I would like to express my warmest wishes to all European Jews for Rosh HaShanah on behalf of the European Commission. May 5782 be a year full of happiness, peace and good health. May this year bring about a „new normal“ of safer, more resilient, more compassionate and more united European societies.
Safer from a pandemic that ravaged the world and challenged our patience as well as our creativity and scientific knowledge in finding solutions at an unprecedented speed. We can be proud of Europe’s key role in ensuring the development and distribution of vaccines against COVID-19 within the European Union and beyond. 12.5 million of these doses that European companies exported have gone to Israel.
Safer from the increasing uncertainty and fragility in our region and beyond, using all tools at our disposal to tackle evolving security threats effectively together. Safer, also, from disinformation, antisemitic conspiracy myths and hatred – online and offline.
To combat their pernicious impact on our democratic values and human rights, the Commission has launched the European Digital Media Observatory and engaged in online campaigns like #ThinkBeforeSharing and #ProtectTheFacts to combat antisemitism and Holocaust distortion and denial.
The EU will continue to support its Jewish community and help foster Jewish life in all its diversity. In autumn, the Commission will present a first-ever comprehensive Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in the EU, developed in close cooperation with Jewish communities from across Europe. The Strategy will propose EU-level actions and also support Member States in areas such as preventing and combating all forms of antisemitism; protecting and fostering Jewish life in the EU; education, research and Holocaust remembrance. The EU is also determined to lead the global fight against antisemitism.
Winning this fight is our duty. It is an integral part of our European way of life and essential to safeguard the rights and freedoms of every European citizen. We must ensure that Jews can continue to feel at home in Europe and be proud of being European citizens. Europe can only thrive, enriched by its diversity and history, when its minorities can live in peace and celebrate their cultural and religious traditions.
On Rosh Hashanah, families will gather again to rekindle the candles of hope and joy, while delighting in the traditional meals and hearing the Shoffar blowing. Despite the many difficult moments of the year that passed, may you now devote yourself to moments of joy and happiness.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and thriving Jewish New Year!
Margaritis SCHINAS
