{"id":187812,"date":"2018-02-08T16:15:39","date_gmt":"2018-02-08T14:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=187812"},"modified":"2018-02-08T16:15:39","modified_gmt":"2018-02-08T14:15:39","slug":"chairman-of-jewish-federation-aurel-vainer-receives-honorary-citizenship-of-bucharest-he-is-an-example-of-solidarity-and-cooperation-patriarch-daniel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/chairman-of-jewish-federation-aurel-vainer-receives-honorary-citizenship-of-bucharest-he-is-an-example-of-solidarity-and-cooperation-patriarch-daniel\/","title":{"rendered":"Chairman of Jewish Federation Aurel Vainer receives honorary citizenship of Bucharest. \u2018He is an example of solidarity and cooperation\u2019 \u2013 Patriarch Daniel"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Royal Hall of the National Art Museum hosted Wednesday a ceremony to award the Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, Aurel Vainer, the honorary citizenship of Bucharest. Attending the event was Patriarch Daniel who presented Aurel Vainer as \u2018an example of solidarity and cooperation, both at local and at international level.\u2019<\/h4>\n

The Patriarch of Romania spoke about several activities made by the Chairman of the Jewish Federation \u2018to defend and promote traditional, spiritual Judeo-Christian values.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018We particularly appreciated the support offered by Chairman Aurel Vainer to our efforts to preserve religious symbols in public spaces in Romania, and to maintain religious education in Romanian state schools,\u2019 the Patriarch said Feb. 7.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In his speech, Patriarch Daniel recalled that the chairman of the Jewish Federation contributed financially to the restoration of the Orthodox Church in his home village, Stefanesti, Botosani County.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude also pointed to the support offered by Aurel Vainer to the initiative of the Romanian Patriarchate to establish the Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania, together with the other religious bodies officially recognized by the Romanian state, on 14 April 2011.<\/p>\n

The mayor of Bucharest, Gabriela Firea, said that Aurel Vainer is \u2018the man who sacrifices himself for the sake of others,\u2019 being a promoter of dialogue. \u2018It is from him that I have mostly heard words such as humanity, solidarity, peace, friendship, love.\u2019<\/p>\n

The event was attended by culture people, politicians, representatives of the religious denominations, local and state officials, including the State Secretary for Religious Affairs, Victor Opaschi.<\/p>\n

Speaking to those present at the former Royal Palace, Aurel Vainer declared himself \u2018a great supporter of peace\u2019 who embraced everything good \u2018for the sake of Romania, the Romanian people, and the whole world.\u2019<\/p>\n

Pointing to the Jewish greeting Shalom<\/em> meaning peace<\/em>, Chairman Vainer said that peace can be a fact or a state of mind.<\/p>\n

\u2018We should make peace a state of mind. Let us always and always promote this ideal where we are.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Aurel Vainer confessed that he was constantly guided by \u2018essentially Judeo-Christian values, with all subsequent developments.\u2019 At the same time he was and remains \u2018an advocate of open windows.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I have a slogan: By mutual knowledge to mutual recognition,\u2019 Vainer noted during his honorary citizenship ceremony.<\/p>\n