EAJC Leaders Meet King Felipe VI in Madrid

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress leaders took part in a session of the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee that took place in Madrid. The forum was partly related to the Spain future presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1 and either the national plan to implement the European Strategy to Combat Antisemitism for 2023-2030 that Spain also approved last month.

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress high delegation consisted of EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili and EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel, EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov and EAJC
treasurer Menachem Bushuev held a meetings in Madrid with the King of Spain His Majesty Felipe VI, the country’s Foreign Ministry, high Spain diplomacy, ambassadors accredited in Madrid as well as a group of Government commissioners to combat anti-Semitism in the UN, Council of Europe, European Union, USA and Germany.

During the Summit in Madrid EAJC leaders also held a work meetings with Russian and Ukrainian Jewish Community leaders, where the actual humanitarian emergency issues were discussed.

At the official ceremony with the King of Spain Philip VI, in the presence of the President of the World Jewish Congress R. Lauder, after pronouncing the traditional blessing received at the meeting with the monarch, and words of gratitude for the hospitality, EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili said:

“As Israel develops, the worldwide Jewish community sees the Jewish state as a source of inspiration. The long-standing dream of Israel as the center of the Jewish world, a light source for the Jewish diaspora and the peoples of the world, has ceased to be just a dream and has all the means to realize it. The stronger the State of Israel becomes, the more responsibility it bears for the safety and well-being of the entire Jewish people. It is not enough just to talk about anti-Semitism. Today, the Jewish world needs a strong, reliable and cohesive Jewish state, ready to generously share innovations, cultural and scientific achievements with the world community.

Israeli innovative technologies make the world a better place, allow solving the problems of ecology, healthcare, agriculture and food security, solving, at the same time, the refugee problem that is relevant in modern Europe. New technologies make it possible to provide poor states with the opportunity to produce enough water and food and, thus, provide the population with everything they need in their homeland. I urge Jewish philanthropists, world leaders and political institutions to join forces to solve the universal problems of humanity.”

Photo credit: WJC/Shahar Azran

Albania announces museum celebrating its citizens who rescued Jews in WWII

Albanian Culture Ministry has announced the establishment of the “Besa” Museum, a new cultural space in the heart of Tirana, which will celebrate the heroic actions of Albanians who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. According to “The Jerusalem Post”, the museum will be housed in a historic building that embodies the best of 19th-century Albanian architecture and has been designated a Cultural Heritage and Cultural Monument.

Earlier in October 2022 Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the establishment of the new museum at a gala event honoring Albanian “Righteous Among the Nations” during his visit to Jerusalem.

А design competition for architecture design proposals, funded by Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Honorary President Alexander Machkevitch, will be opened by Albania’s Culture Ministry with the goal of finding the best design solution for the museum’s construction.

“I am humbled to be a part of this important project that will memorialize the bravery of Albanians who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust,” Machkevitch said.

He added that the Albanian people, “and particularly Rama, have shown great commitment to preserving the memory of these heroic acts, and it is an honor to work alongside them. This project is a testament to the power of solidarity and compassion in the face of darkness, and I hope it will inspire future generations to continue this legacy of kindness.”

JPost also mentioned that “Besa” Museum will serve as a meeting point, a dialogue center for cultural exchanges, and beyond. It aims to be an added tourist attraction in Tirana, as well as a center for education and community engagement.

Albanian Prime Minister also pointed on inportance of this moment for “Tirana’s history, urban development, and architecture”: “I believe that we will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief from a long-standing burden of obligation in relation to our children and visitors to our country, which is related to perhaps the most glorious page of Albanian history, the rescue of Jews during WWII”, he said.

Albania is one of the few European countries in which the number of Jews increased after the end of World War II. Due to the influx of refugees, the Jewish population turned out to be more than at the beginning of the war in 1939.

EAJC values the close historical ties between the Albanian and Jewish peoples: during the 2nd World War, many Albanias were saving Jews, often risking their own lives. In this regard, the Jewish people and the State of Israel express their gratitude to the people of Albania.

In addition, an important episode in the partnership between the Albanian authorities and the EAJC was the joint evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan to Albania and then to Canada back in 2021. Emergency assistance was provided to 40 men and women by several organizations and individuals, including EAJС Honorary President Alexander Mashkevich and EAJC Chairman of the Board Aharon G. Frenkel.

EAJC Director General met with Chisinau Mayor

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov has met with the Chisinau Mayor Ion Cheban. During the conversation they discussed the preparation activities for the special events dedicated to the Holocaust victims memory and particularly to the 120th anniversary of the Chisinau pogrom as well. Another point of conversation was combating anti-Semitism and cooperation with the Jewish community of Moldova on a number of memorial and educational initiatives.

EAJC Director General took part in the 4th Kyiv Jewish Forum

The 4th Kyiv Jewish Forum (Kyiv Jewish Forum) was held online by the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine (JCU), the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), and the Center for Jewish Impact.

