| A EJC Delegation in Warsaw for the commemoration of the 61st anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto |
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The European Jewish Congress (EJC) delegation headed by EJC President Cobi Benatoff and composed of Moshe Kantor (Chairman of the Board of Governors), Flo Kaufmann (Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews), Rabbi Yaacov Bleich (EJC Vice President and Chief Rabbi of the Ukraine), Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt (Chief Rabbi of Moscow), Szimon Szurmiej (Chairman, Social & Cultural Association of Jews in Poland), Serge Cwajgenbaum (EJC Secretary General) and Manuel Seiffe (EJC) met with the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Aleksander Kwasniewski and attended the commemoration ceremony of the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising.
The visit started with the official commemorative ceremony for the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, in which Flo Kaufmann and Moshe Kantor laid a wreath at the Monument of the Ghetto Heroes. Later, the delegation was received by Polish Minister of Culture, Waldemar Dabrowski. During the meeting, they discussed EJC plan to organize a major event for the 61st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in January 2005. Minister Dabrowski officially promised his full support for this event.
The next day, the EJC delegation was invited for a luncheon by the Deputy mayor of Warsaw and was then received by President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski. At the meeting, EJC President Benatoff conveyed the concern about the rise in anti-Semitism and responding, President Kwasniewski confirmed that Poland plays and will “play a crucial role in the fight against anti-Semitism” and is engaged in the fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. Furthermore, Moshe Kantor, Chairman of EJC Board of Governors, presented the EJC plan for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and Polish President Kwasniewski confirmed his strong commitment to support the EJC initiative. The main ceremony should take place in Warsaw and Auschwitz on January 27th and, both, world leaders and the youth shall be invited.
Concerning EU enlargement, the President stressed that he personally strongly “believes in the enlargement” process and that Poland welcomes with “enthusiasm” its entry in the European Union on May 1st. Further, the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was discussed and Cobi Benatoff thanked Poland for its important balanced stance. “The EJC is looking for a more balanced EU view towards Israel,” he pointed out. The issue of restitution and preservation of Jewish heritage was also raised.
Important Message from the CONFERENCE ON JEWISH MATERIAL CLAIMS AGAINST GERMANY INC.,OFFICE FOR GERMANY concerning compensation for former slave and forced labourers or their legal successors.
For any further questions, please contact
Manuel Seiffe:
European Jewish Congress
78, Ave des Champs Elysées
Paris 75008
Tel +33 1 4359 9463; Fax +33 1 4225 4528
Email : contact@eurojewcong.org
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