Connection with the historical motherland is of great importance for
the Diaspora. On December 15 in Jerusalem the grand opening of the central
office of the World Congress of Russian-speaking Jewry took
place. The guests of the ceremony were deputies of Knesset, representatives
of 22 Russian-speaking Jewish communities from all over the
world, and eminent guests. Now the Jews of Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan,
Moldova, Germany and other countries have their own Home in their native
land.
The establishment of the office in Jerusalem is the result
of painstaking work and unity of the Jewish people. In the middle of December
the WCRJ Coordinating Board discussed the tasks that have already been
carried out and those that needed to be fulfilled. The Congress is advancing
to performing its main task - consolidation of the Russian-speaking
Jewry. The community of Czechia became a new member of the WCRJ.
"A new Jewish core is being formed in the FSU and Baltic
countries. There appeared a phenomenon of modern Russian-speaking
Jew who is to the maximum united with the surroundings and at the same
time closely adhere to the traditions of his people". - Said
the president of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Alexander Mashkevitch
in his official speech of welcome to the World Congress of Russian-speaking
Jewry. - "That is why I want to stress one more
time that wherever Jews live, they always feel the connection with the
Land of Israel".
The Jews of Kazakhstan are no exception. We always keep an
eye on the events happening in Israel. It is pleasant that the progress
of our community is not left aside. On the meeting in Jerusalem the president
of "Mitsva" Association Alexander Baron was elected to the Presidium
of the Coordinating Board of the World Congress of Russian-speaking
Jewry.
The meeting of the WCRJ Coordinating Board is over. The members
summed up the work done since the constituent meeting of the Congress,
approved plans and designs for 2003. It is significant that Jews of the
whole world begin to express solidarity with Israeli people not only in
words, but also in deeds.
Galina Goldberg
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