NCSJ
Lauds President’s Focus On Religious Rights
May 26, 2002
– NCSJ expressed its appreciation today to President George W. Bush
for emphasizing religious freedom during his visits to Moscow and
St. Petersburg. According to Russian Jewish Congress President Yevgeny
Satanovsky, the President was very warm and friendly during his
one-hour visit to the historic Grand Choral Synagogue in St. Petersburg
earlier today.
Following his
meeting with leadership of diverse Jewish community organizations,
President Bush noted: "And one of my strong beliefs is that
people should be free to worship, and I’m pleased that that’s taking
place here in Russia. It’s important for this country that religious
freedom flourish and there be tolerance of all faiths."
NCSJ Chairman
Harold Paul Luks said, "We look forward to meeting with the
President and his staff upon his return to Washington." NCSJ
President Robert J. Meth stressed, "Once again, the President
has demonstrated his personal involvement and support on these important
issues."
On Friday, the
President addressed a Moscow gathering of religious and community
leaders, saying, "Freedom of religion and separation of church
and state are so important, so important so that people can worship
as they choose – Jews, Muslims and all Christians, and all religions."
Following the Moscow meeting, Mr. Satanovsky said was most impressed
with the President’s call for a real partnership between the United
States and Russia.
Recalling his
private conversation last Friday with the President, Msocow Chief
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt said, "I was impressed with his knowledge
and depth of commitment to the concerns of the Russian Jewish community."
NCSJ has been
working in close consultation with senior Administration officials
and key Members of Congress in advance of the President’s trip to
Russia, to help maximize his opportunity for meetings with Russian
Jewish leaders and addressing religious freedom and Iran ties.
NCSJ: Advocates
on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia
– a voluntary, not-for-profit agency created in 1971, is the mandated
central coordinating agency of the organized American Jewish community
for policy and activities on behalf of the estimated 1.5 million
Jews in the former Soviet Union. NCSJ comprises nearly 50 national
organizations and over 300 local federations, community councils
and committees across the United States. Through this extensive
network, NCSJ mobilizes the resources, energies and talents of millions
of U.S. citizens, and also represents the American Jewish community
in dealings with similar national groups abroad, and at international
fora.
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