World Jewish Congress condemns beating of Hebrew teacher in Ukraine
Wed, 15 Jan 2014
NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress today decried the beating of an Israeli-born Hebrew teacher in the Ukrainian capital Kiev in what local Jewish leaders say was an anti-Semitic incident. World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer called the beating “a vicious act that must not go unpunished,” and said that WJC was closely monitoring the situation.
Jewish leaders said the community believed the beating to be the result of anti-Semitic incitement and extremist activity seen in Kiev in recent days, including a torchlight march by supporters of the anti-Semitic party Svoboda on 1 January.
A group of at least four thugs beat teacher Hillel Wertheimer on Saturday night after following him home from synagogue services. Reportedly, three of the four men then punched and kicked Wertheimer in the vestibule of his home. A neighbor came down to investigate after hearing Wertheimer shout for help and the teacher has apparently now recovered from the beating.
“Nowadays, the beating of a defenseless Jewish school teacher is a culmination of anti-Semitism. The Ukrainian government must take tough measures to prevent such incidents in future. I also hope for that the representatives of Western states will react to this incident,” Boris Fuchsmann, president of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, declared in reaction to the attack.
Communal officials met with state security services in order to seek more police protection for Jewish communal buildings. Swastikas have been daubed in Jewish areas recently. Another meeting was planned for Wednesday with the US ambassador in Kiev, Geoffrey R. Pyatt.
We welcome any comments you may have on this article. Comments are moderated and we reserve the right to edit or remove any which are derogatory or offensive. The WJC is not responsible for the content of any comments.
Subscribe to our newsletter
After Austria seizes Hitler's birthplace, former owner battles back in court - Reuters
State wants to ensure site is no longer attraction for neo-Nazis, but former owner insists she has always had an interest in a neutral use of Hitler's former home.
Polish human rights chief under fire for saying ‘Polish nation’ took part in Shoah - Jewish News
Deputy foreign minister Jan Dziedziczak called Adam Bodnar’s comment “scandalous”, untrue and added it “disqualifies him from public life”.
Otto Warmbier’s family kept his Jewishness under wraps while North Korea held him hostage - Times of Israel
Pyongyang peddled false narrative that a church told the 22-year-old to steal a propaganda poster, and negotiators didn’t want to embarrass the regime by refuting the claim.
UK High Court rules law banning boycott of Israel unlawful
A spokesperson for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the UK affiliate of the World Jewish Congress, said: “This was a decision reached on technical legal grounds. It was decided that guidance exceeded the permissible purpose. We are examining ways in which the guidance can to be re-issued in a way that complies with the legal rules.”
WJC and Israel’s Mission to UN to co-host annual 'Ambassadors Against BDS' summit at UN headquarters in New York
US Ambassador Nikki Haley to headline anti-BDS conference, held in UN General Assembly Hall; more than 2,000 students, dignitaries, public officials, diplomats and opinion makers, expected to attend.
Under pressure, Amazon stops selling three Holocaust-denial books - Jewish Chronicle
The online retailer Amazon.com has stopped selling three Holocaust-denial books after the World Jewish Congress and Yad Vashem voiced growing frustration that Amazon was giving a platform to anti-Semites.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder thanks US Senators for letter supporting Jewish communities amid escalating anti-Semitism
“It is beyond reassuring to know that members of the US Senate are taking these threats seriously and are committed to protecting our communities,” Lauder said.
Jewish community in Kyrgyzstan honors citizens who welcomed Jewish refugees during Holocaust
An estimated 20,000 Ashkenazi Jews found refuge in Kyrgyzstan during the Holocaust, according to the Jewish Virtual Library. These refugees were able to settle into their temporary homes with relative ease and in most cases lived in peace and harmony with their neighbors.
Tim Brayton
Fri, 26 May 2017Hello, I want to study Hebrew but don't know where to start. Most of my friends recommended me https://preply.com/en/skype/hebrew-tutors. And I've read a lot about it on forums. Replies are positive. Here I can take a hebrew teacher to study online via skype. What can you tell about this? Will it be effective? Thanks.