ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 1 -

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 2 - ABOUT EJF ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 3 -

EJF Advisory Council Members

CHAIRMAN ADVISORY COUNCIL Moshe Kantor Albert Aflalo Rolf Golombek Alexander Oscar Gabriel Steinhardt SECRETARY GENERAL The Jewish Community of Luxembourg The Jewish Community of Norway The Shalom Organization of in Jewish Community of Lisbon President President Bulgaria President Ariella Woitchik President Yohan Benizri Ishak Ibrahimzadeh Arkady Suharenko The Coordinating Committee of The Jewish Community of Petr Papoušek The Jewish Community of Latvia TREASURER Belgian Jewish Organisations President Federation of Jewish Communities in President Vladimir Kantor President Alla Jakobson President Aurel Vainer Yaakov D. Bleich The Jewish Community of Estonia The Federation of Jewish Communities Jewish Confederation of President Leslaw Piszweski of Romania Chief Rabbi The Union of Jewish Communities in President Boris Cerin Ognjen Kraus President The Jewish Community of Slovenia The Coordinating Committee of the The Board of Deputies of British Jewish Judovska Skupno Jewish Communities in the Republic Igor Rintel President Board Director of Federation of Jewish Communities in President Slovakia Aron Verständig Vladimir Chernitsky President The Jewish Community of Union of Belarusian Jewish Public Faina Kukliansky President Associations and Communities Jewish Community of Lithuania Berta Romano-Nikolikj President Chairman The Jewish Community of Macedonia Herbert Winter President Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities Jakob Finci Yaron Nadbornik President Jewish Community of Bosnia and President of the Central Council of the Dan Rosenberg Asmussen Herzegovina Jewish Communities in Finland The Jewish Community in Denmark Ami Yeshurun President President The Jewish Community of Cyprus President EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 4 - ABOUT EJF ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 5 -

Dear Friends,

In the modern age, the concept of community is no longer restricted to a shared work place, religious gathering or social interaction. Community today takes on new meaning, one shared across and within continents, in physical spaces and in virtual ones.

The Jewish imperative of philanthropy, looking after our communities, providing them the building blocks to enable development and local and self- sustainability, must also look beyond older models and embrace the wider concept of community assistance.

This is what the European Jewish Fund seeks to do, to look at the broader picture, to seek to build within and across communities, to encourage creativity and to provide the fi nancial resources to new and important Jewish projects in .

Solidarity is our Solidarity is our responsibility as Jews, in the traditions and values we learned from responsibility as Jews, our forebears. Our role is to continue and in the traditions and enhance and to pass this message on to those who come after us. values we learned I thank all our grantees for enabling the from our forebears. European Jewish Fund to be part of this “ Jewish life in Europe and encourage you to provide further opportunities for us to assist all our communities in our collective mission.

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COMMUNITY BUILDING CULTURE & HERITAGE RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP

14 Nisayon (Ukraine) 34 Empowering vibrant Jewish 42 Haver Srbija – communities in Europe via Educational program for 16 Annual Forum of Estonian Jewry Moishe House students and teachers “Jahad” 2018 (Estonia) “Knowledge=tolerance” (Serbia) 36 Famous Faces from Jewish 18 Summer U (EUJS) Places (Belarus) 44 College Hadracha Academy / Generation Next (Turkey) 20 Limmud (Czech Republic) 38 Mitzvah Day (UK) Contents 46 Moadon – the right camp for 22 Limmud Hungary Jewish children – building identity (Slovakia) 24 Help them help us campaign for elderly Jews (Estonia) 38 48 Jewish Education & Youth (Portugal) 26 LJC & EJF Mini Limmud 08 About the European Jewish Fund 50 Make it Happen Initiative 28 Chaverut (Norway) (Denmark) 10 Mission 30 Development of Hasmonea 52 EJF Leadership Programme 11 Objectives Jewish sports Club. Jewish Sports 2017/2018 (Paideia Institute: Education and Sports Activities European Institute for Jewish for Members of small Jewish Studies) Communities of Poland 56 TAU Kantor Centre for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry ()

58 EU Activism Seminar (EUJS) 22 64 SHOAH MEMORY 62 Austrian Delegation for the March of the Living 2017 (Austria) 64 75th Anniversary of the Liquidation of the Ghetto 20 (Belarus) EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 8 - ABOUT EJF ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 9 -

About the European Jewish Fund

The European Jewish Fund (EJF) was founded in February 2006 by Moshe Kantor to help strengthen Jewish life and identity throughout Europe. Moshe Kantor firmly believes that assimilation is an existential and urgent threat to European Jewry, and must be addressed through programmes that reconnect Jews with Jewish life and values.

The EJF focuses especially on young people and connecting them to their Jewish peers. It supports a range of educational and leadership programmes that reinforce Jewish identity, and foster pride in religion, culture and sense of community.

The supported projects are often dedicated to educating our young people about Jewish achievements in all aspects of life, ranging from culture to science to medicine. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 10 - ABOUT EJF ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 11 -

> Promoting respect, tolerance and cooperation between people of different Mission national, cultural, ethnic, racial and/or religious backgrounds or affiliations.

