Amidst the backdrop of the challenges posed by war and rising antisemitism in Europe, the Conference of European Rabbis and the Ministry of Religious Services marked the conclusion of the “As Water Reflects the Face” Mikveh Attendants Course, the first collaboration of its kind.
The ceremony brought together new attendants from across countries in Europe, some facing war, and from the conflict zones in northern and southern Israel. Present at the event were Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbi, and Minister of Religious Services, Michael Malkieli.
This week, the graduation ceremony for the mikveh attendants’ course, led by the Ministry of Religious Services, the Conference of European Rabbis, and the Maggid Institute for Continuing Education at the Hebrew University, took place. This was the 29th cohort of the course, conducted online for the first time and involving wide participation from European Jewish communities and evacuees from northern and southern Israel. The ceremony was attended by Michael Malkieli, Minister of Religious Services, who opened the evening by emphasising his Ministry’s essential role in providing religious services throughout Israel and the diaspora, responding to the needs of Jewish communities worldwide during these challenging times.
“The Ministry of Religious Services must not concern itself only with religious services in Israel. Our commitment is to ensure religious services both in Israel and in the diaspora, as one people. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Conference of European Rabbis, and we will continue to work together with the conference and Jewish organisations abroad, providing assistance and support as needed.” The minister concluded his remarks by assuring those at the ceremony and the attendants from the diaspora, “The Ministry of Religious Services is here for you”.
Later in the evening, Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi and Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt delivered their addresses. Rabbanit Mizrachi, who had maintained a close professional relationship with the new attendants throughout their training, noted, “Tonight, I once again felt a sense of pride in these women who have taken responsibility in their communities, especially during such a complex year. Rabbinical figures in communities have always provided a home for Jews, but this year, they were nothing less than essential. When antisemitism reared its ugly head on October 7th, it did not anticipate the thousands of Jews suddenly seeking definition in the face of evil and hatred. They were there to provide it — with a welcoming spirit, thoughtful responses, and above all, a stable presence in a turbulent world. I salute them.”
Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis and former Chief Rabbi of Moscow for over 30 years until the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasised the shared destiny of Jews in Israel and the diaspora in light of the war:
“We live in times when there is no peace; we have more than 100 hostages, and Jewish communities everywhere are experiencing hardship and struggle since the beginning of the war. The connection and unity between Israeli Jews and the Jewish diaspora is a crucial element in these difficult days on the path to growth from the crisis.” He also highlighted the significant role of the new attendants: “Dear rabbinic colleagues and mikveh attendants, you are the final pillar in our communities; you hear the difficulties and needs of the community members, you provide support to Jews everywhere, and I commend you for your important role.”
The evening concluded with remarks from Gady Gronich, CEO of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), who praised the cooperation with the Ministry of Religious Services: “The Ministry of Religious Services is the first ministry to collaborate and think about European Jewry. This is expressed not only in words but in actions, which makes a significant difference, especially in these difficult days for Israel and Europe, which faces its most challenging days since the Holocaust. On behalf of European Jewry, I want to say thank you and hope that this message reaches other stakeholders who will know to give more attention to European Jewry.”
