World Jewish Congress

Wishing all Jewish communities across the globe Shabbat Shalom!

Speaking to the @jewishnews in the UK, @chiefrabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis expressed significant fear for Britain’s future. “My greatest fear is for Britain itself – the future of our culture, our identity, our values. Our civilization is under attack and my fear is exacerbated because I believe that our national leadership is choosing to turn a blind eye to that direct threat.” Today, hate is spreading through social media – much of it centered on lies about the October 7 massacre in Israel. That hate translates into the streets and targets Jewish communities in the real world. Rabbi Mirvis continued to call for Jewish unity as the avenue to maintaining a thriving Jewish future in the UK.

❌Antisemitism in the education sector❌ In just the past month, several persons have launched lawsuits or official complaints regarding the direct antisemitic treatment they received at institutions of learning. A Jewish student in New York says she was subjected to intimidation and name-calling, such “Zio b----” and “baby killer.” She is suing her university for failing to take action. Jewish teachers in Ontario have launched a human rights complaint because of the antisemitism they faced from teachers' unions. And more. We applaud them for standing up for their rights and dignity, and hope that it encourages others to take action.

Mazal tov to Charlotte Knobloch, WJC's Commissioner for Holocaust Memory, who celebrates her 94th birthday today. Ad 120! A Holocaust survivor, Dr. Knobloch headed the Munich Jewish community from 1985 and also served as the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany from 2006-2010. It was the first time a woman was elected to lead the organization. She dedicated her efforts to the revival of Jewish life in Germany. Among her major achievements was the opening in 2006-2007 of Munich’s main new Ohel Jakob synagogue, the community center, as well as the Jewish museum. In 2008, Dr. Knobloch was awarded the Grand Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Despite the rising tide of antisemitism in Europe, and the threats the community faces, Dr. Knobloch is optimistic: “I have great faith in young people, and I mean both Jewish and non-Jewish. I think they will take on the responsibility, and that is ultimately all that matters.”

Israel’s blue and white flag is based on the design of the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl. It was officially adopted on October 28, 1948, by a unanimous vote of the Israeli Provisional Council of State. Today, it remains a symbol of the Jewish people.

Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese presented her latest report to the UN General Assembly's Third Committee on Monday. Several Member States challenged her failure to adequately address Hamas’ atrocities against Israelis, and raised serious questions about her impartiality, credibility, and politicization of the UN mandate she holds.

Just past midnight on October 28, an attacker, who was a minor, shouted “Allahu Akbar” while attacking a guard outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade with knives. The guard sustained a minor facial injury and shot the attacker dead in self-defence. Serbian security services had already been monitoring the attacker. According to the Interior Minister, they displayed Islamic State symbols on Instagram. Tragically, this is part of a growing trend and threat of Islamist radicalization among the youth in Western societies. It is a serious concern that must be addressed directly by governments, law enforcement, civil society, and private sector tech companies.

The Intangible Jewish Heritage exhibition is now online! 🎉 From challah recipes, to Shabbat songs, to folklore, to how to make a proper shidduch, we invite you to explore this living archive of Jewish cultural heritage from all corners of Europe. 🔗 Find it at the link in our bio or at intangible.jewisheritage.org The Intangible Jewish Heritage project is co-funded by the European Union under the THRIVE project, a collaboration between the @jewisheritage, the WJC, and @eujs_official.

It is our fervent hope and prayer that the coming year brings healing, justice, and peace to the Jewish people. G’mar Chatima Tova, we wish you a safe and meaningful fast.

Last Yom Kippur, two Jewish men were killed while defending their community at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester, England, from a terror attack. Their names were Melvin Cravitz (66) and Adrian Daulby (53). We will remember them. And continue our fight to worship freely and openly as Jews.

The Shabbat which falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is known as Shabbat Shuvah, meaning “return.” It shares a common root with the word teshuvah, or repentance. Shabbat Shalom to Jewish communities around the world.

Vienna’s Stadttempel (City Prayer House) officially reopened for Jewish High Holidays! It follows a year of extensive renovations and modernization. The synagogue originally opened in 1826, and celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. The Stadttempel was the only major synagogue in Vienna to survive the 1938 Kristallnacht pogroms, in which the Nazis burned down thousands of synagogues across Germany, Austria, and parts of then-Czechoslovakia. 200 years later, the Stadttempel remains the spiritual heart of the city’s Jewish community. We wish our affiliate @ikgwien many more simchas around this historic institution.