EJA Advisor Oliver Bradley Honoured in Brandenburg for Dedication to Social Cohesion at Antisemitism Awareness Event

Open Letter from more than 20 leading medical professionals from Europe, North America, and Israel—including endorsements from the Global Jewish Health Alliance (GJHA) and the American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA). These experts attest to the safety, training, and health benefits of circumcision when performed by certified Jewish Mohalim, rejecting any attempt to stigmatize or criminalize the practice. The signatory Doctors cite extensive evidence confirming that circumcision significantly reduces risks of urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. It emphasizes that Jewish Mohalim are rigorously trained and medically proficient, and perform the procedure safely and with the utmost care

This week, we convened an Emergency Summit of European Jewish Leaders with our partners from numerous European countries to address the urgent state of Jewish communities following the alarming rise in antisemitism after the October 7th attack on Israel. Over the past 15 months, Jewish communities across Europe have faced massive demonstrations, thousands of antisemitic attacks, including physical assaults, vandalism, and the constant targeting of synagogues and Holocaust memorial sites. Thousands of Jewish people have fled Europe, many seeking refuge in Israel despite the ongoing war.

We have repeatedly urged European leaders to declare a state of emergency to combat these escalating waves of antisemitism. The delegation gathered in Larnaca met with key leaders in Cyprus, including President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios, members of the Cyprus parliament, and heads of the Jewish communities in Cyprus. We explored the exemplary treatment provided by the Cypriot government to its Jewish communities, the protection they offer, and the deep historical ties between the Jewish people and Cyprus.

During our meetings with Archbishop Georgios and President Demetriou, we expressed our profound concerns about the future of Jewish communities in Europe, the preservation of Jewish life, and sought their support in ensuring not only the safety of these communities but also the protection of our freedom of religion.

We were also honored to welcome esteemed guests and friends from Cyprus for a special gala event, where we presented the King Solomon Award to President Nicos Anastasiades, the 7th President of Cyprus. This award recognizes President Anastasiades’ steadfast support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel during difficult times, and his unwavering commitment to truth and moral integrity.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dear friends and partners who traveled from across Europe to join us for this pivotal summit. Your participation in these crucial discussions and your unwavering commitment to safeguarding Jewish communities in Europe are invaluable. Together, we remain steadfast in our relentless efforts to ensure the safety, security, and prosperity of Jewish life throughout the continent.

Every Day during the Corona crisis our Advisory Board Member Chief Rabbi Jacobs (NL) writes a diary, on request of the Jewish Cultural Quarter in Amsterdam,  which is published on the website of the NIW, the only Jewish Dutch Magazine. Rabbi Jacobs is the head of Inter Governmental Relationships at the Rabbinical Centre of Europe. We will be regularly publishing a selection of his informative, sometimes light hearted, but always wise pieces.
This week in the Torah Portion we cover the story of Noah. Here, the Rabbi offers his unique and refreshing take on the portion. For our Dutch readers you can follow the diary every day at NIW home page: https://niw.nl and then: scroll down.
Noah’s Ark – A Global Lockdown
At 8:10 am, its Shabbat and suddenly the power went out. That is always difficult, but especially on Shabbat because I cannot call a breakdown service (even if the phone would still work).
Water for coffee and tea in the Shabbat kettle was nicely turned on Friday evening before the start of Shabbat, the meal for Shabbat afternoon was simmering in the slow cooker… lighting, freezer and refrigerator, heating ….. Nothing worked anymore.
I went to the electrical box to see if the earth switch was to blame. But even if this had been the case, there was still little I could have done: Shabbat! And then my Reformatorisch Dagblad newspaper popped through the mailbox.
I immediately opened the door and reported my electrical problem to the delivery person.
They immediately understood the problem. “I’ll check what’s going on, because you can’t do that because of Shabbat!” He immediately went into the electrical box, could not find anything out of the ordinary and then went to see if there were also problems elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Five minutes later he was back and told me the whole neighbourhood had no power. At that moment the light came on again. How happy I was with my Reformatorisch Dagblad, which not only brings the newspaper, but also the light!
And so I went with confidence to the synagogue where the beginning of Bereshit was read, including: Then God said, “Let there be light” and there was light! For a moment I felt that the self-evident is not always so self-evident!
Next Shabbat: the story of Noah. Before the outbreak of the flood, Noah was instructed by G-d to go into the Ark. And when it was dry outside he had to leave that Ark again.
Why, the question is asked, should he be ordered to leave the Ark? It was dry anyway! The answer contains an important life lesson. In the Ark there was an atmosphere of real Shalom, similar to the period after the arrival of the Moshiach, so he did not consider leaving the Ark. Why go into the world with all its worries and misery?
But G-d clearly pointed out that isolation from society is wrong. In that world with all its trials, we have the task to serve Him by making a contribution to the society surrounding us, even if closing off would be more pleasant for us personally. So, no Jewish monasteries!
But before the flood began, Noah was instructed to just enter the Ark and shut himself off from that world. Without wanting to compare corona with the Flood, there are times when we, you and I, have to be right in the middle of the world to be ready for others. But there are also periods when we are temporarily not allowed to go outside, social distance. How long do we have to stay in? We do not know.
But just as Noah did not protest and stayed in the Ark when he was required to do so, so too we must stay in, even if we find it difficult. It is too dangerous outside. We should not play with health. This coming Shabbat this will be emphasized extra in all shuls in the world. Noah Had to Enter the Ark: The First Global Lockdown!