Conference of European Rabbis Annual Review 2017-2018 (5777-5778) 1 www.rabbiscer.org Welcome From the Chief Rabbi of Moscow and President of the Conference of European Rabbis Pinchas Goldschmidt The Jewish Communities of Europe face three major threats today: Islamic terrorism, attacks from the far right, and the far left/ anti-Israel parties who have risen to power over the last five years. The threats were clearly articulated by George Soros in a recent Guardian newspaper article where he said that the political turbulence in Europe is weakening centrist politicians and the traditional establishment. This change has allowed both the extreme right and left to grow. The internet has provided a platform for these voices to reach more people and, as a result, according to Soros, Europe is disjointed in a similar way to how the Soviet Union was in 1991. Whether he is correct or not, the forces he describes are negatively influencing the Jewish community in Europe both directly and indirectly. The CER is working to support European Jewry during this unsettled period by building coalitions with other interested parties who want to maintain Europe’s religious identity, including Christian and Muslim religious leaders. One of our goals is to help those who have recently settled in Europe from the Middle East and Africa to transition into Europeans and by working together, we can help prevent Europe from becoming as fractured as the Middle East. The CER has been working with the Vatican on religious freedom issues such as the religious slaughter of animals for food and circumcision, as well as strengthening ties with religious leaders at every level. The Jewish communities in Europe are not as well established as they were in the past for many reasons, including a reduction in population size from 2 million to 1.6 million. Many community leaders have left and other families are following in their footsteps. As European infrastructure has weakened, the CER has been working to strengthen the local Jewish presence around Europe. The CER has created a number of programs and seminars, especially for young Rabbis to ensure they have the tools to rebuild communities even more resilient and resourceful than they were before. Security is also a significant threat, especially after the awful terrorist attacks in Pittsburgh and San Diego. The CER attends the Munich Security Conference every year to encourage governments to provide more support for their local Jewish communities. Last year the CER joined Israel in celebrating 70 years of independence. The CER is proud and grateful for the strong ties it has with all the State’s Parties. We have cautioned Israeli politicians on the dangers the far right poses to Europe and we have signed a historic agreement with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel regarding conversions. This agreement has the potential to save European Jewry from splintering further by dividing from Israel. The CER and Israel are working together as one people. It is also important that I take this opportunity to express my thanks to my rabbinical colleagues who have done so much in the last years: Dayan Ehrentreu - President of the CER Supreme Rabbinical Court and Dayan Menachem Gelley - Chairman of the Standing Community. Vice Senior Presidents Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia of France and Chief Rabbi Mirvis of the United Kingdom, all the members of the Presidium and the executives of the Standing Committee for their tremendous work in helping the CER reach its goals. I would also like to thank our lay members: the chairman of the Board of Patrons Dr. Boris Mints, Vice Chairman Mrs. Joelle Aflalo, Mr. Bart Van de Kamp and all the other members of the Board of Patrons and Council of Patrons for the financial and political support they provide for the CER. Thank you to the founders of the US Friends of the CER.