December 24, 2011 - A Hanukkah celebration marked by children!

The lighting of the fourth candle celebrated the eight day Hanukah festivities of the Zemun Jewish Community. In keeping with our community’s custom, candles were lit by our young. The first was lit by Nikola and then came Andrea followed by Adrijana and Tijana. An always welcome guest, Saša Kabiljo from Split presented us with the traditional song Maoz cur with the whole community joining in. The children were overwhelmed when Judas Maccabee, by way of Nenad and aided by Ria, handed out presents to them as a token of the victory won over the Hellenic invader. Wrapped up in the sound of Saša’s guitar and songs that “lift the soul” the elder generation, if only for a moment, let their feelings go. A major contribution to the festive mood came from David and Andrea and the not so gracious sounds of their toy jackhammers and saws, gifts of Judas Maccabee. The Chanukiah, placed inside the window, for all to see our celebration, marked the beginning of our gastronomic feast with the presiding traditional doughnuts alongside sumptuous meals, catered from our very own synagogue. There could be no better affirmation of the adage “best novels are written by life itself”, since instead of sitting inside our synagogue on this day we received not prayer, but food from it! For those who are still not in the know, an excellent restaurant operates within its walls.  This has also been confirmed by the president of JC Pančevo, David Montias who had only words of praise for the food served. A kosher feast is the only one agreeable to him. Namely, it seems that life has been good to him sugaring him up beyond favorable measure. Before leaving off to JC Belgrade’s festivity, Saša Kabiljo performed about a dozen more songs, some of which, his interpretation of well known Israeli songwriters. Christmas Eve, which coincided with the mid of our holiday, only confirmed  the words of Adam Sandler’s song how we have the upper hand, as instead of a one day celebration we have eight. Some ten very tenacious guests stayed on to wrestle with the remains of the luscious feast in the company of the TV show “The Top Voice of Serbia”.
Recorded by Nenad “Hammer”/Makabee/ Fogel
(Click on image to see our Photo Gallery)

December 2011 - Boundless gratification!

Just as we were beginning to think how we had been forsaken by all, a new supply of humanitarian aid sent by WJR (World Jewish Relief) reached us. It gave one pleasure to witness the joy and excitement that the latest aid in clothes aroused. Tens of boxes with new and second hand clothes presented a welcome challenge for all members of the Zemun JC. Despite the feeling of growing deprivation, we nevertheless handed out a large portion of the received aid to our Roma friends. Finally, items that had been left behind, were donated to the „Duško Radović“ children theater. As a gesture of gratitude the theater’s management promised free tickets for all our children.

November 17-20, 2011. - The FifthLimmud Keshet

In itself a small anniversary, the occasion of the Limmud Keshet Ex Yu’s fifth birthday was an ideal opportunity for the Jewish Community in Zemun to present its many activities to Conference guests for the first time. At the formal opening of the Conference, JC Zemun’s coordinator for culture Slađana Fogel presented to the audience the “The Righteous of Serbia” exhibition, dedicated to the good people of Serbia. On behalf of the Conference organization the exhibition was opened by Bobo Kožemjakin. Addressing the meeting, Andrej one of its youngest members invited the audience to visit the exhibition, winning the appreciation of over 350 Conference participants. However, the overlapping of up to four scheduled lectures, presentations or workshops, by and large generated a fair amount of confusion. If, as it is said, the spirit can dwell in two places at one and the same time, the body can not. Thus our “fortune”, as envisaged by Conference organizers, was to share the term scheduled for the presentation of the book “Righteous among the Nations – Serbia” with two other presentations plus an organized visit to the Orlovača caves. It may have proved better for us to have symbolically presented within the cave walls the fate of more than 150 Jews among whom many saved their lives during World War Two by hiding in their depths. Instead, before an audience of mainly Zemunians, we presented our edition and as a gesture of gratitude handed out to our wider audience a compliment book and multimedia CD. One of our guests, a member of the newly founded Jewish Community in Montenegro, Đorđe Čumić, promised to organize in the coming year a presentation of our book containing the story of the single Montenegrin Righteous Petar Zanković. In addition to the already mentioned daily aggregate of overlapping lectures on offer, Conference attendants organized individual visits to Sarajevo. We Zemunians also formed a group and immersed ourselves in the pleasure of visiting Baščaršija. Unfortunately, the doors to the Sarajevo Synagogue remained closed for the many who had intended to pay a visit to it. It being mid-November the weather, as we learnt from local inhabitants was unfathomably glorious, and a true challenge for passionate trackers. Hotel Bistrica, where our group stayed, built 1620 meters above sea level reminded us all of the days of the Winter Olympic Games’ events, some of which had taken place on the slopes of mount Jahorina. Last but not least we have to commend the superb hotel chefs. Those of us “wanting in character” left Sarajevo “gaining” at least five kilos as mentioned by Ana Lebl, at the closing of the Conference.

