May 13, 2012. - The Regular Annual Assembly of the JCZ

April 28, 2012 - A dream fulfilled - to Kanjiža with love

Seventy years after his miraculous rescue, Eng. Josef Zsámbóki accomplished his life-long dream. The Center of Education and Culture – CNESA  in Kanjiža was host to: the exhibition „The Righteous of Serbia“, to a  grand concert  „To Kanjiža with love“, and  eminent  artists, all draw together in honor of Pal Zsámbóki. To the day, 70 year ago the Righteous among nations, Pal Zsámbóki managed to take Josef and his sister Roza BenAvram out of Belgrade, a city which at the time, assisted by the police force of the Quisling regime of Milan Nedić, was settling its final scores with the Jewish population. Pal took Josef to Kanjiža where he introduced him as his son, while Pal’s sister, Maria Csanadi from Novi Kneževac, took in Rosa, where the girl remained up to the end of the war. Both children managed to survive World War Two. As a token of his gratitude Josef changed his surname to that of his savior.
A very large audience came out to pay their respects to their cohabitant Pal Zsámbóki and be present at the opening of the exhibition. To open the day’s event, exhibition author Nenad Fogel, president of the Jewish Community in Zemun spoke first; he was followed by Prof. Dr. Milan Ristović of the Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. Milan Koljanin, of the Institute for Modern History, Dr. Ruben Fuks, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Serbia and finally, Eng. Josef Zsámbóki, the originator and donor of this spectacular event. Each visitor received a copy of lush the exhibition catalogue. On behalf of the publisher, the Jewish Community in Zemun,  Nenad Fogel also presented copies of the book “Righteous among the Nations – Serbia”, published both in the Serbian and English language, to the mayor of Kanjiža, Mr. Nyilas Mihaly and  to the director of The Institute of Education and Culture – CNESA , Mr.  Karoly Sarnyai. After looking at the exhibition, guest filled into the town grand hall, right up to the last seat in the advent of the performance of eminent artists. The program was formally opened by Eng. Josef Zsámbóki who ascended the stage and lit up six candles in a menorah to commemorate the six million Jewish Holocaust victims. The concert was opened by Mirko Levy, a long standing solo singer of the Braća Baruh choir. Mr. Levy sang the Synagogue prayer kadish of Louis Lewandowski. It must be noted that the remainder of the evening’s event went to its star performer, Margit Zsámbóki, who despite the late years of her singing career managed, during her performance of the song ‘Hymn to Kanjiža” for which she herself had written the lyrics in Hungarian, to obtain the spontaneous support of the public that clapped in time with the song from beginning to end. The assembled public, well learned to appreciate quality singing, acclaimed the performance of Belgrade Opera Prima Donas Jelena Vlahović and Jasmina Trumbetaš and accompanying piano player Ljubica Grijić, with standing ovations. Maestro Miloš Nikolić, violin player and members of the renowned ensemble Renesans, Žorž Grujić and Veljko Nikolić, alias Papa Nik, were yet another rare gem of this remarkable concert. At the close of the concert Margit Zsámbóki sang a few more Hungarian romance songs backed by the opera divas who sang in Serbian. After the concert a cocktail party with a lavish spread was has held in the adjacent hall for all visitors. To round off the whole event one can only conclude: If you dream your dream long enough it will finally come true, just like did for Eng. Zsámbóki.
Paper clips from this event

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April 9, 2012 - Prolonged sound cooperation with Zemun Municipality

When, for the first time, we received financial backing from the Zemun municipality some years ago, we never thought that it would become a continued cooperation. Principally, owing to Zemun Mayor Mr. Branislav Prostran’s consideration, we have been receiving substantial financial support for our work. In the past three year period, thanks to funds received from Zemun municipality we published a catalogue about the operation of the Zemun Jewish Community from 2008 to 2010 titled “Open Hearted” and staged a video exhibition under the same name. We further equipped our grand hall for film screenings and realized an exhibition about the Righteous of Serbia within the scope of European Day of Jewish Culture observance activities. This year Zemun municipality has provided us with funds to, once again, implement a video exhibition and publish a catalogue about our activities for the period 2010 – 2012; it has also made available additional means for maintaining our website. The promotion of the new video exhibition and catalogue is projected for the month of May.