> Supporting organizations and Promoting Jewish Identity institutions involved with Holocaust remembrance. The European Jewish Fund, initiated by Moshe Kantor, is committed to > Securing human rights throughout strengthening Jewish identity. Its Europe as stipulated by the International activities develop national pride Bill of Human Rights of the United and reinforce Jewish identity within Nations, the European Convention on communities. The EJF highlights and Human Rights and help implement celebrates Jewish individuals and their the “Let My human rights programs, including those remarkable contributions to European People Live!” international forums. in cooperation with UNESCO. and global society and culture. To date four of these forums have been held, the last two in cooperation with the Objectives > Developing closer ties between Bringing Jewish Communities Together President of the : European Jewry, and its communal institutions, with the State of Israel. The EJF is a unique platform for January 2005 – The first forum, in Krakow, donors and community leaders to commemorating the 60th anniversary of > Fostering educational, cultural come together to discuss and analyse the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Association is established to pursue and welfare related programmes and the needs of European Jews. Annual the following objectives: activities for the benefit of Jews across EJF Advisory Council meetings foster September 2006 – The second forum, in the world, including the State of Israel. dialogue between Jewish communities, , marked 65 years since the atrocity > Assisting Jews and Jewish Communities with open exchanges of experience in . throughout Europe in promoting > Organizing international conferences that produce cooperative solutions to activities relating to European Jewry, that openly discuss and help find shared challenges. The EJF supports and January 2010 – The third forum, in Jewish Communities, and communal solutions to the problems and challenges welcomes proposals and action plans Krakow, commemorating the 65th Pan-European organizations. facing European Jewry. for communal projects and regional anniversary of the liberation of and pan-European programmes. It Auschwitz-Birkenau. > Supporting European Jewish culture, also initiates programmes of its own tradition and highlighting key Jewish to address issues concerning specific January 2015 – The fourth forum contributors to society and their communities, or European Jewry as took place in and Terezin, achievements in culture, art, music and a whole. These EJF activities help commemorating the 70th anniversary science. strengthen the relationship between since the liberation of concentration and Europe’s Jewish communities. death camps. > Supporting and contributing to Jewish institutions and organizations Shoah Remembrance The EJF helps organise these high-level throughout Europe, including national, international gatherings to preserve regional, sub-regional and communal. Moshe Kantor and the EJF are committed historical memory and evidence, and to promoting educational programmes encourage the international community > Fighting and other that ensure the lessons and memory to unite in the fight against hatred and forms of religious, cultural and/or racial of the Shoah live on. One of the EJF’s . discrimination. founders, the Foundation, holds together with the EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 12 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 13 -

COMMUNITY BUILDING

The European Jewish Fund (EJF) aims to ensure that the Jewish communities and Jewish life in Europe in general enjoy a long and bright future. EJF encourages and welcomes communal Jewish gatherings that foster dialogue between communities and its members with open exchanges of experience that produce common solutions 01 to shared challenges. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 14 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 15 -

Nisayon KHARKOV JEWISH CHARITABLE FUND HESED SHAARE TIKVA

The project “Nisayon” by the Jewish Charitable Fund Hesed Shaare Tikva of the Ukrainian city of Kharkov organises a variety of activities for 35 young people with disabilities from two local Jewish communities, Kharkov and Zaporozhye. These project include activities, such as communication training, art therapy, classes on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, as well as Jewish culture and tradition.

For young people with mental disabilities, the process of socialisation is gradual and requires considerable time. Therefore, leisure activities are a crucial catalyst in As for physically disabled participants, facilitating this process. their needs and demands often differ Participants to the Nisayon project radically from the group of mentally A very popular part of the project, titled experienced a warm and friendly disabled participants. Therefore, the “Warm Homes” are classes on self- atmosphere and a constant social circle. programme is tailored towards delivering sufficiency. Participants often lack This means a lot to young people with training aimed at developing practical crucial skills that would allow them to live disabilities. In the words of Tatiana, skills, such as leadership, financial independently, such as using domestic a young participant: “I don’t really literacy, as well as measures aimed at appliances. Elderly members of the communicate with anyone, only with social integration. Participants from this community take on the role of teaching our group. That is why I look forward to group took active part in organising local how to manage a household without the seeing you at Nisayon every time. Here I events, such as “The Day of the Jewish help of parents or other adults. feel comfortable and at ease, you could community”, as well as holding held say that I only find peace here”. workshops for children. Soon enough, participants become more responsible, reflecting on how they The EJF is proud to be a partner of Hesed Learning about Jewish tradition caused can be useful and what they can do for Shaare Tikva, and to be part of such a lot of interest among participants of their elderly hosts, preparing gifts and important and positive community- both groups. Every month both groups greeting cards and enquiring about their building initiatives that focus on participate in “Great Shabbat”, which health and mood. inclusion and accessibility. is held together with the Children’s programme of Hesed Shaare Tikva. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 16 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 17 -

Annual Forum of Estonian Jewry “Jahad” 2018 JEWISH COMMUNITY OF ESTONIA

The Jewish Community of Estonia organised its 12th annual Yahad Conference on 7-9 September 2018 in the town of Parnu. The Yahad conference brought together over 500 Jews of all ages and walks of life in a unique atmosphere of Jewish learning and togetherness.

Participants of this three-day Jewish-themed conference took part in a Jewish fi lm festival, numerous lectures, seminars and workshops, activities and concerts covering a wide range of topics.

The 2018 Yahad celebrated a number of anniversaries – 100 years of the Republic of Estonia, 70 years of the State of Israel, 30 years of rebirth of the Jewish Community of Estonia and 5 years of the Tallinn Jewish Kindergarten AVIV!. These dates themed most of the programme.

According to a long-standing tradition, there was a separate programme for children.

The activities were equally varied, including art workshops, sport games, dance and music classes organized by a group of youth counsellors from the Jewish Community of Estonia with the help of volunteers among parents. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 18 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 19 -

Summer U EUJS

The of Jewish Students’ (EUJS) annual fl agship programme Summer University held its 37th edition in Bulgaria in 2018. Living up to its mission of ensuring safe, secure and confi dent young Jewish life, Summer U is a space where proud and positive Jewish identity is promoted.

Summer U remains the largest annual Jewish student event in Europe, almost 300 participants from 31 countries came together for an amazing week to foster Jewish diversity and learning in numbers and in spirit.

