Israeli President Reuven Rivlin's message to global Jewry amid coronavirus
crisis: "Take care of yourselves - you are members of our family overseas"
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March 20, 2020
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WJC President Ronald S. Lauder | "It is in times like these when the strength of
our community means the most"
We have been monitoring the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus around the world
with great concern, and hope that you and your family are healthy and safe. We
are acutely aware of the significant impact this is having on everyone,
including our affiliated communities, organizations, and staff. Please know that
everyone at the World Jewish Congress is thinking of you and wishing you well
during these trying times.
Read the full statement here...
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[[link removed]]Israeli President Reuven Rivlin's message to global Jewry: "Take care of
yourselves - you are members of our family overseas"
The President also called on those who are able to help the elderly, the lonely
and those without supplies, explaining that “our sense of mutual obligation is
the fundamental value that has protected us.”
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[[link removed]]Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen
postponed due to coronavirus
The World Jewish Congress was set to be integrally involved in the anniversary’s
activities, with WJC President Ronald S. Lauder scheduled to deliver a keynote
address beside the Bergen-Belsen mass-graves at the central commemoration on 19
April.
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[[link removed]]At UNHRC, WJC takes to floor to advocate for human rights
The WJC has been actively engaged for many years with UN officials and agencies
in Geneva, including several diplomatic missions, other NGOs, and the Council.
Since 2015, the World Jewish Congress has given approximately 90 statements at
the UNHRC in Geneva.
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[[link removed]]Kyiv court puts celebrations honoring Nazi collaborators on hold
In an age of increasing antisemitism and xenophobic sentiment worldwide, it is
imperative that local and federal courts across Europe take note of this
important step forward in our global efforts to cease the glorification of
antisemitism, Nazi collaboration, and other forms of hatred against Jews.
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[[link removed]]US Commission on International Religious Freedom warns against exacerbated
violation amid coronavirus spread
In its factsheet, the USCIRF outlines the rights guaranteed under international
law, as well as a list of countries in which government or societal responses to
the pandemic may significantly impact freedom of religion. “It is important for
governments to account for religious freedom concerns in their responses to
COVID-19, for reasons of both legality and policy effectiveness."
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[[link removed]]WJC official affirms Pope Francis' commitment to coexistence
Claudio Epelman, World Jewish Congress Representative in Latin America,
Commissioner for Interfaith Relations & Executive Director of the WJC-affiliate
Latin American Jewish Congress (LAJC), spoke recently with the AJN News Agency
of his professional relationship and personal friendship with Pope Francis, who
entered the papacy as in 2013 after serving as a bishop for many years in Buenos
Aires.
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LAJC puts crisis management expertise to work amid coronavirus spread
“Experience has shown that being prepared is a crucial factor in crisis
management," said Danilo Gelman, who oversees crisis management for the Latin
American Jewish Congress. “The virus and the actions being taken to contain it
will impact the routine of life in the communities. The next few days will be
crucial to contain the pandemic. The better we are prepared, the sooner we will
recover.”
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[[link removed]]German community teams up with Ministry of Family Affairs and Women to launch
“Meet a Jew” project
The goal of the project is to break down barriers and introduce the two groups
of people to one another on equal footing, with the hope that participants will
realize that despite their difference, there is more that unites than separates
them.
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[[link removed]]Orthodox Tel Aviv synagogue begins virtual online prayer services | Jerusalem
Post
Yachad, the liberal Orthodox synagogue in Tel Aviv, held its first virtual
Shaharit prayer service this past week, with 100 worshipers taking part.
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[[link removed]]Conservative movement: Virtual minyans permitted during virus ‘crisis situation’
| Times of Israel
“Some [mourners] may feel distress at not being able to recite [Mourner’s
Kaddish] in the absence of a minyan, particularly for a prolonged period, and
rabbis must reassure mourners that they are fulfilling their Jewish legal
obligations under the circumstances and should feel no guilt whatsoever in
remembering and honoring the deceased in this way,” wrote Rabbis Elliot Dorff
and Pamela Barmash.
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[[link removed]]Plaque unveiled in Geneva honoring Abraham Silberschein, Polish Jewish activist
who tried to save Jews from Nazi destruction
Silberschein was a member of the Bernese Group – or the Ładoś Group, so named
after Ambassador Aleksander Ładoś, the representative in Switzerland of the
London-based Polish government in exile during the Nazi German occupation of
Poland, under whose protection and direction a team of Polish diplomats
stationed in Switzerland and several Jewish activists operated to forge these
documents, an initiative that was largely funded by the WJC.
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[[link removed]]Bulgaria commemorates Holocaust victims and heroes
Dr. Alexander Oscar, President of the WJC-affiliated Organization of Jews in
Bulgaria-Shalom, talked about the bravery of the Bulgarian people who stood up
against the Nazis and “found the strength to oppose an inhuman ideology and did
not allow their brothers and sisters of Jewish organization to be deported to
the Nazi death camps."
Read More...
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[[link removed]]My family gave up sitting shiva to fight coronavirus | Newsweek
"Not coming over to sit shiva meshes with basic religious principles as well
(for Jews and gentiles alike). Honor thy neighbor—by staying home and staying
healthy," writes Ally Kehoe.
Read More...
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[[link removed]]WATCH | Israel shows appreciation for healthcare workers fighting the
coronavirus
Israelis emerged to their balconies en masse Thursday evening to applaud those
in the medical field working tirelessly to fight the coronavirus. Thank you for keeping us safe!
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[[link removed]]WATCH | The bustling streets of Jerusalem turn empty as coronavirus spreads
Jerusalem-based photographer and tour guide Yonit Schiller saw a whole new side
of her beloved city and captured it with her camera: A City of Gold, empty of
people. "It's heartbreaking to witness the streets which are usually bursting
with life and buzzing with energy coming to a grinding halt," Yonit says.
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[[link removed]]WATCH | Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: Coronavirus 'will try nation like during
WWII'
In an interview with BBC Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis on Wednesday, Rabbi
Sacks struck a somewhat hopeful note, saying that although bad events “can bring
the worst out in us, they also bring out the best.”
Watch Now... [[link removed]]
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