FOUNDATION “EURO-ASIAN JEWISH CONGRESS” STARTED WORKING IN RUSSIA

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The grand opening of the Foundation for social and cultural projects development “Euro-Asian Jewish Congress” in Russia took placing Moscow on October 28th.

The opening began with a moment of silence for the victims killed during the heinous act of terror at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh (USA). The EAJC leadership and guests expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims and outrage against this act of terror and antisemitism.

Combating antisemitism and xenophobia is one of the most important objectives of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. In the beginning of the opening ceremony EAJC President Mr. Mirilashvili expressed his gratitude to the Russian leaders for the uncompromising condemnation of antisemitism that allows the Jewish communities and organizations to carry out activities freely. “We remember that it was not always like this. But today, Russia can be an example for combating antisemitism. We hope that no geopolitical issues will change this approach,” – said the head of EAJC.

According to the EAJC President, over the past two decades there has been a significant change in the international status of Russian-speaking Jews. “We were able to move from the periphery to one of the central places in the Jewish world,” – noted Mikhail Mirilashvili.

The meeting was welcomed by the Executive Vice-President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) Robert Singer, who also spoke on behalf of the WJC President Ronald S. Lauder while Mr. Lauder was in Pittsburgh. Among the speakers were Ambassador of Israel to the Russian Federation Harry Koren, Chairman of the EAJC and WJC Vice-President Aaron Frenkel.

One of the priorities of the Foundation ‘EAJC’ in Russia is to educate the younger generations. The Chief Rabbi of Russia, Berl Lazar, also spoke about this matter: “Raising children has always been the main goal of our people. On the former Soviet Union territory there are many communities that are unable to support educational programs themselves. And I am glad that the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress takes on this task too.”

CEO of the EAJC Dr. Haim Ben-Yakov spoke about the launch of Sunday Schools network in the Euro-Asian region, where Jewish youth will be able to study traditions, culture and history. In addition, within the framework of Jewish Diplomacy Corps, which also began its work in Euro-Asian region, EAJC plans to develop dialogue with civil societies, invite journalists to Israel in order to show and tell the truth about the Jewish culture, overcome prejudices.

Russia plays a special role in the EAJC activities. It houses the largest Jewish community in the Euro-Asian region. According to EAJC First Vice-President Teimuraz Khikhinashvili, the EAJC regularly supports such major projects in Russia as Hillel and Limmud. Last year the EAJC concluded a number of important cooperation agreements. Among those are agreements with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FCJR), the Israel-Russia Business Council and the Republic of Tatarstan within the framework of the Jewish Music Festival in Kazan.

Bella Waldberg, CEO of the newly-established Foundation ‘EAJC’ in Russia, spoke about other projects and objectives of the Foundation. Among those are:

  • Support of ‘The Memory of the People’ festival organized by the EAJC together with the Union of Jewish Students and dedicated to  preserving the memory of the Second World War and the Holocaust tragedy
  • Support of the Pechersky Foundation to promote and expand the international presentation of the Oscar nominated movie “Sobibor”
  • Establishment of the Center for Jewish Law that opens this year at the Moscow State University
  • Support of the Annual International Conference on Jewish Studies – a large-scale event in the world of academic Judaica
  • Publication of documents on Soviet-Israeli relations in the 1954-1967 period – a completely new project, supported on intergovernmental level in Russia and Israel
  • Support of the organizations of Former Prisoners of Fascism
  • Support of the publication of “The Book People in the Book World” magazine (detailed descriptions of Russian-language books on Judaism, Jewish philosophy, history and tradition)
  • Support of the Russian Union of Jewish Students
  • Participation in the Kesher project, aimed to improve the status of women and development of their leadership potential.

Next year, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Foundation plans to strengthen its activities in Russia and welcomes new partners.

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EURO-ASIAN JEWISH CONGRESS EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED IN PITTSBURGH

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Euro-Asian Jewish Congress expresses condolences to the families of victims killed in Pittsburgh. The leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Jewish communities all over the world and Israel are shocked by the heinous act of terror that unfolded this Saturday, October 27, at the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This event is one of the most tragical in the history of the Jewish Diaspora in the United States.

President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Mikhail Mirilashvili:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all the people of Pittsburgh. Today, Jews around the world mourn with them and pray for the recovery of the wounded. We are horrified by this outrageous act of anti-Semitism.”

