The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Foundation has commenced its operations in Russia

The official opening ceremony of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Foundation for Social and Cultural Projects took place in Moscow yesterday. The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) is an international non-governmental organization established in 2002, which currently represents dozens of Jewish communities across the Eurasian continent. The President of the EAJC is the prominent philanthropist and public figure Mikhail Mirilashvili.

The meeting commenced with a minute of silence to honor the victims of the heinous attack on the synagogue in Pittsburgh, USA. The EAJC leadership and the guests of the event expressed their solidarity with the families of the victims and strongly condemned this act of terror and antisemitism.

Combating antisemitism and xenophobia is one of the key missions of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. In his opening address, EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Russian Federation for their uncompromising condemnation of antisemitism and for ensuring that Jewish communities and organizations can operate freely. "We remember that this was not always the case. Today, however, Russia can serve as an example in the fight against antisemitism, and we hope that no geopolitical complexities will alter this stance," stated the head of the EAJC.

According to the EAJC President, the past two decades have also seen a significant shift in the international status of Russian-speaking Jews. "We have successfully moved from the periphery to a central position in the Jewish world," Mikhail Mirilashvili noted.

Those present were also addressed by the Executive Vice President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Robert Singer, who spoke on behalf of WJC President Ronald Lauder (currently in Pittsburgh at the site of the tragedy), the Ambassador of Israel to Russia, Gary Koren, and the Chairman of the EAJC Board and WJC Vice President, Aaron Frenkel.

One of the priority tasks of the EAJC Foundation in Russia is the education of the younger generation. Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar emphasized this, stating: "Educating children has always been the primary goal of our people. There are many communities across the former Soviet Union that cannot support educational programs on their own. I am pleased that the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is taking on this responsibility as well."

EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben-Yakov announced the launch of a network of Sunday schools across the Euro-Asian region, where Jewish youth can connect with tradition, study their culture, and learn their history. Furthermore, through the newly established Public Diplomacy Center, which has also commenced operations in Eurasian countries, the EAJC plans to foster dialogue with civil societies, invite delegations of journalists to Israel, share the truth about Jewish culture, and work together to overcome prejudice.

Russia holds a special place in the activities of the EAJC, being home to the largest Jewish community in the Euro-Asian region. According to First Vice President of the EAJC Teymuraz Khikhinashvili, EAJC members in Russia regularly support major initiatives such as "Hillel" and "Limmud". Last year, the EAJC concluded several key cooperation agreements: with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FJCR), the Israel-Russia Business Council, and an agreement with the Republic of Tatarstan signed during the Jewish Music Festival in Kazan.

Executive Director of the newly established "EAJC" Foundation in Russia, Bella Valdberg, outlined other projects and new objectives of the Foundation in Russia.

• The "People's Memory" Festival, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War and the tragedy of the Holocaust, organized by the EAJC in cooperation with the Union of Jewish Students, which drew a large number of participants across Russia last year.

• Support for the Alexander Pechersky Memorial Foundation to promote and expand the international distribution of the film "Sobibor," which has been nominated for an Academy Award.

• The launch of the Center for Jewish Law at Lomonosov Moscow State University this year.

• Continued EAJC support for the Annual International Conference on Jewish Studies, a major event in the academic world of Jewish studies.

• A brand new project, supported at the state level by the leadership of Russia and Israel, involving the publication of documents on Soviet-Israeli relations from 1954 to 1967.

• An essential initiative for the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is providing support to organizations of former Nazi ghetto and concentration camp prisoners.

• The Congress supports the publication of the journal "People of the Book in the World of Books" (providing comprehensive reviews of Russian-language books on Jewish philosophy, history, and tradition).

• The EAJC collaborates with the All-Russian Union of Jewish Students.

• The Congress also participates in the "Project Kesher" initiative, aimed at improving the status of women and fostering their leadership potential.

In the coming year, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Foundation plans to expand its activities in Russia and welcomes new partners.