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WJC Friend,

In recognition of the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of Israel, World
Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder sent a letter of well wishes to
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. As always, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence
Day, is preceded by Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and
victims of terror.

As a dedicated supporter of Israel, we are pleased to share his letter with you
below.

At this special time, it is incumbent upon us to stand in solidarity with Israel
– and with one another – as a global Jewish family.

Thank you, as always for your continued loyalty and friendship.

WJC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

World Jewish Congress

Ronald S. Lauder
President

New York, 28 April 2020



Dear President Rivlin,

Please accept my heartfelt good wishes—and those of more than 100 Jewish
communities around the world—on the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of the
Jewish State. Even in the midst of the present unprecedented global calamity and
an unimaginable disruption of civilization, none of us forgets for even a second
the great miracle that occurred in 1948 when the course of Jewish history was
changed, and the Jewish people reasserted its sovereignty over our ancient
homeland. The existence of Israel is proof of the Jewish people’s resilience,
creativity, and hope.

We are relieved to see that Israel has been coping with the Covid-19 pandemic
better than most countries, and we are especially proud of the work of Israeli
researchers who are at the forefront of the struggle to develop a vaccine. All
of us are enormously moved by the empathy and humility of the doctors and nurses
treating those afflicted with the deadly virus. These medical professionals and
scientists are among Israel’s greatest and most effective ambassadors, and we
would very much like to see an ambitious initiative to bring their knowledge and
expertise to Jewish communities in the Diaspora and to the wider world in which
we live.

At the same time, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the more
than 200 Israelis who have died from this dreadful disease, and with all those
who are hospitalized or remain affected by it. We must remember that we are
indeed one people with a common destiny, not only in good times but especially
when we are beset by adversity.

We Jews are a cosmopolitan people, and both the State of Israel and our Jewish
communities are demonstrating exceptional fortitude and cohesion in the face of
the pandemic. Our difficult hour is also our finest. At a time when darkness
seems to be descending upon the world, together we are lighting the candles of
dedication, determination, and love. Now we must also raise our eyes and look
toward tomorrow. As the pandemic begins to abate—with the resulting devastation
plain for all to see—we must understand its implications for the near and far
future.

Never before has the challenge of Jewish solidarity been greater. More than
ever, it is clear just how dependent we are on one another. It is doubly clear
that we must overcome that which divides us, rediscover what unites us, and
above all, support one another.

The coronavirus does not differentiate between observant and secular Jews, or
between Haredi, Reform and Conservative Jews. The imperative to nurture a
strong, unified Jewish community grows exponentially in the face of the dangers
surrounding us. Now is the hour for unity and harmony—especially when we see the
resurgence of vicious antisemitism in so many places around the world. Like in
Medieval times, Jews and the Jewish State stand accused of spreading the virus
for their own nefarious designs.

Today, we must renew the credo of “kol Yisrael arevim ze-lazeh.” We must
re-embrace our age-old ethos that we are all responsible for one another.

In the post-coronavirus world, globalization will wane and nationalism will
rise. Accordingly, we must act now to foster the Jewish spirit of enlightened,
generous, humanistic, and democratic nationhood. And we must vow—as a unified
extended family—to confront all that still lies ahead with courage and
determination.

With warmest personal best wishes on this uplifting day in our calendar,

Am Yisrael Chai!Ronald S. Lauder
President


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