Happy Hanukkah from EAJC

Dear friends!

On behalf oh the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress we wish you happy and joyous Hanukkah.

Apart from the light that we bring to the World with our candles, it’s the miracle that happened to our Maccabean predecessors is one of the main symbols of the holiday.

According to the Jewish tradition, miraculous events are the evidence of the G-d’s control over the Earth. Indeed, sometimes in this wonders people’s role is so crucial so they tend to think they did it all by themselves with no G-d interference at all.

At EAJC we are proud to unite some wonderful Jewish communities and organizations that by their work for the good of the Jewish people let simple miracles happen day by day. We highly appreciate this work and express our gratitude.

This year, when it seems like the whole world is waiting for the miracle, we hope that Hanukkah will bring us one.

Let us once more bring the light to this World together! Hag Sameach!

Special meeting with the President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin

On December 8, 2020, the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili, EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov and EAJC Treasurer Menachem Bushuev met in Jerusalem with the Israeli President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin. The famous collection of feuilletons by Vladimir (Zeev) Zhabotinsky, republished by the Congress, was presented to the President Rivlin. This is the first reprint of the collection since its publication in 1922 in Berlin. Zhabotinsky’s “Feuilletons” book is a collection of sparkling writings about Jews and the Jewish people, about Russia and the Jewish life, and much more.

The President Rivlin was also informed about a large-scale study of Jewish population of the post-Soviet countries, initiated by the EAJC.

During the meeting, the Israeli President thanked the leaders of the EAJC for the presented publications and noted the unique literary and lyrical talent of Jabotinsky, as well as his contribution to the upbringing and encouragement of Jewish brothers to rebirth, greatness and freedom.

“The collection of feuilletons, republished almost a century after its last publication, is of particular importance. It makes the best publicistic works of Jabotinsky more accessible among Russian-speaking Jews. Jabotinsky’s teachings fit perfectly with the most important activities of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, focused on helping Jews of the former Soviet Union and encouraging Jewish identification, Zionist awareness and repatriation to Israel”, – stressed Reuven Rivlin.

The head of the EAJC thanked President Rivlin for the warm welcome and expressed hope that the books will arouse interest among the readers. “Despite the pandemic, the Congress does not stop its activities. The EAJC has been supporting various educational and cultural projects for many years, and we will continue doing so in the future,” – said Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili.

EAJC leaders congratulated President-Elect of Moldova Ms. Maia Sandu on her victory

President of the Euro-Asian Jewish congress Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, First Vice-President of the Euro-Asian Jewish congress Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun and President of the Jewish community of Moldova Mr. Alexander Bшlinkis on behalf of all the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress congratulated Ms. Maia Sandu, President-Elect of Moldova, on her victory in the Presidential elections.

“With so many issues facing the Jewish community, your messages of justice and the rule of law are the ones we share completely”,- wrote Mirilashvili, Grinshpun and Bilinkis in their letter and added that Sandu’s victory is a sign that the people of Moldova have chosen a new path.

“The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress will be more than happy to cooperate with you on any relevant issues and we are looking forward to working with you on the matters concerning the Jewish community of Moldova and the State of Israel. We hope that Moldova under your governance is going to become the next country to move its embassy to Jerusalem”, – noted the EAJC leaders.

EAJC Director General met with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Israel

At the end of October, Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Haim Ben Yakov met the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Israel Feruza Mahmudova.

Dr. Ben Yakov expressed the EAJC’s interest in increasing the level of interaction with Jewish diaspora organizations in Uzbekistan, including conduction of joint cultural and research projects.

An agreement was reached to work out a number of promising bilateral projects in the cultural, humanitarian and educational spheres.

EAJC Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel held a speech at the 2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism

Chairman of the board of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Aaron G. Frenkel participated recently in the 2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism. In his address Mr. Frenkel welcomed the Albanian government and the Albanian parliament for their decision to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition for anti-Semitism and said the following: “On behalf of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress I want to tell you: You did right, you did moral, you did, as always, a noble step for humanity and justice. And for that, our great appreciation to you”.

Chairman of the EAJC told that the Congress is professionally combating anti-Semitism. He explained that EAJC is monitoring the situation with anti-Semitism, giving assistance to people, who were subjects to anti-Semitic acts and is engaged in people to people and public diplomacy.

“I really believe in being moral example. The main idea that I personally preach is to show, to create and to deepen relationship with the leaders of communities, leaders of states and that through the leadership and positive attitude we create the anti-movement to hate, to hate crimes, to anti-Semitism and to any hate against anyone in the world”, – concluded Aaron G. Frenkel.

EAJC welcomes the adoption of the definition of anti-Semitism by the Global Imams Council

The Global Imams Council (GIC), which brings together more than 1,000 Muslim religious leaders from around the world, has adopted the definition of anti-Semitism formulated by International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

This decision was made at the request of the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr and other public members who are concerned about the growth of anti-Jewish sentiment in the world. From now on, the definition of the IHRA will become mandatory for all GIC members, including all affiliated mosques, centers, institutions and Council organizations.

Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, welcomed the GIC’s decision and said that this was another step towards eradicating anti-Semitism in the Islamic world. “Just a few days after Albania, the first Muslim-majority country adopted IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, the Global Imams Council followed her path. The GIC’s adoption of the definition of anti-Semitism is a new milestone in the development of interfaith dialogue and a new line in relations between the Jewish and Muslim world. The EAJC leaders are sincerely grateful to the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr for his work. His success is the entire civilized world’s success. We in the EAJC hope that other countries and organizations will adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism as soon as possible”.

