Jerusalem, Israel - Jan. 2, 2002 - President Reuven Rivlin today, Wednesday, January 2 / 5 Tevet, hosted representatives of the World Union of Jewish Students, WUJS, meeting in Jerusalem, Israel for their annual conference. WUJS, an umbrella organization for international Jewish students in some 55 countries, strives to ensure Jewish students around the world are connected, represented, and empowered to create strong and dynamic national and regional unions.
"Friends, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Jerusalem and to Beit HaNasi, which is a home for the entire Jewish People. Thank you for 95 years of working to support Jewish student life. I deeply appreciate your dedication to strengthening Jewish identity,” said the president at the beginning of his remarks, welcoming the students to Israel.
“Next month, I will host a gathering of world leaders at Yad Vashem, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This gathering will serve as an important opportunity to discuss the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, and to combat rising antisemitism. As the number of Holocaust survivors declines, we must find new ways to pass on the lessons of the Holocaust to the next generation.”
The president noted the need to be absolutely clear on the question of opposition to all forms of racism and antisemitism. Including those that claim to support Israel. “One cannot hate Jews and love Israel, just as one cannot hate Israel and love Jews,” he said. “There can be no compromise on this position. As young leaders, you are on the frontline in facing antisemitism, and I know that it is not always easy to express your identity or support Israel on campus. Even wearing Kippah, or a Magen David can be dangerous sometimes. And you are on the frontline in fighting BDS campaigns on campus, which seek to harm Israel and to distance young Jews from Israel. Todah, thank for all that you do for us.”
“As we face the challenges from without, we must also meet the challenges from within,” he continued. “I know that there is also an urgent need to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the global Jewish community. We must engage in an open dialogue on all of the issues between us, while always remembering that we are not just partners, but family. One family. That is why I am supporting initiatives that send young Israeli opinion-makers to learn about Diaspora communities, as well as initiatives in the field of Tikkun Olam, where Jewish leaders from Israel and around the world, work in developing countries, for the benefit of all.”
At the end of his remarks, the president wished the participants a successful congress, saying, “Thank you again for all that you do, to empower young Jewish leaders, and strengthen the bonds between us. G-D Bless You.”
President Reuven Rivlin today, Wednesday, January 2 / 5 Tevet, hosted representatives of the World Union of Jewish Students, WUJS, meeting in Jerusalem, Israel for their annual conference
Jerusalem, Israel - Jan. 2, 2002 - President Reuven Rivlin today, Wednesday, January 2 / 5 Tevet, hosted representatives of the World Union of Jewish Students, WUJS, meeting in Jerusalem, Israel for their annual conference. WUJS, an umbrella organization for international Jewish students in some 55 countries, strives to ensure Jewish students around the world are connected, represented, and empowered to create strong and dynamic national and regional unions.
"Friends, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Jerusalem and to Beit HaNasi, which is a home for the entire Jewish People. Thank you for 95 years of working to support Jewish student life. I deeply appreciate your dedication to strengthening Jewish identity,” said the president at the beginning of his remarks, welcoming the students to Israel.
“Next month, I will host a gathering of world leaders at Yad Vashem, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This gathering will serve as an important opportunity to discuss the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, and to combat rising antisemitism. As the number of Holocaust survivors declines, we must find new ways to pass on the lessons of the Holocaust to the next generation.”
The president noted the need to be absolutely clear on the question of opposition to all forms of racism and antisemitism. Including those that claim to support Israel. “One cannot hate Jews and love Israel, just as one cannot hate Israel and love Jews,” he said. “There can be no compromise on this position. As young leaders, you are on the frontline in facing antisemitism, and I know that it is not always easy to express your identity or support Israel on campus. Even wearing Kippah, or a Magen David can be dangerous sometimes. And you are on the frontline in fighting BDS campaigns on campus, which seek to harm Israel and to distance young Jews from Israel. Todah, thank for all that you do for us.”
“As we face the challenges from without, we must also meet the challenges from within,” he continued. “I know that there is also an urgent need to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the global Jewish community. We must engage in an open dialogue on all of the issues between us, while always remembering that we are not just partners, but family. One family. That is why I am supporting initiatives that send young Israeli opinion-makers to learn about Diaspora communities, as well as initiatives in the field of Tikkun Olam, where Jewish leaders from Israel and around the world, work in developing countries, for the benefit of all.”
At the end of his remarks, the president wished the participants a successful congress, saying, “Thank you again for all that you do, to empower young Jewish leaders, and strengthen the bonds between us. G-D Bless You.”
