From 2-5 November 2017, the fifth MAHAR (Hebrew for Tomorrow) Conference took place in Budva, Montenegro. It was organized by the Jewish community of Montenegro and supported by the World Jewish Conference (WJC), the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) and the Government of Montenegro. The MAHAR conference targeted Jewish communities, represented by their respective presidents. This year, both the Government of Israel and the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) supported and participated in the conference.
This year’s conference tackled the question of “Whither will this Europe go?” Amongst its numerous topics, antisemitism and the status of Jews in Europe was discussed.
The conference’s aim was to help preserve and develop the Jewish communities of the Balkan region and southeastern Europe. This meeting helped strengthen the bonds of the Jewish community with Jewish and Israeli organizations from around the world. Diplomats, government officials and ministers were among the conference participants.
This year there were over 500 participants from many central and southeast European nations, including: Greece, Romania, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Slovenia.
Mr. Jasa Alfandari - the conference organizer, head of the Montenegrin Jewish community and president of the Balkan KKL-JNF - opened the conference by stating: “This is the conference’s fifth year. We can state that this is one of the best conferences in Europe. Today, representatives from 16 countries are attending. We will continue to work together, today and in the future.”
Mr. Milo Đukanović, former president of Montenegro and still a prominent figure in local politics, noted in his address: “I am personally happy because the Montenegrin Jewish community was established during my tenure as President of Montenegro. We are pleased that Montenegro has never experienced antisemitism and Jews can feel safe here. We are one of a few countries in which there were more Jews after World War II than before it.” He further added: “There exists a strong bond between Montenegro and Israel. Also, a new synagogue is expected to be built in Podgorica [capital of Montenegro].”
At the end of the former president’s speech, the opera’s choir ensemble sang the national anthems of Israel - Hatikva - and Montenegro. The choir was established in the year 2000 under the auspices of the Macedonian Jewish community and is named after Mois Hason, the renowned Jewish composer and conductor from Skopje who lost his life during WWII. The Mois Hason choir preserves and advances traditional religious and secular music of Sephardic Jewry.
During the opening ceremony, the address of Israeli president Mr. Reuven Rivlin was read to the audience: “Montenegro is an example of commitment and friendship between us”, and added: “Jews from the Balkans and Israel share their fate and Israel will continue to support our communities in the diaspora.”
The president also remarked: “We come from different countries, but we are partners in history, religion and culture. We support the younger generation in taking an active role in the community. I congratulate Montenegro on its acceptance into NATO. It’s an acknowledgement of Montenegro’s contribution to the stability and security of the Balkan region. Montenegro is a gateway and bridge for forging business ties between Israel and the Balkans. It is our duty to find a way of building Jewish identity the world over. This conference is an opportunity to strengthen Jewish identity and the connection with Israel. The connection between Israel and Montenegro is important to us, and we’ll continue to strengthen it.”
Speaker of Israel’s Knesset Mr. Yuli Edelstein’s address was also read from the conference floor. Edelstein dealt with the Balfour Declaration and its importance in establishing the State of Israel.
Afterwards, Prof. Mikhail Chlenov, head of the EAJC’s Strategic Council, addressed the conference. He noted that this is the first MAHAR conference he is participating in. He opened by saying “I see that a miracle has happened”, and continued: “The fact that 500 Jews, approximately 10% of the Jewish community, arrived to this conference in one of the smallest Balkan nations, in order to debate issues of concern for its Jewish communities, is remarkable. We’re talking about a revival of the once glorious Jewish community of Yugoslavia. Be strong and courageous.”
Mr. Yigal Tzahor, from Hapoel Youth of the Jewish Congress, stated that: “This region has known great Jewish communities. Today, we are working to strengthen what remains of those communities. It is important to us to strengthen you, important for us to preserve the connection with your communities that made an effort to preserve your Jewish identity anywhere and anytime. I invite you to visit us in Israel, the Land of Milk and Honey.”
Mr. Amnon Ben-Ami, KKL-JNF’s Director General, noted in his opening ceremony address: “It is our honor, as an organization that just celebrated its 115th anniversary, to be a part of this conference, to meet directly with an impressive group of community leaders, presidents and Jewish organizations, and to play an active and meaningful role in a Jewish and Zionist dialogue with the 21st century diaspora.” Ben-Ami expanded on the historic role played by the KKL-JNF: “Land redemption by the KKL-JNF literally created the future borders of a state in the making. Today, the KKL-JNF is considered the largest Zionist organization in the world, operating on all continents and across a broad array of fields: ecology, Zionism, education, settlement, tourism, social issues and others. KKL-JNF’s primary activity is directed towards improving the welfare of Israel’s citizens, with an emphasis on the residents of its periphery and in partnership with Diaspora Jewry, which faces many complex challenges.”
Concerning European antisemitism, Ben-Ami noted that: “It is clear to me that there are no magic solutions, and the truth is that the most enduring answer to antisemitism, as I see it, is to strengthen Jewish communities the world over and to strengthen the connections between them and Israel. That is also the main goal of KKL-JNF’s day-to-day undertakings. The national home, it is the home of all of us.”
The opening ceremony was closed with the emotional recital of a blessing by the chief rabbi of Montenegro: “He who makes peace in His heights will make peace upon us and all of Israel, and let us say, Amen.”
Strengthening Cooperation between KKL-JNF and Europe’s Jewish Communities
During the conference a special meeting was held between KKL-JNF CEO Amnon Ben-Ami and the heads of Jewish communities that attended the conference. Ms. Karin Boltin opened the evening with a statement of its goals - to strengthen ties between Israel and the Jewish communities. A short film entitled “KKL-JNF in Numbers” was screened, presenting the broad diversity of activities undertaken by the KKL-JNF for the benefit of society and the environment.
Mr. Yasha Alfendari began his statement: “Since we are all Jews and since we have a common theme, we are changing society. As you know, KKL-JNF is known globally. This is a special opportunity we have for a dialogue with KKL-JNF. The KKL-JNF designates budgets to aid overseas Jewish communities and this is an opportunity to hear of their vision for investing in the diaspora.”
On behalf of KKL-JNF and its Chairman Mr. Daniel Atar, Mr. Ben-Ami presented Mr. Alfendari with a framed picture of the Seven Species of the Land of Israel. He noted afterwards that the meeting’s goal is to hear directly from the communities what their needs are and how KKL-JNF can best join them and assist them. “KKL-JNF is an organization that connects with other communities around the world as well”, he said. “As a public service organization, KKL-JNF can undertake certain types of activities. We want to provide an answer for Zionist education and environmental concerns. The point being, an education that strengthens the bonds between future generations with what’s going on in Israel.”
Mr. Moshe Pearl, Acting Executive Director of the KKL-JNF Resources, Development and Public Relations Division, added that KKL-JNF is ready to share with other countries the vast knowledge it has accumulated in the fields of environment and sustainability, thereby promoting good relations with those countries.
The leaders of the Jewish communities expressed their enthusiasm for the change in the spirit of KKL-JNF. Numerous participants raised their communities’ needs, which revealed that each community had its own history and culture, a unique community life and different needs. Amongst all the communities, the central issue raised was the need to strengthen a Zionist identity in their communities, especially among the younger generation, in the sense of a love for the land, a connection with Israel and moral support for the State of Israel.