WARSAW, Poland, March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- AJC Central Europe officially launched its new office with
a gala in the capital of Poland. More than 500 government
officials, diplomats, members of the media, and Jewish leaders from
across Europe attended the
celebratory event, which was held at the POLIN Museum of the
History of Polish Jews in Warsaw
on Monday evening.
For AJC (American Jewish Committee), its newest office marks the
global Jewish organization's expansion of its advocacy and
diplomatic outreach in Europe. AJC has been one of the most
active non-governmental organizations promoting democratic
transformation in Central and Eastern
Europe since 1989.
AJC Central Europe is dedicated to seven Central European
countries: the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia.
The office was made possible by the generosity of John Shapiro, AJC's President, and his wife, Dr.
Shonni Silverberg, as well as
Harriet Schleifer, chair of AJC's
Board of Governors; Steven
Zelkowitz, a member of AJC's Executive Council; and
Gail Binderman, a member of AJC's
Board of Governors.
"I am glad that you have chosen the capital of Poland as the place from which the activities
of AJC will extend all over our region," said Polish President
Andrzej Duda, in a letter read by
his Undersecretary of State, Minister Wojciech Kolarski. He praised AJC for its role
over the years in advancing the transatlantic
partnership.
"We still remember with gratitude your support for our
aspirations," said Duda, referring to AJC's Senate testimony for
Poland (and the Czech Republic and Hungary) joining NATO after the collapse of
the communist regime. "The American Jewish Committee proved to be
our valuable ally."
The president also spoke about the unique relationship between
Poles and Jews. "I consider it meaningful that this gala takes
place in the amazing Museum of the History of Polish Jews. This
institution is critically important for preserving the truth about
the common history of both our nations," said Duda. "Today we are
building our prosperous future and jointly commemorating the memory
of our common Polish and Jewish heroes. The knowledge of what
happened on our soil during World War II and in times of German
occupation is disseminated across the world thanks to the efforts
of AJC. I trust that we will continue to work effectively together
in this crucially important issue of defending Poland's good name and the historical
truth."
The opening of AJC Central Europe was saluted by Dr. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, President of Latvia (1999-2007), and the current President
of the Club of Madrid, who
delivered the keynote address.
"It is truly moving for me as a former president of one of the
seven countries to be here for the opening of the AJC Central
Europe office," said Vīķe-Freiberga. "I am an old friend of AJC.
Thank you, AJC, for what you have done not only for my country's
aspirations, but for all three Baltic states and four Visegrad
nations."
Vike-Freiberga spoke about the history of Jews in Central Europe. "Do not forget that your
ancestors who lived in our countries made important contributions
that are worth remembering, countries they loved became part of
their heritage," she said. "The roots from this part of the world
are part of your Jewish heritage. Add to the richness of your
heart, notwithstanding the bitterness you might feel towards some
because of earlier atrocities committed against your people."
U.S. Ambassador to Poland Paul Jones and Israeli Ambassador to
Poland Anna Azari also addressed the gala. Earlier in the day, the
large AJC delegation met separately with the two ambassadors, who
welcomed AJC's new office in Warsaw.
Rabbi Michael Shudrich, Chief Rabbi
of Poland, delivered the opening
invocation, and Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki, President of the
Polish Episcopal Conference, delivered the closing benediction.
During the gala, AJC CEO David
Harris presented the organization's prestigious Jan Karski Award to Andrzej Folwarczny, Founder and President of the
Forum for Dialogue, an AJC partner organization. Nineteen years
ago, the Forum and AJC established a pioneering annual exchange
program to deepen understanding between Poles and American
Jews.
"Andrezj captures the spirit of Jan
Karski, a true hero of humanity," said Harris. "Thanks to
Andrzej's vision to bridge the abyss between Poland and Israel, between Poland and Jews, many have come to understand
each other better. Together, they are determined to become authors
of history, not its prisoners. Andrzej is an author."
"It is a great honor to receive this award. Jan Karski is a role model for us at the Forum
for Dialogue.
This award is a tribute to our longstanding partnership with
AJC," said Folwarczny. "More than 300 people have participated
directly in our Polish-Jewish exchange program. They have created a
unique network of people who care about Polish-Jewish relations.
These people are the best advocates of our mission and examples of
our success."
An AJC leadership delegation met today with President Duda for a
90-minute discussion. AJC CEO David
Harris noted: "The President was exceptionally warm and
gracious. He spoke of his joy at the opening of the AJC Central
Europe office in Warsaw, calling
it a 'very welcome development.' He also strongly condemned
anti-Semitism, while assuring our group that the problem today in
Poland is far less acute than in
some other European countries. Moreover, he reaffirmed his
friendship for Israel, which he
recently visited, and the strong Polish-Israeli relationship."
The March 27 gala was the centerpiece of a larger mission to
Warsaw to mark the opening of AJC
Central Europe. More than 130 AJC leaders from across the
U.S. traveled to Poland to attend
the celebratory event. The three-day visit to Poland began on Friday evening celebrating
Shabbat with members of the Polish Jewish community at services at
Etz Chaim synagogue, followed by a Shabbat dinner.
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SOURCE American Jewish Committee