A man opened fire inside the synagogue of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to media reports, at least eleven people were killed, including three police officers. The attacker is under arrest. He was injured during a shootout with the police. The attacker opened fire after yelling “All Jews must die!”

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New President of the Jewish Community of Montenegro

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Dear Mr. Raicevic-Lewy,
On behalf of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, I have the honor to congratulate you on your election to the presidency of the Jewish community of Montenegro. In recent years, we have witnessed the active development of the Jewish community in your country. We believe that you will successfully continue the work started by our common friend, the late Jasa Alfandari. The restoration and strengthening of the Jewish community of Montenegro is of paramount importance for  the entire Jewish life of Balkan region.
For my part, I hasten to assure you that, as before, you can count on the active support of the EAJC.
It is symbolic that your election to a new post took place on the eve of your 60th birthday. This is an excellent opportunity to congratulate you and wish you success on your new important and honorable duties!
With respect and best wishes,
EAJC President
Mikhael Mirilashvili

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We express our deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of Yasha Alfandari

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On behalf of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, we express our deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of Yasha Alfandari, as well as to the entire Jewish community of Montenegro. Mr. Alfandari devoted many years of his life to the revival of the Jewish community of his country. He became a true friend of the people of Montenegro, a man who managed to become a link between this young country and the State of Israel. This is a hard day for Jews of the entire Balkan region. We will do everything that depends on us that the vision of Mr. Alfandari – the revival of Jewish life in Montenegro – will continue.

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The EAJC welcomes the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council’s joint statement

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At the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 38th session in Geneva Hungary led and delivered a joint statement on behalf of 21 co-sponsoring nations, denouncing anti-Semitism as a serious problem extending beyond the Jewish community, and calling on the international community to take concrete measures to combat the phenomenon.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress welcomes the adoption of the joint statement and expresses its gratitude for recognizing the urgency and importance of this crucial initiative. In recent years we have witnessed growing anti-Semitic sentiments, including Eastern European countries, where there are numerous acts of vandalism, loud anti-Semitic statements and attempts to justify Nazi accomplices to downplay their role in exterminating Jews during the Holocaust.

It is important that the international forum, such as the UN Human Rights Council, turned its attention to the growing wave of anti-Semitism, a problem that concerns not only Jews. We regard this statement as a step in the right direction and we are grateful to the initiators of the initiative, as well as the representatives of the countries that expressed their support.

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EAJC and Hillel agree to expand cooperation

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A meeting was held yesterday, June 27, 2018, between the president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Michael Mirilashvili, and the president of the Hillel organization, former congressman, Eric Fingerhut. Mr. Fingerhut thanked Mirilashvili for his contribution to the development of Jewish communities in general, and Hillel’s projects in particular. The Hillel president described the activities and objectives of the organization and asked EAJC to increase its cooperation with Hillel.

The EAJC President thanked Mr. Fingerhut for the visit, and noted that Hillel’s work with Jewish youth is invaluable. “What you do for Jewish youth is great. The results that Hillel has to show are impressive. We are happy to support your activities, and work together in the Euro-Asian region,” Mirilashvili said.

In addition, the EAJC President noted, “At this moment, US President Trump is one of Israel’s greatest friends. At the same time, he does not enjoy the support of American Jews. This needs to change.”

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Keren Hayesod Expands To Euro-Asia, Appoints Mirilashvili As New President

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The Orient Hotel in Jerusalem hosted a gala dinner last night, June 24, 2018, in honor of Natan Sharansky, organized by the World Council of Trustees of the Jewish Agency and the Keren Hayesod ‘Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal’ Board. The event announced the establishment of the post of President of the Keren Hayesod in Eur-Asia and the appointment of the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, to this post. The Keren Hayesod plans to significantly expand its activities in the Euro-Asian region in the near future, in response to significant demographic changes. Mirilashvili is one of the most benevolent philanthropists supporting the activities of Keren Hayesod, and also holds the post of Vice-President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC).

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the “Jerusalem Defender” Award (Magen Yerushalayim) to Natan Sharansky, leaving the Jewish Agency after nine years as chairman, for strengthening the status of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people in the international arena. Presenting the prestigious award to Sharansky were the Chairman of Keren Hayesod-UIA World Board of Trustees David Koschitzky and the newly appointed president in Eur-Asia, Dr. Michael Mirilashvili. Last year Mirilashvili, and businessman and philanthropist Alexander Mashkevich, were the first awardees of the “Jerusalem Defender” Award, at a ceremony held in Toronto in the presence of Jewish leaders from around the world and 43rd US President George W. Bush.

