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.test.eajc.org

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.

The past year has been extraordinarily difficult. Hard trials continue to fall on most of the mankind and the world Jewish community as well. This year, many had to experience unprecedented difficulties, realize the value of human life and once again recall eternal values.

At times like these, we realize that “peace” is not just a beautiful word. We say it often, but sometimes we forget what it really stands for. Peace is a great respect for human rights, freedom and the opinion of others. This is cooperation between people and nations, the exchange of ideas, scientific and technological progress. Peace is, first of all, humanity, mercy and the holiness of life.

It is exactly what Judaism has taught the Jewish people for centuries. Moses in the book of Deuteronomy tells the people directly: between life and death, choose life. For the sake of life and its salvation, we not only might, we are obliged to violate one of the most important commandments – the observance of Shabbat. In this case, the breach becomes compliance. It is hard to realize that such cases have become a monstrous routine this year.

Such a reverent attitude to life, responsibility for each other and readiness to help are in the very heart of the modern Jewish state’s character, which has grown on a solid foundation of several thousand years tradition. These are the foundations of our faith and life, which we can pass on to other nations.

These values ​​form the basis of our organization as well. For 30 years, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress has been taking care of the communities needs of the region, and among them, of course, the communities of the former Soviet Union countries. We supported them in the most difficult moments, we continue to support them now.

We pray for the peace and fulfill our moral duty – to help and support everyone who needs our help, being in a very difficult situation today.

In the darkest times, even when it was difficult to accept and comprehend everything that was happening around, the Jewish people did not lose their faith and did not stop praying. According to our tradition, the entire month of Elul, and especially the Ten Days between Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, is precisely a time when the Almighty is especially open to our prayers. Let us consider what we could have done better this past year and make a sincere request for peace. So that, G-d willing, the next year, 5783, would be a year of calmness, forgiveness, healing of wounds, global awareness of the great value of peace and the unacceptability of war.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress heartily congratulates you on the upcoming 5783 Jewish New Year!

Shana tova u-metuka!

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Mirilashvili

President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress

We cannot stand aside and must help the affected members of the Jewish community. In this regard, the leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress decided to create an additional fund for humanitarian aid to the Jews of Ukraine.

At the moment, we are already helping to accommodate refugees in the border regions and the Republic of Moldova. There is a need to purchase beds, blankets, warm clothes, hot meals, and organize transport. We call on everyone to donate.

Donations can be made by direct transfer to the account of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress:

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Adress: 4672552, 1, Hamenofim st, Herzliya, Israel
Bank HAPOALIM B.M.
43 Brodetsky st.,Tel Aviv, Israel
IBAN IL25-0127-7800-0000-0498-271 Account no. 498271
Branch 778 SWIFT: POALILIT

Or via our website: test.eajc.org/donate/help-ukrainian-jews

The conference traditionally celebrates the Israel’s innovation and successes and this year mainly focused on how Israel went from ‘Start-up Nation’ to Vaccination Nation’, becoming a light and a mentor to the world’s fight over pandemics.

During the Conference speakers and panelists discussed the healthcare, economic and security challenges plaguing Israel, and the growing gap between Israelis and Diaspora Jews.

You can find the full recording of the conference as well as the speech of the EAJC President Dr. Mirilashvili with a full transcript below.

“Dear colleagues and friends!

For those gathered today and for today’s Jewish generation of the former USSR it is hard to imagine the situation in which Jews of the region found themselves relatively recently. Being a minority, cut off of significant contacts with world Jewry, international Jewish organizations, and the State of Israel.

Given that the Jews who found themselves behind the “Iron Curtain” were always remembered, they were prayed for, a symbolic empty seat was left for them at the Passover table, while the struggle for the rights and freedom of Soviet Jews became perhaps the most inspiring and unifying factor for the Jewish world at the time.

Zionist ideologists, way before the founding of the State of Israel dreamed of the central role of the new Jewish state in the Jewish world. Even back then it was obvious that not every Jew in the world would decide to live in a Jewish state and therefore the question of building relations between the diaspora on the one hand and the state of the entire Jewish people, on the other would certainly arise.

One of the models of these relations is to build a politically and economically strong state, advanced in the fields of science and culture that would serve as an inspiration for the entire Jewish world. The Jewish State was predestined to become not only the “light for all nations”, but for the Jews outside of Israel as well. And if 70 years ago the young state had to fight for its existence, solving lots of internal problems, today it’s not the case, and Israel must revise its role in the relations with the diaspora.

Today Israel is already perceived as a country that brings “light to the nations” in various fields: in social field, technologies and innovations, thinking ‘outside the box’ it terms of solving the most complex modern issues. As a businessman working in many countries, I see it with my own eyes every day. The Israelis are often seen today as some miracle workers, capable of solving almost everything.

