Kosovo Embassy In Jerusalem Hosts Holocaust Remembrance Event (Video & Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 02/01/22

Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 1, 2022 - At a time when Holocaust distortion and trivialization are growing as well as antisemitism, the Kosovo Embassy located in Jerusalem, Israel hosted a commemorative event for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  

The evening program was crafted to remember those who perished in the Holocaust and to share the history of Jewish life in Kosovo and the rescue of Jews by the Albanian-Kosovars. A stated goal of the Embassy is to find effective ways to raise awareness among the new generations about the importance of Holocaust education and fight against the rise of modern antisemitism.

In her opening remarks Charge d"Affaires Mrs. Ines Demiri spoke of her personal history. Her family photos lined the wall behind the seated diplomats in attendance. Relatives were partisans, others caught up in the Shoah, and her father is presently the leader of the Jewish community in Kosovo

The Jews first arrived in what is today the Republic of Kosovo during the time of the Roman Empire. The community increased in size in the Middle Ages, especially as Jews looked for safety after the Spanish Inquisition. Though Kosovo has an overwhelmingly Muslim population, they take pride in coexistence in the country.

The Israeli Deputy Director-General - head of Eurasia the Western Balkans Division Ambassador Gray Koren was honored to be the first speaker. 

A video screen was set up for The Minister of Education, Sport and Youth Mrs. Arberi Nagavci to address the audience from Kosovo by zoom. Also among those included in the program was survivor Raul Teitelbaum was born in Kosovo, whose daughter Iris Teitelbaum shared his story. The story of a Kosovar Albanian family, listed among the Righteous Among Nations, who saved the Jewish family of Shelly Drummer was part of the emotional and educational program. 

One of the stated goals of the Embassy in Jerusalem is to work closely with Yad Vashem - World Holocaust Remembrance Center, to share the historical facts of the Jewish people in Kosovo during the Holocaust. Photographs taken in Poland at the Warsaw Cemetery and at Auschwitz were on display before and after the official program as well as the Demiri family photos. 

Adding to the significance of the memorable evening, Israel and the Republic of Kosovo established diplomatic relations one year ago on February 1, 2021. The Embassy located on Keren Hayesod Street in Jerusalem was dedicated on February 15, 2021.