Chabad Serbia Opened in Belgrade

Center of Jewish Tradition and Culture Opened

  •   Jewish center “Chabad Serbia” is the first centre of Chabad Lubavitch organisation in our country intended, above all, at the preservation of Jewish tradition and culture
  • 9/14/2016
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    On Monday, 12 September, the Jewish centre “Chabad Serbia” in 61 Kneza Miloša Street in Belgrade was officially opened. The opening was attended by representatives of ministries of the Government of Serbia, City of Belgrade, the diplomatic corps, the Jewish Community of Belgrade and other distinguished guests.

    The artistic part of the programme was enriched by performance of the famous Israeli singer Yishai Lapidot. Jewish center “Chabad Serbia” is the first centre of Chabad Lubavitch organisation in our country intended, above all, at the preservation of Jewish tradition and culture. Chabad Lubavitch centres are located in almost all countries of the world in which the Jewish people live. The opening of the Centre “Chabad Serbia,” brings to Belgrade, for the first time since the Second World War  the Jewish ritual bath “mikveh”, which has great significance in the spiritual and religious life of the Jews. The founder of the Centre is Rabbi Yehoshua Kaminecki.
     
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    Speech of H. E. Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm
    Honorable representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia
    Your Excellences, representatives of the diplomatic corps
    Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends
    Dear Rabbi Yehoshua,
     
    I am honored to take part in the inauguration of BEIT HABAD – The House of Habad that indeed, serves as home for many Israelis and Jews, travelling all over the world, who seek to experience Jewish holidays wherever they are. Young Israelis, religious and non religious alike, who make the traditional cross-the-world travel after their military service, know they can always find, even  in the most remote places of the world, Habad House, the atmosphere of Jewish and Israeli life. Whether you climb the Himalaya or travel along desert areas, you know that you can share Pesah Dinner or celebrate The Jewish New Year with other Israelis and Jews in Beit Habad, as I personally experienced during my travel to India. As from now, Jews will find Habad House also here, in this beautiful city of Beograd.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Taking part in this event, as the first public intervention right after the presentation of my Letters of Credence, means a lot to me. It symbolizes the responsibility I feel to represent a country that is unique in many aspects, and above all, being the Jewish State - physical and spiritual homeland for the Jews. Physical, since today, 75% of the Israeli population is Jewish. Not less important, almost half of the Jews in the world live today in Israel in comparison to 6% in 1948, when Israel was established. In addition, Israel is Homeland for the Jews, since they can find refuge there whenever they feel insecure or threatened. Spiritual homeland, since Israel is the cultural and historical center of the Jewish People. Israel is the place where Judaism in its religious and national sense was created, developed and after 2000 years of exile was reborn and revived by the Zionist Movement.
     
    As new ambassador, I believe that strengthening and encouraging Jewish life in Serbia is an important task that serves Israel, Jews and Serbia. Unlike many other European Countries, the history of the Holocaust unites Serbia and Israel. The restitution Law has been highly appreciated in Israel. I do hope as well, to see important progress, regarding the Memorial site in the horrifying Sajmište concentration and extermination camp. Israel follows with concern voices in Europe, that try to minimize the horrors of the Holocaust and rewrite its history. Israel follows with concern revival of Anti-Semite voices and acts in many parts of the world. We believe that education is an important factor in encountering and eradicating this phenomena and I will do my utmost to encourage Holocaust education.

    Dear friends, let me assure you that not only the past unites Serbia and Israel. We share values, interests, concerns and hopes and we explore together ways to give our two dear peoples better life, better education and better conditions. We both try to live peacefully with our neighbors. This year was painful for the Middle East. The turbulences and violence in the region have continued and Israel has suffered victims in a long series of terrorist acts all over the country. Prime Minister Vucic was one of the first to condemn those acts. Europe has known painful terrorist attacks as well, some of them directed intentionally against Jewish premises and Jews. At this moment let me recall you the horrible terrorist attack against Habad House in Mumbai in November 2008, that took life of 6 people including Rabbi Gabriel and his wife Rivka Holtzberg. Their 2 year old son was saved by the housekeeper. Only yesterday, we marked the 15th anniversary of September 11th terrorist attacks. These barbaric acts show that we all need to unite and fight together against our common enemies who oppose our precious values of freedom, democracy and human rights. I do hope that the new signs of renewing the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians through direct talks without preconditions, will open the way for an agreement, we are all waiting for.

    Dear guests, let me assure you that The Embassy staff and myself will not spare efforts to find ways to get our two peoples closer. Economy, water management and agriculture, science, culture, hi tech and tourism are just examples of areas of cooperation to be explored even more. Supporting Jewish life and heritage here is another area of common interest. I would like to thank on this occasion my predecessors, for their excellent labor and to promise you all to follow their love, passion and open heart towards Serbia. Let me thank as well the new Israeli team at the Embassy and especially Ms. Jenny Sedov my deputy, present here today, who shares with me the honor and the burden of representing Israel in Serbia.
    On this occasion, let me thank Rabbi Yehoshua, his wife Miri and their children for their initiative, labor and dedication that have resulted in this beautiful event. I wish them a lot of success in their mission.

    Haverim. In two week time we will all celebrate Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Only last week, thousands gathered in Jerusalem for SLIHOT, the traditional ceremony that marks the beginning of the Jewish period of redemption and forgiveness. This is time of internal scrutiny that prepares our soul and minds towards new beginnings, new challenges and new experiences. I will be pleased to share these beginnings, challenges and experiences in the next years with you all. Allow me to wish you and your families a happy new year, srecna nova godina and shana tova. Let it be a year of hope, peace and prosperity for the Jews, for Israel and for Serbia.