RJC Monitor - 09.26.2003

 

The Russian Jewish Congress

Dear Friends and Colleagues!

Please accept our cordial congratulations on the occasion of Rosh ha-Shana!

These days, tradition teaches us to review what we have done and not have done during the departing year, to recall the good and bad, the joyous and sad events that made up the outgoing year

It was not an easy year for Russia and the State of Israel, for our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. But there were not a few memorable joyful events and new promising initiatives as well. May all that was bad in our lives be gone with the past year, and all that was good stay with us in the new one!

We wish you all good health and success in all your undertakings. May the New Year be kind and sweet for you. Shana tova u-metuka!

Appeal of the Russian Jewish Congress

Compatriots!

Little time remains till Election Day when the people of Russia will decide who will represent them in the country’s parliament. We can bring to power people who will work for the good of Russia, or give power to those intent on destroying the country for the sake of their ambitions.

Each one of us makes his or her choice. We shall be voting for the Right, the Left or the Center, for those who want to continue the reforms or those wishing to revive the traditions of the recent past, for the party of the authorities or the opposition. We are free to decide whom to vote for. But can we, conscious of the future of our children, cast our votes, mindlessly, for those who, having learnt no lessons from the disintegration of the Soviet Union, are ready to stake Russia in a new civil war?

Among the candidates there are people who espouse the most extreme views. These are, first and foremost, members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. The number two position in the list of the Russian Communist candidates belongs to the ex-governor of Krasnodar Region, Nikolai Kondratenko, who publicly declares his animosity to the “non-Russians.” To give him this position is a deliberate decision of the leadership of the party headed by Gennadi Zyuganov, whose works and speeches contain direct parallels with Main Kampf.

Russian Communists, who claim to be the heirs of one Jew, Marx, one German, Engels, and one committed internationalist, Lenin, not only discarded the principles of proletarian internationalism, but have actually adopted the worst form of nationalism—great power chauvinism. It is an ideology that paved the way to the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, and the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991. Now these people are prepared, if they gain power, to lead Russia, a country of many nations, toward the third collapse in one hundred years. Is this not too much for one country?Our Motherland?

We are not urging you to support or oppose any party. We only hope that you will be prudent in your choice. It will determine the kind of country we shall have December 8. Be vigilant!

Partnership for Israel

On 24 September, Rabbi Dovid Karpov of the Moscow Darkei Shalom community blew the shafar “to set the tone,” as he put it, for the special session of the Presidium of the Russian Jewish Congress, the Conference of Presidents of the Leading Jewish Organizations and the Committee of Solidarity with the People of Israel. The Israeli Ambassador to Russia Arkady Mil-Man echoed the rabbi’s greetings on the coming Jewish New Year.

Taking part in the special meeting at Moscow’s Memorial Synagogue in Poklannya Gora were delegations representing Jewish organizations from the United States--AIPAC, NCSJ, and the American Jewish Congress.

Newton Becker, an American philanthropist who funds several programs in support of Israel, made a comprehensive report about various activities of American organizations for Israel. He also touched upon the complex situation in the Middle East and problems arising from the misunderstanding of Israeli policy in several countries. Mr. Becker concluded his speech by appealing to the Russian Jewish community to step up their defense of the interests of the Jewish State.

Another American speaker, NCSJ Executive Director Mark Levin stressed the need for closer cooperation between American and Russian Jewish communities, and expressed the hope that ties between their representatives will become more productive in the future.

Defense of Israel’s interests is the top priority of the Russian Jewish Congress for the simple reason that about one million former citizens of the USSR live in Israel today, said RJC President Evgeni Satanovsky in reply. Speaking about concrete activities in this direction in Russia, he stressed, in particular, the work of the Institute for the Studies of Israel and the Middle East, which he heads. Reminding those present of the action of solidarity with the people of Israel organized by RJC last year, Mr. Satanovsky mentioned that three graduates of the Center of Jewish Studies and Jewish Civilization at Moscow State University, were recently accepted in the Russian diplomatic service and went to work in Israel.

Prominent Moscow entrepreneur Simon Yusufov was introduced to those present as a new member of the RJC Presidium and the Board of Directors. Member of the Russian Academy of Education, Prof. Vladimir Sobkin, and famous Moscow television and radio journalist Vladimir Solovyov also joined the Presidium and the Public Council of the Congress.

Moscow Community Celebrates Jewish New Year

Some 1,500 people joined leaders of the Russian Jewish community at the Rosh ha-Shana. Gala organized by RJC on September 25. The reception, which took place at the Zurab Tzereteli Art Gallery in Moscow, drew major Russian businessmen, politicians, ranking diplomats, members of the scientific and artistic communities, leaders of different religious confessions and Jewish community organizations.

Apples and honey were served to the arriving guests inside a huge bronze apple set in the center of a huge atrium at the gallery. Among the first to taste the ceremonial delicacies was Vladimir Resin, deputy mayor of the city of Moscow.

After the opening address by RJC President Evgeni Satanovsky, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Arkady Mil-Man read the letter of greetings by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

This year, preparations for the Rosh ha-Shana involved people from all walks of the Moscow Jewish community. The capital’s foremost restaurants and caterers provided food and beverages for the reception, evidently trying to impress the guests with the quality of their specialties. Taking part in the entertainment program, called “Together for 200 Years,” were Iosif Kobzon, Mikhail Zhvanetsky, Maxim Dunaevsky and Andrei Makarevich, among other celebrities. Popular television host Vladimir Solovyov directed the show.

All performers and caterers donated their services to the community.