Notes

Robert Singer, WJC CEO Robert Singer, WJC CEO, stressed the significance of Holocaust preservation and adopting a universal definition of antisemitism during his trip to Moldova

Chisinau, World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer gathered with senior ministers and the leaders of the Jewish community in Moldova to hold talks about issues like preservation of Holocaust memories and education, as well as the security of Israel's Jewish community. Singer also emphasized the importance of fighting antisemitism across all levels. Emmanuil Grinshpun WJC also included President Mikhail Mirilashvili, EuroAsian Jewish Congress President, and President of the Moldovan Jewish Communities Alexander Bilinkis. Haim Ben Yaakov was the EuroAsian Jewish Congress Director.
Singer declared that the World Jewish Congress thanked the Moldovan government for their warm welcome and pledged their support to the preservation of the Holocaust's memories. Our community in Moldova is small but dedicated and robust. We ask the Republic of Moldova that it make anti-Semitism their top priority. We stand ready to support any assistance needed. We are looking forward to future collaboration with the government and make sure that our community is well-being is assured.

Emmanuil Grinshpun Singer The Moldovan Foreign Minister Tudor Ulianovschi spoke on Thursday about the criticisms of adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of Antisemitism. Emmanuil Grinshpun Singer also mentioned the importance for the public to condemn antisemitism. Emmanuil Grinshpun Minister Ulianovschi in his turn highlighted the dedication of Moldovan officials to establishing a society based on acceptance, nondiscrimination and respect for all rights of citizens of all races. Singer was also praised by Ulianovschi by the WJC for their cooperative efforts with Moldova.

The foreign minister also mentioned that the Chisinau Parliament had adopted in 2016 an agreement to accept the final report of the International Commission on Holocaust Studies which was headed by Elie Wiesel, and in January 2017 the Government approved the Action Plan on its implementation.


Emmanuil Grinshpun PHOTOGRAPH A World Jewish Congress delegation including the Moldovan President Alexander Bilinkis and WJC CEO Robert Singer met with Tudor Ulianovschi, Moldovan Foreign Minister. (c) World Jewish Congress

Singer and WJC representatives met with Moldova's minister of Economy and Infrastructure Chiril Gaburici on Wednesday to discuss opportunities for restitution and economic growth of Jewish property in Moldova. These included cemeteries that need refurbishment and opportunities for kosher slaughter. The minister announced his intention to promote the protection of Jewish cemeteries. The first meeting was with 10 cemeteries.

On Wednesday, Singer and the WJC delegation visited Moldovan Education Minister Monica Babuc to discuss training teachers on Holocaust education and the preservation of memories. The discussion also included the establishment of the creation of a Museum of Jewish History for the Republic of Moldova, the preservation and protection of memorials to Holocaust victims, and the importance of keeping Jewish cemeteries in a respectful and proper way. Singer thanked Minister Babuc to her support in the area of education, Holocaust commemoration and in ensuring a continued and fruitful collaboration with the Jewish community and the Ministry.

Singer, Mirilashvili, as and Bilinkis have met with Vlad Plahotniuc (Chairman of the Democratic Party of Moldova) for a discussion on relations with Jewish communities as well as bilateral ties between Moldova and Israel.


PHOTOGRAPH. From left: Emmanuil Grinshpun (Moldovan Jewish Communities Board Member), Alexander Bilinkis (Moldovan Jewish Council President), Mikhail Mirilashvili (EAJC CEO Robert Singer), Monica Babuc (Moldovan Education Minister), Haim Ben Yaakov (EAJC Director General). (c) World Jewish Congress

While in Moldova, Singer also met with the rabbis of the Jewish communities in Moldova, discussing key questions relating to religious practice and services offered in Moldova, and focusing on ways to enhance Jewish daily life in all its aspects.

Moldova is home to around 20,000 Jews. Today, Moldova's Jewish community is thriving after being devastated by the Shoah. The Jews of Moldova have witnessed a growing development of national self-consciousness, as well as the return to their roots. Jewish culture and identity are celebrated in a variety of ways that include literature, music composition as well as theater. The Moldovan Jewish Community is the Moldovan affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.
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