This year, KJF was wholly dedicated to the devastating war on the territory of Ukraine, the international support for this country, and the role of the world Jewish community in saving human lives, among which there are many Ukrainian Jews. In addition, influential speakers from around the world discussed scenarios for ending the bloodshed and restoring the post-war world.

The first day of the Forum was marked by speeches of Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog, Chairman of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine Boris Lozhkin, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, General Director of the US Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korneichuk, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Brodsky, head of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), ex-US Senator Ted Deutsch, as well as many diplomats, scientists, politicians, public and state figures of world renown from all over the world.

The second day of the Forum was attended by the Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Haim Ben Yakov; the Defense Minister of Ukraine, Oleksiy Reznikov; the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Igor Klymenko; the Minister of Diaspora Affairs of Israel, Amichai Shikli; Member of the Parliamentary Commission on Ukrainian-Israeli Cooperation, MK Zeev Elkin, former head of the Jewish Agency, activist and public figure Natan Sharansky, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Azman, alongside many diplomats, scientists, politicians, public and state figures of world renown from all over the world.

The press office of the EAJC cites the EAJC Director General, Dr. Haim Ben Yakov’s address to the organizers and participants of the Kyiv Jewish Forum:

Dear friends.

I am glad to welcome the organizers and participants of the 4th Kyiv Jewish Forum. First, I would like to thank our dear partner and friend, the First Vice-President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Boris Lozhkin, for this important ongoing initiative.

We are pleased to cooperate with the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine for the benefit of one of the largest Jewish communities in the post-Soviet space and are grateful to Boris Lozhkin for his significant contribution to Ukrainian Jewry.

Kyiv Jewish Forum has become a powerful platform among global Jewish leadership, and I am happy to represent the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress here today.

In this challenging time for the whole world and the Jewish community in Ukraine, I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who did not leave those in need without support. Our gratitude goes to all those who contributed and assisted in the evacuation of citizens to safe places, to local Jewish leaders who did not leave their communities and continued to provide the Jews who remained in Ukraine with everything they needed, to donors, Jewish organizations and leaders around the world who donated generously for the numerous needs of the war victims.

Last year, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress devoted its primary efforts to providing substantial financial and humanitarian aid to those affected by the war. At such times, more than anything else, saving lives – is our true mission and purpose.

In this complex reality, we, the leadership of the leading Jewish organizations in the world, must unite, be ready to react quickly, respond to requests, and come to the rescue when and where needed.

We must continue to strive and do whatever we can to end this deadly war. But, in a sincere hope that it will end soon, we have to consider “the day after” as well – how will the Jewish world look and whether the Jewish communal life in the region will be affected?

Therefore, this forum is an important platform that allows us to reflect on what has already been done, assess potential opportunities and risks, and discuss our next steps.

On behalf of the EAJC President, Dr. Michael Mirilshvili, and the leadership of the Congress, I salute all the forum participants and wish you fruitful work. We hope to see the practical outcomes in the nearest future.

I wish peace to all of us.

Thank you for your attention.

Peace and blessing from Israel!”

EAJC leaders met with the Minister of Aliyah and Integration

Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, and EAJC Treasurer Menachem Bushuev held a working meeting with the Israeli Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer. During the conversation, the parties stressed the importance of maintaining a continuous repatriation process and providing maximum assistance to all repatriates arriving in the State of Israel, which remains the national home for Jews worldwide.

The EAJC Director General stressed that the proposals being discussed in Israeli society regarding changes to the law of return could significantly impact the relationship of the Jewish Diaspora with the State of Israel and inter-communal Jewish life. Therefore, it is essential to create a forum/platform for a broad dialogue among the leaders of the Jewish organizations of the Diaspora with the government of the State of Israel.

EAJC Leaders Met With Israeli Diaspora Minister in Jerusalem

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress high delegation headed by EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili held a work meeting with Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli. The meeting was held in the Ministry Jerusalem office.

During the conversation Congress’ leaders told minister about the organization activities. They also described the extremely difficult humanitarian situation with Jewish communities of Ukraine and pointed to the refugees issue. Besides, the parties discussed about possible areas of cooperation.

As conclusion to the meeting EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili wished a successful term to the Minister Chikli and expressed hope for the attentive and reverent attitude of the Israeli government to communities of the Eurasian region needs. The EAJC leaders proposed an initiative of Jewish diaspora leaders forum organization with the aim of discussion and summarizing of the urgent problems of the Jewish communities of the Diaspora, including, in particular, the issue of a possible law of return changes.

EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov emphasized the importance of regular consultations between the Israeli government and the leaders of community-based organizations in the Diaspora. “Diaspora communities and the State of Israel are a single organism. The creation of such a platform will serve the unity of the Jewish people and the development of informed decisions on issues of principle for the entire Jewish people” said Dr. Ben Yakov.

