Jerusalem Hosts Cornerstone Laying Ceremony of the Monument Dedicated to Heroes of Besieged Leningrad

On November 12, 2019, Jerusalem hosted the special cornerstone laying ceremony of the Memorial Candle Monument dedicated to the heroic defenders and residents of besieged Leningrad. The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Zeev Elkin, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Knyaginin, Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, EAJC President, Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, businessman and philanthropist, Viktor Vekselberg, World Chairman of the Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal (UIA), Sam Grundwerg, RJC President, Yuri Kanner, project mastermind, Leonid Litinetsky, Chair of the Union of World War II Veterans, Abraham Grinzaid, Chief Rabbi of Russia, Berel Lazar.The monument was funded by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) and Viktor Vekselberg. Jewish National Fund (KKL), Keren ha-Yesod, and the Russian Jewish Congress (RJC) also sponsored the project.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, which opposes historical distortions and promotes the memorialization of Jewish heroes, supported the initiative of the former Knesset member, Leonid Litinetsky, the Council of World War II Veterans and the Association of the Victims of the Leningrad Siege in Israel to erect a monument dedicated to the heroes and victims of the Leningrad Siege in Jerusalem.

EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili said: “For many years, I lived in St. Petersburg and know firsthand what a deep scar the siege has left in the life of every Leningrad resident. Among the defenders and residents of the besieged city were around 150,000 Jews, tens of thousands of whom perished. Many Jews voluntarily took to arms and joined the ranks of the people’s militia. The Memorial Candle monument in Jerusalem not only appeals to our shared memory but also serves as a reminder that the world remains to be a precarious place. It is up to us to uphold the truth and preserve the memory of the terrible war so that the tragedy of our peoples never repeats.”

Viktor Vekselberg said: “Times erases many things, especially painful memories of past tragedies. This is simply our coping mechanism. But we cannot let ourselves forget about such horrifying past events, as the Siege of Leningrad. Our common task is to remind the present and future generations about the heroism of the people of Leningrad and about the trials people had to endure during those 900 endless days and nights. Daniil Granin, who fought at the Leningrad front, wrote in his “Siege book” about “collecting the rocks of people’s memory” to return the debt of gratitude to the heroic act, the lesson in bravery which the people and defenders of the city taught the world. Today we are making the first step toward memorializing their heroism here in Jerusalem. I am confident that the Memorial Candle monument will be a sign of friendship between Russia and Israel for generations to come.”

As the president of the Russian Jewish Congress, Yuri Kanner, said, “the monument will be unveiled in January, on the day when it simultaneously marks 76 years since Leningrad siege was lifted and 75 years for the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp by the Red Army, in honor of which the United Nations established International Memorial Day Holocaust victims.”

President of Montenegro, Israeli Government Minister and EAJC President welcome the Mahar conference of Balkan Jewish communities

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 7th Mahar conference in Budva, the President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, thanked for the honor to host the most important forum of Jewish communities and organizations in Southeast Europe. He also expressed concern about the spread of anti-Semitism on social networks. “We must use modern technology to combat hatred, to achieve mutual understanding and tolerance in society,” said President Milo Đukanović.

The Mahar conference, a central meeting point for Jewish communities of Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Kosovo, is being held in Montenegro thanks to the efforts of the Montenegrin Jewish community under the patronage of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.

Greeting the conference participants, the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili emphasized: “Unlike in other regions of Europe, there are no records of antiSemitic incidents in Montenegro. On the contrary, Montenegro is a perfect example of the harmonious existence of a Jewish community in the diaspora. Thanks in large part to the community leaders and personally the President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović.”

The meeting with the Minister of Religious Services of Israel, Yitzhak Vaknin, was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Montenegro Zoran Pažin, the EAJC representative, Haim Blekhman, the President of the Jewish community of Montenegro, Djordje Raicević, the Chief Rabbi of Montenegro Ari Edelkopf, and others.

