Greetings from the CIG PRESIDENT
Dear Members, Dear Coreligionists,
Building on its existence of more than 160 years, the Jewish Community of Geneva is articulated with respect for its Jewish identity and the laws of the City into which it is integrated. It houses more than 1,200 member households.
The CIG develops its activities around its mission: to develop a Jewish community, guardian of traditional Judaism, halachic laws and Jewish traditions, aware of modernity, tolerant and confident, a community ensuring its members support and family development, personal, spiritual and cultural, at every stage of their life.
The IGC is: a community center, two synagogues, a crèche, an early childhood school, a Talmud Torah, a Youth Center, a cultural center, a library, a social service, an Ulpan, activities for the ‘Golden Age, a kosher restaurant, two cemeteries.
Through all of its services, the Jewish Community of Geneva thus offers a rich and varied range of activities that will allow you to flourish there. To participate in it means to contribute to its existence, to its dynamism and to its transmission.
Looking forward to see you there.
Roseline Cisier
President of the IGC
Geneva, December 2020
Greetings from the Chief Rabbi
Our identity is simple: a traditional Jewish Community in the heart of today’s society.
The CIG is a community open to the modern world, open to others, full of respect and dignity, while at the same time retaining its specific Jewish identity, focused not only on universal spiritual values, but also strict adherence to and respect of what we have received on Mount Sinai, meaning Halachah, which has contributed to the sustainability of the Jewish people.
We accompany our fellow Jews from birth and throughout their lifetimes, from joyous events as well as the hazards of day-to-day life, with both a religious / spiritual and social structure – the sustainability of our community and our traditions is at the forefront.
One of our essential tasks is to focus our efforts to ensure our future through the teachings of the Torah and enlightened practice of our traditions to our community’s future generations; at our Jewish day school, during Bar-Mitzva and the Bat-Mitzva preparations, Talmud Torah classes and through daily worship services at our Ashkenazi and Sephardi community synagogues.
Moses said to King Pharaoh “Bin’arenou ouvizkenenou nelekh…, ki ‘hag Ha-s-hem lanoi: “With our youth and our elders we will go, … for it is a festival of the Lord to us”. It is simply not possible to celebrate without our youth! Conscious of the importance of Torah studies and passing on our traditions, practices and customs, the Jewish Community of Geneva welcomes all Jews regardless of their religious level or affiliation, to share our common values and our traditions in a pleasant and friendly setting and through a broad range of services dedicated to our great community. As the Chief of Rabbi of the CIG, I am mindful of our “Shalom” towards our members and community. I will always be here to help and to bring you a Rabbinic perspective on any lifecycle event or question.
I wish you a cordial shalom
Rav Dr. Izhak DAYAN
Chief Rabbi
Summary
The Jewish Community of Geneva (CIG) welcomes all Jews, regardless of their degree of observance and origin, and offers them a wide range of services and activities.
Under the supervision of the Chief Rabbi, the CIG organizes its activities and manages its varied institutions in adherence with the fundamental principles of Judaism (Halachah).
On an individual and family standpoint, our members live their Jewish lives based on their personnel choices.
The many activities and departments of the CIG are run by both our staff and our many volunteers. This includes synagogue services, rabbinate, GAN, religious school for our children (Talmud Torah) and adults (Ulpan), cultural activities, youth center, social welfare and aid, activities for senior citizens, the cemetery, the library, our community restaurant and various meeting areas.
In addition, both individually and with its partners, the CIG is committed to political representation, interfaith dialogue, the fight against anti-Semitism and to disseminate information on Judaism.
Vision & values
Through its history, the Jewish people have always considered themselves as a collective group. For the Jewish people, a community is the most organized and successful, as well as necessary, to defend our traditions, our freedom and our safety as a minority in most modern societies. The Jewish Community of Geneva (CIG) rises to the call while remaining integrated and open to today’s society.
It intends to defend both religious and cultural Jewish identity with the strength of its members. It has been contributing for more than 165 years to the diversity, the openness and the wealth of our canton while at the same time following time honored Halachic laws and traditions as well as the law of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. We wish to pursue this vocation and develop a Jewish community, guardian of traditional Judaism, our Jewish heritage, our memory, halachic Laws and Jewish traditions, open to society and part of the modern world. We are a community who guides and prepares its youth, where its members find family, personal, spiritual and cultural outlets and grows at each stage of their lives regardless of their degree of religious practice. We are a community which respectful of its diversity and its members, with a strong sense of solidarity – ready to come to the aid of its members when they need help.
The history of Jewish life in Geneva
1396
Establishment of a free Jewish district in Saint- Germain area of Geneva
1428
Creation, place du Grand- Mézel, the “Cancel”, the first Jewish Ghetto in the world (88 years before the more well-known ghetto of Venice)
1490
Expulsion of Jews from Geneva. These take refuge in Versoix for a period of time.
1779
Arrival of the first Jews in Carouge, mostly coming from Alsace.
1787
Application of common law for Jews established in the territory of Carouge.
1788
First statutes of the Jewish community of Carouge. Establishment of a place of worship and Jewish cemetery.
1816
Carouge is annexed by the Canton of Geneva, however Geneva citizenship of Jews is excluded.
1835
The community extends its reach and adopts the name: “Jewish Community of the Canton of Geneva”.
1843
The Grand Conseil of the Geneva Canton authorizes the full practice of Jewish worship in Geneva.
