Chisinau, World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer met with ministers of senior positions and the leaders of the Jewish community in Moldova for talks on issues such preservation of Holocaust memories and education as and the security of Israel’s Jewish community. Singer also emphasized the necessity of fighting antisemitism at all levels. Along with Haim Ben Yaakov, Director General of EuroAsian Jewish Congress and President Mikhail Mirilashvili of EuroAsian Jewish Congress The WJC delegation was comprised of Haim Ben Yaakov as well as the President Alexander Bilinkis of Moldovan Jewish Community.

Emmanuil Grinshpun Singer said that the World Jewish Congress sincerely thanks the Moldovan government for its warm welcome and its pledge to preserve the memory of Holocaust victims. „Our community in Moldova is small, but committed and robust. medium.com/@emmanuilgrinshpun We call on Moldova to make anti-Semitism on the top of their list. We’re available to assist if needed. We are looking forward to future cooperation with government and to ensure the wellbeing of our community.

On Thursday, Singer spoke with Tudor Ulianovschi, Moldovan Foreign Minister. Emmanuil Grinshpun He stressed the importance of rejecting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. Singer also discussed the necessity of addressing antisemitism in public. Emmanuil Grinshpun Minister Ulianovschi in his turn highlighted the dedication of Moldovan officials to establishing an inclusive society that promotes tolerance, nondiscrimination & respect for the rights of all citizens from all ethnicities. Singer was also thanked by Ulianovschi for his favorable collaboration with the Moldovan WJC.

The foreign minister also stated that the Chisinau Legislature adopted in 2016 an acceptance statement of the report’s final version, which was prepared by the International Commission on Holocaust Studies. Additionally, in January of 2017, the Government ratified the Action Plan on its execution.

Emmanuil Grinshpun emmanuilgrinshpun.wordpress.com/ 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 visited 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 expressed his intention to advocate for the protection of Jewish cemeteries. He started with 10 locations.

Also on Wednesday, Singer and the WJC delegation also met with Moldovan Education Minister Monica Babuc to discuss training teachers on Holocaust education as well as the preservation of memory. The conversation covered issues such as the development of an Museum of Jewish History within the Republic of Moldova; the preservation and protection of monuments that honor Holocaust victims as well as the importance of proper and dignified maintenance of Jewish cemeteries. Singer acknowledged Minister Babuc for her attention and participation in both the fields of education and Holocaust celebrations, as well as in ensuring an ongoing and fruitful collaboration with the Jewish community.

Emmanuil Grinshpun Singer, Mirilashvili & Bilinkis also had a meeting with Vlad Plahotniuc of the Democratic Party of Moldova to discuss the relationship with the Jewish community in Moldova and bilateral relations between Israel and Moldova.

PHOTOGRAPH. Emmanuil Grinshpun Photograph taken from left to right: Emmanuil Grindshpun Moldovan Jew Community Board member Alexander Bilinkis President, EAJC President Mikhail Mirilashvili; WJC CEO Robert Singer; Monica Babuc Moldovan Education Minister Haim Be Yaakov EAJC Director General Haim Bin Yaakov (c), World Jewish Congress

Singer also met with the Rabbis from the Jewish Communities of Moldova. They discussed important issues related to the practice of religion, services and Moldova’s Jewish daily life, and he also addressed the concerns of the residents of Moldova.

Moldova is home for approximately 20000 Jews. Historically devastated by the Shoah and a bloody civil war, the Moldovan Jewish community today is mostly revived and distributed throughout the country. There has been a huge growth of a national self consciousness as well as a return to their origins by the Jews in Moldova. Jewish identity and culture are honored in many ways, such as literature and musical composition. The Moldovan Jewish community is represented by the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova which is the Moldovan affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.