EAJC - 09.03.2002

EURO-ASIAN JEWISH CONGRESS (EAJC)
Public Relations & Media Department
71 Varshavskoye sh., Moscow 113556 Russia
Phone/fax: 7-095/110-4853; /110-8611

Hearings on anti-Semitism/EAJC and Vaad of Russia

Newspaper of Armenian Jewry / EAJC and JAFI Joint Program


Moscow, September 3, 2002
Prof. Mikhail Chlenov and Dr. Roman Spektor on behalf of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), Vaad of Russia and Zionist Federation “Moriah”, invited the leaders of Russian Jewish communities and representatives of human rights organizations to hearings “Anti-Semitism today: manifestations and tendencies”.

The urgent meeting of Jewish communities’ representatives and experts in anti-Semitism and political extremism was caused by a noticeable surge of anti-Semitic actions, in particular, by openly anti-Semitic publications in printed and electronic Media.

The participants familiarized themselves with the material by EAJC Public Relations and Media Department documenting anti-Semitic manifestations over recent years and subsequent by law-enforcement agencies and public circles.

Majority of the meeting participants agreed on the necessity to declare in public about a Jewish point at view at the anti-Semitic tendency of a number of Media and to draw the alternation of Russian Federal Media Ministry leadership to this in a special address.

Particular emphasis was laid on the “Antideza” heading telecast shown by the “Moskovia” (TV 3) TV-channel July 28, 2002. Its author, Mr. A. Zhilin, an invited “scientific” adviser and dictor comment on historic, political public and everyday manifestations of anti-Semitism in an unequivocally anti-Semitic way.

A 15-minute long “well” considered video row presents a paragon of irresponsible anti-Semitic lampoon in the spirit of Soviet anti-Zionist propaganda (a video copy was kindly given to EAJC by the deputy head of Russian Federal Media Ministry Television Department on Surveillance Mrs. M. Terekhina.

The gathering decided on directing an open letter to the Russian Federal Media Minister Mr. M. Lesin with a stated concern over Russian Media and some Publishing Houses being infected with bacillas of anti-Semitism.


Newspaper of Armenian Jewry / EAJC and JAFI Joint Program

The first issue of the Armenian Jewish Community newspaper “Magen David’ is about to come out within the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) Program “Aid to minor communities”.

Jewish Community of Armenia is an EAJC full member. Community’s Head is an EAJC General Council member Mrs. Rimma Varzhepetyan.

The first issue is planned to time Rosh-ha-Shana – New 5763 Year after the Jewish calendar. This edition owes to the decision by EAJC General Council that included assistance to a scarce Community of Armenian Jews into immediate Congress tasks.

It is particularly symbolic, – said Mr. Joseph Zisels, EAJC General Council Chairman, in an interview to EAJC Public Relations and Media Department, – that Jewish Agency for Israel “Sohnut” (JAFI) has supported our decision to back the newspaper. “Joint aid of EAJC and JAFI to the Jewish Community of Armenia well demonstrates to the entire world that inseparable ties between Israel and Jewish Diaspora keep strengthening,” – noted J. Zisels.

President of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) Mr. Alexandre Mashkevich stresses the same in his New Year’s address to the readers of the “Magen David”.

A. Mashkevich is sure the first issue of the newspaper on the eve of Rosh-ha-Shana will become an excellent New Year’s gift to the Armenian Jewry.

EAJC President underlined the decision of EAJC to support the edition is not only a charitable donation, but also a contribution into the future of one of the oldest Jewish communities all over the world.

A. Mashkevich is convinced the “Magen David” will always harbour news from Israel and Jewish communities of Diaspora. EAJC President also wished the “Magen David” newspaper to become a Jewish voice in the dialogue with the people of Armenia which fate is much alike with the Jewish one.

In conclusion, A. Mashkevich greeted Jews of Armenia with a New 5763 Year and wished them happiness, health, confidence in the future.

Alongside with the New Year’s address by President of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), the newspaper of Armenian Jewish Community “Magen David” publishes a joint photo of Alexander Mashkevich and Mr. Salai Meridor — Head of Jewish Agency for Israel “Sohnut” (JAFI). This photo, according to Head of Jewish Community of Armenia R. Varzhepetyan, is a sign of Armenian Jewry’s gratitude to EAJC and JAFI for their help owing to which the newspaper will regularly reach readers.

 - Roman Spektor, Head of the EAEK Department on Public Relations