Robert Singer completed his work as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of the World Jewish Congress.

Mr. Singer and the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress are linked by excellent professional relations and personal friendship. We wish our esteemed colleague and friend further success in all his endeavors.

“For six years Robert worked at one of the highest professional posts in the Jewish world. As the WJC CEO, he was widely recognized among the world political elite and the Jewish communities around the world. On behalf of the EAJC and on my own behalf, I wish him good health and continued success in all his future endeavors, ”said EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili.

The WJC is an extremely important institution of the international organized Jewish community, and the EAJC regards the World Jewish Congress as an essential strategic partner. We intend to continue our fruitful cooperation in all areas of the international Jewish people’s agenda

On 30 May 2019, the new regional office of the EAJC officially opened in Montenegro. This development has been encouraged and blessed both by the Board of the Jewish Comunity of Montenegro and the Montenegrin Government.

The EAJC Regional office in Montenegro is headed by Djordje Raicević, President of the Jewish Community of Montenegro, and will, in particular, focus on monitoring the Jewish life in Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia; attracting non-affiliated Jewish communities and families from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EAJC; organizing lectures and exhibitions as well as interviews in the local press on Israel and the state of modern antisemitism.

“The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress strives to protect the rights and interests of the Jewish communities in the Euro-Asian region. The opening of the EAJC regional office in Montenegro is another step in this noble journey,”- said EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili.

Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Haim Ben-Yaakov congratulated the newly appointed Head of the EAJC Montenegro office Djordje Raicević and expressed confidence in his ability to develop a close relationship with the local Jewish communities and take care of their needs and interests as well.

On the photo: the members of the Jewish Community in Montenegro together as a big family

For the first time in the history of Montenegro’s penitentiary system, a Bris Milah took place in Montenegro Prison. The leaders of the Jewish community of Montenegro expressed their gratitude to the authorities and the prison management for cooperation.

The operation was entrusted to a medical practitioner, a mohel who came from Israel. That same day this essential Jewish ritual has been undergone by a few other men in Montenegro.

The primary objective regarding the Jewish inmates is to ensure they have the opportunity to practice their faith safely.

“The Jewish Community of Montenegro is dedicated to helping Jewish inmates. Within the program of the EAJC Regional Office, the rabbinical visitations will be arranged on a weekly base and include holiday service as well as religious freedom advocacy. We are looking after the religious and spiritual needs of Jewish prisoners in Montenegro”,- said the head rabbi of the Montenegro Jewish community Aryeh Edelkop.

The new EAJC Regional Office is officially launched and started its activity in Montenegro. The office is headed by Djordje Raicević, President of the Jewish Community of Montenegro, and focuses on monitoring and coordinating Jewish communities in the Balkan region.

“Euro-Asian Jewish Congress seeks to support the most important programs for the Jewish communities and for any Jew in the Balkan region, providing opportunities for full-fledged communal Jewish life”, – said EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili.

The terrorist acts, organized and carried out by the Hezbollah militants with the financial and moral support of Iran, have brought dozens of victims on different continents for decades. However, some leading international organizations, including the United Nations, still refuse to recognize Hezbollah as an organization pursuing terrorist goals.

Against this background, the decision of the authorities of Kosovo to join the voice of reason and recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization evokes special respect.

Among the terrorist acts planned and executed by Hezbollah: an explosion on an Israeli tourist bus in Burgas (Bulgaria), explosions near the Israeli embassy and in the Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and other heinous crimes that claimed dozens of innocent lives.

“The decision of the authorities of Kosovo is symbolic in the days when we bow our heads in memory of the victims at the Jewish Center in Buenos Aires in 1994, in which 85 people were killed and hundreds were injured. We call on governments and international organizations around the world to unite in an uncompromising fight against radicalism and extremism”, – said EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili.

“The United Nations still refuses to declare Hezbollah as a terrorist entity, separating the military and political wings, although the Hezbollah leadership itself considers its inseparable nature. The political wing of Hezbollah continues to operate in the European Union, raising funds, recruiting new activists and spreading anti-Semitic and extremist ideologies”, – said EAJC Director General Haim Ben Yakov.

The leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress expressed deep concern about the statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres about the increase in the number of incidents involving anti-Semitism in 2018 by 13% compared with a year earlier.

In her speech at the UN General Assembly, the President of the General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, reported on the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and other regions, and called on the international community to monitor hate publications on the Internet.