About this event on Zemun Municipality site (in Serbian)

April 6, 2012 - A Second Home for Jews from Zemun

Efforts made by members of the Jewish Community in Zemun to uphold tradition brought the truly ardent disciples of faith, to Subotica. After a day spent in an active tour of Kanjiža, tired out, yet resolved to pay tribute to God and people for the miraculous deliverence from Egypt and slavery we entered the Subotica synagogue. In the company of a large number of members of the Subotica Jewish Community and esteemed guests of Sombor, Zrenjanin, Kikinda and Hungarian Hódmezővásárhely Jewish Communities’ memberships, as well as the Hungarian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Oszkár Nikowitz, we attended the traditional religious service for Passover delivered by Robert Kovač. After the service we had a congenial Seder dinner where the Haggadah was read. The reading of the Haggadah founds the basis of Seder. The contents of the book describe events relevant to the holiday, the history of the coming of Jewish tribes to Egypt and their release from slavery and captivity. The sequence of the ritual and order of reading the Haggadah is done in a precisely predetermined manner. Upon Seder dinner and the subsequent pervading atmosphere of holiday celebration new meetings were arranged. The visiting exhibition of the Jewish Community in Zemun, “The Righteous of Serbia – An Exhibition about Good People” “secured” new dates and places for opening.  After premiering on April 28th in Kanjiža, to which opening H.E. Oszkár Nikowitz has been invited, the next exhibition staging will be in May in Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary at the invitation of the President of the Jewish Community, Dr. Erdélyi Miklós. The Zrenjanin Jewish Community has “booked” the exhibition for August 18th.

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April 6, 2012 - Final preparations for the Exhibition in Kanjiža

On Good Friday, the team of authors of the exhibition about the Righteous of Serbia, Nenad Fogel and Jugoslav Rakita were guests of Pósa Károly, the manager of the CNESA (Institute of Education and Culture CNESA, Kanjiža). The grand event commemorating Pál Zsámbóki, a Righteous from Kanjiža shall be held on April 28, 2012. The event has been backed by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Serbia, the above mentioned Culture center and its main promoter and sponsor Eng. Josef Zsámbóki from Israel. Upon exhibition opening guests will have the unique opportunity to listen to a recital with eminent Belgrade performers taking part as well as operetta singer Margit (Rut) Zsámbóki from Israel. With all necessary arrangements and consultations concerning the staging of the exhibition completed, our host Pósa took us and the remaining members of the Zemun Jewish Community delegation on a sightseeing tour of Kanjiža. For refreshments we settled down in a fine restaurant on the river Tisa, from where, our host took us to visit his home. Close contact with ponies and kids that have just found there feet was an extraordinary experience for us Zemunians. It was hard to tear ourselves away from the adorable animals; the sentiment was shared by some when it came to quince brandy, but we had to move on to the day’s main event, the celebration of Passover in the Jewish Community in Subotica.

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March 22,2012 - Famous Jews in Serbia in Zemun

Inside the full packed hall of the Jewish Community in Zemun the new edition of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Serbia FAMOUS JEWS IN SERBIA – a biographical lexicon was presented; book presenters were Mr. Aleksandar Nećak before the publisher, book editor Mr. Aleksandar Gaon and member of editorial board Prof. Dr. Milan Ristović.
The book promotion was held on the “newly weds’ day” March 22nd 2012 which in itself is a portent of the thorny path that lies ahead for the subject edition to prove its worth (in girth quite a hefty book already) primarily within the scope of the Jewish Community in Serbia. Namely, within the four months upon its issue (end of November 2011), as imparted by its editor, Aleksandar Gaon, there have been some fifty, written or spoken comments as to its contents. The book that has yet to “find its place (and space)”, and which, furthermore, only a select few had occasion to read in its printed from, being available in its electronic mode on the Federation’s website, has already generated numerous ambiguities of which its presenters spoke of at the premiere presentation in Zemun. Mr. Aleksandar Nećak told the audience that the concept for writing the book was brought forward by Mr. Andreja Preger. He emphasized that in all truth the title Mr. Preger suggested, Jews that have notably contributed to the development of Serbia, had not kept long, and how with its abandonment the primary concept of Jews who should be written about in the book, had been discarded. The operating title “Famous Jews of Serbia”, which the editing board accepted at the onset of book writing opened up possibilities, as well as rationale, for certain personas to find their place within the covers of the book, who in all truth, had done far more for themselves than for Serbia. Professor Ristović spoke of the many challenges the editing board had to face up to and deal with. The board was literally “crammed” with biographies of physicians. He pointed out that the contribution of one country, i.e. county, physician who within its small community was indispensable to the point of being its savior could not compare in portent to physicians working in large university centers who contributing to the development of medical academic education, in general, advanced health protection in Serbia. Fully aware of all the faults and unintentional mistakes of this project, Mr. Aleksandar Gaon invited all well-meaning readers to forward their comments and suggestions for the already announced second, revised edition. In expressing his appreciation of this announcement, the event’s host, Mr. Nenad Fogel could not but comment, how a second, radically abridged edition, would certainly be welcomed.

