On the conclusion of the first year of the H.S.J.E., we would like to report; the H.S.J.E. has received full accreditation from New York’s State Board of Regents, the State’s Museum, and the State’s University. We also would like to mention, the H.S.J.E. received tax exempt status as a publicly supported organization.
Contributions to the H.S.J.E. are at best modest, resulting in a deficit. We call upon our readers to extend their goodwill so that we may be able to serve in the interest of all. All contributions are tax deductible.
Committee News
The Executive committee, has expanded to 11 members. Unfortunately, during the last few months, several members attempted to stage a mutiny, disrupting our meetings, ignoring simple organizational rules, disavowing the constitution and the parliamentary system. On December 29, 1996, a motion was made by the president to dissolve the committee, in order to reorganize and establish a new committee.
Overruling the vice president’s objections, the committee unanimously voted to dissolve, and transfer all authority to the secretary Mr. Joseph E. Mosseri.
Mr. Mosseri officiating as transitional president and within the powers granted to him by the constitution, formed a transitional committee appointing Mr. Jacques H. Douek, secretary, Dr. Menahem Y. Mizrahi, treasurer and Mr. Abe V. Mosseri, vice president.
On January 18, 1997, an election for president was held. The votes were as such; Mr. Desire L. Sakkal 6 votes, Mr. Abe Mosseri 2 votes, three members abstained from voting. The election review committee, Rabbi Haim Shaul, Mr. Jacques Douek, and Mr. JoJo Gabriel Chehebar, declared Mr. Desire Sakkal president of the H.S.J.E.
The committee would like to reassure our international community, that, we will implement our stated constitutional objectives. We will not be swayed by anyone, no matter how much leverage he/she may possess, or exert, on this committee. We stand firm and unwavering in implementing our goals. We will achieve the fulfillment of these objectives through your support and active assistance.
Accomplishments
The H.S.J.E. accomplishments in the first year include, four issues of the Second Exodus (including this issue), which is mailed worldwide, few lectures, and three events namely the Inaugural function, a Hanoukah party, and a reading of the Ten Commandments in Arabic (written by Rabbi Saadia Gaon, also known as Saad el Fayoumi) as was done in certain synagogues in Egypt We also engaged the extraordinary step to obtain the release of religious artifacts from Egypt, through the tremendous efforts of Mr. Nisso Hadef.
Looking ahead
It’s official,: Egypt agrees to transfer the Sefarim
At a meeting held in Cairo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Osama El Bazz special adviser to president Hosni Mubarak, informed Mr. Nissim Hadef that Egypt has no objection on its part for the transfer of the Sifré Torah..
The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere for 45 minutes.
Mr. Nissim Hadef thanked Dr. Osama El Bazz on behalf of the Egyptian Jewish community for all his efforts in bringing this episode to a satisfactory conclusion.
Bassatine
We chose to devote most of this issue to news from the Bassatine. We express our dismay at the physical state of the aforementioned Historical Site, and the unfortunate conditions that has befallen our ancestors resting place.
Fortunately, a lone resident in Egypt, Mrs. Carmen Weinstein with the help of international organizations and philanthropists, has succeeded in building a wall around the premises and restored many of the graves. We ask everyone, to extend his/her goodwill , and to appeal to the proper authorities to preserve those sites in Egypt and to assign them the status of Historical Sites.