A young, dynamic team of 24 volunteers from seven countries worked for over six months at delivering an incredible programme for their of interest. One theme took the centre professional guest speakers and trainers on the occasion. This was followed by peers, creating along the way stage: Youth empowerment and giving who off ered the chance for participants the planting of an olive tree and the not only lasting bonds, but agency to young people to shape their to expand their knowledge, develop their dedication of a memorial plaque, a also the inspiration to remain communities. skills and shape their attitudes. special and emotional moment, which engaged with their respected reinforced the Jewish values that guide communities and European EUJS took active steps to ensure that Since this year’s event took place not far the work of EUJS. Jewry. member unions were given more away from Burgas, where fi ve Israelis space than ever before to display the and one Bulgarian lost their lives in Through its long-standing partnership The motto of this year’s edition experience specifi cities and experiences a terrorist attack in 2012, in order to with EUJS, the EJF underlines its was “This Summer is all of youth across their respective Jewish honour the victims, a moving ceremony commitment to fostering positive about U”, as an open call for communities. Emphasising EUJS’ belief was organised. Special guests from the Jewish identity, empowering youth and participants to speak up, share in peer-to-peer learning, dedicated Bulgarian government, from the Israeli exploring the diverse communities and and bring Summer U in line timeslots were allocated to participant- embassy and from the local Jewish identities that form the rich patchwork with their realities and topics lead sessions, in addition to over 30 community addressed participants of Jewish life in Europe. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 20 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 21 -

This year’s Limmud Czech Republic 2018 off ered a large choice of Limmud learning and social activities, which created a vivid atmosphere of social interaction. The event was set in an 2018 open and democratic environment where people of diff erent approaches CZECH REPUBLIC to Judaism were given stage to present sessions.

Nearly two thirds of all the adults applied to volunteer either in As in previous years, Limmud presenting learning sessions, Czech Republic 2018 was preparing workshops for children, a great success. The event volunteering in the fi rst aid team off ered a wide variety of or helping with the logistics of the activities for children and event. adults featuring lectures, workshops, discussions, Based on the feedback received after discos (both for kids and the event, Limmud 2019 will be adults), one woman show, organised in a larger venue allowing sport activities, children more participants to join in this workshops of challah exciting gathering. bradding, Torah stories crafts, joint meals, Shabbat programme, etc. The meeting was once more very successful in creating an inclusive atmosphere where everybody can feel welcome.

The gathering reached its full capacity of 200 attendees within one day of opening the registration. Almost half of attendees were children and young people under the age of eighteen. Young Jewish leaders assisted in the realisation of children’s activities, whilst also taking part in activities designed for their age group. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 22 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 23 -

Participants enjoyed more Furthermore, Limmud than 50 lectures both in Hungary organised a English and Hungarian, as multiple-day fi eld camp well as the screening of 6 in November 2018. The fi lms – including the fi rst event off ers workshops Hungarian performance of and classes in four Limmud an award-winning movie sessions: Judaism, social-, – along with enthusiastic scientifi c- and HUNGARY Limmud Hungary aims at an debates about cinema, art topics. inclusive, colorful, resilient history, religious reform, Hungarian Jewish community school reform, gender Through the EJF grant, which cherishes diverse equality, and other highly Limmud was able to interpretations of Judaism. relevant contemporary provide a safe and Its mission is to provide topics. inclusive Jewish space for opportunities to all members Participants observed the community to come of the Jewish community Shabbat according to together, pray together, to make the next step in the reform and orthodox learn together, enjoy each building their Jewish identity, traditions, while Kiddush other’s company and and to help them in the study of and Havdalah were debate important issues. Jewish tradition and to seek performed together in a solutions to current problems spirit of deep togetherness. based on Jewish values, to NGOs and denominations, facilitate access to Jewish as well as opening its doors learning for unaffi liated Jews, for non-Jewish citizens to promote cooperation and and promoting life- inclusiveness among Jewish long learning, voluntary activism and active citizenship.

A successful endeavor going on for twelve years in the country, Limmud Hungary set out in to build capacity in 2018 to deliver an improved experience. Titled ‘Motion/Picture’, this year’s Limmud festival took place between 26-28 October 2018 with great success. With nearly 400 participants from Hungary and from Israel, USA, UK, and Poland, making it the biggest Jewish civic event of the year in the country. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 24 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 25 -

Help them help us CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY JEWS (ESTONIA)

The Jewish Community of Estonia organized a fundraising campaign called ‘Help us Help them’ in order to gather 20.000 EUR in 48 hours. The funds raised provided humanitarian help for about 700 elderly Jews in Estonia.

The campaign’s message wrote “Your own elderly parents or grandparents could be in their shoes if history had worked out differently. We need your help to keep up with this vital assistance.” EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 26 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 27 -

The goal of LJC & EJF Lithuanian Limmud 2018 was to organize an educational conference on Judaism for Limmud 2018 the Jewish community in Lithuania in order to expand knowledge of community members about the Jewish religion, issues of common concern, Jewish culture, LJC & EJF - LITHUANIA tradition, State of Israel and its pertinent matters.

Over the course of three days a series of lectures and practical workshops were held. The event gathered over 100 participants from different places of Lithuania.

More than 10 guest speakers, lecturers, experts from Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, were engaged in the conference.

The Lithuanian Limmud gave an opportunity for community members to experience Jewish traditions first-hand, to strengthen community spirit and promote the story of Jews in Lithuania and to have a cross-generational dialogue on issues of common interest.

Participants were offered a series of lectures by the professionals in their line of expertise, also they had the opportunity to join experiential workshops on Jewish cuisine, dance, games for children. Educational evenings were organised with various performances and screening of movies relevant to the topic of the conference.

