CER convenes in Warsaw

BY HARRY SIMONS

Conference of European Rabbis and European Beth Din held a three-day convention in Warsaw.

Delegates discussed halachic and communal issues facing Jewish communities.

Chief Rabbi of Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich, and CER President Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt spoke about the recent growth of Central and Eastern European Jewish communities. Guests of honour included Polish politicians Tomasz Grodzki, Wojciech Kolarski and Bartosz Grodecki.

A dinner highlighted the history and cultural contributions of the Jewish community.

Delegates visited Warsaw cemetery and Warsaw Ghetto monument. Dayan Menachem Gelley, Rosh Beth Din of London, led Kaddish and a memorial prayer at the site. This tour was a reminder of the tragic history of the Jewish people in Europe.

In the evening, Rabbi Yisrael Freedman of the Gedolei Yisrael in Israel relayed his personal reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing European Jewry.

Recently, Poland has been the subject of controversy over the Government's announcements to stop funding of Holocaust research it deems "insulting to Poland".

Rabbi Goldschmidt said: “The history of Jews in Poland is a long and complex one, worldjewishrelief.org illustrious at times yet tragic in others. The period of the Holocaust in Poland is still an open wound for many and until today casts a shadow on our relations. The best way to deal with the past is to enable independent academics to do their work without Government involvement, letting the historical truth be discovered, bringing a clearer understanding to this dark chapter in our shared history. Attempts to revise history and manipulate research are bound to fail. Only truth and honesty can bring us to a wiser and future-oriented partnership."

“Today, it should be noted, Jewish communities are supported in Poland, and the CER has worked well with the Government, helping to pave a positive future for Jewish life in the country. Poland has been a centre of present-day Eastern European Jewish life, and its communities have grown. The CER is concerned, first and foremost, with supporting them and their rabbinic leaders.”

Throughout the convention, participants discussed the work of CER's European Beth Din, led by Dayan Gelley, and explored ways to strengthen and expand its services and impact across Europe. The Beth Din provides comprehensive and reputable Jewish legal services to communities across the continent, especially those that have no such infrastructure themselves.

Last March, the European Beth Din signed an agreement with the Union of Jewish Communities in Poland, becoming the sole Beth Din to service the Jewish communities in the country.

Dayan Gelley described the events as inspiring. He said: “Our discussions with fellow rabbis and community leaders from across Europe showed the critical role that CER plays in challenges facing our communities, such as protecting our religious practices and ensuring we have a strong halachic infrastructure in place. The visit to the Warsaw cemetery was a poignant reminder of the tragic past. Through our work, we are committed to strengthening European Jewry for the future."

Mazel Tov to our Royal Patron the former Prince of Wales, and Her Majesty Queen Camilla, on the occasion of their Coronation.