Dr. Michael Mirilashvili said, “I am thrilled and proud to accept the post of President of Keren Hayesod in Eur-Asia. It is exciting that along with the appointment, I had the honor of presenting the “Jerusalem Defender” Award to Natan Sharansky, a man who did so much for the Jewish people in general, and for Jews from the former USSR in particular.  Mr. Scharansky is a model of heroism and self-sacrifice and has united Jews from all over the world- secular and religious, Israelis and their brothers in the global Jewish community.”

The Board of Trustees of the Jewish Agency has just elected the head of the parliamentary opposition in the Knesset, Yitzhak “Bougie” Herzog, as the new head of the organization, replacing Sharansky, the legendary “refusenik.”

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EAJC President Summarized Year’s Accomplishments at WJC Executive Committee Meeting

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The World Jewish Congress executive committee gathered in Prague this week for its bi-annual meeting, to discuss the pressing issues facing their communities around the world. A central event was the speech of  EAJC President, Mikhail Mirilashvili, in which he told the audience about the achievements of the organization for the year since his election to the position, and shared his plans for the future.
The Euro-Asian region is distinguished by the diversity of countries and Jewish it represents, but the EAJC seeks to unite them as part of the broader Jewish World while preserving the unique identity of each community.
 “We see ourselves as part of a global Jewish community and, at the same time, we understand the uniqueness of the Jewish organizations, members of the EAJC, differing in their mentality and culture.The structure of our organization includes both large Jewish communities with significant resources like Russia and Ukraine, where coordination of efforts and positions between numerous Jewish organizations are required. In addition, we work with small communities like Jewish community of Armenia, Tajikistan and the Balkan region, where we have to support essential programs and projects,”  Mirilashvili said.
Israel plays an important role in the EAJC’s activities. The Congress cooperates with the Jewish state and pays special attention to the communication of its member communities with Israel.
 “We believe that the State of Israel is the center of the Jewish world and a source of pride for all Jews.Our efforts are aimed at clarifying the importance of its war against terror. We established strong contacts within the Institute of international Relations in Moscow, the center for the training of diplomats for many countries of the former Soviet bloc.  Together, we hold forums to explain the position of the State of Israel. We thank the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassadors of Israel in the country members of the EAJC for this cooperation, ” said the president of EAJC.
Additionally, together with the World Jewish Congress, the EAJC has expanded the activities of the Youth Diplomatic Corps and various community security programs in its region. We’ve managed to restore activities at the Union of Jewish Students, to support special projects of the Hillel organization, and to expand the work of the Limmud project. Another important achievement is an increase in the participants in the Taglit program coming from EAJC communities. A new large program of Sunday schools will soon start functioning in all countries of the region.
Meetings of the WJC Board are held annually, and the WJC Plenary Assembly, attended by delegates from all affiliated Jewish communities and organizations, meets once every four years. The Assembly selects the governing structures of the WJC and determines the further policy of the Congress. EAJC President, Mikhail Mirilashvili, is a member of the WJC board, and the head of the EAJC board, Aaron Frenkel, is vice-president of the WJC.

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EAJC greetings to the delegates of the MWU 28th Congress

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The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress welcomes 350 leaders from 40 countries, leaders of Jewish communities and leading businessmen from all over the world: participants in the 28th Congress of the Maccabi World Union.

We especially want to support the Union of Sports Clubs of the CIS and Baltic “Maccabi”, which is a member of the EAJC.

We wish the participants of the Congress productive work and a successful preparation for Maccabi Games.

 

Mikhail Mirilashvili, President of EAJC

Dr. Haim Ben-Yakov, CEO of EAJC

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Happy Shavuot!

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Dear Friends,
Torah is the basis of Jewish life, the foundation of our spirituality and culture, our art and ethics.
On the Shavuot holiday, we celebrate the day God gave the Torah to the entire Jewish nation assembled at Mount Sinai.
It is the most pivotal event in the history of the Jewish people, who after long and hard years of slavery, became a unified nation with a powerful mission given by God.
Happy Shavuot!

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