EAJC Update -  May 2003

 

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress






EAJC Delegation Visits USA: 
NCSJ Board Meeting
97th AJC Annual Meeting
USA, Washington, May 5-11, 2003

Conference "Correctional Pedagogic"
Kazakhstan, Almaty City, May 14, 2003

Visit of EAJC Delegation:
WJC Executive Committee Session / Meetings with Israeli Leadership
Jerusalem, Israel, May 18-19, 2003

ECJC Directors Meet
Moscow, Russia, May 23-25, 2003

Conference of Rabbis of Russia
Moscow, Russia, May 27-29, 2003

Conference of Rabbis of Russia
Moscow, Russia, May 27-29, 2003

---

EAJC Delegation Visits USA: 
NCSJ Board Meeting / Participation of EAJC Delegation
97th AJC Annual Meeting / Participation of EAJC Delegation
USA, Washington, May 5-11, 2003

On May 5-11, 2003 the delegation of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (?AJC) arrived to the U.S. capital and stayed there on the invitation of the American Jewish committee (AJC) and the National Conference for Soviet Jewry (NCSJ). The latter organization has kept its emblem after the disintegration of the USSR continuing to express the interests of the Jews of Russia, Ukraine, Baltic’s and Eurasia.

The Executive Director of the NCSJ Mark Levin, who was presiding over the board meeting, welcomed the gathered audience among whom he specifically greeted the Ambassadors of Russia and Kazakhstan.

First of all, he asked to speak the representatives of the Department of State of the USA John Becker and Stewart Jones in order to acquaint the participants with the program of the International Conference on Anti-Semitism, which the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) convokes in the summer of present year in Vienna.

Next, the President of the ?AJC Alexander Machkevich and the Secretary General of the ?AJC Michael Chlenov spoke with co-reports on the theme "State and Prospects of the Jewish Community" and answered questions. The same theme was touched upon by Michael Shtainer, the former head of Joint Representation in Moscow, who spoke on behalf of the Incorporated Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh and.

Richard Haydeman and Jane Elliport focused the attention of the gathered on the 55th anniversary of the State of Israel, and at the solemn dinner pronounced her detailed report Elizabeth Jones, the Assistant to the U.S. State Secretary for European and Euro-Asian affairs.

In M. Levin's concluding remarks, readiness of the NCSSJ was expressed for further cooperation with the ?AJC. It proved to be true the next day when, thanks to the Executive Director of the NCSJ, A. Machkevich and M. Chlenov could carry out a series of meetings with politicians of the USA. Congressman R. Vexler had dinner with heads of the ?AJC on the Capitol Hill, after that in an intensive mode there were meetings with the Director of the U.S. Council for National Security on questions concerning the European and Euro-Asian countries M. Brajza, with the second assistant to the State Secretary of the USA, Ambassador P. Lasko and, at last, with Senator S. Brownback.

This very day began the 97th annual Meeting of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), one of the oldest Jewish organizations of the USA. This organization, which accepts the Jewish leaders of the post-Soviet space as frequent and welcomed guests, every time, welcomes visitors with a sated program. The task which is tackled by the organizers of the Meeting is to enable representatives of the Jewish communities to have information on the varying world first-hand. For this purpose eminent politicians from all over the world are invited with their reports.

Andrew Baker, the AJC Director for International Relations, acquainted in detail the gathered with the extensive program and asked to speak Yury Shtern, a deputy of the Israeli Knesset, who congratulated the audience with the Independence Day of the State of Israel and characterized the situation in the country.

The official opening ceremony of the Meeting was devoted to mutual relations between Israel and the USA, to the 55th anniversary of the State of Israel and memory of the fallen soldiers in the struggle for independence. About all that were speeches by the AJC Executive Director David Harris and the Military Attaché of Israel, brigadier general Moshe Sukenik. At the same plenary session the President of the ?AJC A. Machkevich also spoke.

After the necessary procedures of re-election of the AJC leaders were closed, the participants heard substantial reports about the 350-years history of the American Jewry and problems of the Jewish identity. The following session, in which the AJC President Harold Tanner spoke, was devoted to preparation for 100th anniversary of the organization and necessity of creation of a strong financial basis for the AJC activity.

