SOFIA – The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry hosted the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria ‘Shalom’ and representatives of the Jewish communities of Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia on Thursday for a special Passover dinner.
In a message conveyed to the participants by a World Jewish Congress representative, WJC CEO Robert Singer expressed the organization’s deep gratitude for the strong friendship shown by the Bulgarian government, and its efforts to combat anti-Semitism and commemorate the Holocaust.
“During the holiday of Passover, we recall the Jewish exodus from Egypt and celebrate our freedom from bondage, though a symbolic retelling of the story. This Passover dinner, a gathering of the Balkan Jewish communities, is also a symbolic step toward improving regional relationships and exposing the truth about the darkest period in European history.
“During the Holocaust, the world witnessed remarkable examples of bravery as ordinary Bulgarians stood up to the Nazi war machine and refused to sacrifice their Jewish neighbours. We also witnessed tremendous cowardice as the Bulgarian pro-Nazi government rounded up more than 11,000 Jews from northern Greece, Macedonia, and Eastern Serbia and drove them to their deaths in Treblinka. We must honour the memories of the victims of Holocaust, including those whose lives were taken by the Nazi collaborators in Bulgaria, as well as the heroes who resisted and saved their fellow Bulgarians from certain death. We must recognize those who lost and risked their lives – not those who cowardly sent innocent people to their deaths.
“The time has come for all sides to clearly acknowledge the full truth of what happened during the Holocaust, and the Nazi collaboration that nearly wiped out the Jewish communities in parts of the Balkans. It is imperative to recognize the complex history of World War II across Nazi-occupied Europe including Bulgaria, and make sure that the no space is ever given for manipulation to serve a political agenda.
“Bulgaria is already making welcome moves in this direction, and in preserving the memories of the Jews who perished along with celebrating those who were rescued, a critical step in the process of reconciliation between the four countries and their communities. We thank you for hosting this special event and for the efforts being made on all sides in the spirit of truth, recognition, and justice,” Singer concluded.
In a separate message to the community leaders, who met prior to the dinner at the Shalom Center in Bulgaria, Singer applauded their efforts to build bridges between their communities and stressed that the WJC see it as its primary goal to assist each of its communities in every way possible. “We therefore offer you our full support both in dealing with the challenges facing your individual communities, as well as the process you are currently undergoing to strengthen ties between yourselves,” Singer said.
Singer added that the World Jewish Congress encourages the communities to convene an annual gathering of Balkan Jewish lay leaders, in a different country each year, to discuss common interests, issues, and strategies in order to further enhance your cooperation.
“We wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors. We stand ready to support in any way possible,” Singer said.