“I was happy to meet the entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Mirilshvili together with the leadership of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, which carries out enormous philanthropic activity throughout the former Soviet Union, alongside extensive activity in the State of Israel. This is an opportunity to thank Michael and his team on behalf of the Government of Israel for their tremendous contribution to the strength of the State of Israel and the people of Israel”, Minister Chikli said.

EAJC congratulates Israeli ministers on the formation of the 37th government

Photo: Avi Ohayon (GPO)

The leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress congratulate the ministers of the 37th government of Israel on their inauguration. In a greeting letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili pointed out the many difficult challenges facing the new government:

“On behalf of the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and my behalf, I congratulate you on the formation of the 37th Government of the State of Israel. We wish you stable and productive work for the benefit of Israeli society and the entire Jewish World. I am convinced that your extensive experience as Prime Minister will help our State to achieve its goals.

Today, as Israel becomes more and more powerful, the worldwide Jewish community sees Israel as a great source of inspiration and pride. An old dream of a Jewish state as the center of the Jewish world, the light for the Jewish diaspora and nations of the world – is no longer just a dream. We have all the means to realize it. And we should always be aware – the Jewish world watches us with great expectations. Therefore, a responsible and balanced policy of the government concerning the diaspora is extremely important.

The EAJC, as one of the leading organizations of the Jewish world, and other Jewish leaders in the diaspora place great hopes on the new Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Minister of Aliyah and Integration. Their fresh approach to the work of their departments can give a new impetus to the implementation of one of the most vital missions of Israel as a national home for the Jewish people. At times of global humanitarian crisis, this mission becomes even more essential.

On our part, we will continue our work on securing and developing Jewish life in the Euro-Asian region and strengthening ties between the Jewish communities and the State of Israel. To be a part of this process is a great honor for us.

We hope that the 37th Israeli government will promote values of peace, plurality, Jewish unity, social justice, national identity, and Zionism, bearing in mind the bigger picture, taking into consideration our relations with the global Jewish world and playing an active part in the life of the Diaspora.

May the Almighty give us the strength to work together for the good of Israel and build a just and better future.”

Conference “The Future of Jewish Life in Post-Soviet Countries” was held online

Conference “The Future of Jewish Life in Post-Soviet Countries”, organized by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress together with Jerusalem Post was held online on December 6.

Among the participants of this conference are Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, President of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress; Aaron G. Frenkel, Chairman of the Board of the EAJC; Aharon Barak, former president of the Supreme Court of Israel; Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress; Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata; Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai; Agriculture Minister Oded Forer; MK Simcha Rothman; Alexander Ben Zvi, Israel’s Ambassador to Russia; Michael Brodsky, Israel’s Ambassador to Ukraine; Natan Sharansky, former minister and chairman of the Jewish Agency; Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, CEO of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress; Eric Fingerhut, President and Chairman of the Jewish Federations of North America; and Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and other distinguished guests.

The conference addressed the humanitarian crisis in Post-Soviet countries, which strongly affected local Jewish communities, and the challenges faced by the State of Israel and the organized Jewish World in this regard.

The Conference also marked the 30th Anniversary of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, which in early 90’s started as a small delegation of the Soviet Jewry to the World Jewish Congress right after the dissolution of the USSR.

More about the conference: future.eajc.org

EAJC General Assembly was held online

The Annual General Assembly of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress took place online on Wednesday, November 30th. The Assembly was attended by EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel, EAJC First Vice-Presidents Emmanuel Grinshpun and Boris Lozhkin, EAJC Vice-Presidents Mark Shabad, David Yakobashvili, Moshe Shvets, EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, as well as leaders of Jewish communities and organizations-members of the Congress.

The reports on the activities of the Congress in 2021-22 were presented during the Assembly. The new members and the new composition of the Board were also approved. The newly elected EAJC Vice President Matvey Hutman was officially confirmed in his office. Hutman, businessman and public figure, served as EAJC treasurer from 2015-2018. Following the outbreak of war on the territory of Ukraine, he launched a charitable initiative in Austria aimed at helping refugees with housing, initial counseling, medicine and food supplies. This year, Hutman also funded a summer vacation for Ukrainian children affected by the hostilities.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the EAJC, a special video was presented with a unique photo chronicle of the post-Soviet delegation to the World Jewish Congress in 1992.

Community leaders thanked the EAJC leadership for their well-coordinated work, support, and maximum effort in difficult times.

EAJC President Michael Mirilashvili welcomed participants of the Assembly, noting that the current difficult times have brought the Jewish community in the Euro-Asian region together “more than ever.”