About challenges of the varying world in the political prospect spoke Senator Sam Brownback and Congressman Tom Lantos. Qualified experts reported on modern approaches to understanding the Jewish demography and continuity, on protection of the interests of Israel, about relations of the Jewish organizations with the wide public.

With special attention the participants of the Meeting listened to speeches by the Nobel Prize Winner for Peace, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the East Timor Jose Ramos-Jorta and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Robert Muller.

Special sessions were devoted to new forms of anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in the European countries, to the situation in the Near East, to the plan of peace settlement "Roadmap", about the United Nations’ role of in the modern world order, religious roots of anti-Semitism and to the inter-religious dialog and human rights.

In conclusion, Cardinal William Killer, the Archbishop of Baltimore, made the final speech "Religion as Force for Goods Force for Evil" and the participants went to a diplomatic reception.

The last two days of the general program of the Meeting were devoted to the 10th anniversary of the International Conference of the Jewish Leaders. The participants met high-ranking government officials of the USA, experts on Southeast Europe, the former Soviet Union and Latin America.

The traditional meeting of Sabbath, special comments on the theme "Moses’ Justice in the Desert as a Model of Our Time" and "The Holocaust and Modern Society" concluded the 97th annual Meeting of the American Jewish Committee.

************

Conference "Correctional Pedagogic" / Support by EAJC
Kazakhstan, Almaty City, May 14, 2003

2 months ago in Kazakhstan’s southern capital, the Almaty City, work was started on the joint project of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) and American Joint Jewish Distribution Committee (Joint) under the title of "Humanitarian Help to Children with Specific Needs in Conventional Schools". Introduction of the new techniques is taking place on the basis of the private school "Prestige".

On May 14, 2003, conference on the theme "Correctional Pedagogic" passed there. In the Conference taking part were about 60 teachers from comprehensive high schools of Almaty City and the Almaty Region. The majority of teachers were professional psychologists, logopedists, defectologists.

For a meeting with the Conference participants at the school "Prestige", there arrived President of the Association of Jewish National Organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Mitsva", the General Council of the EAJC member Alexander Baron. He congratulated the participants of the Conference and passed to them best regards on behalf of the EAJC President Alexander Machkevich and the Russian Department of “Joint".

«The Jewish people have lived for several centuries on this land», A. Baron spoke, and «we can appreciate friendship Therefore, in spite of the fact that sponsors of the project are Jewish organizations, our program provides help not only to Jewish children. We are concerned with the destiny of all the young generation of Kazakhstan».

Over the last years, teachers of elementary schools have frequently faced newly admitted children with low-level preparedness for school life. In the majority of cases, lags in development are the consequence of social and pedagogical neglect. As a result children hardly master skills of reading, writing and calculus.

All that engenders the problem of poor progress at school, that is, increases the number of children who are not coping with the school program. The project "Humanitarian Help to Children with Specific Needs in Conventional Schools " and the conference "Correctional Pedagogic" represent another step toward solving the problem in question.


Visit of EAJC Delegation:
Participation in WJC Executive Committee Session / Meetings with Israeli Leadership
Jerusalem, Israel, May 18-19, 2003

On May 18-19, 2003, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) President Alexander Machkevich carried out a number of meetings in Israel with the top officials of the Jewish State and the world Jewish Diaspora despite of the big number of acts of terrorism with which the Palestinian extremists "saluted" to the new phase of peace talks.

The EAJC Delegation arrived to Jerusalem for participation in a regular session of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress (WJC). The WJC President Edgar Bronfman welcomed the gathered audience, the Chairman of the WJC Board Israel Singer officially opened the Executive Committee session, and the WJC Secretary General Avi Beker reported to the rallied about the state of affairs in the WJC.

A. Machkevich told about achievements and plans of the EAJC, declared about the Second International Conference for Peace and Consent slated for the end of the year under the chairmanship of the President of Kazakhstan Noursultan Nazarbaev. The Judeo-Islamic Dialog was still acknowledged a priority trend with the WJC, in I. Singer's words, who after A. Machkevich told about the WJC’s relations with Vatican and the Greek Orthodox Church.

Position of the Jewish communities in Europe was characterized by the President of the European Jewish Congress Michel Fridman, who called participants to an active position as to the Governments of those European countries where anti-Semites and anti-Zionists feel themselves at ease.

The situation in Latin America was depicted by the President of the Latin American Jewish Congress Jacque Terpins and the Head of the Jewish community of Venezuela Daniel Slimak.

