The World Jewish Congress mourns the passing of Emil Kalo, ז"ל, a prominent leader of the Bulgarian Jewish community, who served as president of the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria 'Shalom' organization for nearly 20 years.
“Emil was born shortly after the war, at a time when the Jewish population of Bulgaria had been severely depleted by migration to Israel. After the collapse of the Communist regime, he was one of those responsible for breathing new life into a moribund community,” said WJC President Ronald S. Lauder. “A prolific writer who was also involved in Bulgarian politics, Emil’s life symbolized the deep love that Bulgarian Jews feel for their native land—but also the reintegration of Bulgarian Jewry in the Jewish world from which it had been cut off for two generations. May his memory be a blessing and continue to inspire future generations.”
Mr. Kalo, 70, who was actively involved with the WJC for decades, was elected as a member of its Executive Committee in 2013, and also served on the WJC Budget & Finance Commission until his passing.
Current Shalom President, Alek Oscar, said “Emil Kalo’s contributions to the post-Communist rehabilitation of Bulgarian Jewry during his presidency of the community will always be remembered with respect.”