Following the speeches of the eminent guests the host turned to the audience and asked them to air their views, comments and suggestions. Finally, all present agreed that the book ”Famous Jews in Serbia”, with its comprehensive insight of the extent to which Jews have been loyal citizens of Serbia, is an important step toward in mitigating anti-Semitic outbreaks which erratically materialize in our society.
The book (in Serbian) can be viwed or downloaded from the Federation site. Direct link to the PDF document.

Nenad Fogel

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March 8, 2012 - A Purim Celebration Honoring Women

Members of the Jewish Community in Zemun joined the many guests of Chabad Serbia in this year’s Purim celebrations. It was highly satisfying to attend a celebration organized and lead by Rabbi Yehoshua and Miri Kaminetzki. With the traditional reading of the Megilat Esther, masked guests equipped with clappers, pots and pans and various drumming devices generated a terrific racket at each mention of Haman’s name. It being March 8th when the whole world celebrates Women’s Day, Rabbi Kaminetzki took the opportunity to accentuate the contribution and significance of Esther’s role in rescuing Jews from Persia in his welcoming speech. The Ambassador of Israel to Belgrade, Yossef Levy addressing the audience evoked all the adversities the Jewish people had suffered throughout the nation’s history. On the very day when Jews joyfully celebrate their long ago salvation in Persia once again threats are made from the very same region by the new Haman, the current president of Iran.  In introducing the ensemble from Budapest, the “Is… Real Project”, Rabbi Kaminetzki expressed his gratitude to celebration sponsors, Messrs. Aviv Arlon. The music of the loveliest Jewish songs was first and foremost joyfully welcomed by the many children. Under the experienced lead of Rabbi Kaminetzki even some older men joined the hava dancing. The Jewish traditional falafel meal was served at exactly the moment when most needed to restore energy to all, children and elders alike. Naturally the unavoidable “Haman’s ears” were also served together with fruit juice and other refreshing drinks. The fact that everything was complimentary, similar to celebrations organized by the Zemun Jewish Community, is proof more of the community’s spiritual bond with Chabad Serbia.

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February 1, 2012 - Tribune on the subject of holidays

Marking the issue of the inter-religion calendar for the year 2012 the Jewish community in Zemun was host to a speaker’s platform on holidays and holiday festivities. The event was opened by the choir “Petaka”, fifth grade student girls who performed two songs of reverent love for God and thy neighbor. The speaker’s mediator was Marijana Ajzenkol, mathematics professor and spiritus muvens of the inter-religion center. Radomir Rakić, Archdeacon and the Pater Vinko Maslać, spoke of the origin and significance of holidays. Archdeacon Rakić delivered an interesting speech on holidays in Judaism. The discourse on holidays observed by the Orthodox congregation was highly inspiring for the assembled guests. Many took an active part in the ensuing discussion, especially when it came to the origin and mode of celebrating the Serbian traditional patron saint’s day. Pater Vinko Maslać spoke of Catholic holidays. He reverted to the fact that by the decision of the Catholic Church some 40 years ago many holidays were graded down to second category and from then on marked in calendars in black ink. Only the four major Catholic calendar holidays have remained in red lettering. As the discourse of speakers and audience came to its close, the honorable president of the Federation of Jewish communities in Serbia, Aleksandar Nećak addressed the audience and among other highlighted the scale of Shabbat celebrations as the most significant holiday for Jews. Since the food for the guests was to follow, Mr. Nećak briefly explained the basic principles of the kosher diet. The spread was entrusted to two former pupils of professor Ajzenkol, presently students of the school for chefs’ study. The host of the platform, Nenad Fogel thanked the many guests for attending the event which, as news reporter Dragan Stojković pointed out, was the only place in Zemun where at this point in time, such a platform could be accommodated and voiced. In accordance with the event’s theme, holidays and their celebration, Nenad Fogel invited all present to join the members of the JC in Zemun in their celebration of the New Year of Trees (Tubishvat) which is to be celebrated on February 8th.