EAJC supports the bill that would require government ministries to connect with diaspora Jewish communities

Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevich announced plans to introduce a bill that would require government ministries to connect with diaspora Jewish communities on issues that affect Jews worldwide. The bill aims to strengthen ties between the Jewish diaspora and the Israeli government and to strengthen Israel’s position as the center of the Jewish world.

EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili and EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov sent a letter to the Diaspora Affairs Minister, in which they expressed their unconditional support for the bill.

In their letter, the EAJC leaders stressed that one of the key issues is the relations between Israel and the Diaspora, and there is a great need for their settlement. “For many years, the leaders of the Jewish communities have been looking for ways to communicate on issues that affect them with Israeli leaders, but they have failed over and over again. This is even more true for the leaders of the Euro-Asian communities.

The complex processes that are taking place there are often not reflected in Israel, and this makes Jewish communities leaders feel deep dissatisfaction and creates significant tensions”, – noted Dr. Mirilashvili and Dr. Ben Yaakov in their address to Yankelevich and added that EAJC will be ready to provide the minister with any assistance in promoting her bill.

“EAJC has been consistently advocating the development of contacts between Diaspora Jews and the Jewish state, especially in the context of making various decisions. The connection of the Israeli leadership with the Jewish communities during the decision-making process on the core issues regarding the future of the Jewish people is the direct implementation of Israel’s function as the state of the Jewish people and the center of the Jewish world. We already have a unique experience in such work and are ready to continue to be a connecting link in this process”, – said EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov.

EAJC welcomes the Albanian government’s decision to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress welcomes the Albanian government’s decision to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which states that the delegitimization and demonization of Israel are forms of anti-Semitism.

During World War II, many Albanians helped Jews and saved them from deportations. Dozens of them were recognized as righteous among the nations. EAJC is grateful to Albania for its stance towards Jews and the Jewish state, which has remained positive and benevolent for many decades.

EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili: “The adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism by Albania, the second Muslim-majority country to take this step, is a very important step towards eradicating anti-Semitism. We are grateful to the Albanian government and the entire Albanian people for their position towards the State of Israel. I urge all countries to accept the IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism and do everything possible to prevent anti-Semitic actions”.

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress congratulates on Aliyah Day

Today, on the seventh day of the month of Cheshvan, according to the Jewish calendar, Israel marks Aliyah Day (Repatriation Day). The decision to celebrate Aliyah Day was legislatively adopted by the Israeli parliament in June 2016 to highlight the importance and contribution of the repatriates to the process of the establishment, development and success of the State of Israel. The holiday date was not accidentally appointed for the seventh of Cheshvan: this very day precedes the weekly Torah chapter “Lech-Lecha”, which tells the story of the Lord’s will to Abraham to go to the Land of Israel.

In the previous years, on this day, Israeli schools held lessons on the value of aliyah and its significant contribution to the development and prosperity of Israel, special meetings and sessions were held in the Knesset, concerts and performances were held throughout the country, where various artists and politicians took part, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration organized festive events. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was decided to limit to do everything in virtual format and to create an awareness campaign for various platforms.

The leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress greeted the Israeli parliament decision and heartuly congratulate everyone on Aliyah Day. EAJC constantly and consistently supports the State of Israel and strengthens its ties with the diaspora. Furthermore, about a year ago, at the first Summit of Eurasian Jewry, the leaders of the Congress adopted a resolution to support Aliya to Israel.

EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili said: “Aliyah Day is an important and solemn holiday. On this day, the State of Israel expresses its gratitude to the repatriates for their steadfastness and courage, as well as for their contribution to the development and prosperity of the country.

This year, when the coronavirus epidemic has captured the whole world – Aliyah Day is doubly important. It’s very symbolic that even at these times Israel continues to host new repatriates despite everything. At each time to be a safe ground for Jews all over the world – is one of the most significant responsibilities of the Jewish State. At EAJC we focus on developing these ongoing ties between State of Israel and the diaspora.

Dear friends, I would like to congratulate all of you on this wonderful holiday and wish good luck and success to the repatriates, and to the Jews of the diaspora – next year in Jerusalem! I sincerely hope that Israel will become a warm, safe and comfortable home for all those who want to connect their fate with it”.

The Claims Conferences forces Facebook to ban Holocaust denial content

The EAJC congratulates its partner organization, the Claims Conference, that urged Facebook to update its hate speech policy to prohibit any content that denies or distorts the Holocaust.

Since July of this year, the Claims Conference has consistently published messages from Holocaust survivors to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, asking him to remove messages that denied the Holocaust or distorted facts related to it from the social network. Facebook’s official announcement that it will ban such publications is primarily Holocaust survivors’ victory. Their messages were published by the Claims Conference and widely spread by its partners.

EAJC Director General and Claims Conference Board of Directors Member Dr. Haim Ben Yaakov: “The problem of Holocaust denial, the so-called theory of Holocaust Revisionism, is, from our point of view, extremely dangerous. Holocaust denial is, in fact, one of the forms of modern anti-Semitism.

With the development of social media, this form of anti-Semitism, as well as the publication of various anti-Semitic theories and stereotypes associated with the history of the Holocaust, began to have a significant impact on the younger generation. Young people, one of the main consumers of social media, have come under an endless stream of disinformation aimed at denying and distorting the facts about the Holocaust. We welcome Facebook’s decision to ban Holocaust denial content and call on all social media companies to follow suit.”