The 23rd biannual Conference of European Rabbis (CER)
convention took place in Brussels last week with the
participation of 230 European rabbis including all the
European chief rabbis as well as the two chief rabbis of
Israel, Rabbi I M Lau and Rabbi Bakshi Doron, and the
Minister of Religion Rabbi O Ohana and Deputy Minister of
Housing Rabbi M Porush. The convention was held under the
patronage of the European Commission who put their building
at the disposal of the conference.
The President of the European Commission, Mr. Romano Prodi,
addressed the convention at the dinner, emphasizing the role
of spiritual leadership as an essential ingredient for the
development of Europe. Awards were made to Ronald Lauder for
his extensive work in the field of Jewish education in
Europe. Rabbi Israel Singer also received an award for his
role in the field of restitution and George Ban for his role
in directing the efforts of the Lauder Foundation in
Europe.
The conference recognized the increased growth of the Jewish
community in Germany by granting an award Mrs. C Knoblauch of
Munich who has ensured that the joint beth din set up
by the CER in Germany can function efficiently.
Chief Rabbi Lau dramatically dealt with the current situation
in Israel during a special session with a keynote speech. He
described the daily tribulations experienced by the citizens
of Israel and called on the rabbis to encourage their
communities to go to Israel for visits.
During the conference a rabbi from southern France announced
that one hundred members of his congregation had declared
that they wished to move to Israel due to the current
antisemitic climate in France.
The convention was overshadowed by the constant emphasis on
security. During preparations for the conference it had been
requested that the delegates not circulate in the streets in
order to avoid attracting attention. The secretary general of
the CER, Cllr Aba Dunner, refused to issue such instructions
declaring that those who constitute a threat to the rabbis
should be restricted from circulating in the city rather than
the rabbis. A solidarity visit was made to the Anderlecht
synagogue in Brussels that had been firebombed some months
ago. The damage was still apparent for all to see.
Leading halachic authorities attending the conference met
with representatives of the International Conference of
Jewish Women in order to discuss the agunoh issue. It
was agreed that the CER issue a statement condemning husbands
who blackmail their wives for large sums of money in return
for the get as well as women who use the issue of
access before accepting a get. Mrs. Lilian Grossman,
who headed the delegation, stated categorically in the name
of all delegates that solutions could only be considered if
they conformed with halacha. It was agreed that a joint
working committee be established in order to deal with all
the issues including proposed legislation being considered in
various countries.
Resolutions adopted by the conference included: A plea to the
leaders of Europe to stamp out the current wave of
antisemitism in all its forms. A pledge of solidarity of all
communities in Europe with Israel. The conference called on
the leadership in Israel to appreciate that the future of the
Jewish people depends on upholding true Jewish values. The
conference sent its condolences to the bereaved families who
have suffered from the constant killings in recent years in
Israel.