LJC & EJF Lithuanian Limmud 2018 received extremely positive feedback from the participants who were able to experiment, improvise, enjoy, meet each other and build networks for the future activities within the community during this event. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 28 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 29 -

Chaverut is a project that aims to bring Being a project that was carried on a life and reach out to all Jews living long period of time, Chaverut allowed Chaverut in Norway, from all smaller cities those who participated to enjoy diverse scattered throughout the country, such activities and celebrate numerous Jewish NORWAY as Stavanger and Bergen, Jews who Holidays in a communal environment, are affiliated or not to the community, such as: high holidays services followed in order to strengthen the Jewish by celebrations, Erev Pesach Seder Community of Oslo and enlarge it. The and Erev Rosh Hashana Dinner, Purim initiative’s goal is to create awareness and Channuka, celebration of Yom about the community’s activities and Haatzmaut, seminars, lectures and allow all Jews to experience the embrace debates, opened Hebrew classes, cultural of the community, belonging to a group and religious studies, family and adults that is relevant and inclusive. parties etc.

The Chaverut project was organised by The Chaverut project offered the the Jewish Community of Oslo, from possibility to all participants to belong January until October 2018, in Stavanger to the community, to understand and and Bergen, and was carried out by discover more about their Jewish identity community’s staff and volunteers. and to be proud about it, to contribute and strengthen the Jewish community of Oslo. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 30 - COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 31 -

Hasmonea Jewish Sports The project involves the The Hasmonea Wroclaw Club in Wroclaw off ers organization of regular football team consists of regular sports education Jewish sports activities boys and girls from small and sports activities (basketball, volleyball, Jewish communities in Development of Hasmonea to the local Jewish chess, badminton, bridge, the Lower Silesian Region community, promoting a horse riding and shooting of Poland. In June 2018, healthy lifestyle without trainings) for all Jews in the club co-organised Jewish sports Club distinction of age or sex. Wroclaw, Lower Silesia the Wilimowski Football Region and Lodz interested Tournament for children JEWISH SPORTS EDUCATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR Hasmonea was founded in in sports and fi tness, as well from national and religious 1908 in Lviv (then Poland) as an organisation of sports minorities in Poland, and before World War II it shabbatons and trainings bringing together fi ve U-14 MEMBERS OF SMALL JEWISH COMMUNITIES OF POLAND was the second largest and in order to integrate Jewish teams from the German, the most successful sports sportsmen with other Jewish and Ukrainian club in Poland. Currently, local Jewish communities minorities. the club is located in and encourage a healthy the city of Wroclaw and lifestyle and Jewish led by Cukunft Jewish integration through sport Association. The club off ers and outdoor activities. regular sports education and sports activities to the local Jewish community. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 32 - CULTURE & HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 33 -

CULTURE & HERITAGE

The Fund supports projects promoting positive aspects of Jewish life while also standing-up against threats to Jewish culture and heritage.

The EJF also continues to address assimilation through funding and supporting programmes that make a range of Jewish activity accessible to all and that develop pride in Judaism and in Jewish culture past, present 02 and future. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 34 - CULTURE & HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 35 -

The residents of each Empowering Moishe House, who are full-time professionals and students outside vibrant Jewish of their roles at Moishe House, in return for their monthly communities leadership, receive a modest rent subsidy (50% of their monthly in Europe rent), a programming stipend and continuous VIA MOISHE HOUSE leadership development opportunities to support them as local Jewish leaders.

Throughout the year, the residents of each Moishe House have the opportunity to Moishe House is an international attend various Jewish Learning Retreat organisation founded in 2006 experiences. These Retreats are led by exclusively focused on reaching Jewish expert educational staff . 20-somethings through a peer-to-peer, home-based model of engagement. In 2018, Moishe Houses in Europe There are over 100 Moishe Houses across led more than 624 diverse Jewish 27 countries around the world, with programmes and in turn engaged more the organisation engaging more than than 9,670 Jewish young adults in total engaged more than 48,000 unique young collective attendance, with more than adults each year, with more projected 2,550 being unique individuals. growth into the future. Through the support of the EJF, Moishe Each Moishe House is a local Jewish House has grown and developed its community hub, facilitated by a group of network across of 12 Moishe Houses 3-5 Jewish young adult leaders, who each across Europe, including in Barcelona, build meaningful Jewish community , , , , via a series of 5-7 monthly Jewish , Prague, Sofi a, Stockholm and programmes from a central rented home. Vienna, each a vibrant centre of Jewish community led by local young adults All programmes are peer-led and from a rented home. pluralistic (inclusive of Jews from all backgrounds, practice and cultures) and range from Shabbat dinners, festival celebrations, Jewish learning, volunteering, interfaith encounters, social gathering and much more. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 36 - CULTURE & HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 37 -

During the fi rst few months the Communities from Mogilev, Gomel, organisers were surprised how warmly Lida, Grodno, Baranovichi and Minsk Famous Faces from the idea of the project was received by the were inspired by the idea of learning leaders of the project in diff erent cities, about the famous Jews, who had roots the enthusiasm and willingness to learn from Belarus, and decided to continue Jewish Places about Jews from shtetls in Belarus. People learning about Jews from their cities. of 35-55 years old became interested The stories of people became a basis (BELARUS) in the Jewish life and the life of Jewish for learning Jewish values and wisdom, community. Many people were interested Jewish approach to life and input of Jews to connect their knowledge about famous in diff erent aspects of life. This project people and the life of Jewish community, helped to involve new people in the life of Jews in Eastern Europe. For activities of the Jewish community and example, in Mogilev, the information helped to build connections between about the Famous Jews was not only Jewish and non-Jewish population in the presented to Jews during gatherings in cities. the community but also during “open events” in the city museum, in Grodno – also during the gathering citizens and guests of city had an opportunity to learn about the survival of World War Two from Grodno who became well known person Felix Zangman. Mr Zangman is an excellent example of a person, who knows the value of life, respect, people – no matter what religion, he is a role model of strong spirit and love to Israel and Jewish people. To make information about the famous Jews from Eastern Europe available to non-Jews helped to make impression about Jews and Jewish community as more open.