September 28-th, 2011 - Erev Rosh Hashanah

September 19, 2011. - Good people of Zupa

On September 19th, a gathering, where once again the good people of Serbia were talked about, took place this time inside the “Župa Native Land Museum” in Aleksandrovac. In the museum’s ethno-display hall the audience was welcomed by museum manager Mr. Ivan Brborić. The presentation of the book about the Righteous from Serbia was vastly enhanced by the attendance of the descendants of the Righteous from Aleksandrovac and the neighboring countryside. The children, grandchildren and many relatives of the Bondžić, Knežević, Zdravkovići, Bogićević and Protić families came to commend the authors for their effort in recounting and perpetuating the story of the worthiness and courage of Serbia’s citizens.
At the start of the presentation Mr. Nenad Fogel expressed his gratitude to Miss. Ljiljana Savković, grand-daughter to the Righteous Milenija and Slobodan Knežević, for asking the team of authors to speak, among other, of the Deutsch family rescue operation, which took place in the countryside surrounding Aleksandrovac. Among the audience were a great number of people whose testimonies about this case of rescue became a vital contribution in the making of the documentary film about the Righteous, directed by Jugoslav Rakita. In his address to the audience Dr. Milan Koljanin spoke of the historical part of the book and of its importance to readers to obtain a better understanding of the circumstances under which Jews were saved during the tumultuous years of World War Two. In his speech Milan Fogel recaptured the two year period spent in writing and investigating work which, ultimately, brought into being the 60 stories about the 128 Righteous from Serbia.
Once the official part of the presentation was over the descendants of the Righteous came forward and spoke to the audience. A contemporary of those horrendous times, Milosav, son to the Righteous Borivoje and Milenija Bondžić, spoke of the goodness of the people of the Rasina region, where more than ten people have been proclaimed as the Righteous. Budimir Zdravković, whose mother and father are also awardees of the Righteous medal, divulged to the audience his memories of the rescue of the physician Julia Deutsch.
Long after the official book promotion was over, members of the audience stayed on to discuss this extraordinary edition with its authors.
(Click on image to see our Photo Gallery)

September 14-15,  2011 - Days of the Righteous in Vojvodina
In rounding off the old year of 5711, the Jewish Community in Zemun continues with its promotion of the good people of Serbia. In two consecutive days, on September 14th and 15th, the book “Righteous among the Nations - Serbia” was presented to audiences in Subotica and Zrenjanin.

The Subotica Jewish Community organized the book’s presentation in the City Library. First to address the guests was Deputy President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Serbia, Mr. Robert Sabadoš. Guests were further welcomed by their host, the director of the City Library, Mr. Dragan Rokvić. As an opening to the book’s presentation the audience was shown an insert from the documentary film about the Righteous made by script writer Nenad Fogel and director Jugoslav Rakita. In his speech to the gathering the editor of the book, Mr. Nenad Fogel recounted the two year period of working on the realization of this significant book dedicated to the worthy people of Serbia. The section of the book which deals with the historical background of life in Serbia was presented by Dr. Milan Koljanin, one of the book’s three authors and co-coauthor of this section with Prof. Dr. Milan Ristović. The author of the stories about the Righteous, Mr. Milan Fogel, spoke of his two year experience of putting into writing the authentic cases of rescue. His intention from the very beginning was to give life to the bare facts of achieved rescues and tell the stories as convincingly as possible. The dozens of interviews he had had with Jews survivors living today in Israel contributed greatly to the vigor of the stories. In responding to the reporter of the local radio station about his opinion of Mr. Dragiša Cvetković’s rehabilitation, the author pointed out how he cannot bring himself to accept the fact that in Serbia today confirmed enemy collaborators and foes of the nation, like Cvetković, are being re-established. The intensity of the applause that followed his statement unmistakably communicated that the audience shared his views. (Click on image left to see our Photo Gallery from Subotica)

