewish history, Judeo-Christian relations, the Holocaust, Israel studies, languages and literature, art, ethnology, demography, genealogy, museums and archives, and more. 

Several important publications were released last year under the EAJC "Library" publishing program. 

A special project was the publication of a collection of feuilletons by Vladimir (Zeev) Jabotinsky, originally published in 1922 and not reprinted since. The foreword to the collection was written by the 10th President of the State of Israel, Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, who commended the EAJC's activities focused on assisting Jews of the former USSR, promoting Israel-Diaspora relations, and encouraging Aliyah. Nearly 100 years later, the Congress is deeply honored to present the brilliant ideas of this visionary and energetic leader of the Jewish political scene of the first half of the 20th century to modern readers. A significant highlight was a special meeting at the President's Office, where EAJC leaders presented Reuven Rivlin with a gift edition of the collection. 

With the support of the Congress, the book "From Border to Border" by Israeli writer David Markish, son of Peretz Markish, was published in Hebrew translation. Peretz Markish was a Soviet Jewish poet and writer who wrote in Yiddish, and the only Jewish author to be awarded the Order of Lenin in 1939. He was arrested in 1949 as a member of the presidium of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee (JAC) and executed three years later. The book "From Border to Border" contains several little-known or completely unknown facts from the history of the JAC, but spans a period much longer than the history of the Committee itself.

As part of a partnership project, on the anniversary of the passing (Yahrzeit) of Rabbi Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz), the Steinsaltz Center, with the support of the EAJC, released a new edition of the Rabbi's book of reflections, "We Jews...". The text has been made available digitally on a dedicated page, and the printed edition is scheduled for release in the near future. 

The online library continues to operate, offering open access (with the cooperation of Jewish publishers and authors) to rare books that comprise the treasury of Jewish literature. While these editions are difficult to find on bookstore shelves, they remain an important element of Jewish education. Currently, texts from the Shamir Publishing House, which provided part of its archives for the project, have been uploaded. The EAJC invites other Jewish publishing houses to contribute to the development of the online library.

Preservation of the Memory of the Holocaust and World War II

The EAJC pays special attention to the study of the Holocaust and the support of former ghetto and concentration camp prisoners. Preserving historical memory and combating Holocaust denial are priority areas of the Congress's work.

Over the past year, with the participation of three nations—Belarus, Russia, and Israel—the EAJC implemented a unique international project to preserve Holocaust memory. This involved supporting the animated film "263 Nights," which tells the little-known story of 26 people who hid from the Nazis in a basement in Minsk for 263 days. The project was carried out with the assistance of the Ministry of Culture of Belarus, the National Film Studio Belarusfilm, the EAJC, Eva Group, and the Vladimir Bokun Workshop, with information support from the Israeli Cultural Center at the Embassy of the State of Israel in the Russian Federation. The world premiere of the film is scheduled for autumn 2021 and will take place simultaneously in Belarus, Russia, and Israel. The presentation in Jerusalem was attended by Efim Gimelshtein, the sole living survivor of those events, who narrates the film. 

The EAJC emphasizes the importance of continuously uncovering new stories and facts reflecting the events of the Holocaust and presenting them in various contemporary formats. 

The International Public Association of Jews—Former Ghetto and Nazi Concentration Camp Prisoners, which has been part of the EAJC for many years, continues its work. The organization is dedicated to supporting former prisoners, as well as preserving and passing on the living memory of the Holocaust to the younger generation.

A prominent EAJC project to memorialize the victims of World War II, as previously noted, was the unveiling of the "Memorial Candle" monument in Jerusalem. As is known, 150,000 Jews shared the fate of the residents of besieged Leningrad; many went to the front, and about 70,000 perished. Today, more than 1,300 survivors of the siege reside in Israel. At the monument's opening ceremony, EAJC President Michael Mirilashvili, together with Viktor Vekselberg, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center, announced the launch of a special program aimed at preserving historical memory and deepening mutual understanding between peoples. 

As part of this program, the collection "Pages of Siege Memory," containing the memoirs of individuals who survived the Siege of Leningrad as children, was translated into Hebrew and distributed to universities, schools, and libraries. The book was also presented to 30 members of the Knesset. Work is currently underway to collect further testimonies to be published in a separate volume.

The EAJC continues to support initiatives of the Association of Leningrad Siege Survivors in Israel. Specifically, on the anniversary of the lifting of the siege, a dedicated page titled "Memory of Besieged Leningrad" was launched, featuring video testimonies of city residents who survived the blockade. 

It is worth noting that in recent years, Jewish organizations in the Euro-Asian region, with the support of local authorities, have been actively memorializing Holocaust victims and Jewish participants in World War II. For instance, several memorials at sites of mass extermination were opened in Moldova and Ukraine. A dedicated exhibition detailing the Jews who fought in the war was established at the "Victory Park and Museum of Glory" Memorial Complex in Uzbekistan.

Recognizing the importance of such initiatives, we are convinced that they must be accompanied by the formulation of a clear memory policy by the authorities. In this regard, the EAJC is actively engaged in the diplomatic arena, supporting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) resolution that condemns "any attempts to rehabilitate individuals involved in the crimes of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma." 