The problems of Israel’s security after the war in Iraq were reported by Ruth Yaron, himself a brigadier general of the Israeli Defense Forces (TSAHAL). Speeches by the WJC Vice-President Isi Leibler and the Political Department Director of the Center of Strategic Studies in Hertzlia Dr. Uzi Arad were devoted to the same question.

The adviser of the Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon for Strategic Questions, former head of the MOSSAD Efraim Halevi exposed to the participants his strategic forecasts.

During the same days, A. Machkevich, the EAJC Vice-Presidents Vyacheslav Kantor, Michael Bezelyansky and Eugeny Chervonenko, and also the EAJC Secretary General Michael Chlenov and the EAJC General Council Chairman Joseph Zissels were invited for talks by the top leaders of the State of Israel. The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the President of Israel Moshe Katsav, together with whom the EAJC delegation took part in a prayer, and the Speaker of the Knesset Reuven Rivlin discussed and supported the EAJC initiatives and plans exposed by A. Machkevich.

From the Chief Rabbi of Israel Iona Mezger A. Machkevich received a personal blessing and support of all the undertakings about which the EAJC President had told him.

At the session of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) Commission for Repatriation and Absorption chaired by Colette Avital, the deputies Roman Bronfman and Yury Shtern were unanimous in a high estimation of the EAJC’s activity about which A. Machkevich, M. Chlenov and J. Zissels spoke, despite basic political disagreements between the "left" and the "right" wings of Israeli political spectrum.

At the meeting with the Israeli Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, A. Machkevich expressed hope, that the new leaders of TSAHAL will make the long-awaited peace closer, having provided due safety of the Jewish State with its capital in the indivisible Jerusalem.

***********
ECJC Directors Meet / Participation of EAJC
Moscow, Russia, May 23-25, 2003

On May 23-25, 2003 in Moscow, in a new office building of the Russian Jewish Congress (RJC) the Chairman of General Council of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) Joseph Zissels and the EAJC Executive Director Fedor Ossinin took part in the Meeting of Directors of the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC). The EAJC President Alexander Machkevich sent his greetings and wishes of successful work by the phone to the participants of the meeting.

Jewish communities and organizations of the majority of West and East European states are represented In the ECJC. From the first years of the 1990-decade, its structure has included also a number of Russian Jewish organizations, the RJC among them. ECJC President Cobi Benatof (Italy), represent the ECJC in the Claims Conference, where he also protects interests of the Jews of the CIS who survived the Holocaust.

This now is the second meeting of the ECJC Board of Directors, held in Russian Federation. The receiving party, as well as for the first time, was the RJC, which gathered the Jewish leaders on the construction site of the Moscow Jewish communal complex "On the Hill".

During the Meeting, two basic themes submitted by the organizers in the Agenda were discussed: "The Basic Challenges Facing the Jews of Russia" and "Russia in the Current Situation: a Geopolitics’ View".

At the Saturday service, which was conducted by the Rabbi of Russia Adolf Shayevich and the Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinhas Goldshmidt, there was the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Russian Federation Arkady Mil-Man.

At the end of the Meeting its participants discussed the theme "Pan-European Cooperation - Opportunities and Chances".


Reception in Honour of the 55th Anniversary of Independence of Israel / EAJC Participation
Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan, May 27, 2003

On May 27, 2003, in the capital of Turkmenistan Ashkhabad, the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the State of Israel in Turkmenistan Shmuel Meirom offered a reception in honor of the 55th anniversary of the State of Israel Independence.

In his speech the Ambassador said, that the natural environment in Turkmenistan and Israel are very similar: there are deserts and oases. S. Meirom emphasized, that in Israel huge efforts have been made to improve the ecology, and there where there is stability, it is possible to make much. In the Ambassador’s opinion, after the change of regime in Iraq and with the beginning of a new stage of negotiations with the Palestinian Arabs there comes a new era, which can stop terrorism and bring peace to the land of Israel. S. Meirom also noted, that warm and friendly relations have been set up between Israel and Turkmenistan. Besides the Ambassador’s speech, the program of the reception included solemn opening of the photo-exhibition "Mi-Bereshit" (“From the Book of Genesis").