The following day, host to the complete team of authors was the city of Zrenjanin. Inside the Town Hall, in the presence of dozens of guests and a number of local media representatives, first to address the audience was the President of the Jewish Community in Zrenjanin, Mrs. Ljilja Popov. Special greetings were conveyed to Bishop László Német and representatives of the Reformed and Evangelical Churches. Federation President, Mr. Aleksandar Nećak expressed his contentment that audiences throughout Serbia have been offered the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the courage of Serbia’s citizens. The Jewish Community in Zemun and the Federation of the Jewish Communities in Serbia have, for almost one whole year, been working together in telling the saga of the exceptional bravery of citizens of Serbia of all nationalities. Namely, of how, as professor Ristović pointed out, among the awarded Righteous, predominantly Serbs, there were also other ethnics, such as Hungarians, Bunjevci, Croats, Slovaks, Slovenes, Albanians…..
Unfortunately, within the one establishment where such an edition is essential, i.e., the educational system, the state is partial to abolishing the distinction between the Chetnik and Partisan movements, the same Chetniks, who, during World War Two, fully contributed to the extinction of the Jewish community. Drama artist Edit Tot, member of the National Theater of Zrenjanin read the story of the Catholic priest, Lazarist Andrej Tumpej. At the end of the presentation the three authors, three Milans, namely, Ristović, Koljanin and Fogel took pleasure in the signing this book, that has been classified by the City of Belgrade, as a capital edition. (Click on image left to see our Photo Gallery from Zrenjanin)

September 11, 2011 – Prof. Horel visits JC Zemun

Today, we were honored, and exceptionally pleased to be host to the esteemed professor of history of the Paris 1 University, the Sorbonne Mrs. Catherine Horel, specialist of Central European (and Jewish) 19th century history. It was our dear guest’s wish to pay a visit to the Jewish Cemetery in Zemun. During the visit we acquainted the professor with basic historical cemetery data as well as general details about our Community in Zemun. As a small token of her visit to Zemun, our guest was presented a copy of our Community’s multimedia CD edition “Life upon Death – the Jewish Cemetery in Zemun”.
We availed ourselves of the cemetery’s proximity to the Millennium Tower on Gardoš and furthermore took our guest to view the exhibition “The Righteous of Serbia – an exhibition about Good People” which opened inside the Tower gallery on September 4th, to mark the European Day of Jewish Culture. Haveng good relations with Serbian Embassy in Paris, Mrs. Horel expressed her endorsement of the idea to stage this exhibition inside the Paris Centre.

We would also like to note that Prof. Horel is the Deputy Secretary of the Austrian-Serbian Felix Kanitz Association. The works of this travel writer of Jewish descent and laureate of many worthy titles have been a precious source to which each new generation of scientists and cultural workers in Serbia resorts to, in order to attain profounder research work data and understanding of the cultural heritage of the country and its territories.