Meaning not only transformation of air into water, which one of my business companies is successfully doing, but also the transformation of yesterday’s enemies into our friends and partners. Peace treaties signed recently opened new horizons, for cultural, academic and business cooperation, tourism as well, and as for UAE and Bahrain, the Jewish life started flourishing there with renewed vigor.

Given this, the following is quite obvious for us: the stronger the diaspora — the stronger the Israel. Last week we were in Kiev, where the tragedy of Babi Yar was commemorated. A huge tragedy of Jewish people and the entire world was once more remembered. I do mean it when I say it was a tragedy for the whole world. It’s because we shall not look at the Jewish people and Jewish State separately from the rest of the world. The fate of Israel is strongly connected to the fate of the entire world. If Israel suffers — unfortunately the world suffers as well. If Israel prospers — the world only benefits from this.

Today the impact of Israel in the world is undeniably tremendous. But the Jewish diaspora gained its power as well and today it’s stronger than ever. We have to use this strength and impact wisely not only for the sake of our people, but for the sake of the entire humanity. And that’s exactly what we try to do today.

But there is a danger, that our tradition warns us of. When we succeed and things go well we tend to forget where our success comes from. We often become too proud of ourselves, we forget who we have to be really grateful for this. And finally how to use it properly. We should and even must unite and use our power for the sake of the humanity, to solve truly global problems.

And I would like to share with you one recent example. Recently we were addressed at the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress by several European leaders, who asked us to help them get refugees out of Afghanistan. At first I was surprised and thought how are we supposed to help them? Why do such powerful states turn to us and search for help? But they were right. Several Jewish leaders from different countries united to solve this issue, and helped the group of refugees to leave the country and eventually find the asylum. I was not among those who helped, but I know them personally and I’m very proud of this. It shows us once more how being united and joining forces can help us do real wonders for the sake of Jewish people and the rest of the world.

And that’s why we are here, that is our calling and our mission. So I call for you one more time: let’s unite for the sake of the humanity.

Finally, I would also like to express my gratitude to the leadership and the team of the Jerusalem Post for organizing this event at the highest level. Thank you!”

With the support of EAJC and The Jewish Confederation of Ukraine a film festival «Holocaust. We remember» was held. The festival was opened with a film of Switzerland and Germany joint production titled «When Hitler stole pink rabbit». The film tells a story of a nine-year-old girl Anna, who had to leave Berlin with her family because of Nazi persecution in 1933, leaving her favorite toy, a stuffed rabbit. 5 films produced by the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Switzerland, Germany, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Belarus, and Russia were presented during the festival, among them an animated film «263 nights», produced with the support of the EAJC, was shown.

“The Holocaust is a very difficult topic to deal with. Each of these films reveals emotional, cultural, and artistic aspects of the Shoa. In presenting new stories, facts, and perspectives we bring novelty to the topic, continue it and keep it alive. Today it is essential to present information in different formats. The visual art can help to represent the most difficult historical events”, said the EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yakov.

Right before the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of Babi Yar the book «The Righteous Among the Nations. Ukraine» was published with the support of the EAJC. Before the book’s release, the RBK-Ukraine interviewed the head of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine Inna Yoffe.

“In the terrible years of the Second World War, there were people who could not remain indifferent to the tragedy of the Jewish people. More than 2,500 of the Righteous Among the Nations are officially recognized in Ukraine. We have to pay tribute and respect to each and every one of them. Therefore it was essential for us and our colleagues from the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine to publish the book «The Righteous Among the Nations. Ukraine», which we have the honor to present today”, said Dr.Mikhail Mirilashvili, the President of EAJC.

The memorial to the victims of the massacre in Babi Yar was inaugurated on October 6. The ceremony was attended by the Presidents of Ukraine, Israel, Germany, and Albania as well as other dignitaries.

Ukraine was the first country to be visited by Israeli President-elect Yitzhak Herzog in June 2021 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the diplomatic relations establishment between the State of Israel and the countries of the FSU. During the visit, Yitzhak Herzog had a meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. With the support of EAJC, a special reception and an opening ceremony of the Jewish National Fund representation in Ukraine were held.

“Strengthening the relations between the State of Israel and the Diaspora countries is one of the focus of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. We hope that the visit of the President of Israel to Ukraine will be a good start of our cooperation for the benefit of the State of Israel and the Jewry of the Diaspora”, said the President of EAJC Dr.Mikhail Mirilashvili.

The joint prayer was organized by the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities that comprises the Jewish communities of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Dubai’s Hazzan Alex Peterfreund led the service from Bahrain and Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie joined him via Zoom.

EAJC President Mikhael Mirilashvili sent the Jewish community of Bahrain a letter, in which, in particular, he pointed out:

“The new developments in the GCC open up new perspectives of the Jewish life development and of cooperation between and mutual enrichment of the Arab and Jewish culture, as well as set new standards of the international relations on our planet. It is important to point out that your community has become one of the most important driving forces behind these changes.”