The Israeli minister expressed gratitude to the government and people of Montenegro for their sincere friendship with the Jewish people, as well as for their commitment to the universal values of peace, tolerance, and cooperation. Vaknin emphasized Israel’s willingness to share its advanced technological knowledge and enhance mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Montenegro.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Montenegro, Zoran Pažin, said at the meeting that Montenegro is proud of its traditional friendship with the Jewish people and the fruitful partnership with Israel. He also thanked the Jewish community of Montenegro for the significant contribution to the new legislation on religious freedom.

The Jewish community of Montenegro is one of the youngest Jewish communities in the world. Nevertheless, the organizers have managed to provide kosher food to about 500 conference participants of the 7th Mahar conference. This is the first such precedent in Montenegro.

EAJC Director-General addressed the WJC Executive Committee in Munich

Dr. Haim Ben-Yaakov, Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, addressed the participants of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress gathered in Munich for its biannual meeting.

Speaking about modern antisemitism at the meeting of the World Jewish Congress’ Global Security Department, Dr. Haim Ben-Yaakov presented the results of the new extended study “Jews of the Post-Soviet Space” conducted by the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies, the EAJC special project.

The study illustrates a significant departure from the state antisemitism of Soviet times and a reduction of the level of violence motivated by antisemitic views. For instance, in Ukraine no case of anti-Semitic physical violence has occurred for several years in a row.

However, this does not mean that antisemitism as a cultural phenomenon has vanished in these countries. According to the study findings, manifestations of anti-Semitism in post-Soviet states mostly feature crimes inspired by Judeophobia, incitement to hostility against Jews, media-sponsored public antisemitism, and antisemitic stereotypes.

Dr. Haim Ben Yaakov introduced the dynamic activity of the EAJC in the field of combating anti-Semitism, including research and monitoring, Public Diplomacy program, new revolutionary methods by which the Congress operates with Jewish studying youth, etc.

“We are passionate about creating lasting change for the diverse Jewish communities of the Euroasian region and support legislation and actions that condemn anti-Semitism”, – said Dr. Haim Ben-Yaakov. “We appeal to the leaders of the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe and the countries of post-Soviet Euro-Asia, urging them to move toward a professional and efficient dialogue. The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is determined to provide a platform for such activities and become a partner in this important work.”

The Executive Committee adopted a special resolution on combating anti-Semitism, calling all international organizations, governments, academic institutions, online and social media companies to unite forces and fight this dangerous phenomenon.

Photo: The EAJC leader at the WJC Executive Committee meeting in Munich.

World Jewish Congress awards German Chancellor Angela Merkel with Theodor Herzl Prize

The Theodor Herzl Prize for 2019 was awarded to German Chancellor Ms. Angela Merkel. The World Jewish Congress awards this prestigious prize to public and political figures for their significant contribution to making the world more secure and tolerant for the Jewish people.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder presented the award to Ms. Merkel at the ceremony attended by the EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili and other EAJC leaders.

In his speech, Mr. Lauder emphasized Germany’s efforts after the Second World War, the country’s desire to overcome its bleak past: “You, Ms. Chancellor Merkel, are a genuine symbol of this incredible success. You are a symbol of all the best that is in Germany after the war. You have always supported the Jewish community in this state, you have always supported Israel. ”

Expressing her gratitude to the leadership of the EJC, Chancellor Merkel emphasized that “Jewish life in Germany must be supported – and protected.”

Recalling the attack on the synagogue in Halle over Yom Kippur, a “heinous crime that fills us with utmost shame,” Chancellor Merkel said: “These are deeply troubling developments; they are directed at Jews in our country, but by no means only them. Because they attack us all: Jews and non-Jews alike, everything that our country stands on, our values and our freedoms. They hit at the core of our shared existence because they flow from a deep hatred of democracy. We must never accept the fact that people in Germany have to live in fear because of their religious convictions. We must do everything in our power to make sure they can live their lives free and safe. Antisemitism and racism do not begin with violent acts; it is much subtler. We must make sure not to wake up only afterwards have become deeds.”

Mikhail Mirilashvili personally expressed his gratitude to Chancellor Merkel for her concern for the Jewish community of Germany and contribution to the fight against anti-Semitism in Germany as well as in Europe as a whole.

