On September 26 in New York, the President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine Borys Lozhkin and the CEO of the American Jewish Committee David Harris signed the Agreement of Association between the two organizations.
“We enter into the association in furtherance of our respective institutional goals and a spirit of mutual respect, appreciating the considerable experience, capability and dedication of each party, and the natural synergy of our organizations, interests and activities,” states the Agreement.
The Agreement foresees preservation of autonomy and independence of each party with routine exchange of research, analysis, publications, archival data and other material. On all matters of common interest, each organization will endeavor to collaborate on an ongoing basis, which may include joint sponsorship of research and publications, conferences and exchange programs.
Both organizations seek to strengthen Jewish communal life; advocate for Jewish concerns around the world; enhance security and strengthen Israel’s diplomatic relations; combat anti-Semitic and other hate groups in their societies, strengthen the forces of democratic pluralism; promote memory of the Holocaust; counter the influence of Islamic extremism and other movements, inimical to the security and welfare of the Jewish people; encourage greater dialogue and understanding within the Diaspora and between Israelis and Jews in other lands.
To achieve these goals, both organizations think it necessary to increase the international cooperation level, including the use of this Agreement of Association.
“For us, it’s natural, if not overdue, that the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine would join our ever-expanding network of communal organizations. Ukrainian Jewish leaders have participated in the annual AJC Global Forum and hosted our delegations regular visits to Kiev,” said AJC CEO David Harris.
“The US Jewish community is the largest in the world after Israel, while the Jewish community of Ukraine is one of the most culturally and historically valuable for the Jews around the globe. We can share a lot with each other. I hope for fruitful cooperation. We expect to offer the first joint projects the next year,” said Borys Lozhkin, the President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine.
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The All-Ukrainian Association of Public Organizations the “Jewish Confederation of Ukraine” was established in 1999. The Confederation unites independent public, charitable, religious Jewish organizations. The President of the Confederation is Borys Lozhkin.
The American Jewish Committee is one of the oldest and most active Jewish human rights organizations established in 1906 to combat anti-Semitism and protect the rights of the Jewish population of the United States. The President of the Committee is John Shapiro.
In 1991, AJC became the first Jewish organization outside Ukraine to call on USA President George H.W. Bush to recognize the country's independence. Since then, it has staunchly supported a free and democratic Ukraine.