September 4th , 2011 - The Righteous Among Citizens of Zemun – EDJC

With the opening of the exhibition “The Righteous from Serbia – an Exhibition about Good People” the Jewish Community in Zemun marked, for the sixth time in row the “European Day of Jewish Culture”. The Čubrilo Gallery, situated inside the Gardoš Tower, which itself sits on the high point of Zemun town presented an ideal setting for staging the exhibition. The courage of Serbia’s citizens was thus symbolically placed on the high level it merits. Among the 128 citizens of Serbia awarded with the notable medal presented by the state of Israel are three Zemunians: Martina Levec, Mira Cvijović and Antun Benčević. The Serbian-Jewish Singing Company performed the national anthems of Israel and Serbia. In greeting the assembled guests, exhibition author Nenad Fogel expressed his special gratitude to H.E. the Ambassador of Israel to Serbia, Mr. Yossef Levy and Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador, Mrs. Slađana Prica for taking part in the event. Also present at the exhibition opening were Zoran Marković, President of Zemun County Council Assembly, Olga Zorić, deputy President of Zemun County Council Assembly, renowned film director Goran Paskaljević, CIBID director Dragan Pantelić, Professor Milovan Zdravković, members of Belgrade Jewish Community interim board (the one absentee, Avram Izrael), interpreters Olivera Polajnar and Ida Dobrijević, multimedia artist Jugoslav Rakita and many others. Next to address the many guests was President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Serbia, Mr. Aleksandar Nećak who spoke of the importance of observing the European Day of Jewish Culture.

A presentation of the book that inspired Mr. Nenad Fogel to stage the exhibition, “Righteous among the Nations – Serbia” followed Mr. Nećak’s speech. Book authors: Milan Fogel, Milan Ristović and Milan Koljanin spoke of their work on the edition issued by Zemun Jewish Community in 2010. The actual ceremony of exhibition opening was performed by the President of Zemun County Council, Mr. Branislav Prostran who emphasized his hope of an advanced collaboration between our two Communities. To round off the opening ceremony, the choir, led by conductor, maestro Đorđe Perović, performed two more compositions. The exhibition at the Čubrilo Gallery will remain open to the public up to September 11th.
Of the many media commentaries about the opening of the exhibition we call attention to the report of the news desk of Zemun County Council placed on Zemun County’s official site as well as to the account given in the daily Politika. We further set apart the extensive report on exhibition opening viewed on national television RTS in their Morning program.
(Click on image to see our Photo Gallery)

August 26, 2011 - The Righteous at the Beyahad
At the invitation of Beyahad 2011 organizers, the Zemun Jewish Community attended this year’s gathering and presented its latest edition, the book “Righteous among the Nations – Serbia”. The honor to represent the book to a full audience was given to book author Milan Fogel and its editor and Zemun Jewish Community president, Nenad Fogel. As an introduction to the book presentation guest were shown an abridged version of the documentary film about the Righteous made by Jugoslav Rakita, director and Nenad Fogel, scriptwriter. Following the viewing of the film Nenad Fogel pointed out that comprehensive research work was the hallmark that set apart JC Zemun’s publishing activity from that of regular commercialized publishers. A two year period of such tentative work had brought about the book about the Righteous. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the nineties war period and the successive birth of independent states, the Jewish communities of former Yugoslavia looked on as a separation of the countries’ Righteous was also made inside Yad Vashem. Although the book published by JCZ speaks of cases of rescue carried out in the territory of today’s Serbia, the fact that all these amazing and courageous people lived in the state called Yugoslavia during the Holocaust should not be forgotten. In the absence of the authors of the historical part of the book, book editor Nenad Fogel spoke of the work of Prof. Dr. Milan Ristović and Dr. Milan Koljanin. Professor, Dr. Milan Ristović’s section focuses on historical circumstances in which rescue operations inside the territory of today’s Serbia took place, while Dr. Milan Koljanin’s contribution to the book is an in-depth survey of conditions in which Jews lived starting from Miloša Obrenović’s Serbia up to the German assault on Yugoslavia in April 1941. Nenad Fogel stressed how we all are witnesses to an ongoing process of revising history to the suit of day-to-day politics. Mr. Fogel expressed his gratitude to Professor Ristović for his uncompromising naming of people responsible for the predicament of Jews in Serbia. Contrary to “Court historians”, Dr. Ristović made no attempt to diminish responsibility in the persecution of Jews whether it came to Milan Nedić’s collaborationist government, the Ustashi regime of the so-called ISC, renegade Chetnick formations, Ballists, Hungarian fascists or other enemy agents active at the time in the territory of today’s Serbia. Addressing the audience, Milan Fogel noted how he was honored to take part in the writing of this book as it gave him license to render in the form of short story telling facts which had brought about the acknowledgement of these people as worthy Righteous. The many dozens of interviews he had had with Jews survivors, now living in Israel, brought vigor to the stories since the many experiences he heard of, best portrayed the period and the people involved in the rescue of Jews. Speaking of the dilemmas he had while writing some of the stories he pointed out how: “due to the writings of some authors, today we are evidencing a situation where attempts are made in certain individual cases of rescue of Jews by Chetniks during World War Two in Serbia to utilize the fact and thus portray the Chetnik movement in a completely diverse, positive manner.”  Mr. Fogel further spoke of how he had candidly recounted the rescue of certain families by Chetniks despite recommendations not to do so as individual cases might result in a generalization, which, to some degree, actually came about. However, according to Milan Fogel, none of the above can obscure the criminal character of the movement lead by Dragoljub Mihailović. The fact that Jews in mass joined up with the resistance movement, i.e. the Partisans, speaks best of the actual historical state of affairs. At the end of his speech he pointed out how Christian churches frequently preach that criminals should be forgiven, though, their deeds never forgotten. In light of the many experiences he had to relive while writing the stories of the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust, Mr. Fogel concluded that he would neither forgive criminals, nor forget.

