On Chanukah, Ganzach Kiddush Hashem hosted the new Ambassador of the European Union to Israel, Mr. Michael Anthony Mann from the United Kingdom, and his deputy, Mr. Andrea Pontiroli from Italy, and their diplomatic entourage for an introductory visit and a joint meeting in which they discussed ways for future collaboration that will greatly benefit the goals of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem and its ongoing initiatives.
The delegation of the European Union to Israel is the official diplomatic representation of the European Union in Israel and its main role is to represent the Union, promote its interests, and strengthen relations between European countries and Israel in a wide range of areas.
The activities of the diplomatic delegation include various areas of interest such as political representation, economic and trade cooperation, extensive activity in the fields of innovation and technology, education and academia, environmental quality and energy, as well as assistance and contact with the community, in the form of support for social projects to preserve history and heritage, which is where the place for cooperation with Ganzach Kiddush Hashem fits in.
In light of the importance of the visit, the parties invested a great deal of thought and thorough preparation into this visit, which was crowned with success, and G-d willing it will bear fruit for the benefit of the initiatives and vision of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem.
The delegation was hosted by the management, the CEO Rabbi Zvi Skulski and the Chairwoman of the Board Mrs. Rachel Yud, around set tables with the archives, commemoration, education, and publishing staff of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem
Rabbi Skulski expressed the vision of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem for the near future, and outlined the construction plans for the visitors’ center that is being established in the BSR Towers complex in Bnei Brak.
Mrs. Rachel Yud reviewed at great length what is happening in the extensive fields of activity of the veteran institution, in all its branches and departments.
Lecturer and instructor Mrs. Chana Rotenberg spoke about the sense of mission burning in the hearts of those involved in the work of education and commemoration, and about the commemoration activity in Israel and around the world. Mrs. Rotenberg added with emotion about her family’s experiences during the Holocaust, and about the special best-selling book “How Could I Not Have Known?” that she published about her parents, Holocaust survivors, through Ganzach Kiddush Hashem.
Well-known lecturer Rabbi Yaakov Rosenfeld spoke about the increased activity of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem during Chanukah with hundreds of Yiddish-speaking boys, and lecturer and instructor Rabbi Yaakov Friedland spoke about the educational activity among all segments of the population: religious, charedi (ultra-Orthodox), and general Israeli society.
Mrs. Ricki Prince described to the guests the commemoration activities around the world and the excellent historical materials in many languages that are published by Ganzach Kiddush Hashem.
The director of the photo archive, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Moskowitz, presented the ambassador and his team with items from the archive, photographs, and reproductions that touched the ambassador’s hearts and moved him.
In a special, spectacular presentation, researcher and genealogist Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Shapira presented Ganzach Kiddush Hashem’s past and present, and provided a wonderful professional taste of the latest and sophisticated activities of the unparalleled genealogical department.
The meeting was attended and even heard words from the man of action, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Kaminer, who stands at the forefront of the project building the large new centre that will, G-d willing, be established.
On behalf of the Bnei Brak Municipality, the Municipality’s Director General, Rabbi Israel Eirenstein, welcomed the guests and spoke, detailing the Municipality’s role in the planning and implementation of the new centre, in cooperation with the relevant government ministries.
In conclusion, the ambassador, for his part, delivered an emotional speech, promising to create a direct channel for continuous and permanent cooperation, which will undoubtedly bring enormous benefits to the vision and goals of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem. The visit was attended by senior officials from the Bnei Brak Municipality and members of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem’s management. The participants concluded the visit and the topics covered with satisfaction, and expressed hope for continued effective cooperation.