The author of the calendar is Ms. Marijana Ajzenkol, graphic layaout by Sasa Mujic. The issuing of the calendar was supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Serbia.

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January 31, 2012 - Philharmonics gala event

To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the renewal of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Republic of Serbia, the Embassy of Israel held a gala event in the building of the Belgrade Philharmonics. Hosting the event, head of the Belgrade philharmonic orchestra, Ivan Tasovac welcomed the assembled guests drawing attention to the close relationship between the Jewish and Serbian people. Special mention was made of the fellowship with the Israeli Philharmonics and its director Zubin Mehta.  Addressing his guests Ambassador of Israel to Belgrade, H.E. Yossef Levy, recollected how diplomatic ties had been severed upon the 1967 Six Day War although true relations had never ceased to exist. The renewal of official affairs came into force in 1992 when Israel opened its embassy in Belgrade. Boris Tadić, President of Serbia spoke next to the audience and stressed once again, as he had done in the days preceding the event, how Serbia, and he personally, will employ all possible measures to maintain and further develop relations between the two countries to the satisfaction of all. He reminded the gathered guests of his promise given at the January 27th ceremony commemorating Holocaust victims that Serbia will undertake every measure to preserve memorials dedicated to the devastation of Jews in Serbia during the Holocaust. Upon his address guests were presented with a video taped message of Israeli President Shimon Peres’ greetings.
Subsequent to the formal party greetings the ethnic music ensemble Shira u'tfila, led by Stefan Sablić, performed to the gathered guests.

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January 27, 2012 - Holocaust Day

This year the International Holocaust Victims Remembrance Day, instituted by the decision of the UN General Assembly on November 1, 2005 was commemorated by a number of events in Serbia. The central ceremony was held in front of the Memorial to World War Two Victims of genocide, built on the site of the wartime concentration camp for Jews, “Judenlager Semlin”. After the ceremonial laying of wreaths of the Republic of Serbia the Minister of culture Predrag Marković addressed present guests. That: “I have always advocated that the Jewish Community, as well as other communities in Serbia, should deem themselves as equal and integrated parts of our society and will always side with people whose ethnic, cultural, religious, and above all human integrity, is threatened”, was emphasized by the President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadić in his speech (link in Serbian). Among other artists, the Serbian-Jewish choral Society also took part in the short cultural program that followed up the addresses. Among distinguished guests present at the ceremony were also Ambassador to Israel in Serbia Josef Levi and the ITF Chair Ambassador Karel de Beer. Present at the ceremony were members of the Jewish Communities of Zemun and Belgrade.

TV Duga video on YouTube (Serbian) :: Report and video from the RTS Site (Serbian) :: (Click on image to see our Photo Gallery)

January 27, 2012 - Exhibition Holocaust in Serbia 1941-1944

The International Holocaust Victims Remembrance Day was observed by the opening of the “Holocaust in Serbia 1941-1944” exhibition. Among other in its announcement of the exhibition the Ministry of labor and social policy  states: “The exhibition is a unique project of its kind in our country since the end of World War Two, as it is a comprehensive presentation of the essential aspects of the Holocaust, that took place in the territory of Serbia from 1941 to 1944.
The exhibition site provides visitors with an overall insight of the phenomenon of the Holocaust in Serbia…
Exhibition authors are Dr. Momčilo Mitrović, Dr. Aleksej Timofejev and M.A. Jelena Petaković.
Exhibition designer B.Arch. Ozarija Marković-Lašić.“
The exhibition has been supported by the Government of Serbia and UNESCO.
The Mayor of Belgrade Dragan Đilas, followed by the ITF Chair Ambassador Karel de Beer and on behalf of Jewish survivors, Mr. Aleksandar Lebl addressed exhibition guests. The exhibition was officially opened by Minister Rasim Ljajić (speech).
The exhibition is staged in the Museum of History of Yugoslavia and will remain open for the public till April 1, 2012

Report and videos from The City of Belgrade site (Serbian) :: (Click on image to see our Photo Gallery)