President of the European Jewish Congress Moshe Kantor pays tribute to Serge Cwajgenbaum:
From the moment I met him twenty years ago, I was inspired by Serge’s energy, his vision and his passion. Meeting him was one of the crucial moments that led me to get involved as a Jewish lay leader.
Serge served European Jewry with distinction for more than 40 years, bringing together Jewish communities separated by the tragedies of history, and building a united Jewish community under the European Jewish Congress, which was so dear him.
Very few people embody the EJC’s mission of protecting Jewish life, fostering Jewish unity and helping communities flourish as Serge did, and to be able to continue with this task is for me an enormous privilege and a distinct honour.
Across Europe, Jewish communities mourn and cherish Serge’s memory. His moral character and devotion to Jewish life were an inspiration to many.
We are heartbroken to have lost such a dear friend and mentor, but at the same time honoured to have known and worked closely with a true mensch such as Serge.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Serge’s dear wife Ruty, children Nathalie and Raphaël and grandchildren, to whom we send our deep respect and condolences. We deeply share their grief and loss. May the Lord comfort them among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Yechi Zichro Baruch.
