Jewish community of Montpellier

“I call on the Foundazione to remove all of the elements of this installation. Linking the themes of money and power to Jews and Israel is pure antisemitism, however artful it professes to be,” EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin. 

(Brussels 13 September) A number of Jewish and Israeli visitors to the Fondazione Prada in Venice have been left offended at an exhibition with clear antisemitic undertones that is on display.

The Fondazione is exhibiting an installation by Christoph Büchel, entitled “Monte di Pietà” which, according to the Fondazione “is a deep dive into the notion of debt as the root of human society and the primary vehicle by which political and cultural power is exercised.”

The installation includes documents, historical and contemporary artworks related to property history, credit and finance. Amongst these are previously classified documents from the British Government relating to ‘war bonds’ loaned to the then state of Palestine, there are also two bags of cement with Hebrew writing on them amid mangled concrete, and a monitor displaying images of the Gaza and Lebanese borders, as well as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, behind this monitor is a postcard in Hebrew with Lord Balfour’s head, and the November date in which the Balfour declaration was signed.

The Brussels-based European Jewish Association, that represents hundreds of Jewish Communities across the continent, and which is actively engaged in combatting antisemitism, was made aware of the content by numerous sources – all Jewish – who felt that the exhibition had all the hallmarks of antisemitism, and rehashed tropes of powerful Jews, and that the concrete suggested that Israel was profiting from destruction. Those who saw the exhibition also felt that that the war bonds documents and the Balfour postcard suggested the exhibition sought to link the creation of the State of Israel as a sordid, secret and financial matter.

The Chairman of the European Jewish Association, Rabbi Menachem Margolin said today in a statement,

“The parts of this installation that bring Israel into focus are clearly suggesting that Jews and Israelis have the money and the power, and that any wars whether Gaza, Lebanon or in the creation of the state of Israel have all been to the Jewish financial interest.

“This installation, however subtle it may try to be, is simply rehashing some of the oldest antisemitic tropes. What makes this particular installation even more sinister is that it attempts to wrap these tropes under the mantle of “art”, for people to stop and consider and ponder. It seeks to convey an idea that is antisemitic at its very root, in the same one that one stops and absorbs a famous painting.

“This is extremely dangerous and irresponsible given the record rises of antisemitism as a result of the October 7^th Massacre and the ongoing war in Gaza.  

“I cannot understand how the Fondazione Prada failed to see the clear antisemitic tropes on display in this installation. Whether they did or did not is neither here nor there, every Jew and Israeli who saw the installation knew exactly what it was conveying because we have seen it throughout our history.

“I call on the Foundazione to remove all of the elements of this installation. Linking the themes of money and power to Jews and Israel is pure antisemitism, however artful it professes to be.”

Ends

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will celebrate Chanukah on Monday 19 December  by lighting the flame on a large menorah in front of the European Commission’s headquarters in the Brussels EU quarter.

As part of the cultural agenda of Brussels, the city’s Mayor Philippe Close will light the second candle of Chanukah.

The event is  seen as a strong sign for the European Jewish community in the wake of the EU’ clear commitment to ensuring a Jewish future and fostering Jewish life as laid out in the EU Commission’s new strategy for combatting resurgent antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in Europe.

European ambassadors and civil servants are expêcted to attend the event.

The lighting, which is organized in partnership with the European Jewish Association and the City of Brussels, will take place on Monday at 18:00 on Schuman Square and will be followed by a concert from the singer Haim Tzvi.

Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, is one of the most popular Jewish holidays worldwide. Candles are lit over 8 days to remember the miracle of one day’s worth of oil lasting eight following the reconsecration of the Temple in Jerusalem. Its message of hope, light and emancipation resonates are universal and timely. Celebrations worldwide are attended by heads of states who often light their own candles.

In addition to Monday’s lighting, Chanukah will also be celebrated the next day in the European Commission with the presence of the European Commissioner Janez Lenarčič, honoring Hias Europe, the world’s oldest refugee organisation, first established in the 1880s to help Russian Jews fleeing from pogroms resettle in the United States. Since then, HIAS Europe has had a strong presence throughout Europe, resettling hundreds of thousands of European Jews fleeing from violence and conflict. Today, HIAS Europe is a global humanitarian organization with thousands of employees in 22 countries dedicated to helping forcibly displaced persons, irrespective of their background. During more than a century of activity, HIAS Europe has helped more than 4.5 million people escape persecution worldwide »

EuroChanukah is organised every year by the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC).

This evening, members of various European institutions, alongside representatives from Jewish communities across the continent, gather for the annual EJA Rosh Hashanah reception with a special thanks to European Jewish Association Senior Advisor, Ruth Daskalopoulou Isaac. The event is filled with vibrant conversations, reflecting on the essence of Jewish life in Europe as communities come together to mark the approach of Rosh Hashanah.

Distinguished speakers include:
• Rabbi Menachem Margolin (@menachemmargolin), European Jewish Association (EJA) Chairman
• H.E. Sophie Wilmès (@sophiewilmes), European Parliament Vice-President
• H.E. Ambassador Haim Regev (@israelineurope), Head of Mission of Israel to the EU & NATO
• Nehama-Dina Uzan (@ejcc.eu), European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) Programme Director
• Katharina von Schnurbein (@europeancommission), European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life
• H.E. Ambassador Bálint Ódor, Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU
• Kálmán Szalai, EMIH Presentation of Jewish Life in Hungary
• Rabbi Avi Tawil (@tawils28), European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) Director, who leads the Shofar blowing.

The evening features a special exhibition, and the aroma of traditional Rosh Hashanah foods—like apples dipped in honey—fills the air, symbolising the hope for a sweet and prosperous new year. As the speakers address the importance of unity, identity, and culture within the Jewish diaspora, attendees have the opportunity to reflect on their shared traditions and strengthen their connections across Europe.

This reception offers not only a festive celebration but also a moment of meaningful reflection as the Jewish community prepares for the High Holy Days.