The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress congratulates Aaron G. Frenkel, Chairman of the EAJC Board, on his birthday.
Dear Aaron,
On behalf of the heads of communities and organizations, members of the Board and the EAJC team, please accept our heartfelt congratulations and wishes of great success in all your endeavors, inspiration and happiness.
We are very grateful to you for your long-term support and active participation in the life of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, which made it possible to implement many EAJC projects and social initiatives. Your contribution to the prosperity of the Jewish people and the State of Israel is truly enormous.
We wish you blessings in all your good deeds, so that you continue to inspire us with your example until 120!
On September 5, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress gathered leaders of communities and organizations in the region online to congratulate them on the upcoming High Holidays.
The meeting was attended by EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel, EAJC General Director Dr. Haim Ben Yaakov, heads of communities and member organizations of the Congress. Representatives of the Jewish community of the United Arab Emirates also attended the meeting as observers.
“There is a meaning in so that we wish a sweet new year and dip apples in honey in a traditional meal on Rosh Hashanah. Our tradition prescribes us to do this so that we fully experience what a truly good year can await us, if we spend it in a right manner, doing good deeds, helping others, doing everything that is required of us. I want to thank you all for your great dedication and work for the benefit of the Jewish future in our region and wish you that the year will be exactly as we will imagine it, while eating traditional ‘simanim’ of the Rosh Hashanah,” – said the EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.
“Rosh Hashanah symbolizes a new beginning, and we hope that in the coming year, unlike previous ones, we will finally be able to see each other live,” said EAJC Chairman of the Board Aaron G. Frenkel.
In a special video address, the President of Israel, Yitzhak Herzog also congratulated the leaders of the Jewish Diaspora:
On behalf of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, we express our sincere condolences in connection with the terrorist attack at the Kabul airport, which claimed the lives of dozens of civilians and the American military.
“We categorically condemn any acts of violence directed against any groups of the population, regardless of their political, ideological and religious affiliation, and we hope that the perpetrators of these inhuman acts of terrorism will ultimately be brought to justice. We mourn together with the families of all victims,” said the president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.
EAJC President Dr.Michael Mirilashvili congratulated Dani Dayan on appointment as Head of Yad Vashem:
«On behalf of all the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as the Head of Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial center.
With anti-Semitism and Holocaust misrepresentation on the rise globally it is essential to preserve the Shoah memory and increase Holocaust education. Yad Vashem has been successfully accomplishing these missions for years now and there is no doubt that it will continue to pursue these vital missions under your leadership.
It has been an honor for the EAJC to establish and support the Moshe Mirilashvili Center for Research on the Holocaust in the Soviet Union and we look forward to working closely together for the benefit of the past, present and future generations and preserving Holocaust memory»
On August 22, following an invitation of Ebrahim Nonoo, Head of Bahrain’s Jewish Community and the President of the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities (AGJC), the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress’ representative Chaim Blechman participated in a Selichot prayer held in the House of Ten Commandments synagogue in Manama, Bahrain.
The joint prayer was organized by the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities that comprises the Jewish communities of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Dubai’s Hazzan Alex Peterfreund led the service from Bahrain and Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie joined him via Zoom.
EAJC President Mikhael Mirilashvili sent the Jewish community of Bahrain a letter, in which, in particular, he pointed out:
“The new developments in the GCC open up new perspectives of the Jewish life development and of cooperation between and mutual enrichment of the Arab and Jewish culture, as well as set new standards of the international relations on our planet. It is important to point out that your community has become one of the most important driving forces behind these changes.”
While exchanging their views later, the EAJC representative and Bahrain’s Jewish community’s leaders expressed their wish to further expand their contacts.
Mr. Ebrahim Nonoo noted, “we were honoured to have Chaim Blechman with us in person for the Selichot event. Our programs are all created with the aim of having Jews from all over the world join us virtually and it was quite a treat for us to have Chaim with us for a weekend of festivities.”
During his visit in Bahrain, the EAJC representative also held meetings with the country’s business community representatives interested in establishing strong ties both with Israeli partners and with partners of the Jewish communities in the Euro-Asian region.
President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Michael Mirilashvili congratulated Michael Brodsky on his appointment as the new Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine.
«On behalf of all the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and myself please accept my congratulations on your appointment as the new Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine.
I am convinced that your extensive experience in working for diplomatic missions in the countries of euro-asian region will benefit bilateral relations between Ukraine and Israel.
I would also like to take the opportunity to reassure you of our support and cooperation with the representatives of Israel’s diplomatic mission in Ukraine. I believe that our cooperation will develop in the future and provide new opportunities in the best interests of Ukrainian Jewish communities and bilateral relations between our countries»
President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Michael Mirilashvili congratulated Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India and Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India on Independence Day.
A greeting letter to the President reads the following:
“On behalf of all the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress please accept my heartfelt congratulations for the Independence Day of India and the best wishes for the thrivingand wellbeing of your people.
