New Cooperation with Nederlands Israëlitische Gemeente De Achterhoek

Yesterday, on 29 October 2019, the European Jewish Association and our partners from the Action and Protection Foundation /Hungary/ have once again travelled abroad to meet with government officials regarding the European Curriculum and Textbook Project against Antisemitism. This time, our destination has been the Slovak capital of Bratislava, situated at the very heart of Europe, in-between the Danube and Morava rivers. 

Alex Benjamin, EJA’s Director of Public Affairs, Ferenc Olti, Board Member of the Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association, and Kálmán Szalai, APF’s Secretary, have met with Maria Prekop, Director General at the Department of Minorities and Inclusive Education, and Katarína Baranyaiová, Counsellor at the Department of Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. 

During the meeting, we have had a chance to present the project, its earlier implementation process and the results achieved in Hungary, as well as discuss the Slovak system of education, particularly its emphasis on minority inclusion and social dialogue, and thus briefly touch upon the project’s compatibility with the rules and customs already in place.

It has been agreed that our proposal shall be further carefully examined by the Ministry, with a special attention towards its operational feasibility in case of potential adaptation within the national curriculum.

We greatly appreciate the forthcomingness of the Slovak authorities and the very productive discussion with Ms. Prekop and Ms. Baranyaiová. We thus eagerly look forward to hopeful cooperation with the Ministry, the local Jewish community and other partners on this important initiative.

Earlier last week, on 6 November 2019, the European Jewish Association and our partners from the Action and Protection Foundation /Hungary/ and Association “Shamir” /Latvia/ have come together to further promote the ongoing Europe-wide initiative on the European Curriculum and Textbook Project against Antisemitism. This time the meeting brought us to the Gem of the Baltics – Rīga, the enchanting capital of the Republic of Latvia.

At the meeting, where the EJA has been represented by Mihails Vorobeičiks-Mellers (Political Affairs Adviser), the APF by Kálmán Szalai (Secretary) and Shamir by Rabbi Menahems Barkahans (Chairman) and Jūlija Tereščenko (Project Manager), we have had a chance to meet with H.E. Madam Ilga Šuplinska, Minister for Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia, and members of her staff.

The meeting took place at a beautiful Jugendstil building constructed back in 1911, which the Ministry occupies since 1938. Besides the earlier Hungarian experience, the system of education in Latvia has been discussed, particularly the various curricular and extra-curricular initiatives and programmes already implemented or currently planned by the educational authorities and other entities, such as NGOs, and which are related to different aspects of Jewish studies in the country, and thus the project’s area of topical coverage.

Differently from other meetings, this one has taken place in two languages – English and Latvian. As a result, the overall tone of the conversation became somewhat more personal, with a variety of first-hand experiences having been brought up by the EJA’s representative, taken from his own school years as well as Jewish studies back home. In turn, Rabbi Barkahan has described Shamir’s very active long-time work and accomplishments in the latter field.

In the course of the discussion, several areas of possible cooperation have been identified, including on the composition of new academic materials for school pupils. Moreover, interest in potential event collaboration both in Latvia and abroad has been indicated.

We are deeply grateful to H.E. Minister Šuplinska and the Ministry of Education and Science for the interest, time and the opportunity to hold this important discussion, not to mention for being such welcoming hosts. We very much look forward to further contacts on the present initiative and other subjects of common interest and concern.

The European Jewish Association (EJA) is pleased to announce that David Lega has recently been made in charge of advocacy and is the senior adviser for Scandinavia. In this role, Mr. Lega will bring his extensive experience in politics, human rights advocacy, and leadership to support the EJA’s mission of combating antisemitism and strengthening Jewish communities across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.

Mr. Lega, a former Member of the European Parliament, has dedicated his career to defending human rights and advocating for the rights of the Jewish people and other minorities. His involvement with the EJA will focus on fostering strong ties with Jewish communities, mainstream media, and political figures in Scandinavia to promote the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and to safeguard religious freedom.

As part of his duties, Mr. Lega will also be instrumental in coordinating public events, media briefings, and strategic meetings with key stakeholders to further the EJA’s goals. His work will include advocating for legislation that aligns with the outcomes of the Amsterdam conference on antisemitism and organizing activities that highlight the importance of Jewish heritage and Israel’s contributions to global peace and security.

“I am honored to join the European Jewish Association as Senior Adviser for the Scandinavian Region. The fight against antisemitism is a cause that is very close to my heart, and I am committed to working with the EJA to ensure that Jewish communities in Scandinavia feel supported and secure,” said Mr. Lega.

EJA President Menachem Margolin expressed his enthusiasm for Mr. Lega’s appointment, stating: “We are very happy to welcome Mr. Lega as our new senior advisor for the Scandinavian Region. Mr. Lega brings a great deal of experience in political activity and diplomacy working for the wellbeing of the Jewish community throughout Europe in general and particularly in Sweden and Scandinavia. I am confident he will contribute to our organizational goals as the biggest and widest reaching Association of Jewish organizations and communities in Europe.”