The EAJC consistently condemns the glorification of Nazi collaborators, regularly communicating on these matters with leaders of the region's countries, and considers its mission to be the defense of historical truth and the commemoration of victims and heroes. At the Congress's General Assembly in June 2021, a resolution was adopted calling on authorities in the Euro-Asian region to pass legislative acts banning the rehabilitation of collaborators, officially ratify the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, and integrate Holocaust education into state curricula.

In April 2021, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova passed a law imposing criminal penalties for Holocaust denial and the promotion of xenophobia, racism, and fascism. The Jewish community was directly involved in drafting the bill. EAJC leaders, in particular Alexander Bilinkis, President of the Jewish Community of Moldova and Vice President of the Congress, welcomed this significant step, which prevents the desecration of the memory of Holocaust victims.

Combating Antisemitism

The EAJC actively opposes the rising tide of antisemitism, which includes the demonization and delegitimization of Israel, urging state leaders to resolutely combat manifestations of hatred and acts of violence against Jews.

According to EAJC data, there has been a significant decline in documented acts of violence motivated by antisemitism in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Nevertheless, the issue of vandalism, desecration of monuments, and sacred Jewish sites remains. It must also be noted that antisemitic theories and stereotypes, largely related to the history of the Holocaust, are gaining a new lease on life and wide circulation in several media outlets. In some countries of the region, as part of the process of constructing historical memory, there are attempts to rehabilitate and glorify Nazi allies and public figures known for their antisemitic rhetoric.

A striking example is the erection of monuments and memorial plaques, as well as the holding of events honoring certain figures of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, who participated in the destruction of the Jewish population during World War II. In its repeated appeals to the Ukrainian authorities, the EAJC has emphasized the danger of such actions. At the same time, we always draw public attention to and welcome actions by government authorities to suppress acts of antisemitism or the glorification of collaboration. 

As previously mentioned, within the framework of the "Public Diplomacy" program, the Congress promotes the adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism by countries in the region. Previously, this definition was officially adopted by Moldova and Serbia, and last year they were joined by Albania, a country with a Muslim majority. Other states in the region are considering this possibility, and the EAJC is conducting active diplomatic work in this regard. It is worth highlighting that over the past year, the IHRA definition was officially adopted by the Global Imams Council (GIC), which unites more than 1,000 Muslim clerics worldwide.

Social Assistance

The EAJC considers assistance to socially vulnerable Jewish families and the elderly as one of its priority areas of activity.

Social projects in the Euro-Asian region continue to face substantial financial and organizational challenges. Nonetheless, the EAJC continues to provide essential support to socially critical programs.

For instance, the EAJC supports a long-standing initiative to deliver dozens of tons of matzah and essential food products to needy Jews across the region's countries. We once again express our gratitude to everyone who made efforts to ensure that Jews in India, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Sri Lanka, and other countries received matzah for the Passover Seder. We especially note the contribution of EAJC First Vice President Temur Ben Yehuda Khikhinashvili, who provided 17,000 families in more than 40 cities with special holiday packages.

The Moscow Jewish Community House (MEOD), with the support of the EAJC, continues to assist children with severe illnesses such as cerebral palsy, autism, and other developmental disorders. The "Integration" project enables children to adapt socially and build constructive interactions with the surrounding world.

On the personal initiative of EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, a specific area of social activity in recent years has been supporting several associations of World War II veterans and disabled veterans in Israel. 

Aaron G. Frenkel, Chairman of the EAJC Board, assists the State of Israel in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic through Israel's largest voluntary medical organization, Yad Sarah. Notably, the 4 millionth vaccinated Israeli received their shot at the Yad Sarah Frenkel Center. The EAJC also supports the Kfar Zoharim rehabilitation center for youth at risk, and the non-profit organization Or la-Mishpachot, which cares for parents who have lost children in Israel's wars. Additionally, the EAJC has assumed sponsorship of the Notnim Tikva ("Giving Hope") organization at the Sheba Medical Center, established to assist children with oncological diseases and their parents. The Congress systematically sponsors initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable and needy populations in the Diaspora and in Israel.

Youth Engagement

The future of Jewish communities, their development, and prosperity depend on the involvement of the younger generation in Jewish life. Consequently, the EAJC views facilitating youth and student initiatives as a cornerstone of its work.

The EAJC supports the activities of Hillel, the world's largest Jewish student organization, in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The mission of Hillel, which has operated in the former Soviet Union since 1994, is to strengthen Jewish identity among young people through the informal study of Jewish history and traditions, introducing them to Israel, and involving them in leadership and volunteer programs.

The EAJC also facilitates the activities of the All-Russian Union of Jewish Students, assisting in holding Jewish holiday celebrations on university campuses, organizing lectures by Israeli speakers at Russia's largest universities, establishing a platform for student interaction, and combating antisemitism. 

We are convinced of the necessity of supporting bold, creative initiatives that reflect new approaches to expressing Jewish identity by the younger generation. 

We would like to conclude this overview with a quote from EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili: "Tradition teaches us to value work accomplished, yet always to strive for more, never to be entirely self-satisfied. Let this constructive dissatisfaction and the understanding that even more can be achieved serve as our catalyst for growth in the coming year."