Kiri

Brussels, 7 February 2022 Your Excellency Minister Terik, EUROPEAN JEWISH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE | 21-22 MARCH 2022 FREEDOM OF RELIGION: ENDING ATTACKS ON JEWISH LIFE AND PRACTICE Together with our partner organisations, we are deeply honoured to invite you as our distinguished guest at the EJA gathering of Jewish leaders from around Europe for our annual Conference, which will take place this year in Budapest on 21-22 March 2022. During the conference, we will be presenting a new EU-wide barometer and instrument of research, which measures and grades European countries on their positions on freedom of religion and fostering of Jewish life. There is currently much political and media attention on the high and rising levels of antisemitism in Europe, and rightly so. However, a quieter, less public challenge is growing across the continent; one which directly attacks our faith and way of life and has the potential to be just as destructive to the continued existence of Europe’s Jewish community. I am referring to an increasing number of laws already enacted, or in the legislative planning process, in a number of European countries, that affect fundamental Jewish practices, and specifically two central pillars of Judaism: circumcision and Shechita (kosher slaughter). Shechita and circumcision are essential to our lives as Jewish people. Banning, or even limiting these two practices would in effect result in Jewish people being unable to continue living in these countries, and within a generation the Jewish community in Europe would simply cease to exist. This is of course something that we would not wish to contemplate. We are certain that as a friend you do not want this either. We thank you for your kind consideration and look forward to hearing from your office. With most respectful regards Yours sincerely, Rabbi Menachem Margolin Chairman & Founder European Jewish Association Autonomous Orthodox Jewish Community of Hungary Letter to: H.E. Mr Tiit Terik Minister of Culture Republic of Estonia