World Jewish News

Official greeting of the EAJC President, Alexander Mashkevich, on occasion of opening the central office of the in Jerusalem.

The session of the Coordination Council of the World Congress of Russian-speaking Jewry (WCRJ) passed in Israel on December 15-16, 2002. In occasion of opening the WCRJ central office in Jerusalem the head of the largest Jewish organization of the continent, the President of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) Alexander Mashkevich, has sent the official greeting which was announced by the Chairman of the EAJC General Council, Joseph Zisels:
Dear friends!
On behalf of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) uniting Jews of 2 mainlands and 3 continents, I would like to congratulate the World Congress of Russian-speaking Jewry on opening the central office in Jerusalem.
Spiritual life of every Jew of Diaspora is impossible without connection with Israel. For years all of us, former Russian-speaking Jews of the former USSR, have been cut off by the "Iron Curtain" from Israel and Jewish Diaspora in other parts of the planet.
Unfortunately, many have not sustained this heavy burden and preferred to assimilate. But we remember those who during years of "refusal" have been struggling for the natural right to live on the ground of ancestors and meet there Jews from all over the world.
We also remember that there were many Russian Jews among fathers-founders of the State of Israel. Lips of Russian Zionists have formulated the final program of Jewish State's revival. Memory of these heroes of Zion, great and unknown, will be preserved not only in the Land of Israel but also among all Jews having roots in Russia.
Besides, significant part of Jews united by our Euro-Asian Jewish Congress from Australia up to the Western Europe represents not only Russian-speaking descendants but also English-speaking and even those speaking Japanese.
Even the Russian-speaking Jewish community itself keeps on changing. Nowadays the new Jewish nucleus is being formed in countries of the CIS and Baltic. There appeared the new phenomenon of the modern Russian-speaking Jew as much as possible integrated into surrounding reality and adhering to national traditions. It is especially pleasant that the young generation knows Hebrew together with Russian and frequently visits Israel, treating it as another home. Therefore once again I want to emphasize wherever the Jews live, as long as they feel ties with the Land of Israel - they will always be Zionists.
Today, when Israel is passing through the troubled times, being the Zionist - means to search and find not barely in words but truly in deed forms of expressing solidarity with people and the government of the Jewish state. Addressing the Constitutive Congress of the WCRJ half-year ago, I emphasized that it is the natural partner for our Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.
Let today's solemn event open us a new page of our partnership for the blessing of Israel and all the Jewish people!

The president of the
Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
Alexander Mashkevich

Источник: lenta.ru