A solemn ceremony was held in Jerusalem to honor those involved in the project to erect a monument to the heroes of the siege of Leningrad

Pictured: businessman and philanthropist Viktor Vekselberg, public figure and former Knesset member Leon Litinetsky, Director General of the Jerusalem Development Authority Eyal Haimovsky, EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili, EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel, EAJC Director General Haim Ben Yakov, EAJC Treasurer Meni Bushuev

A ceremony honoring the participants of the "Candle of Remembrance" monument project, dedicated to the heroism of the defenders and residents of Leningrad during the siege, was held in Jerusalem.

The ceremony was attended by: Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Leon; Vice Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin; Knesset Members Yoel Razvozov, Mark Ifraimov, and Evgeny Sova; Knesset Member and Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze'ev Elkin; Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Israel Anatoly Viktorov; EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili; EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel; Keren Hayesod President Sam Grundwerg; RJC President Yuri Kanner; and Head of the Resource Development and External Relations Department of JNF-KKL Ronnie Vinnikov.

EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili commended the initiators, sponsors, and partners who facilitated the groundbreaking and who are supporting the upcoming unveiling of this significant monument in January next year. In his remarks, he stated:

“The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress consistently opposes historical revisionism and champions the preservation of the memory of Jewish heroes. Accordingly, the Congress supported the initiative of former Knesset Member Leonid Litinetsky, the WWII Veterans Council, and the Association of Leningrad Siege Survivors in Israel to erect a monument in Jerusalem dedicated to the heroism of the people of Leningrad.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Municipality of Jerusalem and the Government of St. Petersburg for endorsing the decision of the Congress and cooperating in the design and implementation of this project.

I would also like to thank Viktor Vekselberg, the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael), Keren Hayesod, and the Russian Jewish Congress, who have supported this vital project alongside the EAJC.”

As a gesture of appreciation for their fruitful collaboration, Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili presented the project participants with miniature desktop models of the future monument.

Pictured: Knesset Member and Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze'ev Elkin, EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili

Pictured: EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili, Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Leon,  businessman and philanthropist Viktor Vekselberg

Pictured: businessman and philanthropist Viktor Vekselberg, RJC President Yuri Kanner, EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili, Head of the Association of Leningrad Siege Survivors in Israel and Deputy Chairperson of the Central Union of WWII Veterans Emilia Larina, Chairman of the All-Israeli Union of WWII Veterans Abraham Grinzaid, EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel

Pictured: Head of the Resource Development and External Relations Department of JNF-KKL Ronnie Vinnikov, Knesset Member and Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze'ev Elkin, EAJC Director General Haim Ben Yakov