According to a study by the Technical University in Berlin, during the period from 2007 to 2018, the number of anti-Semitic comments on the Internet has almost tripled. This disturbing phenomenon is primarily reflected in social networks, which contributes to the rapid spread of hatred towards the Jewish people and the Jewish state.

“We are deeply concerned about the growing anti-Semitism, including demonization and delegitimization of Israel. We cannot put up with this shameful and extremely dangerous phenomenon, so we call on state leaders to struggle tirelessly against manifestations of hatred and acts of violence against Jews”,- said EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili.

“The EAJC will continue active opposition to the inhuman manifestations of modern anti-Semitism, which is not part of state policy, as it was in Nazi Germany. This means that this noble fight falls upon the shoulders of the authorities. Therefore, we will openly protest against the connivance with the anti-Semites and encourage governments to take action against anti-Semitism, ” said EAJC Director General Haim Ben Yaakov.

Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Haim Ben-Yaakov stressed in his statement, addressing the participants of SECCA in Bucharest:“Gradually, it is realized that anti-Semitism is not only a problem of Jews and Israel but a universal problem of humanity as well. Many states have appointed special representatives to deal with this outrageous issue, and now in Bucharest, which is holding the rotating presidency of the European Council, the first joint meeting of the directors of European communities, ombudsmen and special representatives to combat anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia is held. We hope sincerely hope that governments will take strict steps in the fight against this shameful phenomenon.”

The first International Meeting of Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism brought together more than 30 special representatives and coordinators to combat anti-Semitism and 50 executive directors of Jewish community organizations from 44 countries.

The forum was also attended by the coordinator of the European Commission to Combat Anti-Semitism Katharina von Schurnbein; US Special Representative for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism Alan Carr; authorized by the Government of Germany to combat anti-Semitism Felix Klein; Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the World Jewish Congress Robert Singer; Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Mark Weizman; the UN Special Rapporteur on National Minorities Fernand de Varennes.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress calls on state leaders to take a firm stand and undertake necessary steps to combat this shameful phenomenon.

From 15th to 25th July, in Moldova, with the support of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, the «Nasharim» Jewish camp will be held.

The «Nasharim» is a project that has existed since 1992. Every year, Jewish youth from all over Moldova study Jewish culture, history and traditions during 10 days.

This year’s theme is “Following the Paths of Jewish History”. Participants will come to the small camp Jewish community to understand where the Jew came from in Moldova and how to develop the Jewish community.

Every day, the counselors of the Jewish community will conduct classes and events to familiarize themselves with the different “paths” of Jewish history: the path from Abraham to Yosef, the path from Egypt to Eretz Israel, the path from the Temple to the Jewish Communities and the most unfinished path, the path of the Jews in Moldova today. Characters from different eras from Jewish history will walk around the camp to help all participants feel the atmosphere of different times and hold eveningentertainment events for the participants. In addition, all participants will have various master classes and workshops.

The Moldovan government headed by Pavel Filip approved the transfer of the country’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It is about fulfilling the promise of Moldovan President Igor Dodon, first voiced at a meeting with the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) headed by Mikhail Mirilashvili. This meeting held in Jerusalem in December last year, and there Dodon promised “with all seriousness” to consider the issue of moving the country’s embassy. Prime Minister Philip expressed confidence that the decision will be implemented regardless of the results of early elections, which will soon be held in Moldova.

EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili expressed his gratitude to the country’s leadership: “This is a historic decision that will bring the relations of the two countries to a new level. Moldova forever will be remembered by Israelis and Jews around the world as one of the first country which transfer the embassy to Jerusalem. This step is logical  continuation of the policy of the Moldovan authorities to strengthen ties with the Jewish community and combat anti-Semitism. We congratulate the peoples of the two countries on this significant event and are pleased to contribute to the development x relations between Moldova and Israel. ”

EAJC Director General Haim Ben Yaakov said: “The status of Jerusalem is one of the key issues of the Middle East. The transfer of embassies to Jerusalem is a confirmation of the understanding that Jerusalem has always been the center of the spiritual life of our people, and it is impossible to imagine a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict without Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.”

The United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017 and in May 2018 moved the embassy from Tel Aviv there. Later, Guatemala also moved its embassy to Jerusalem. On September 13, 2018, the Czech authorities announced the transfer of the embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In December 2018, Australia recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Russia recognizes Western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.