Distinguished Minister Purga, Chairman Edward Klas, Rabbi Kot, dear members of the Estonian Jewish community, ladies and gentlemen.
I am truly happy to be here with you today.
We are marking a historic process that began with Estonia’s Law on Cultural Autonomy for Minorities in February 1925, under which, on June 6, 1926, the Cultural Autonomy of Estonian Jews was officially declared.
In the 1920s, this was a rare and extraordinary step in Europe. It showed a genuine commitment to tolerance, and a deep belief that Jewish life is an inseparable part of this country.
Yesterday, while preparing for this speech, I was looking through historical Jewish newspapers from that very era. I found a fascinating report from July 1928 in a Hebrew newspaper called “Netivot.” It described a major conference of Jewish educators from all over Eastern Europe, held in the resort town of Sopot, in Danzig, Poland.
During the meetings, one of the speakers wanted to compare how different countries treated Jewish education. He used a simple image. He told the audience to imagine a "Ladder of Rights." At the bottom, he said, were countries that completely ignored Jewish schools.
But at the very top of that ladder, praised in front of all European Jewry for giving the maximum possible rights and freedom to Jewish children, stood Estonia.
One hundred years ago, Estonia set the moral standard for the entire continent. This gesture was so deeply appreciated that it was officially inscribed in the Golden Book of the Jewish National Fund in Jerusalem, sealing the gratitude of our people forever.
We all know that this prosperity was brutally cut short by occupation and the Holocaust. Tragically, the Nazis declared this land Judenfrei. They believed they had erased Jewish life here forever.
But they failed.
When I look at you today, I don't just see survival—I see the Jewish story, a story of rebirth and growth.
I see a vibrant, free, and proud community, leading a rich cultural and educational life in an independent, democratic Estonia.
The connection between the State of Israel and Estonian Jewry is a warm, unbreakable bond. The recent opening of our resident Israeli Embassy here in Tallinn is the ultimate proof of how deeply Israel values Estonia as a close friend and partner.
In these challenging times, as we witness a worrying rise in global antisemitism, Estonia’s understanding of the importance of keeping Jewish life safe, open, and proud is more valuable than ever.
To the students of the Jewish School in Tallinn who are here with us tonight: You are our future. Look back at the history of 1926, look at where you are today, and carry your identity and your Jewish pride with your heads held high. You are the most optimistic message for our people.
May Jewish life in Estonia continues to thrive, and may the friendship between our countries and peoples grow stronger than ever.
Thank you very much.