At the reception were present: members of the diplomatic corps of the foreign states, accredited in Turkmenistan, high-ranking staff of the ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, Turkmen and Israeli business circles.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAEA) at the reception was represented by the Chairman of the Jewish community of Turkmenistan (JC?), member of the EAJC General Council Joseph Shlochitsky. At the reception also were present: heads of the JCT structures from 5 velayats (regions) of Turkmenistan, other representatives of the country’s Jewish Diaspora and "Sokhnut” staff in Turkmenistan.

From the countries of the area, to take part in the solemn events in Ashkhabad there arrived: Chief “Sokhnut” Negotiator for the Central Asia and Transcaucasia Meir Tal, Chief “Sokhnut” Negotiator for Aliyah Ulyana Gordon, Chief “Sokhnut” Negotiator for Ulpans and Teaching Hebrew Konstantin Shveybish and Representative of "Joint" Dmitry Meredin.

*******************

Conference of Rabbis of Russia / Support by EAJC
Moscow, Russia, May 27-29, 2003

On May 27-29, 2003 in Moscow, on the initiative of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Vice-President of the EAJC’s Council of Rabbis Adolf Shaevich and the Chief Rabbi of Moscow, Secretary General of the EAJC’s Council of Rabbis Pinhas Goldshmidt, the Congress of Jewish Religious Organizations and Associations in Russia (CJROAR) and Moscow Jewish Religious Community (MJRC) there was rallied the Conference of Rabbis of Russia “Education as a Way to Self-Identification. Family, School, Community". The Conference worked under the aegis of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) and the Conference of European Rabbis (EAR) with the support of the Russian Jewish Congress (RJC) and the Ministry of Tourism of Israel, and also religious foundations "Shevut Ami" and "Ner LeEleph" (Israel), "Canadian Foundation" (Canada) and "Agudath Israel" (USA).

Official opening of the Conference was held on May 27, 2003 at 18:00 at the Memorial Synagogue on Poklonnaya Hill. That solemn event was anticipated by the traditional prayer Minha.

The CJROAR’s Executive Vice-President Anatoly Pinsky who conducted the opening ceremony, cleared the floor for the opening address to the Chief Rabbi of Russia Adolf Shaevich. In his speech A. Shaevich's characterized the scope of the problems offered for discussion at the Conference and emphasized importance of the traditional education for preservation by modern Jewry its self-identification, and also proposed the country’s Orthodox Jews to create their own association under the aegis of the CJROAR. The Conference was welcomed by: Chairman of the RF State Duma Committee for Interaction with Religious Organizations Valery Zorkaltsev, Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the State of Israel in the Russian Federation Arcady Mil-Man, employee of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchy Yakov Mikhailov, Vice-President of the Council of Muftis of Russia Damir-Hazrat Gizatullin, Vice-President of the RJC Yury Raskin, Head of Representation of "Joint" in Moscow Dov Sharfshtein, a representative of the U.S. Embassy, etc.

On behalf of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Head of the EAJC Department for Public Relations and Mass-Media Roman Spektor spoke at the solemn opening. On behalf of the EAJC President Alexander Machkevich, EAJC Secretary General Michael Chlenov, the EAJC General Council Chairman Joseph Zissels and the EAJC Council of Rabbis Chairman Yeshaya Kohen, R. Spektor wished participants of the Conference successes in achieving the purposes they put for themselves. The Head of the EAJC Department also emphasized, that the establishment in the CJROAR of the orthodox federation and prospects of its fruitful cooperation with reformist Jewish communities confirm, that the course toward interaction between various directions of Judaism, undertaken by the EAJC at the constituent congress, is being realized now in Russia.

The solemn opening of the Conference was finished by reception at the well-known Moscow restaurant "Prague" during which congratulations as to the organizers and participants of the forum sounded from representatives of the Government of Moscow, the Ministry of Tourism of Israel and other officials.

One of major results of work of the Conference was establishment of the Federation of Orthodox Jews of Russia (FOJR). As Head of the FOJR, the Chief Rabbi of Russia Adolph Shaevich was unanimously elected; CJROAR Executive Vice-President A. Pinsky was appointed the FOJR Board Chairman.

In the FOJR there was also created "Beit Din" ("Rabbinical Court"), whose Chairman became Secretary General of the EAJC Council of Rabbis, the Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinhas Goldshmidt.


- Roman Spektor, Head of the EAJC Public Relations and Media Department