The project “Famous Face from Jewish classes & researches that were held in Places” sought to strengthen the the communities, exchange of materials Belarusian Jewish identity, awaken between communities and consultations the Jewish pride and promote Jewish with coordinator was organized. Leaders knowledge among Jews and non-Jews by of project reached out to the local libraries sharing information about outstanding and museums with the information Jewish individuals born in Belarus and collected during the realization of the their contribution to the world. The project with lectures and discussions programme consisted of weekly classes, about the famous Jews born in Belarus. researches, session-days and seminars. Over 200 citizens from diff erent towns around Belarus had opportunity to learn During realization of the project about about Jews and Jewish community via 300 people from Jewish community learning about famous Jews born in learned about famous Jews from Belarus. Belarus. Participants took part in the weekly EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 38 - CULTURE & HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 39 -

Mitzvah Day (U.K)

Mitzvah Day brings people together through Jewish-led social action, galvanising volunteers to give up their time to make a real diff erence to their local communities. In 2018 Mitzvah Day project celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Over these years, Mitzvah Day volunteers have created long and lasting partnerships with hundreds of charities, enabling volunteers to engage in projects such as replenishing foodbank stores, preparing meals for their local homeless shelters, collecting stationery for refugees, visiting care homes, running community-led blood donation sessions, spit drives for bone marrow, gardening at hospices and many more.

Mitzvah Day believes fundamentally in interfaith social action as a vehicle for change. It enables volunteers to positively bring people together to shape their communities. It’s an invitation to all to celebrate what they have in common, and give a helping hand to local causes that are on their doorsteps. Key projects of Mitzvah Day:

Mitzvah Day is special because it transcends the Jewish community, out to their colleagues to • “Sunshine to Seniors” (singing, reading and perform- giving volunteers the opportunity to stretch out a hand of friendship to use their CSR (Corporate ing with care home residents) their neighbours of all faiths and none, and participate in Mitzvah Day. Social Responsibility) time Having achieved widespread participation across the UK, Mitzvah Day to get out of the offi ce for • “Collectathons” (assisting local charities with collect- developed into something bigger, gaining an international presence as an afternoon. ing items) British Jewish Communities shared photos from their Mitzvah Days in They engage in acts of • “Be Our Guest” (providing refreshments and entertain- kindness like trimming ment for people in need) the hedgerows of burial their schools, shuls, offi ces and neighbourhoods. People • “Renovate and Repair” (transforming a room in a hos- grounds or tending to outside the UK began to reach out asking for help taking pice, drop in centre or care home) the concept of Mitzvah Day back home, and set up the day hospice gardens. No CSR in their own countries. In 2012, Mitzvah Day decided this hours, no bother! Offi ces • “Remembrance is a Mitzvah” (attending or volunteer- growth needed to receive resource and support, resulting without CSR time run ‘Give ing at the annual AJEX Parade) in the successful launches of Mitzvah Day Germany, Away Your Lunch’ projects Australia and Poland, and Mitzvah Days all around the linking their workplace to • “Renovate and Repair” (transforming a room in a hos- globe. a nearby shelter or food pice, drop in centre or care home) “Corporate Kindness” bank. Staff collect items (encouraging offi ce workers to donate their lunch, run a One of the best things about Mitzvah Day is seeing so many to donate and build long collection or use their CSR hours) young people getting involved, inspired by Jewish values, term relationships with the to help others in society.Every year, volunteers bring the charity. • “Save a Life” (registering with or donating to local celebration of Mitzvah Day to their workplace and reach medical initiatives) EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 40 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 41 -

RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP

The EJF focuses especially on young people and connecting them to their Jewish peers. It supports a range of educational and leadership programmes that reinforce Jewish identity and foster pride in religion, culture and sense of community.

The supported projects are often dedicated to educating our young people about Jewish achievements in all aspects of life, ranging from 03 culture to science and to medicine. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 42 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 43 -

All activities are based on the Through their EJF grant, Haver was able methodology of informal Jewish to conduct 75 workshops covering 18 Haver Srbija – education, which seek to actively engage cities across Serbia, 9 synagogue visits participants in the educational process. reaching around 570, as well as a series Workshops are built in a way that creates of educational workshops on diff erent Educational program for safe space for dialogue, questions and topics by invitation of the Serbian processing. Education Ministry between January and November 2018. students and teachers Materials used during the educational activities around core content are In addition, a contest in literature, art among others testimonies of Holocaust and multimedia titled „Holocaust – “Knowledge=tolerance” survivors, family pictures, data culture of remembrance“ for primary about historical and contemporary and secondary schools that received 94 (SERBIA) antisemitism, as well as interactive submissions from pupils across Serbia. synagogue visits.

Established in 2013, Haver Srbija is an educational NGO, which promotes diverse and inclusive society in Serbia.

Knowledge of , as well as Judaism and the Jewish community is dealt very briefl y or not at all in educational curricula in Serbia. The project ‘Knowledge = Tolerance’ seeks to fi ll that gap and confront prejudices, stereotypes, discrimination, xenophobia and antisemitism among primary/high school students and teachers in Serbia through education.

