Sept. 30th, 2015
The Israeli Jewish Congress (IJC) sends its heartfelt appreciation to the Jewish Leaders from over 18 countries in Europe & North America, who joined a hundred thousand people across Israel in celebrating the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) and the ‘HAKHEL’, a historic gathering for Jewish Unity & Solidarity in Jerusalem on Sept. 30th, which repeats every 7 years.

‘Hakhel’ is a special time mandated in the Bible during which Jews would gather to hear the reading of the Torah. This historic event happens every 7 years during Sukkot, and in modern times has become an important vehicle to express Jewish unity and solidarity, a principle which goes to the very heart of IJC’s mission and is indeed even part of our Hebrew name!
As part of this celebration, IJC has dedicated a special Sefer Torah for the unity and solidarity of the Jewish people, signed by Jewish leaders from across Europe, Israel and North America, as well as honor the service of IDF’s ‘Lone Soldiers’ to the State of Israel.
We were also deeply honored to be joined by the families of Jewish victims of terror from Toulouse and the Paris ‘Hyper Cacher’ shooting, as well as families of Israeli victims of terror, in what have become a very powerful and inspiring display of unity and togetherness between the Diaspora and the State of Israel.
In the meantime, we join all the people of Israel in mourning the murder of 4 Israelis, killed in the last days in a spate of Palestinian terror attacks in the country.
May their memories be for a blessing. It is in difficult times like these that Jewish unity and solidarity is all the more important for our people.
“Ultimately, whether we are Jews from Israel, Europe or anywhere in the world, we are part of one people and one family, united by our shared faith, history and connection to the State of Israel. (Vladimir Sloutsker)
Wishing you and your community peaceful 5776 & may the State of Israel and the Jewish People continue to grow from strength-to-strength.

IJC Team