Mission
About RJC tasks and objectives The RJC has to become powerful and influential organization representing the interests of the whole spectrum of modern Russian Jewry. In order to achieve this goal it is important to proceed from the following main idea: the difference in opinions and way of life of Jews is not an obstacle, but an essential characteristic of the present Jewish identity and the source of Jewish strength. Powerful and influential RJC is a large, rich, loyal to power, State and non Jewish surrounding Jewish organization that is capable of representing, defending and lobbying the interests of practical majority of Russian Jews. Large organization In order to enlarge considerably the number of RJC members it is important first of all to answer the key question: “Why a Jew should join the community?”. The answer of the RJC is quite pragmatic: “It will be of use almost for any Jew”. First of all belonging to the Jewish community – it is belonging to historically unique structure, involvement in many thousands long Jewish history including not only Holocaust and Chisinau massacre: the historic uniqueness of Jewry is represented for example by the authorship of the present day ethics, the existing norms of morals and justice. Their importance for modern civilization is not yet fully realized. It is important to understand that Jewry does not only have its past, but also its future: Jewish people have not yet accomplished their historical mission and their great opportunities have not yet said their last word in the world history. Secondly, every RJC member has the natural right to turn to the RJC with their concerns, questions and problems. The person that takes part in the RJC activity should be absolutely sure that: - He will be provided medical, juridical, financial and any other help if necessary; - Permanent RJC commissions will constantly select most gifted schoolchildren and students, support them by scholarships and grants and help in their recruitment in the companies of businessmen – RJC members; - Cultural events and education programs aimed at promoting Jewish spiritual heritage (history, Tradition, Judaics, philosophy, Cabbala, holidays) for the people of all ages will be regularly held; - Meetings with representatives of Russian business-elite (including the members of the Congress management bodies) and representatives of state structures will be organized for businessmen - RJC members; the joint projects of businessmen – RJC members – will be supported. It is important to mention that the RJC membership cannot be passive. It means that any RJC member should have the possibility to get something from the RJC and to take part in its work this way or the other. Thus any RJC member becomes “giver” and “receiver” meaning that they are fully included in community structure. Influential organization The development of the RJC in this direction is impossible without organizing systematic relations with authorities – from mayors and governors to the Russian President. The RJC should become an organization striving to clear-cut public and political objectives. The vector of policy should be aimed first of all at strengthening international piece and consolidating all the nations and confessions of this country on the basis of the common system of spiritual and ethnic values. This policy will create for Jews the possibility of living in comfortable and tolerant society and as it coincides with the main vector of Russian authorities’ policy it is likely to cause natural positive reaction. In this connection it is important to promote a number of socially important projects that the RJC takes part in. These projects can be: — organizing permanent presence of the RJC in the Russian mass media field so as to create positive image of Jewish community in the Russian society and, of course, making use of various informational causes that can be the following: charity events, taking part in terrorism resistance, supporting the victims of terrorist attacks; — taking part in elaborating new law drafts in the field of charity, activity of national-cultural autonomies etc. together with representatives of other confessions, public and charity organizations and supporting the initiatives aimed at overcoming inter confessional and international contradictions; — organizing RJC participation in the Public council at the President of Russia that is now formed; — organizing meetings between representatives of Jewish international organizations and/or delegations with the top government officials; — providing support to businessmen – RJC members in their local and central projects; — organizing meetings between representatives of regional Jewish business and mayors and governors. Systematic work in this direction is already carried out and there is very ground to suggest that as these projects are implemented the attractiveness of the Congress for local and central authorities is likely to increase. Rich organization In the near future the RJC budget should be increased 2-3 times by enlarging its “donor” base and by contributing to realization of joint projects of members of Jewish business-community. It is important to engage regional businessmen in participating in RJC and in financing local programs. Transparent organization The system of decision making as far as spending sponsor money and the scheme of getting, distributing and transferring money should be absolutely transparent. Every program and every project is carefully analyzed and initialed by expert councils that are formed out of the leading professionals in different fields of activity, famous and respectful members of the Jewish society. The sponsor can choose one (or several) programs supported by the RJC and to “name” their contribution. If a sponsor approves the RJC work in general and entrust to the RJC to distribute their money among beneficiaries, they can just make a charitable contribution to the RJC. The executive organs of the RJC should give regular (every trimester) accounts to every sponsor and to the members of the RJC Presidium as far as money spending is concerned. Besides every sponsor will get an “electronic key” that will enable them to monitor the movement of their contribution at the special site section that is closed for usual visitors of the RJC site. The RJC exercises permanent control over purposeful spending of received money by beneficiaries. Organization representing interests of most Russian Jews In order to achieve this goal it is necessary: — to organize serious social- demographic research of Jewish community of Russia so as to learn about the real field of activity and making corresponding data base; — to create actively functioning system of regional RJC sections, to enlarge RJC management bodies at the expense of representatives of local elites; — to work at mutual rapprochement and consolidation of all Jewish organizations and to sign agreements with all the leading players of the “Jewish street” of Russia; — to mend fences and to sign work agreements with influential international Jewish organizations; — to make public the RJC intentions and to ensure media coverage of the RJC undertakings; — to organize wide discussion of the concept of work and of the development strategy of the RJC among Jews.
Bureau of the Russian Jewish Congress
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