Previous recipients of the Theodor Herzl Award: the Rothschild family, former Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell, former US Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Elie and Marion Wiesel, former secretaries of state Henry A. Kissinger and George P. Shultz, and, posthumously, Ronald Reagan and Axel Springer.

Chag Sukkot Sameach!

The EAJC wishes a happy Sukkot to all our friends and supporters, to all who attach their lives to the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

In ancient times Sukkot was one of three Jewish festivals that required the people to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Thousands of Israelites would gather in the Temple courtyard and live in sukkot, the booths in which farmers live during harvesting or that the Israelites dwelt in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt.

Jewish unity is one of the central themes of Sukkot, and the four species we are holding – etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadas (myrtle branches), and aravot (willow branches) – symbolize different types of Jews.

Bringing them together, holding them tightly, and blessing all four of them represents the Jewish unity despite all the differences among us. The Sukkot festival teaches us that by accepting one another, whatever our strengths or weaknesses, we become both happy and invincible!

In this incredible spirit of unity, we wish you all Chag Sukkot Sameach!

EAJC expresses condolences to victims of anti-Semitic attack in Halle

The leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and representatives of the Jewish communities of the region are deeply saddened by the news of the terrorist attack in the German city of Halle that targeted the local synagogue and Jewish cemetery. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and pray that the world wound be cured of of xenophobia and anti-Semitism.

According to press reports, during a prayer on Yom Kippur, when 70-80 people were present in the building, the offender tried to get into the synagogue, throwing Molotov cocktails, firecrackers and grenades. At the same time, a grenade was thrown at the Jewish cemetery located near the synagogue. Then the attacker went into the neighboring kebab shop and opened fire, as a result of which two people were killed, and two more were injured.

The EAJC leaders’ delegation attended 22nd Knesset swearing-in ceremony

The delegation of the EAJC leaders attended the 22-Knesset Knesset swearing-in ceremony and, on behalf of the EAJC, welcomes the elected representatives of the people who took the oath and officially became members of the Israeli parliament.

We sincerely hope that, regardless of the composition of the future government, greater attention will be paid to strengthening ties between Israeli society and the Jewish diaspora.

We at the EAJC look forward to a fruitful collaboration with all Israeli parliamentarians. Together we can make tangible impacts for Israel and the entire Jewish people.

Shana Tova from EAJC!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Dear friends!

We heartily congratulate you on the coming new year 5780!

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah is not only the birthday of the world and the beginning of a new year. Every year on this day, the Almighty judges people, nations, and countries for their deeds, deciding what the coming year will be like for every person and the whole world.

We in the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress hope that next year the world’s Jewish communities will continue to support the State of Israel in the same way that Israel will always defend the rights of Jews wherever they live. We are one people, tested for strength by countless trials, and together we are capable of great achievements.

In the coming year, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress will continue to assist the development and prosperity of the Jewish communities in the Euro-Asian region so that all Jews can safely celebrate Jewish holidays, remembering their roots and honoring their heritage. In the coming year join us to complete these tasks together.

On Rosh Hashanah we gather with family and friends around the festive table to wish each other happiness.

May the coming year be good and prosperous for you and your families. May you be inscribed into the Book of Life for a good year! Shana Tova!

Dr. Mikhail M. Mirilashvili, President

Aaron G. Frenkel, Chairman of the Board

Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, Chief Executive Officer

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Rabbi’s Word: Hayom Harat Olam

In the Rosh HaShanah prayers there is one sentence that speaks about the central theme of the day: hayom harat olam, which may be roughly translated as “today is the world’s pregnancy,” in the sense of “inception.” In Modern Hebrew, the word olammeans “world,” but in Biblical Hebrew it refers not to space, the universe or the galaxy, but rather to time. The meaning of the expression hayom harat olam, then, is that it is the time of the ‘birth,’ the creation of time. At the beginning of each year the Almighty not only adds another unit of time: rather, a new creation takes place, new time is born. A new year, then, is not just a certain number of days and hours: it is a totally new entity which is created on Rosh HaShana.

But what does all this new-year-new-entity business have to do with us? What are we supposed to do on Rosh HaShanah, the day in which the new year is being created?

Nowadays we know much more about the stars and the galaxies than what was known in Maimonides’ time; still, on the basis of the astronomy of his day Maimonides wrote that when one looks up at the sky and sees the stars, it makes one feel as a “tiny, base, murky being.” So too on Rosh HaShana: the creation of new time, the birth of a new year, is something so much greater than us that it can create in us a similar feeling of insignificance. This is why on Rosh HaShanah we huddle together in the synagogue, like children who, when scared, hold each other’s hand. This is not true succor, but at least it helps them accept the fear. We too are afraid, and therefore we stand together and hold hands, so to speak. It does not really help us, but it does make us feel better.

There is another point about this day. As said, on Rosh Hashanah we say hayom harat olam— this is the day of pregnancy, the day on which the world was created. But all of the Biblical commentators agree that the world itself — heaven and earth and all that is in them — was not created on Rosh HaShanah; rather, Rosh HaShana is the day on which man was created. By saying, “this day is the beginning of Your acts, a remembrance of the first day”,(Rosh Hashanah, 27a) we are actually saying that “the beginning of Your acts” is the creation of Man, that Man is the center of Creation.

Man is made up of two components: a lower one and a higher one. The Almighty took a soul of an angel and put it in the body of a chimpanzee. The Bible tells us that prior to creating Man, God said: “Let us create man.” Some commentators say that before the creation of man God consulted with the angels. Angels are the utmost intellectuals, with an angelic IQ many times higher than that of the greatest of human geniuses. So God asked the angels: What say you about this experiment called Man? And they replied: No way, this experiment cannot possibly succeed; it’s an impossible concoction, a creature like that is one big conflict.

Others interpret the words “Let us make man…”(Genesis 1:26) differently: God turned to each and every creature in the world and said: “let us make man,” all of us, together. And indeed, man is made up of all the parts of reality; every creature put into man something of itself: the fox — some foxiness; the lion — lionhood; the worm — worminess; there is also a part of the poisonous snake in man. We can see all these components in all the human beings that inhabit our world. And finally the Almighty said: Now I want also to put a part of Myself in man. This is the meaning of the verse (Psalms 8:6):”Yet You have made him [man] slightly less than the angels…” Man is not God-like, but is as similar as possible to God. The Almighty endowed man with the ability to be like Him; and indeed, just as God can create and destroy worlds, so too human beings can create worlds and destroy them.

As said above, harat olammeans a state of pregnancy; and as we all know, at the end of a pregnancy a baby is born. Usually the newborn is good and fine looking; but sometimes a monster is born. So too we can say about certain years that they were good ones; but there have also been some awful years, years that were monstrous from the very start, and in every possible way.

When a new year is being created on Rosh HaShana we do not know what kind of a year it will be; but we can influence and change that. Thanks to, and in virtue of, that Godly part that the Almighty implanted within us we have the ability to create and to build, or to destroy, an entire world, both in theory and in practice. We therefore ought to do whatever we can to make the world a better place, so that by the end of 5780th year it will be possible to say that we have indeed made some progress.

Each one of us has been given a plot of land, a share of reality, to cultivate, some smaller and others bigger. We do not have to wait to the end of the year in order for God to say: “this year, the crops were especially good”; if we work well, we may attain this even before the end of the year. And in the two days of Rosh HaShana, let us make the new year a little brighter and more beautiful.

With best wishes for a good and sweet year in spirit and matter,

Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz

EAJC urged authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to act against growing anti-semitism

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In Sarajevo, several concerned citizens have informed the local press about the graffiti of Nazi swastika drawn on a city building. This act of vandalism is one of the multiple Neo-Nazi manifestations in Bosnia today.

The response to this heinous act affirms that Bosnian citizens are outraged at these hateful acts. However, unlike some EU countries, Bosnian authorities do not ban the use of Nazi symbols as well as Neo-Nazi groups, allowing these anti-Semitic organizations to operate and circulate its materials to the public.

“We are deeply concerned about the growing Neo-Nazi movement in Bosnia and call on state leaders to take a stand against this dangerous and shameful phenomenon”,- said EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]