The EJA warmly thanks Federal Chancellor of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Kurz for His Excellency’s kind wishes to the European Jewry in light of the recent holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
The EJA warmly thanks Federal Chancellor of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Kurz for His Excellency’s kind wishes to the European Jewry in light of the recent holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
The European Jewish Association is proud and delighted to welcome another organisation to our growing roster of partners and communities.
We have just concluded and signed a memorandum of understanding with The Jewish community of Limburg (NIHS Limburg).
We very much look forward to work closely together to the benefit of the Limburg jewish community and European Jewry as a whole.
As a part of our #LightingEurope canpaign we are happy and honored to have EMIH Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation Executive Rabbi Slomó Köves for the fourth candle and Dr Leah Floh, Chairperson of the Mönchengladbach Jewish Community for the Fifth candle with some special words for Chanikah
You can read the translation of Dr Floh here:
My dear Jewish friends in the entire world but especially in Israel!
Dear friends and supporters!
The Jewish Community of Möchengladbach [Northrhein-Westphalia, Germany] and all Jews from throughout Germany want to wish all of you a Happy Chanukah – a festival of lights, of love, of hope and of solidarity.
Please stay healthy or return quickly to good health. Remain optimistic and always remember to support each other.
Dear Shoah survivors, dear Child Survivors: you have great capacity for resilience and with it you could infect others with your positive outlook on life.
I’m convinced that we will be able to celebrate together next year.
Am Israel Chai עם ישראל חי [the people of Israel live!], l’shana haba’ah b’Yerushalayim לשנה הבאה בירושלים [next year in Jerusalem!].
Chag Chanukah Sameach חג חנוכה שמח [Happy Chanukah Holiday!]
Amen!
It was our pleasure today to host a special Yom-Haatzmaut-Zoom conference with Israeli Government Minister TZACHI HANEGBI. Jewish community leaders from all across Europe took part, shared their thoughts and raised some questions to the minister on the issue of Israel and it’s relations to the diaspora Jews.
we would like to thank:
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Alex Luzon, B’nei B’rith Rome |
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Andrew Hilkowitz, Child Survivors Association, Germany |
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Barbara Pontecorvo, Osservatorio Solomon, Antidescrimination legal network (Italy’s Lawfare) |
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Betty Luzon, Israel Embassy Rome – permanent Civil employee |
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Daniele Toscano, publicist and journalist, Rome |
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David Seldner, a leader of Karlsruhe, Germany community |
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Diana Sandler, head of Barnim, Germany Community |
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Elio Adler, Werteinitiative eV (Values Initiative Association) leading advocate in Germany fighting for a Jewish future |
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Irina Katz, head of Freiburg, Germany community |
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Johanna Arbit Perugia, executive of Karen Hayesod (worldwide) and its former head |
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Jonathan Marcus, Limmud Germany, Jewish learning festival |
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Lala Süskind, former Head Berlin community |
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Lea Floh, Head Mönchengladbach community |
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Maya Zehden, German-Israel Association executive |
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Nathan Gelbert, former head Germany Karen Hayesod |
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Riccardo Pacifici, former head Rome community |
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Sacha Stawski, Pro Israel activist, Israel Congress founder, Honestly Concerned media monitoring |
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Sigmount Königsberg (might join late) Berlin Jewish community Antisemitism Commissioner |
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Simone Santoro, head Italian union of jewish students and young professionals |
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Volker Beck, former MP in Bundestag, leading pro Israel voice of Green Party |
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Walker Megnaghi, former head Milan Italy community |
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Vittorio Mosseri, head of Livorno Jewish Community |
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Fernando Rosentberg, chair J community of Barcelona Esther Bendahan of the J community of Madrid |
Under the auspices of Belgian MP Michael Freilich, leaders of the 3 major religions came together today in a moment of unity to promote peace and tolerance. (Photos: Michael Freilich/ BELGA)
Jewish MP Michael Freilich: “Given the tensions in our streets, the attack in Brussels, the attack on Jewish targets in Europe and the terrible suffering of war in the Middle East, I decided to take this step and invite Chief Rabbi Pinchas Padwa, Imam Nordine Taouil and priest Rik Hoet to the heart of our democracy, the Parliament in Brussels.”
The press was present in large numbers to attend the reading of a joint statement.
Rabbi Padwa: “We extend a warm call to all people of goodwill in our communities and beyond: Let us join hands, join positive forces and show unity for building a warm society – across our different ideas and beliefs. As this meeting today makes clear, this is absolutely possible.”
Imam Taouil: “There is so much more that unites us than what divides us. Let us not import conflicts from elsewhere and let our lives be guided by extreme ideas and views.
In this country, we are all fellow citizens, neighbours, friends and/or trading partners. Our fragile social fabric, especially in these anxious times, deserves to be nurtured and strengthened. The recent Abraham Accords are an encouraging step in the right direction.
Priest Hoet: “Bringing together different cultures and faiths, sharing joyful moments and building a common future are positive steps that we warmly welcome and encourage.”
Freilich concluded, “Let us strive for peace, warm citizenship and closeness, pause to remember every innocent victim, and resolutely reject and condemn terrorism.”
Rabbi Padwa asked for a moment of prayer, each in their own distinct way, to promote peace.
It’s a challenging time for Jewish communities in Europe. Anti-Semitism is on the rise as populism and the politics of the lowest common denominator are gaining traction. Our communities often need round the clock protection and our practices and customs such as keeping Kosher are under pressure from increasing political interference.