July 31, 2011 - Commemorating the Jews of Zemun

A commemoration honoring the memory of members of the Jewish Community in Zemun who perished during World War Two was held in front of the Memorial to the Victims of Fascism at the Zemun Jewish Cemetery. Our Community’s publishing activity over the last decade has produced a series of editions on the Holocaust. The Zemun Jewish Community is recurrently engaged in activities to both, preserve the memory of its murdered members, and of its few war survivors. In our last edition, the book “Righteous among the Nations – Serbia” apart from telling the grueling war-time stories of the three rescued members of our Community the book speaks of the courageousness of their saviors. Closing the commemoration with the traditional reading out of names of all those killed we once again paid due respect to the innocent victims of the genocidal politics of the Ustashi regime of the ISC. This year Ms Rahela Đorđević was given the honor to read out the names of the victims.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

May 19, 2011 - Sombor, a city of the Righteous
Promotion of our book in Sombor

Angelina and Dr. Svetozar Panić from Sombor are among the 128 Righteous of Serbia decorated by the Israeli State’s museum Yad Vashem. Their courage and humanity was cause for the Jewish Community in Sombor to organize a presentation of the book “Righteous among the Nations - Serbia” written by Milan Fogel, Milan Ristović and Milan Koljanin. The outstanding relationship between the Sombor Jewish Community and town authorities made it possible for the presentation to be held in the Grand Hall of the Županija (District). Promotion visitors were given the opportunity to learn, in same cases for the first time, the factual significance of the Righteous among Nations medal. In his address to the gathered audience, President of the Sombor Jewish Community, Saša Cvejin introduced presentation participants: Nenad Fogel, book editor, Aleksandar Nećak, Presidsent of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Serbia and two authors Prof. Dr Milan Ristović and Dr. Milan Koljanin. Among other in his speech, Nenad Fogel spoke of the book about the Righteous’ layered meaning; it is foremost an attempt to call to mind the names of the people who during World War Two saved Jewish lives, and furthermore, to ascertain, by recounting the stories of their courageous deeds, the heartfelt gratitude of the Jewish community.
Mr. Aleksandar Nećak informed the visitors of the origin and history of Israeli State’s idea to decorate all who, just like the two citizens of Sombor, saved Jews without any compensation. Dr. Koljanin spoke of his contribution to the book and intent to document the history of the life of Jews in Serbia starting from Europe’s recognition of the modern State of Serbia, then in Yugoslavia between the two wars and up to the tragic events of 1941. Professor Ristović pointed out how the extent of the bravery of the Righteous cannot be comprehended without foreknowledge of the prevailing historical conditions in which citizens of Serbia saved lives of their Jewish cohabitants. He then spoke of a number of cases of rescue and how they differed depending on the occupation authority of the zones they took place in. Finishing off his speech he concluded that the significance of the book about the Righteous of Serbia equals that of a memorial dedicated to human goodness and courage.
Recorded by Nenad Fogel