In many ways India is a very special place, particularly when it comes to its history from ancient times till today. Various Jewish communities in India also have quite an ancient and exciting story. We deeply value the attentive attitude to the Jewish Communities and thankful for keeping very close ties with the State of Israel and becoming one of its major allies in the world.
We know that India has been through the tough times in terms of fighting the pandemic and we wish you to overcome this crisis as soon as possible.
May I again congratulate you on the Independence Day and wish you and the people of India a happy celebration. Please accept my cordial regards and the assurances of my highest consideration”.
On 29 June General Assembly of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress was held online. The EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, Chairman of the Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel, First Vice-president Temur Khikhinashvili, Vice-presidents David Yakobashvili, Victor Naishuller, Moshe Shvets, Alexandr Bilinkis, CEO Dr. Haim ben Yakov, the leaders of Jewish communities and organizations – members of the EAJC – participated in the assembly meeting.
The assembly was also attended by special guests Deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of the State of Israel Gary Koren and former Soviet dissident, social activist, head of the Supervisory board of Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center Natan Sharansky. The Minister of Tourism Yoel Konstantyn Razvozov addressed the assembly participants on behalf of the Israeli government.
«After a challenging year when, we hope, Israel overcomes the crisis, our concerns are with our communities and their conditions. We are still willing to provide emergency assistance as quickly as possible», says the EAJC president dr. Michael Mirilashvili. He also added that the EAJC leaders have already started the active cooperation with the new Israeli government.
«I want to thank all the EAJC leaders and members for being a diplomatic link and for their continuing actions to strengthen the communication between the State of Israel and Jewish communities. Your uphill battle against the international delegitimating of the State of Israel is crucial for us», said the Minister of Tourism Yoel Konstantyn Razvozov. He also expressed his regrets that the EAJC assembly was held online for the second year in the row unlike the previous assembly meetings that were held in Israel.
Deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of the State of Israel Gary Koren stressed the importance of the cooperation between the MFA and the EAJC and announced that special events will be held to honour the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Post-Soviet states. «In light of the lobbying for reviewing the policy towards terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, the EAJC diplomatic support on the ground is crucial for the State of Israel and the MFA. We value your support and commitment to the Jewish State», said mr.Koren.
Jewish communities leaders thanked the EAJC leadership for the well-coordinated work, support and efforts during these challenging times. The Indian Jewish community leader Judah Samuel expressed the deep gratitude to the EAJC for providing care and support to the Indian Jewish community, providing matzot for Passover and ventilators during the peak of Covid-19. He also added that for the first time in the history of India a monument in honor of a foreign politician will be installed – a monument dedicated to the former Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres.
The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress director general dr. Haim ben Yakov launched a new EAJC initiative: a donation will be made to installing protective infrastructure in the south of Israel. The funds will be also used to create protected spaces and bomb shelters as well as a road along the border with the Gaza Strip for the needs of the local residents, the military and security forces. The project will be conducted in the partnership with the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet LeYisrael) and the Home Front Command.
Within the assembly meeting the head of the Supervisory board of Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center Natan Sharansky and director general Max Yakover launched a project of a new memorial complex witch will be opened in Kyiv on 6 October.
On 21 June, President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, EAJC CEO Dr. Haim Ben Yakov and EAJC Treasurer Menachem Busuhuev met with the elected President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog.
During the meeting the leaders of the EAJC congratulated Mr. Herzog on his election as the President of Israel and discussed the main areas of cooperation.
As a Jewish State Israel is responsible for the Jewish communities around the world, therefore the establishment of the strong links between Israel and Diaspora need to be a priority issue. In this process it is essential to engage the leaders of the communities and organizations, since their potential is not engaged enough now. Connecting the leaders form more than 20 countries of Diaspora, the EAJC is willing to provide a platform for the stable dialogue between leaders of Diaspora communities and the State of Israel.
2021 marks 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Soviet Union. On 18 October 1991 the Soviet ambassador to Israel Alexander Bovin presented diplomatic credentials to the President of the State of Israel Chaim Herzog. Eight days after, USSR disintegrated and Russia maintained diplomatic relations with Israel as Soviet Union’s legal successor on the international stage. Over the years the State of Israel has established diplomatic relations with other Post-soviet states. It was agreed that the special ceremony will be held in honour of this historic event.
Following on the service as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the deep knowledge of the Jewry in Diaspora, the elected President of Israel Isaac Herzog supported initiatives of the EAJC leaders and expressed the readiness for cooperation between Presidential office and Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.
The President of the EAJC d-r Michael Mirilashvili expresses support for the thirty-sixth government of Israel.
“On behalf of the leaders and communities of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress I welcome the leaders of the parties that formed a national unity government representing almost all the sectors of Israeli society.
Israel needs a stable functioning government more than ever, and we look forward to seeing your success.
The EAJC looks forward to cooperate with the new Cabinet to benefit Israeli society as well as bilateral relationships between Israel and Eurasian countries and Jewish communities.
We believe that Israel will continue the way of development for the well-being of its society as well as for confronting the growing surge of antisemitism across the globe.”
