European Council of Jewish Communities to open offices in Israel

Moshe Peterburg will head the NGO's Israel offices, which will begin activities in six-months time.

By SHALHEVET ZOHAR
ECJC london topol 248 (photo credit: Courtesy)
ECJC london topol 248
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The non-governmental non-profit European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC) organization announced on Sunday night it will soon be opening offices in Israel. At a reception held on Sunday at the London home of Ron Prosor, Israel's Ambassador to the UK, ECJC President Jonathan Joseph explained why the NGO had decided to extend its activity to Israel. The decision to open offices in Israel was made in light of the increased status of European Jewry in recent years and the recognition that this is an important and influential community, he said. Joseph noted that the Israel offices will open the way for social and economic opportunities and for connecting different cultures. Among those who attended the reception to mark the opening of the ECJC Israel offices were Mr. Haim Topol, Ambassador Ron Prosor, European Jewish community leaders, British members of parliament and lords, and the head of the Jewish congress in Germany. Philanthropist and businessman Moshe Peterburg was appointed to head the organization's Israel offices, which will begin activities in 6 months time. The ECJC is a non governmental non-profit organization which has existed for 40 years and is active in dozens of Jewish communities in 40 countries across Europe, working to connect millions of young Jews to their Jewish identity and to the Jewish lifestyle, through educational, economic and cultural projects. The organization recently opened new offices in Istanbul, Morocco, Berlin and Kiev and has signed agreements of cooperation with European governments.