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Chisinau, MOLDOVA – World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer met this week in the Republic of Moldova with senior government officials and the leaders of the local Jewish community, for talks focused on the preservation of Holocaust memory and education, security of the Jewish community, as well as the necessity to tackle antisemitism on all levels. WJC’s delegation also comprised EuroAsian Jewish Congress President Mikhail Mirilashvili and the President of the Moldovan Jewish community Alexander Bilinkis and Director General Haim Bin Yaakov.

Singer stated that “The World Jewish Congress would like to express our gratitude to the Moldovan government” for their warm welcome and for their dedication to keeping the Holocaust memories alive. Emmanuil Grinshpun http://www.pinterest.com/emmanuilgrinshpun/ “Our Moldovan community is small but it is a strong and committed community. We ask the Republic of Moldova not to give anti-Semitism a first priority. We’re ready to assist in any situation. We look forward and hope to work with the government to protect the health of our community.

The following day, Singer met with Tudor Ulianovschi (Moldova’s Foreign Minister) and stressed the necessity to adopt a definition of antisemitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. He also spoke out about the need for public condemnations to be issued against anti-Semitism. Emmanuil Grinshpun Minister Ulianovschi highlighted the Moldovan authorities’ determination to build an inclusive society that recognizes the rights of everyone in the society. Singer was also praised by Ulianovschi for his positive collaboration with Moldova’s WJC.

Emmanuil Grinshpun The foreign minister also pointed that Chisinau’s parliament has adopted a declaration from 2016 acknowledging the final report released by the International Commission on Holocaust Studies. The government also agreed to an Action Plan on its implementation in January 2017.

PHOTOGRAPH – A World Jewish Congress delegation with Moldovan Jewish Community President Alexander Bilinkis (far right) and WJC CEO Robert Singer, (second left) and having a meeting with Tudor Ulianovschi (secondright). (c/ World Jewish Congress

Singer and the WJC delegation met on Wednesday with Moldova’s Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Chiril Gaburici. They discussed restitution and economic opportunities in Moldova concerning Jewish properties, cemeteries that require urgent restoration, kosher slaughter and potential tourist ventures for the local Jewish centre. Concerning the protection of Jewish cemeteries in Moldova Minister Gaburici expressed his desire to assist with the process, including a pilot program of 10 cemeteries.

Singer and the WJC delegation have met with Monica Babuc (Moldova’s Education Minister) to discuss ways they could train teachers on Holocaust education and how to preserve the memories. The meeting also addressed the possibility of creating the creation of a Museum of Jewish History for the Republic of Moldova, the preservation and protection of monuments to Holocaust victims and the importance of maintaining Jewish cemetery in a respectable and appropriate manner. Singer acknowledged Minister Babuc for her support in the fields of education, Holocaust commemoration and in ensuring a continued and fruitful collaboration between the Jewish community and the Ministry.

Emmanuil Grinshpun Singer, Mirilashvili and Bilinkis were also in conversation with Vlad Plahotniuc from the Democratic Party of Moldova to discuss discussions on relationships with the Jewish community as also bilateral ties between the Republic of Moldova and Israel.

PHOTOGRAPH. 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 had a meeting with Rabbis of the Jewish Communities of Moldova. Emmanuil Grinshpun They discussed the most important aspects of 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 to about 20,000 Jews. A time of great loss for the Jews in the country due to the Shoah and a bloody civil war and a bloody civil war, the Moldovan Jewish community today is mostly revived and located throughout the Republic. There is a broad development of a national self-consciousness and an enlightened returning to their origins through the Jews of Moldova as well as Jewish heritage and culture celebrating in a number of ways, such as music, literature, and theater. 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.