(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

May 11, 2011 - Observance of Israel’s Independence Day

The Embassy of Israel in Belgrade marked the 63rd anniversary of the proclamation of the State Israel. Present at the official reception were many representatives of Jewish Communities in Serbia headed by Federation President Mr. Aleksandar Nećak and his Deputy Robert Sabadoš. The octet choir named Braća Baruh (after the Baruh brothers) opened the reception by performing the national anthems of Israel and Serbia: the Hatikva and Bože pravde. Inside the lush atmosphere of the Hyatt hotel the many guests from public and political venues of life, the descendants of the Righteous and members of the Corps Diplomatic took pleasure in the agreeable background music while savoring kosher culinary specialties.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

April 17, 2011. - Proceedings of the 272 Annual Meeting

The standard procedure of the Zemun Jewish Community’s Annual Meeting began with the appointment of the Chairman and Board, Jova Đorđević and Marko Šer, the Minutes recorder (Sony Handycam) and witnesses to the Minutes – Mimica Karaoglanović and Zoran Jovanoski, and finally, the adopting of the Meeting agenda.
JCZ’s 2010 Annual Report was unanimously passed. On the point of the Community’s 2011 budget, JCZ President, Nenad Fogel reported on planned JCZ activity and sources of funding. He pointed out the fact that Zemun Town Hall will partake in the funding of the Righteous of Serbia exhibition. The opening of the exhibition is planned for 4 September 2011 and will constitute one among the European Day of Jewish Culture events. Decisions brought by the Federation Meeting introducing new budget funds allocation among Communities has provided us with additional means. By the same decisions the Federation is committed to finance in full JCZ’s secretary’s salary. Within the scope of cultural projects financing, rationed by the Federation, JDC has upheld three of our projects: the promotion of the book about the Righteous, activity of the sculpture group and reconstruction of JCZ web site.
At the end of the Meeting Marko Šer and Jova Đorđević invited all, with an interest in sculpture to join up in the group’s new season, beginning May 25.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

April 9, 2011. – Pre-Pesach in Bizovacke toplice

A small group of Zemunians (12/120) under the driving baton (gear lever) of our Ljutko from Gea Tours set off this Saturday to the Geo thermal spa of Bizovačke toplice. As a foretaste to the approaching Pesah, the JC in Osijek had decided to host an event at the spa for members of Jewish Communities from former Yugoslavia.
Immediately upon arrival we refreshed ourselves in the geothermal waters of Aquapolis; nearing 5 o’clock p.m. we gathered at the welcoming cocktail party. After being greeted by out host, President of JC Osijek, Damir Lajoš we attended the artistic program presented in the restaurant hall. Concurrently with the beginning of the program we were joined by the Israeli Ambassador to Croatia, H.E. Josi Amrani. Apart from Jewish dance groups from Osijek, we were further entertained by excellent Osijek musicians and by their local folk dance group adorned in the spectacular Bunjevac national costume.
Next morning a few of us decided to avail ourselves of the occasion and pay a visit to Bizovac, while others succumbed to the luxury of an additional thermal treatment. At midday, Drago Kon from Osijek, cordially saw our re-energized group off wishing as a safe journey home.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