While exchanging their views later, the EAJC representative and Bahrain’s Jewish community’s leaders expressed their wish to further expand their contacts.

Mr. Ebrahim Nonoo noted, “we were honoured to have Chaim Blechman with us in person for the Selichot event. Our programs are all created with the aim of having Jews from all over the world join us virtually and it was quite a treat for us to have Chaim with us for a weekend of festivities.”

During his visit in Bahrain, the EAJC representative also held meetings with the country’s business community representatives interested in establishing strong ties both with Israeli partners and with partners of the Jewish communities in the Euro-Asian region.

The assembly was also attended by special guests Deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of the State of Israel Gary Koren and former Soviet dissident, social activist, head of the Supervisory board of Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center Natan Sharansky. The Minister of Tourism Yoel Konstantyn Razvozov addressed the assembly participants on behalf of the Israeli government.

The substantive and financial reports for 2020 were submitted within the assembly meeting, the budget for 2021 was approved and a number of essential resolutions were adopted: RESOLUTION OF THE EAJC ASSEMBLY No 1/2021, RESOLUTION OF THE EAJC ASSEMBLY No 2/2021, RESOLUTION OF THE EAJC ASSEMBLY No 3/2021

«After a challenging year when, we hope, Israel overcomes the crisis, our concerns are with our communities and their conditions. We are still willing to provide emergency assistance as quickly as possible», says the EAJC president dr. Michael Mirilashvili. He also added that the EAJC leaders have already started the active cooperation with the new Israeli government.

«I want to thank all the EAJC leaders and members for being a diplomatic link and for their continuing actions to strengthen the communication between the State of Israel and Jewish communities. Your uphill battle against the international delegitimating of the State of Israel is crucial for us», said the Minister of Tourism Yoel Konstantyn Razvozov. He also expressed his regrets that the EAJC assembly was held online for the second year in the row unlike the previous assembly meetings that were held in Israel.

Deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of the State of Israel Gary Koren stressed the importance of the cooperation between the MFA and the EAJC and announced that special events will be held to honour the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Post-Soviet states. «In light of the lobbying for reviewing the policy towards terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, the EAJC diplomatic support on the ground is crucial for the State of Israel and the MFA. We value your support and commitment to the Jewish State», said mr.Koren.

Jewish communities leaders thanked the EAJC leadership for the well-coordinated work, support and efforts during these challenging times. The Indian Jewish community leader Judah Samuel expressed the deep gratitude to the EAJC for providing care and support to the Indian Jewish community, providing matzot for Passover and ventilators during the peak of Covid-19. He also added that for the first time in the history of India a monument in honor of a foreign politician will be installed – a monument dedicated to the former Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress director general dr. Haim ben Yakov launched a new EAJC initiative: a donation will be made to installing protective infrastructure in the south of Israel. The funds will be also used to create protected spaces and bomb shelters as well as a road along the border with the Gaza Strip for the needs of the local residents, the military and security forces. The project will be conducted in the partnership with the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet LeYisrael) and the Home Front Command.

Within the assembly meeting the head of the Supervisory board of Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center Natan Sharansky and director general Max Yakover launched a project of a new memorial complex witch will be opened in Kyiv on 6 October.

During the meeting the leaders of the EAJC congratulated Mr. Herzog on his election as the President of Israel and discussed the main areas of cooperation.

As a Jewish State Israel is responsible for the Jewish communities around the world, therefore the establishment of the strong links between Israel and Diaspora need to be a priority issue. In this process it is essential to engage the leaders of the communities and organizations, since their potential is not engaged enough now. Connecting the leaders form more than 20 countries of Diaspora, the EAJC is willing to provide a platform for the stable dialogue between leaders of Diaspora communities and the State of Israel.

2021 marks 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Soviet Union. On 18 October 1991 the Soviet ambassador to Israel Alexander Bovin presented diplomatic credentials to the President of the State of Israel Chaim Herzog. Eight days after, USSR disintegrated and Russia maintained diplomatic relations with Israel as Soviet Union’s legal successor on the international stage. Over the years the State of Israel has established diplomatic relations with other Post-soviet states. It was agreed that the special ceremony will be held in honour of this historic event.

Following on the service as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the deep knowledge of the Jewry in Diaspora, the elected President of Israel Isaac Herzog supported initiatives of the EAJC leaders and expressed the readiness for cooperation between Presidential office and Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.

“On behalf of the leaders and communities of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress I welcome the leaders of the parties that formed a national unity government representing almost all the sectors of Israeli society.

Israel needs a stable functioning government more than ever, and we look forward to seeing your success.

The EAJC looks forward to cooperate with the new Cabinet to benefit Israeli society as well as bilateral relationships between Israel and Eurasian countries and Jewish communities.

We believe that Israel will continue the way of development for the well-being of its society as well as for confronting the growing surge of antisemitism across the globe.”