“The terrible war has already brought much suffering to people and Jewish communities,” said M. Mirilashvili. – It is a serious test for all of us. It should spur us to even greater unity and mutual care. We should be concerned not only for our own lives, but also for the lives of friends, neighbors and Jews throughout the entire region. In such a difficult time, it is extremely important to care about our neighbors and try to help and support everyone we can. We need to work more together, cooperate and collaborate to save as many lives as possible. It’s time to show what we are capable of, to prove that our unity can benefit not only our people, but the entire world.”

EAJC Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel in a special address to the Assembly emphasized the important role of the Congress in global Jewish life. “For 30 years, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress has become an integral part of the Jewish world. Jewish communities in 23 countries, leaders of Jewish organizations and many more people who care about Jewish life in the region – this is the Congress. This is extremely hard but very valuable work. Especially in our days, when the world is not at peace and not stable, as it was before. Today, the EAJC works with many leading organizations in the Jewish world, with whom many projects have been implemented in partnership. Coordination and unity are key to the success of our people,” he said.

First Vice President of the EAJC, Boris Lozhkin, explained the crisis situation in which the Jewish community of Ukraine finds itself against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities in the country. “I really hope for the support of the Ukrainian community, Ukrainian Jews – both those who left and those who stayed. I hope that we will prepare joint projects with the EAJC, first of all for the communities in the cities that have suffered the most. Especially this winter and the beginning of spring, which will be extremely difficult for those who are in Ukraine,” he summed up.

Lozhkin also emphasized the importance of continuing joint scientific projects, such as the Center for the Study of the History of Ukrainian Jewry at Tel Aviv University.

EAJC First Vice President Emmanuel Grinshpun thanked the EAJC leadership for its assistance in evacuating 20 thousand Jewish refugees from Ukraine to Eastern European countries, saying, “The Moldovan Jewish community is also going through difficult times at the moment. In Chisinau and in Moldova in general, there are constant power outages. The Moldovan Jewish community has taken in tens of thousands of Jewish refugees from Ukraine. A large number of Ukrainian Jews have settled in Moldova, and we continue to support them.”

EAJC Director General Chaim Ben Yaakov announced a large-scale EAJC conference on The Jerusalem Post platform. The online forum will take place on Tuesday, December 6, and will bring together leading Israeli politicians, lawyers, officials and public figures on one platform. The theme of the conference will be the Jewish community of the Euro-Asian region.

“Of course, we would like to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Congress under more joyous circumstances, but this year raises difficult questions and requires us to take a serious, strategic approach. That is why we have organized a conference together with the Jerusalem Post on the situation in our region. We have invited Israeli politicians and leaders of the Jewish world to reflect on the future of Jewish life in post-Soviet countries,” said the EAJC Director General.

EAJC Delegation at WJC Executive Committee Meeting in Rome

Photo: WJC

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) delegation led by its President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili took part in the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee meeting that had taken place in Rome on November 21-22. The Jewish communal leaders from more than 50 countries were gathered for the first-ever formal event held by a Jewish organization at the Vatican since the founding of the Catholic Church. Its participants, including the EAJC leaders, agreed to continue the interfaith dialogue to promote humanistic values and combat the main global challenges of humanity.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder, in his earlier address in the Vatican’s Synod Hall, claimed “Kishreinu” process launch, “[which] reinforces the common future of our two people” as a “new stage in the Catholic-Jewish bond”. “Those of us here today are eager to promote our bond with the Catholic Church,” he said.

Pope Francis in his welcome speech pointed at “the task” of “our two communities of faith”: “working to make the world more fraternal, combating forms of inequality and promoting greater justice, so that peace will not remain an otherworldly promise, but become a present reality in our world,” he added.

EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili declared the willingness of the biggest international Jewish organizations to mediate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. According to Dr. Mirilashvili, since the war began, EAJC leaders have initiated a major effort to persuade the Russian and Ukrainian governments to achieve a ceasefire and begin the negotiating process.

“We continue to insist that almost no war has a legitimate excuse and the bloodshed must be stopped. As the biggest international Jewish organizations in the World, which do not have any political affiliation or stand, we are once again proposing our services as potential mediators in peace negotiations. We will continue to do everything we can, trying to prevent other potential tragedies of this war”, EAJC President said.

Also remarked Dr. Mirilashvili the rapidly changing attitude to Israel among the Islamic World. The number of public figures and religious authorities that resist the anti-Israel narrative and call for peace is increasing in Islamic World. As claimed by Dr. Mirilashvili, “we witness a truly New Middle East”.

“Huge delegation represents Israel at the Climate Change Conference in Egypt, Israeli journalists on a special conference explain the election results and political prospects to senior government officials in Abu Dhabi and many more examples like this. In general, we see how much the peace process and the rich scientific, cultural, and technological exchange lead us to incomparably more than senseless enmity. It doesn’t mean that we have to agree on everything, but it does mean that we are carrying on a civilized dialogue and can discuss our differences patiently and respectfully”, EAJC President said.