The Director General of the EAJC Addressed the 4th Kyiv Jewish Forum

On February 15-16, the fourth Kyiv Jewish Forum was held in an online format, organized by the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine (JCU) in partnership with the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and the Center for Jewish Impact.

This year, the KJF was entirely dedicated to the anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating war in Ukraine, international support for the country, and the role of the global Jewish community in saving human lives, including many Ukrainian Jews. Influential speakers from around the world discussed scenarios for ending the bloodshed and establishing a post-war peace.

The first day of the Forum featured addresses by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine Boris Lozhkin, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Mykhailo Brodsky, CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and former US Senator Ted Deutch, as well as numerous world-renowned diplomats, scholars, politicians, and public and state figures.

The second day of the Forum featured contributions from Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov, Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukrainian-Israeli Cooperation and Knesset Member Ze'ev Elkin, former Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel (Sokhnut) and public figure Natan Sharansky, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Azman, as well as numerous world-renowned diplomats, scholars, politicians, and public and state figures.

The EAJC press service presents the address of Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, to the organizers and participants of the Kyiv Jewish Forum:

“Dear friends!

I am pleased to welcome the organizers and participants of the fourth Kyiv Jewish Forum.

We are glad to cooperate with the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine for the benefit of one of the largest Jewish communities in the post-Soviet space and are grateful to Boris Lozhkin for his significant contribution to the present and future of Ukrainian Jewry. The Kyiv Jewish Forum has become an important platform for the opinions of global Jewish leaders, and I am pleased to represent the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress here.

At this highly challenging time for the world and the Jewish community of Ukraine, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who have not abandoned those in need. To all those who facilitated the evacuation of civilians to safety. To local Jewish leaders who remained with their communities and continue to provide Jews remaining in Ukraine with essential supplies. To donors, organizations, and Jewish leaders worldwide who have generously supported those affected by the military actions.

Over the past year, EAJC leadership focused its efforts on providing substantial financial and humanitarian aid to war victims. In such times, saving lives, above all else, is our main priority and our true purpose. In this, we, the leading Jewish organizations of the world, must stand united. We must be prepared to react swiftly, address challenges, and deliver timely assistance where needed.

We must also continue our dialogue and do everything within our power to bring an end to this deadly war. With sincere hope for its swift conclusion, we must also consider 'the day after'—what the world will look like and how the lives of Jewish communities in the region will transform. This is the value of this forum: a platform where we can assess what has been achieved, discuss prospects, and outline our next steps. I wish all forum participants productive proceedings and hope to see the results in the very near future.

I gladly welcome the speakers and participants of the fourth Kyiv Jewish Forum, held at such a difficult time for the entire world. Victory and peace to us all!

Thank you for your attention! Shalom.”