April 6, 2011. - 50 versus 15
Ambassaror Koll's visit to JC Zemun

The Jewish Community of Zemun was host to the Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Arthur Koll who will soon be leaving Serbia. Fifteen members of our community came to the event with the intention to present to the Ambassador the current activities of our community. The Community, founded back in 1739 had lived a fulfilling “Jewish existence” right up to World War II. Community members who had managed to survive the Holocaust failed in all their attempts to renew its life. The breakthrough in the existence of the miniscule Jewish Communities in Serbia came in 1995. It was the year that marked the revival of the practically extinct Jewish Communities. Among them, the Jewish Community in Zemun managed to “breathe life into” its waning existence by adopting characteristic activities, by acknowledgment of its environment and especially its publishing activity. JCZ President, Nenad Fogel delivered a summarized report on all these points to the Ambassador. To give credence to Mr. Fogel’s words, our renowned guest was shown the latest video exhibition “Open-Hearted” covering JC Zemun activities from 2008 to 2010.
Following the video show, we had the pleasure of hearing some informing stories and statements from the Ambassador. A highly interesting story was about life in Romania today, Romania being the country of H.E.’s origin, where, extremely valuable and protected Jewish Community cultural treasures exist, however, without a single Jew living in many places. Comparing the situation to our own Community, the Ambassador stressed that we also, in Zemun, have failed to reach the critical number of members sufficient to sustain the community for the next 25-year period. His expectations that, instead of the attending 15, at least half of our membership, i.e., fifty members would be present at the gathering, most probably, among other, prompted his suggestion that we should collectively engage ourselves in the activity of the Belgrade Jewish Community. Our many activities seemed to have failed to impress H.E. Many words of praise were also spoken of the activities of the Belgrade rabbi, Isak Asiel. Thus we were informed of his efforts to translate literature dealing with Judaica, his dedication to bring home awareness of the faith to the Belgrade congregation; in a word we learn everything that we had up to then been unaware of.  In conclusion of the panegyric to the rabbi, the Ambassador surmised that for him, he was a true tzadik! One can only expect that the tzadik – the Belgrade rabbi, will soon make an appearance in Zemun and present his valuable work to our membership.
Federation President, Mr. Aleksandar Nećak in his speech addressed to the Ambassador pointed out the enormous contribution of the Zemun Jewish Community to the development and perpetuation of Jewry in Serbia. He also spoke of the activities of the second rabbi in Serbia, Yehoshua Kaminetzky and how the atmosphere at all his gatherings emanates genuine Jewishness. Bringing his speech to an end, Mr. Nećak noted the complete sense of belonging to the nation of Jews and elation experienced at every one of rabbi Kaminecki’s assemblies.
To commemorate the occasion, Jovan Đorđević, Head of JCZ sculpture group, presented a token gift to Ambassador Koll at the end of his visit.

Nenad Fogel, president of JC Zemun
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

March 31, 2011. - Never to be forgotten...

Belgrade municipality of Stari Grad was the host of public tribune "Never to be forgotten, Holocaust never again " - music written memories. Prof. Dr. Zarko Korac, Dr. Milan Koljanin and Eng. Aleksandar Mosic informed the present with the history of Serbian Jews sufferings during World War II. Moderator of the discussion was the author of the project Marllena Weinberger Pavlovic. "Serbian - Jewish Choral Society"Choir music has enriched the idea of ​​fighting for tolerance and against the aggression and prejudices. Among others the Jewish Community of Zemun has supported this project,
Watch choir performance video by clicking on this link
Tribune poster, click on this link.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

March 27, 2011. - The Federation Regular Annual Assembly

March 19, 2011 - Purim in costume

This year’s Purim was marked by a masked cowboy. Weapon in hand, face lost under a heavy mask, he managed to frighten the youngest among us. There came a moment when Andrej, realizing that all was not well, cried out: “Don’t take me!” In a gesture of compassion the cowboy apprehended ZJC’s secretary instead. Finally, we seniors dispelled Andrej’s predicament as to whether the cowboy’s gun was “for real” or a child’s toy. As a token of gratitude, Andrej stalked off with his grandmother to the near-by restaurant to see to the pre-arranged catering. Apologizing for their tardiness, apparently on account of the proprietor’s forgetfulness, the food was eventually delivered and the formal Purim meal could be served. It simultaneously marked the end of our socializing with the cowboy who simply, as the saying goes, “rode off” into the night…
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

March 9, 2011 - "The Righteous" in Novi Sad

March 9-12, 2011. -  European Union Aid

The third operative meeting within the framework of the EU funded project, Implementation of priorities in the area of human rights and the protection of national minority groups, was organized by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of the Republic of Serbia. The 1,5 million Euro project has an 18 month implementation period, beginning December 2009 to June 2011. The aim of the project is to assist the Serbian Government to implement its international obligations as regards human rights and minority groups’ protection. One project component is to establish partnerships between the National Council and regional self-governmental bodies, and thus, strengthen their capacity to apply to relevant European Union funds for backing. Representing the National Council of the Jewish Community was, Zemun Jewish Community’s president, Mr. Nenad Fogel.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