By infl uencing the attitude of young people, making them aware of the consequences of prejudices and discrimination, empowering teachers to teach the Holocaust, facilitating dialogue and sharing of experiences in the area of religion and culture, Haver Srbija encourages and empowers school students and teachers to actively participate in creating more educated, open and responsible society in Serbia. Since 2016, the project has been approved by the Ministry of education. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 44 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 45 -

College Hadracha Academy Generation Next (TURKEY)

As every year, College Hadracha/ Generation Next continues to educate junior leaders, to involve the unaffiliated youth in the community’s activities and to invest in the next generation of Jewish leaders.

College Hadracha/Generation Next is both an inclusive and self-feeding Other ways of reaching new members educational and leadership platform. are the activities organized in an The graduates of the program not only natural environment, such as the so become widespread active leaders of the called ‘Grownup Youth’ programme community in various local and global that involved this year a ski-trip. organizations, they also become the This allowed the participants and the official trainers of the C.Hadracha itself organisers to get to know each other face for the new recruited members at each to face, in a relaxed context, far from the term. constraining security.

The recruitment process for the ‘brain Different other activities were organised team’ starts with the ‘After Work in order to reach out to new people, such Gathering’ where young professionals as ‘Kamiel’ Group that works like the JCC, meet to socialize and relax. After a the GNTALKS, where experts came and presentation of the project, those talked on different topics, educational interested are spotted and recruited. This trips to Poland, visits to other European year, five new members were added to Jewish communities and supporters the team. of the project, as well as celebration of Jewish holidays. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 46 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 47 -

Moadon – the right camp for Jewish children – Building Identity programmes or attended Szarvas camps. (SLOVAKIA) Educational topics follow Jewish traditions according to the seasons of the year. Activities include Hebrew lessons, Jewish culture and religion, art, as well as fun interactive games that stimulate creativity and social interaction. The aim is also to develop the next generation of young leaders in Slovakia with a strong Jewish identity.

Two important factors play a contributing role in the continuing success of the project. On the one hand the support of the community in the preparation of Moadon organises educational camps 4 the camps, and on the other hand the times a year for children aged 6-15 enthusiastic involvement of older in living in Slovakia and providing for them preparing activities for younger ones. innovative Jewish educational activities that are unique in the country.

Through the EJF grant, the community was able to develop a programme focused on building a strong Jewish identity. This is essential in a community where the majority of children grow up in a secular environment.

The educational programme and peulot are designed and coordinated by Rabbi Misha Kapustin. The project also relies on the creativity and dedication of madrichim from across the country who had previously taken part in Hadracha EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 48 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 49 -

It is a tradition for the Jewish Community and Yom Haatzmaut. The programme of Lisbon to carry its educational included Hebrew classes (on three levels), program every year for the young Jewish courses on basic concepts of Judaism, members of the community, with the Jewish Holidays, life cycle of Jewish life, aim of building and developing their Judaism and Jewish culture. Jewish identity, preventing further Jewish assimilation and teaching more about the This year, the project implemented a Jewish culture and religion. The project new and modern teaching method in is also big help for the integration of partnership with ULPAN OR and marked Education & new families arriving in Portugal, from the 16th year of continuous activity of the and especially from Brazil. Chadash Youth Movement, already close to 500 activities carried out, more than Youth Over 60 participants took active part in 25 young leaders formed (madrichim) the 31 weekly activities held on Sundays and about 150 participating children. (PORTUGAL) and more than 30 people attended the “Machané Kaitz” - 16º Summer Camp held on 11 -16 July 2017.

As every year, the youth participated in diverse courses and celebrated all major Jewish holidays, as well as Yom Hashoah EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 50 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 51 -

Make it Happen Initiative (DENMARK)

In 2018 the Jewish Community in To this date a core group of 22 young Denmark launched the “Make It Happen adults between the ages of 18 and 26 have Initiative” a professional leadership been assembled. The group completed capacity building program for young creative and challenging workshops in Jewish adults between 16-25. With this the Make It Happen program, in fi elds project the Jewish Community wishes to such as branding, idea development, The series of events concluded with a joint workshop between the ‘Make It Happen’ strengthen the participation of youths public aff airs, entrepreneurship & group of Copenhagen and the ‘Mozaika’ group of Barcelona over the fi rst weekend in shaping the future of the community project management, creative process & of December in Spain. This gathering provided with an opportunity to establish by investing in a group of young Jewish performance. bonds between two likeminded groups with similar goals, exchange best practices adults. They have succeeded in creating in order to work together on social and cultural projects. a unique and goal-oriented program All workshops have been developed and that will strengthen the development of completed in collaboration with some The Make It Happen Workshop-program focuses on developing the participants’ the participants’ professional skills in of Denmark’s foremost experts and skills in various fi elds, engaging them in discussions and refl ections on Jewish life various areas and prove to be a valuable professionals in the various fi elds. in Denmark, creating social bonds that will further connect them to the Jewish investment in the future leaders of the Community, and laying the foundation for their own projects, internships in the community. Jewish Community, etc. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 52 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 53 -

As one of the European Jewish Fund’s fl agship initiatives, the EJF Leadership Programme at the Paideia Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden combines academic excellence with creativity and EJF passion in order to create a network of dynamic and knowledgeable Jewish leaders keen on contributing to the Leadership fl ourishing of Jewish life in Europe.

The project has two components, Programme Leadership Development within the Paideia One-Year Jewish Studies Programme, and the development of 2017/2018 concrete action in the Project-Incubator. The 2017/18 academic year saw 8 fellows (PAIDEIA INSTITUTE: EUROPEAN from 4 diff erent countries take part in the EJF Leadership Programme. In addition INSTITUTE FOR JEWISH STUDIES) to the regular course of study at Paideia, which is an intensive immersion into Jewish text, language and culture, they were engaged in a curriculum of courses in leadership, project development and pedagogical courses, as well as focusing on individual projects. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 54 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 55 -

These studies were supplemented by a 3-week immersive study trip to Israel including dedicated study at and at the National Library of Israel. The fellows were also active in various events and organisations during the year, such as Limmud, European Day of Jewish Culture and the Global Day of Jewish Learning.

