Europe's Jews celebrate the dedication of the Great Synagogue of Europe in Brussels

Brussels - 4-Jun-08

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks and Grand Rabbin Albert Guigui. © François Vieira - Photos Vied'art

In a solemn ceremony hosted by the Conference of European Rabbis and the Communauté Israélite de Bruxelles, the main synagogue “La Regence” in Brussels was re-dedicated as “Great Synagogue of Europe” on 4 June 2008. A special plaque was unveiled by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.

CER Permanent Representative to the European Institutions, Chief Rabbi of Brussels Albert Guigui recited a special Prayer for Europe: “May Europe live happy and prosperous, may it be great and strong through union and concord. May Europe remain faithful to its vocation and defend the rule of law and liberty everywhere."

In his speech to the congregation – which included senior chief rabbis, members of the CER Standing Committee, from a number of European countries, Belgian government ministers, senior EU diplomats and members of the European Parliament – President Barroso called the dedication “a testimony of confidence towards Europe." He stressed the "essential role" played by the Jews in the construction of a united Europe after the Holocaust. "History and culture of Europe owe a lot to the Jews."

Ending his speech in Hebrew, President Barroso said: “Ani rotzeh lehodot lakehilla hayehudit be Brussel ulveydat rabanei Europa al hayuzmah hayafah hazot ule’achel lechol hakehilot hayehudiot be Europa – Chag Shavuot Sameach”. (I wish to express my thanks to the Jewish Community of Brussels and to the Conference of European Rabbis for this beautiful initiative and to wish all the Jewish communities of Europe a joyous festival of Shavuot.) This declaration led to a spontaneous standing ovation from all those attending.

Britain’s Chief Rabbi and CER Associate President Sir Jonathan Sacks told the congregation: “After the Holocaust, Jews could so easily have said: there is no place for us here [in Europe]. Instead, they turned to the future, determined to rebuild at least a fragment of what had been destroyed. And that, the faith of which the Conference of European Rabbis is the living symbol, may yet be the greatest single gift of Jews and Judaism to the Europe of today: the principled defeat of tragedy in the name of hope.”

The liturgical service of dedication was accompanied by the renowned cantor Benjamin Muller of Antwerp and his sons Yisroel and Yosef.