The annual council meeting of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe took place last week in Moscow, with the participation of twenty Rabbanim who are members of the presidium and the Rabbinical Council of the RCE, representing all the Rabbanim of Europe.

As is the case every year, many issues currently impacting European Jewry were brought to the table. This year’s meeting took place in Russia and was hosted by Harav Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia and member of the RCE. Because of the great significance of this gathering and the important topics on the agenda, Israel’s Rishon Lezion, Chief Rabbi and leading posek Harav Yitzchak Yosef, as well as Harav Yisrael Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yaffo and one of the veteran Rabbanim of Eretz Yisrael, also participated. Many important topics and issues that needed clear-cut policy decisions were discussed, including conversions, assimilation, shechitah, and the threat of various elements in Europe standing in the way of the uninhibited observance of certain mitzvos. At the meeting’s conclusion the Rabbanim left armed with clear decisions on these topics.

When Harav Yitzchak Yosef addressed the Rabbinical Council, he called upon the Rabbanim to ensure that all conversions would take place in accordance with the strictest standards of halachah, and in this way even the most minor problems could be avoided. Regarding marriage ceremonies, he called upon the rabbis to be meticulous in documenting every such event and to update other Jewish communities about them, and also to update the database of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, in order to prevent any problems.

Among many topics discussed, the subject of kosher food in Europe was addressed as well. Many of the Rabbanim expressed great appreciation for the EK kashrus organization, which was established by the RCE and which markets poultry at affordable prices throughout Europe. “This is not something that we can take for granted in Europe,” the Rabbanim said, and they requested that more products be brought under EK supervision, which is overseen by competent Rabbanim of the RCE.

The Rabbanim took advantage of a break in the discussions to visit the community organizations and institutions in Russia, all of which are headed by Rabbi Berel Lazar and are growing continually, thanks to Rabbi Lazar’s many years of tireless work all over Russia. The Rabbanim expressed their great admiration for the many institutions and for the many-faceted activities taking place throughout this sprawling country.