The Paideia Project-Incubator remains Europe’s leading programme for fostering social innovation in the Jewish sphere. Each year, Paideia recruits individuals with great ideas for European Jewish culture, providing them with the support, the tools and the community to be able to achieve their goals. In 2017 edition 16 individuals from 8 countries took part in the programme.

Participants graduating from the 2017/18 One-Year Jewish Studies programme demonstrated competence in text study from major Jewish sources across the gamut of Jewish history, improved fl uency in Hebrew, familiarity with Jewish cultural, historic, religious and A comprehensive survey of the Project- sociologic currents. Students have Incubator graduates from 2017 shows learned how to learn using classical that all of the participants agree or Chevruta style, among other teaching strongly agree that they have concretized methodologies. goals, needs and the target group for their project and around 80 % of respondents They have become comfortable with feel that the programme gave them more Hebrew, allowing them not only access than expected. to advanced academic settings for Jewish learning, but also to pursue opportunities Paideia continues to be an engine of both professional and personal that Jewish cultural and academic renewal, involve interaction of Israelis and providing individuals with the skills Europeans across varied fi elds. necessary to become leaders in their communities and to reinforce their connectedness with the Jewish people. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 56 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 57 -

Selected activities in 2018 relied on the Kantor Center report in its TAU Kantor Centre for the appeal to President Trump to appoint a • On 21 January, the Israeli special envoy for antisemitism, and so government held a special session, did 119 US congress members who sent Study of Contemporary marking the International Holocaust on May 24 a joint letter to Secretary of Remembrance Day. During the State Mike Pompeo, again quoting the session, the Ministry of Diaspora report. Aff airs handed to the government a European Jewry report on antisemitism in 2017 that • On August 8-9, Prof. Porat participated was prepared in cooperation with in a study seminar for judges and (ISRAEL) the Kantor Center. prosecutors in Vienna, in order to deepen their knowledge about antisemitism • On January 28 Prof. Porat and the history of World War II. This is participated in study sessions for an ongoing eff ort that started in 2015, Israeli Judges, and on the next day and there is a request to have similar she took part in the OSCE conference seminars in . in Rome, where the participants were welcomed by the Pope. • On August 26, a gala dinner organized by the Friends of University • On 18-22 of February an in Canada, took place in . exceptionally large-scope The theme chosen for the evening was The Kantor Center for the Study conference, titled “An End to contemporary antisemitism, and the of Contemporary European Jewry, Antisemitism!” was convened in Kantor center activities were at the inaugurated in May 2010 at Tel Aviv Vienna, organized by New York, central stage. Prof. Irwin Cotler was University, provides an academic Tel Aviv (the Kantor Center) and awarded an honorary Ph.D on that framework for the interdisciplinary Vienna universities, and supported occasion. research of European Jewry from the end by the European Jewish Congress. • On November 19-20, the Austrian of World War II until the present day. More than 150 scholars and leaders Presidency in the Council of the The Center includes the Moshe Kantor antisemitism (particularly Holocaust delivered their presentations, European Union held a conference database for the Study of Contemporary Denial); mutual contacts between Jewish and attracted a large audience. in Vienna. Dr Kantor presented the anti-Semitism and Racism, and off ers communities and their leaders and the The conference ended with a catalogue of policies to combat a platform for the diverse needs of local societies and other minorities; commitment to assemble a antisemitism, announced in February, researchers, students, governmental and preserving the national memory and catalogue of means to combat to the conference’s participants; and civil service personnel, professionals, communal legacy, and its implications antisemitism, and to establish together with its authors he presented activists and the public at large, both on the present-day; monitoring, an international organization of the catalogue to Chancellor Sebastian in Israel and abroad, and cooperates analysis and study of contemporary anti- antisemitism scholars. Kurz. On November 21, a study day, with academic and state agencies and Semitism and racism worldwide. • On 11 April, the Kantor Center organized by the Chancellor’s offi ce, institutes, and with Jewish communities released its Annual Report on dealt with contemporary antisemitism, and their leaders worldwide. The executive board of the Center is Worldwide Antisemitism 2017 in a and the catalogue’s authors presented it chaired by Adv. Arie Zuckerman, and press conference held at Tel Aviv to the media. The Center initiates, encourages the academic legal board is chaired by University, with the participation of and coordinates research projects, Prof. Yoram Dinstein. The staff , headed Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of the • The Kantor Center, together with conferences, seminars, publications by Prof. Dina Porat, includes a dozen of EJC. The event received worldwide colleagues from three European and public events in the following researchers, a number of exchanging press coverage. On the 26th, the universities, won the prestigious areas: demographic processes and interns and three research fellows. This US Congressional Bipartisan Task Erasmus research scholarship, that will their ramifi cations; legislation against year Dr. Giovanni Quer joined the staff as Force for Combatting Antisemitism enable research on Jewish demography racism, hate crimes and hate speech, and a future director of the center. in three major European cities. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 58 - RESEARCH, EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 59 -

countries such as Hungary, antisemitism; coalition- Poland and Austria. Both building in the field Commissioner Věra Jourová of Human Rights and – Justice, Consumers Youth or countering the and Gender Equality, delegitimization and and Commissioner Tibor demonization of Israel EU Activism Navracsics - Education, from the EU perspective. Culture, Youth and Sport – guided their interventions The key aim of the EU Seminar by bringing to the table Activism Seminar is to the role of Jewish students provide young activists (EUJS) in shaping the EU agenda with the tools to engage on on Holocaust education, a social and political level, as well as in preventing to provide understanding antisemitism and bringing that Europe is accessible The EU Activism Seminar is one about inclusive societies. to young people and give of EUJS’s flagship programs that the inspiration to work brings together Jewish students This 5-day seminar was an together for a better Europe. for a chance to hear from world- important platform to tackle renowned experts, learn from other important topics such influential global activists including as female empowerment opportunity to experience the European Jewish Congress in the current context; the EU at first hand and to and B’nai B’rith International and the adoption of the IHRA get acquainted with the discuss with key decision-makers in working definition of the EU. workings of the European institutions. They met 20 activists from all over Europe, the with Members of European US and Israel were given the unique Parliament, assistants, interns, consultants, diplomats, activists, fellow students, Jewish advocacy organizations and for the first time the participants were offered the unique chance to meet with two EU Commissioners.

