Euroasian Jewish News

The statement of the Jewish Community of Azerbaijan in support of Joseph Zissels, the EAJC General Council Chairman, the Vaad of

To the Council of Leaders of All-Ukrainian (Major) Jewish Organizations

Baku Religious Commune of European Jews is indignant with the style and content of the “Declaration” published in the “VEK” newspaper of July 08, 2003 against Joseph Zissels Chairman of the Vaad of Ukraine.
Joseph Zissels is a well-known figure in Azerbaijan for his good deeds, including personal support of the construction of a new synagogue in Baku. We appreciate that notwithstanding being busy he attended the Baku Synagogue’s opening ceremony on March 09, 2003 and shared in the joy of our community. His meeting with ul-islam-sheikh Allahshukur Pasha-zade, chairman of the Religious Administration of Caucasian Muslims, to discuss Jewish-Muslim relations was of great positive importance.
We acknowledge that difficulties between Jewish organizations and their leaders are possible, but the methods utilized by the authors of the “Declaration” are inadmissible.
There is no sense and perspective in blackening Joseph Zissels’ reputation since his contribution to developing Jewish life has been too significant.

Respectfully,

Chairman of Baku Religious Commune of European Jews,
General Council Member,the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress,
Coordination Council Member,the World Congress of Russian Jewry

G.Zelmanovich