February 12, 2011 - Jewish Art and Tradition – Zemun
Student's Workshop guest of JC Zemun

For the forth academic year in succession Belgrade University’s Faculty of Philosophy organized its multidisciplinary workshop “Jewish art and tradition”. Lectures were held from February 7th to 12th, 2011. Initiated by the History of Art Department, the workshop is a unique project that draws together both domestic experts on the art, tradition and cultural history of Jews, as well as specialists from abroad. The event has hence, instituted a regional centre for Jewish studies. Host to workshop attendants and lecturers, Mr. Vuk Dautović, M.A. and Mr. Nenad Makuljević, Ph.D., was also Zemun Jewish Community’s president, Mr. Nenad Fogel. In his brief informative lecture Mr. Fogel spoke of the history of the Jewish Community in Zemun from its founding in 1739 up to this day. Special privilege was granted to students by exhibiting the Torah used in the Zemun synagogue prior to World War Two. At the end of the lecture, as a memento of their visit to the Community, guests were presented with multimedia CDs about the Jewish Cemetery in Zemun together with some other choice editions from the community’s copious publishing activity. On the way to the Jewish Cemetery guests were also shown the building of the former Jewish school and Synagogue. Notwithstanding restrictions imposed by a visit to the cemetery on a Saturday, it was a pleasure to be able to organize a visit for more than 30 workshop attendants. Mr. Nenad Fogel made every effort to impart to his guests all essential data relating to the origin, history and importance of this unique silent witness to the days of glory and suffering of the Zemun Jewish Community. During the walk around the cemetery Mr. Fogel called to the attention of his guests some monuments of special interest: the oldest gravestone dating from 1741, the imposing monument of the Polgar family of benefactors, the memorial to the poet and Zionist Aladar Polak, the obelisk commemorating Zemun Community’s Holocaust victims and finally the gravestones of the grandfather and grandmother of Theodore Herzl, “father” to the modern state of Israel. Students were deeply moved by the fact that more than 6500 people killed in the Staro sajmište death camp were buried in our cemetery.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

February 7, 2011 – Reconstruction of our web site

Honoring the sixth year anniversary of our web site, we have decided to reorganize and modernize our manner of presentation. Among other major changes, we note the following:

1. A reorganized list of items places up front the activities of our community, its primary goals and projects.
2. Introduction of a “slide show”, a catching animation/computer graphics of pictures and texts on latest community activities provides presentation dynamics.
3. A more sophisticated navigation menu set at the top of the page from now on leaves more space for page content.
4. Use of a select page font with larger and updated letters enables more comfortable reading.
5. Thimbnail pictures appearing in our regular features can be enlarged in a new window.
6. The flawed, outdated “frame” concept, has been overridden; users of Google and other search systems can from now on obtain the desired page with a menu, rendering accessibility to other numerous items contained in our presentation.

We thank the JDC Fund for its support in the realization of this development.

February 5, 2011 - A Youthful Sholet

Sholet is dead! Long live Sholet! In short, the report on this year’s Sholet, the twelfth in row, could thus be summed up. The event differed in one respect only; the absence of Ruben, who, in the meantime, has retired, was noted. The new management of the Novi Sad Community under the leadership of Goran Levi decided to hand over the organization of the event to their youngsters. The program was agreeable, a “Gold Medal” winner, with an assortment of music, dancing, lunch, music, sweets and cakes. The restaurant, bearing the name of the said medal, efficiently waited on more than 300 guests from the region. Apart from the Novi Sad hosts there were guests from Osijek, Zagreb, Slovenia, Sarajevo, and Hungary. Guests from Zemun, Niš, Belgrade, Subotica, Pančevo and Zrenjanin demonstrated, hands on, just how much the bond of Jewish Communities in Serbia meant to them. One of the beauties of Sholet is undoubtedly the opportunity to meet and great old friends. All around cameras recorded moments full of emotion which will nourish the soul till the next meeting.
(Click on image to see Photo Gallery)

January 30, 2011 - Ministry of Education’s seminar on the Holocaust

January 27, 2011 -  International Remembrance Day of Holocaust victims