The Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Group congratulates the Estonian Jewish community and all the people of Estonia on the 100th anniversary of Estonian Jewish cultural autonomy.
This centenary marks a significant milestone in the history of the Republic of Estonia and holds a special place in the history of European Jewish communities. The Cultural Autonomy for National Minorities Act, adopted in 1925, granted Estonian Jews the opportunity to establish their own cultural self-government—a step that garnered international recognition and reaffirmed the young Republic of Estonia’s commitment to freedom, equality, and respect for minority rights.
Estonia’s independence brought about a fundamental change in the lives of local Jews. After centuries of living under various foreign powers, the Jewish community received full civil rights in the Republic of Estonia, along with the opportunity to freely develop their culture, education, and communal life. Estonian Jewish cultural autonomy became a model that attracted interest from many other nations.
As early as a century ago, ties began to develop between Estonia and those building the Jewish national home in what was then Mandatory Palestine. The Republic of Estonia was the first country to be inscribed in the Golden Book of the Jewish National Fund, in recognition of the cultural autonomy granted to the Jewish community by Estonia.
The violent interruption of Estonian Jewish cultural autonomy was brought about by the occupations that began in 1940. The Soviet occupation destroyed the cultural self-government of national minorities and independent civil society. The subsequent Nazi German occupation sought to destroy the Estonian Jewish community itself.
With the restoration of the Estonian state in 1991, the Jewish community was given the opportunity to resume where the development of a free Estonia had been cut short half a century earlier. Today, the Estonian Jewish community is a vibrant, visible, and valued part of Estonian society, serving as an important bridge between Estonia and Israel, and more broadly, the entire Jewish world.
The active cultural, educational, and social activities of the Estonian Jewish community bear witness to the fact that the tradition established a hundred years ago lives on today. The Estonian state considers it vital to ensure that the Jewish community can continue to safely and freely preserve and develop its identity, culture, and religious life.
The current friendly and close relations between Estonia and Israel are built upon the same shared values—democracy, the rule of law, freedom, and respect for human dignity. Furthermore, these relations are rooted in the significant contribution of the Estonian Jewish community to the development of our society across many generations.
As we celebrate the centenary of Jewish cultural autonomy, we proudly remember a key achievement of Estonian democracy and tolerance, and we express our appreciation to the Estonian Jewish community for its contribution to our shared history and present day. Together, we look boldly to the future.
Congratulations on the 100th anniversary of Estonian Jewish cultural autonomy!
Am Yisrael Chai!
Eerik-Niiles Kross serves as the Chairman of the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Group, which also includes Vadim Belobrovtsev, Meelis Kiili, Lauri Laats, Juku-Kalle Raid, Riina Sikkut, Aivar Sõerd, Peeter Tali, Vilja Toomast, and Kristo Enn Vaga.
Additional Information:
Eerik-Niiles Kross Chairman of the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Group
eerik-niiles.kross@riigikogu.ee
Translated by AI Gemini
