By COLlive reporter
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen participated in a Menorah lighting ceremony organized by the European Jewish Community Centre on Schuman Square in the heart of the European quarter in Brussels, Belgium.
Held in partnership with the European Jewish Association and the City of Brussels, the event took place on Thursday, December 2, and was followed by a concert by the singer Alliel, dubbed the “revelation of the year.”
Leyen, who was a politician and physician in Germany before taking on the top executive job in the European Union, stated: “European Jews have contributed immensely to Europe. You have been a light unto the nations. Let me tell you that attacks against Jews are attacks against European values. Jewish history is our history, Jewish values are our values.”
It was the first time that a ranking official of the EU has lit the Menorah, having recently laid out a new strategy for combatting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. She reaffirmed her support of European Jewry in the fight against resurgent antisemitism.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin of the European Jewish Association presented her with a Menorah in recognition of her efforts.
The event, led by Rabbi Avi and Nehama Tawil of the EJCC, was joined by Brussels Mayor Philippe Close.
The event also saw the annual awarding of the ‘Share The Light’ Prize to the “Nos Pilifs” organization that helps children with autism, for their exceptional contribution to the dignity of humankind. The award will be dedicated to their late founder Mrs. Philipson.
