Union des progressistes juifs de Belgique
Encyclopedia
The Union des progressistes juifs de Belgique (UPJB, Belgian Union of Progressive Jews) is a Belgian Jewish
organization set up in 1939 as Solidarité juive (Jewish Solidarity) by antifascist Jews in Belgium
, becoming in 1946 Solidarité juive, aide aux victimes de l'oppresseur nazi (Jewish Solidarity, help to the victims of the Nazi oppressor). It took on its present name in 1969.
(as in neighbouring France). Aid associations were created, such as Le Secours rouge (Red Relief). When the war began, Solidarité juive was one of these associations and worked closely with the Comité de Défense des Juifs
, and with Secours mutuel (left-wing Zionists). Members of Solidarité juive were active in rescuing and hiding Jewish children, but also as armed partisans
in the Front de l'Indépendance
and as information agents in Leopold Trepper
's Red Orchestra, based in Brussels
.
, because it disagrees with one of its Zionist statutory clauses, the association has for purpose the fight (...) for the support by all appropriate means of the State of Israel, spiritual centre of Judaism and safe haven of threatened Jewish communities.
In 2001, UPJB, through an open letter signed by its then president Elie Gross, supported the main Belgian French-speaking daily Le Soir
during a campaign from the Belgian Zionist
organizations, including the CCOJB, which accused its journalists of a systemic anti-Israeli bias.
In 2004-2005 the UPJB was member of the COIFE , comprising fifty-odd organizations.
network, which comprises 17 Jewish organizations from nine European countries.
History of the Jews in Belgium
Jews and Judaism have a long history in Belgium, from the 1st century CE until today. The Jewish community numbered 100,000 on the eve of the Second World War, but after the war and the Holocaust, is now less than half that number.-Early history:...
organization set up in 1939 as Solidarité juive (Jewish Solidarity) by antifascist Jews in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, becoming in 1946 Solidarité juive, aide aux victimes de l'oppresseur nazi (Jewish Solidarity, help to the victims of the Nazi oppressor). It took on its present name in 1969.
History
Just before WWII, refugees from Nazism came to Belgium, some clandestinely. Jews and communists were heavily represented among them, some of whom assembled in informal movements such as Main-d'oeuvre étrangère and Main-d'œuvre immigréeMain-d'œuvre immigrée
The Main-d'œuvre immigrée was a French trade unionist organisation, composed of immigrant workers of the Confédération générale du travail unitaire in the 1920s. The MOI was affiliated to the Profintern...
(as in neighbouring France). Aid associations were created, such as Le Secours rouge (Red Relief). When the war began, Solidarité juive was one of these associations and worked closely with the Comité de Défense des Juifs
Comité de Défense des Juifs
The Comité de Défense des Juifs was an organization of the Belgian Resistance, affiliated to the Front de l'Indépendance, founded by the Jewish Communist Hertz Jospa and his wife Have Groisman of the Jewish Revolutionary organization Solidarité juive in September 1942.The CDJ had thirty-odd...
, and with Secours mutuel (left-wing Zionists). Members of Solidarité juive were active in rescuing and hiding Jewish children, but also as armed partisans
Partisan (military)
A partisan is a member of an irregular military force formed to oppose control of an area by a foreign power or by an army of occupation by some kind of insurgent activity...
in the Front de l'Indépendance
Front de l'Indépendance
The Front de l'indépendance was a Belgian resistance movement during World War II, founded in March 1941 by Dr. Albert Marteaux of the Communist Party of Belgium, Father André Roland, and Fernand Demany, another communist...
and as information agents in Leopold Trepper
Leopold Trepper
Leopold Trepper was an organizer of the Soviet spy ring Rote Kapelle prior to and during World War II....
's Red Orchestra, based in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
Objectives
The objective of the UPJB is The promotion of a contemporary, secular, and progressive Judaism in the diaspora, in the filiation of the struggle of the workers movement and of the anti-Nazi resistance.Belgian affiliations
The UPJB is not a member of the Comité de coordination des organisations juives de Belgique (CCOJB, Coordination Committee of Belgium's Jewish Organizations), the Belgian chapter of the World Jewish CongressWorld Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in August 1936 as an international federation of Jewish communities and organizations...
, because it disagrees with one of its Zionist statutory clauses, the association has for purpose the fight (...) for the support by all appropriate means of the State of Israel, spiritual centre of Judaism and safe haven of threatened Jewish communities.
In 2001, UPJB, through an open letter signed by its then president Elie Gross, supported the main Belgian French-speaking daily Le Soir
Le Soir
Le Soir is a Berliner Format Belgian newspaper. Le Soir was founded in 1887 by Emile Rossel. It is the most popular Francophone newspaper in Belgium, and considered a newspaper of record.-Editorial stance:...
during a campaign from the Belgian Zionist
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
organizations, including the CCOJB, which accused its journalists of a systemic anti-Israeli bias.
In 2004-2005 the UPJB was member of the COIFE , comprising fifty-odd organizations.
International affiliation
Since 2003, the UPJB has been affiliated to the European Jews for a Just PeaceEuropean Jews for a Just Peace
European Jews for a Just Peace is a federation of Jewish groups in ten European countries aimed at bringing about peace in the Middle East and ensuring respect for the human rights of the Palestinian people...
network, which comprises 17 Jewish organizations from nine European countries.