The General Assembly of the EAJC Has Commenced

On June 29, the General Assembly of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress took place online. The Assembly was attended by EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel, EAJC First Vice President Teimuraz Khikhinashvili, EAJC Vice Presidents David Iakobachvili, Victor Naishuller, Moshe Shvets, and Alexandr Bilinkis, EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, alongside leaders and heads of EAJC member communities and organizations.

Special guests of the Assembly included Gary Koren, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, and Natan Sharansky, a prominent former Soviet dissident, public figure, and Chairman of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center Advisory Board. Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov delivered a welcoming address to the Assembly on behalf of the Israeli Government.

The Assembly reviewed the comprehensive and financial reports for 2020, approved the budget for 2021, and adopted several key resolutions: EAJC ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 1/2021, EAJC ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 2/2021, and EAJC ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 3/2021.

"Following a challenging year, and as Israel successfully overcomes the crisis, our primary concern remains the well-being of our communities. We stand prepared to deliver rapid emergency assistance," stated EAJC President Michael Mirilashvili, noting that Congress leadership had already established active contact with the incoming Israeli Government.

"I wish to thank the leaders and members of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress for continuing to serve as a diplomatic arm of the Jewish people and for strengthening ties between the diaspora and Israel. Your tireless efforts to counter the delegitimization of Israel internationally are highly valued," remarked Israeli Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov, expressing regret that the Assembly had to convene online for a second consecutive year rather than in person in Israel.

Gary Koren, Deputy Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the vital cooperation between the Ministry and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, and highlighted upcoming initiatives marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and post-Soviet states. "The State of Israel and our Ministry deeply value your local diplomatic advocacy, particularly in lobbying for state policy revisions regarding terrorist entities such as Hamas and Hezbollah. We appreciate your support and profound commitment to the Jewish State," Mr. Koren stated.

Community leaders expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Congress for their coordinated efforts, ongoing support, and dedication during these challenging times. Judah Samuel, head of the Jewish community of India, extended special thanks to the EAJC for supporting the Indian community by providing matzah for Passover and delivering ventilators during the peak of the pandemic. He also announced that, for the first time in Indian history, a monument dedicated to a foreign political figure—the late Prime Minister and President of Israel, Shimon Peres—will be erected.

EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov presented a new initiative by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress to fund protective infrastructure in southern Israel. This project will secure protected spaces, bomb shelters, and a road along the Gaza border to serve local residents, the military, and security forces. The project is set to be implemented in partnership with the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and the Home Front Command.

During the Assembly, Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Babyn Yar Advisory Board, and Director General Max Yakover presented the plans for a new memorial complex, scheduled to open on October 6 in Kyiv.