Brussels - 7-Feb-12
The Dutch Jewish community has thanked the CER for assisting in the defeat of a bill seeking to enforce pre-stunning on all slaughtered meat which would effectively have banned Shechita in the country.
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BRUSSELS - 19-Jan-12
In recent weeks we have seen two disappointing extremes at different ends of the Jewish spectrum. In Israel, an insular and self absorbed community showed no respect for anyone falling outside of their bubble and in Amsterdam, a community that is too concerned with what their secular peers believe, has penalised their Chief Rabbi for re stating the Torah’s opposition to same sex unions. As contemporary traditional Jews we have an obligation to uphold Torah values whilst living as responsible citizens.
The Conference of European Rabbis is already in talks with the Community and will be sending a representative to meet ... more
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Brussels - 12-Jan-12
The Conference of European Rabbis has called on the government of Egypt to ensure the protection of religious rights after Egypt advised Jewish pilgrims not to visit the country for an annual pilgrimage at the grave of a saintly rabbi.
CER President Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt said that protecting the rights of non-Muslim groups in Egypt “is the ultimate test of the success of the Arab Spring and the progress of democracy and human rights” in the country.
“The world is looking at how Egypt protects the rights of all religious minorities in the country. To now describe as ‘inappropriate’ a peaceful ... more
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Brussels - 18-Dec-11 
Vaclav Havel with Prague Chief Rabbi and fellow Charta 77 signatory, Rabbi Karol Sidon |
The Conference of European Rabbis mourns the passing of Václav Havel, the former president of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic and a longstanding fighter for human rights.
In a letter to the president of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus, CER President Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt described Havel as “the emblematic symbol of peaceful change from totalitarianism to democracy” in eastern and central Europe.”
“Václav Havel always recognised the importance of cultural freedom as being indispensable from political freedom. He was a longstanding friend of Israel and of the Jewish People and we deeply mourn his loss,” Rabbi Goldschmidt said.
Havel passed away on ... more
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Brussels - 14-Dec-11
"Following the long awaited debate yesterday in the upper house of the Dutch parliament, on the bill that would effectively outlaw shechita, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, has called for the prayers of the global Jewish community to now focus on the final vote. With the media now beginning to report that support for the bill is waning as two of the Netherlands’ largest political parties withdrew their support, all attention will now turn to the vote which is scheduled for Tuesday next week.
Noting the outcome of the debate, Rabbi Goldschmidt commented, “Whatever the outcome ... more
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Vienna - 1-Dec-11
Faith leaders from across Europe will gather in Vienna on Monday December 5 to discuss what many perceive as the erosion of family life in contemporary European society.
A number of high profile religious leaders will be in attendence including His Excellency, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Excellency, Cardinal Christopher Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna and Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt of Moscow, President of the Conference of European Rabbis.
A range of seminars are to be held during the three day conference, on topics including whether marriage is a declining institution, the impact of the internet and television ... more
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