Swiss Jewish communities hold General Assembly in Bern

The current situation in Ukraine was one of the main topics discussed at the General Assembly of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG/FCSI), hedl in Bern.

According to the President of SIG Raphael Lewin “Swiss Jews are greatly affected by the war. We are in close contact with Jewish communities in Ukraine, many of us have relatives there. The solidarity among Jews is as great as among the entire Swiss population”

“Everyone is suffering with what is happening now. There is a very large Jewish community there. My father-in-law, for example, was born in Ukraine. It is now a matter of alleviating the suffering of these people and finding an end to this war,” says Ralph Lewin.

About 300 Jews from Ukraine have fled to Switzerland to escape the current war.

Concurrently, the General Assembly the Association of Swiss Jewish Refugee Aid/Care (VSJF), the social welfare organization of Jewish communities in Switzerland, was held.

Gabrielle Rosenstein, president of the Association of Swiss Jewish Welfare (VSJF), said that the organization “was founded shortly after 1900, when Jews were forcibly recruited on behalf of the Russian tsar, especially in the Ukrainian region, when Cossacks carried out pogroms. That gave rise to a huge wave of emigration, including to Switzerland”.

“The Jewish communities did a lot for the refugees back then. Today, too, there is great solidarity: from housing to schools, many things are provided for the refugees. In addition, there are special events for the refugees organized by Jewish communities” according to Rosenstein.

These include kosher meals and a Passover Meal which was organized for a large group of Ukrainian refugees in Davos.

Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter attended the Assembly of Delegates in Bern as guest of honor.

With regard to the war in Ukraine, she praised the solidarity and thanked for the commitment of the Jewish community in the support of refugees.

related

Subscribe to the EJC newsletter

Get the EJC newsletter, including the latest statements and news from the European Jewish communities, direct to your inbox.

European Jewish Congress will use the information you provide on this form to contact you. We will treat your information with respect and will not share it with others. By clicking Subscribe, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

browse by community