At a reception in the European Parliament organised by the European Jewish Union (EJU), the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) and the European Jewish Public Affairs (EJPA) on Wednesday 21 September 2011 in Brussels, Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament (EP) opened the Jewish New Year – Rosh Hashanah Celebration with the exhibition “Polin: Thousand Years of Jews in Poland” by the Polish Museum of the History of Polish Jews (MHPJ) under the Patronage of Polish Presidency of the European Council.

President Buzek addressed the Jewish communities in Europe with a message of peace and hope. Gazing at a child named Shalom who’s birthday was celebrated that day, Jerzy Buzek said: “‘Shalom’ is not only a name but also a wish – that of “peace”. This is our duty as today’s generation, that when Shalom grows up, he will live in a world of tolerance and peace”.

Joined by Ukranian philanthropist Vadim Rabinovitch, EJU Vice-President, Rabbi Gershon M. Garelik, EJCC founder and Tomer Orni, EJU CEO, Rabbi Levi Matusof presented a golden plattered Shoffar to the European Parliament President wishing him that “the Sound of Europe should be heard loud an clear”, he ironically suggested to give it a try.

In front of an acclaimed joyful crowd of over 600 including some 50 members of the EP and diplomats from 16 countries, the President of the European Parliament performed his Shoffar blowing skills.

Referring to Rosh Hashana as a time for reflection on the past, Buzek added: “it is also a time of optimism for the year to come. Last year saw many changes in the world. Especially in the Middle East where the Arab Spring has brought a new hope – that peace can finally be achieve in the region”, and adding that “real stability comes from democracy; and only democracies can guarantee a lasting peace”.

Nehama Tawil, EJCC co-director in her opening remarks thanked the President for hosting this event. “This moment inspires much Hope to us. We are proud to belong to a Europe where all cultures have a respectful platform, not only to exercise their Rights but also to share their joyous holidays with the extended European Family!

On behalf of EJU’s President Igor Kholomoisky, its CEO Tomer Orni announced the launching that same day of Jewish New One, a 24 hours worldwide broadcast satellite TV channel and the scheduled elections in October for the European Jewish Parliament, sole democratically elected Jewish representative body in Europe.

Corinne Evens President of the European Association for the Polish Museum urged the European Community to support the Museum and to turn it into one of the greatest museums of the world. She thanked the Polish authorities and the EP President, former Polish Prime Minister for their partnership and engagement in this educative 21 Million euros [CHECK FIGURES] project to see light in 2015 [CHECK DATE].

His Excellency Jan Tombinsky, Ambassador of Poland to the EU and Representative of the Polish Presidency to the EU, praised the great work of the Polish Museum and thanked the Jewish Communities in Europe and in the world for helping the Museum keeping alive the memory of the History of Polish Jews who left a strong mark in the roots of the country.

To conclude the ceremony Rabbi Avi Tawil, EJCC Director blew the Shofar traditionally the main symbol of the Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It is the first of the High Holidays or the commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) celebrated ten days before Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for the Jews.

Rosh Hashanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar.