European rabbinical delegation meets leaders in Albania

TIRANA, Sep. 12 – As part of an ongoing work to assist the revival of smaller Jewish communities in Europe, a delegation from the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE), including Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, visited Albania and Montenegro this week. One of main goals of the trip is to assist in the establishment of ties between the Jewish communities and the government and other officials. In Albania, the RCE delegation met with several political leaders including President Bamir Topi, Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the Mayor of Tirana, Edi Rama. A new Sefer Torah was presented to the synagogue of the Albanian capital. The aim of these meetings was to receive recognition of the small Jewish community by the government, acquire necessary budget allocations and land for community institutions and discuss restitution issues. Last year, the RCE was already instrumental in the inauguration of the first Chief Rabbi of Albania, Joel Kaplan, an event which was attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar and included representatives from the Albanian Christian and Muslim communities.