In a time where there are worrying trends in the rise of racist, xenophobic and antisemitic attitudes – especially online – the participants had an opportunity to grasp the Commission’s role in the prevention of far-right extremism in EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 60 - SHOAH MEMORY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 61 -

SHOAH MEMORY

EJF is committed to promoting educational programmes that ensure the memory of the Shoah lives on and the that lessons of the history are learnt.

The EJF helps organising high-level international gatherings to preserve historical memory and evidence and encourage the international community to unite in the fi ght against Antisemitism and any forms 04 of intolerance. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 62 - SHOAH MEMORY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 63 -

A group of almost 40 Austrian Jewish The Austrian delegation for the March community members participated at of the Living was part of ten thousand Austrian the March of the Living 2017. The group participants from all over the world– consisted mainly of students aged 16-20 young and old. A new generation of young, who were accompanied by two members successful, optimistic, life-loving Jews, Delegation of the organisational and educational which with thousands others of their staff . On the one side, visiting the six kind and with many high level politicians hundred year old Jewish quarter of the and the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Meir for the March old town of Kazimierz, and on the other Lau, who himself went through the hell side visiting the places, which witnessed of the Holocaust, came together in order the horrors of the Holocaust deeply to remember the murder of six millions of the Living moved all participants. Jews. This was a feeling of strength. A feeling of deep hope. Tthe participants had the unique 2017 opportunity to see and understand the The aim set by the organisers - to study cruelty of the Nazis and the dimensions the process of prejudice, intolerance and (AUSTRIA) of the genocide on the Jewish people, hate and understand what happened - while walking on the same railroads was reached. Students participated in a through which millions of women, men series of workshops and seminars before and children arrived just to be murdered. going to Poland. Learning about the Holocaust and looking deep into history In only four days the group had a fully to get a background of it. Upon its return booked programme, which included the to Vienna, the group continued to meet visit of the Museum of Schindler´s fabric, in order to refl ect on their collective the concentration camp museum in experience. Auschwitz, Kazimierz, the former Jewish Ghetto of Krakow, the Jewish Synagogues in Krakow, the Jewish museum of Krakow and had a joined event with MORAH, a group of over 400 non-Jewish students from Austria, also participating at the March of the Living. There students discussed with non-Jewish young people from Austria, who are in their age, the history of the Holocaust and what they had seen so far.

The feedback received by the organisers after this trip was just overwhelming. 90% of participants said that having joined the March of the Living has changed their life, has strengthened their Jewish Identity and their connection to the Jewish community and to Israel, the homeland of all Jews. They also would recommend any other students to join the future delegations. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 64 - SHOAH MEMORY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 65 -

th of the Minsk Ghetto: Memory and Lessons”, which was attended by 75 Anniversary of the presidents of European Jewish communities, representatives of the diplomatic corps, former Liquidation of the Minsk prisoners of the Ghetto and other Ghetto stakeholders. (BELARUS)

The date of 22 October 2018 marked 75 years since the fi nal liquidation of the Minsk ghetto, one of the largest in Europe. The events held in Minsk gathered about In order to commemorate the victims of 1,000 people coming from all over Europe the Minsk ghetto as well as of all the Jews and Israel. who were killed in the ghettos of hundreds of cities and towns across Europe, the The participants at the Memorial Days Government of the Republic of Belarus were former prisoners of the Minsk and the Union of Belarusian Jewish ghetto from Belarus and other countries, public associations and communities offi cials of the Republic of Belarus and held Memorial Days in Minsk. the State of Israel, representatives of religious denominations, numerous The main offi cial events ambassadors, representatives of were the Commemoration international Jewish organizations and rally at the “Yama” leaders of European Jewish communities. Memorial Complex, as well as a memorial evening held At the Commemoration Rally, the Deputy in honour of former ghetto Head of the Presidential Administration prisoners and Righteous of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Among the Nations in Zhevnyak, read out a special address the Belarusian State from the President of the Republic of Philharmonic Hall. Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, followed by Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign In addition, within the Aff airs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir framework of these Chernitsky, President of the Union of Commemoration Days, the Belarusian Jewish public associations Ministry of Foreign Aff airs and communities, Sofa Landver, Minister of the Republic of Belarus of Aliyah and Integration of the State of organised an international Israel and Peter Dettmar, Ambassador round table “The Tragedy of the Federal Republic of Germany to EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 66 - SHOAH MEMORY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018 - 67 -

the Republic of Belarus. Raya Kalenova, Executive Vice President and CEO of the European Jewish Congress also addressed the participants. The speeches of the surviving prisoners of the ghetto were particularly moving.

At the Memorial Evening, two families from Belarus were awarded with diplomas and medals of the Righteous Among the Nations. Beautiful musical and theatrical performances by Belarussian artists made it an unforgettable event for all participants.

One hundred thousand victims, 825 days of tragedy and heroism, 75 years of memory. EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND - 68 - ABOUT EJF ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018

Annual Report 2017 - 2018 EUROPEAN JEWISH FUND

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