1852
The Grand Conseil of Geneva Canton approves the statues relating to the foundation so- called “Jewish Community established in Geneva Canton”
1857
The Grand Conseil of Geneva bestows a land grant for the construction of a synagogue and grants citizenship to all Jews in the Canton.
1859
Inauguration of the synagogue. Joseph Wertheimer appointed as the 1st Chief Rabbi of Geneva.
1870
Arrival of many Jewish from Alsace following the Franco- Prussian war.
1890
Arrival of many Jewish students from the Russian Empire and the Balkans.
1905
Arrival of many Jewish students from the Russian Empire following the pogroms.
1911
Orthodox Jewish refugees from Russia and Poland founded “Havera Tillim” and Agudas Achim” synagogues.
1916
A few Sephardi families from the former Ottoman Empire founded the “Fraternal Sephardi Group”.
1920
Inauguration of the Jewish cemetery in Veyrier- Etrembières.
1925
The CIG installs its center at 12 place de la Fusterie and inaugurates a community center, a school and Jewish library.
1930
Inauguration of the Jewish Chapel of Veyrier.
1938
Arrival of many Jewish refugees fleeing Nazism following the Anschluss of Austria to Germany.
1942
The CIG entirely restructures to accommodate the refugees. Mr Michel SMIDOF is appointed as the first secretary of the CIG.
1951
Inauguration of the new Jewish community center at 10 rue Saint- Léger.
1956
Arrival of Jewish families from Arab countries.
1957
Opening of a Jewish Youth Community Center at the Jewish community center.
1962
Inauguration of a Senior citizen home “The Marronniers” (Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Robert Nordmann).
1965
Merger of the “ Jewish Community of Geneva”, the “ Fraternal Sefardi Group” and the Orthodox communities, “Hevra Tillim” and “Agudas Achim”.
1970
Creation of the GIL (Reformed Jewish Community of Geneva).
1972
Inauguration of the religious and cultural center Hekhal Haness (Sephardi synagogue) in Malagnou neighborhood of Geneva.
.
1979
Inauguration of Léonard and Kay Cohen Hall at the Geneva Grande Synagogue, place de la Synagogue.
1981
Opening of GIRSA (Geneva Jewish Day School)
1988
Chabad opens in Gene
1996
Renovation of Carouge cemetery
1997
Inauguration of Beth Yaacov synagogue following an 18 month renovation.
2006
Inauguration of CIG synagogue (21, avenue Dumas)
2007
Inauguration of the new Jewish Community Center 21 avenue Dumas
2009
Inauguration of the Dr Alexandre Safran hall at the Beth Yacov synagogue
2011
IInauguration of the Mikveh at 21 avenue Dumas
2012
Installation of computerized interactive plot map at the Veyrier cemetery.
2015
Renovation of the synagogue and “Le Jardin” restaurant at the CIG Jewish Community Center 21, avenue Dumas
2017
New CIG logo and Graphical Charter
2018
New web site
ORGANISATION
The Jewish Community of Geneva (CIG) is an association organized in accordance with Articles 60 of the Swiss civil code which is governed by a board of 9 to 11 members. Board members are elected by its members for a term of two years, and report to the President of the CIG, who is himself elected by the Assembly. The statutes of the CIG (herewith available) were modified in December 2015 following a vote of the General Assembly following the initiative of the new board.
As of 2 May 2016 the General Secretary has taken over the direction of the operational activities of the CIG. The board meets monthly to define key strategic direction, follow major projects and financial accounts of the CIG. while the business office is comprised of a small number of the board members, which meets on a bi-monthly basis and manages the activities of the different departments with the General Secretary. Each department has a head, who reports to the CIG General Secretary, with the exception of the Rabbinate, which is directly under the authority of the CIG board.
BOARD OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF GENEVA
BOARD
Mrs. Roseline Cisier , President
Mr Neil Berdugo , Vice- President
Mrs. Nathalie Sarah Halpérin, Vice-President
Prof. Ron Appel, Treasurer
Mr Gary Bennaim
Mr Elie Bernheim
Mr Gregory Bradbury
Mrs. Sonia Elkrief
Mr Philippe Guggenheim
Mr Fabrice Madar
Mr Eric Roditi
RABBINATE
Dr Mikhaël BENADMON , Chief Rabbi of the CIG
GENERAL SECRETARY
Mr. Elias FRIJA
PRESIDENTS OF HONOR
M. WOLF Moïse (zl)
M. WOLF Emile(zl)
Dr SCHVOB Alexandre(zl)
M. MEYER Albert (zl)
M. BEYERSDORF Charles (zl)
M. BRUNSCHVIG Armand(zl)
Me HAYMANN Erwin (zl)
M. LAWI Albert
Me SIMKHOVITCH-DREYFUS Sabine
Me AUFSEESSER Ron
M. CHARTIEL Roger
Me GRUMBACH Philippe A.
MEMBERS OF HONOR
M. BLOCH Léon (zl)
M. LEVY-WALLICH Maurice (zl)
M. TAMMAN Gabriel
Me BRUNSCHVIG Jean (zl)
M. SMIDOF Israël (zl)
M. DE TOLEDO Pierre (zl)
M. Willy DE BOTTON
Me BRUNSCHWIG François (zl)
M. GAON Nessim (zl)
M. GUTMANN Gaston (zl)
M. FRADKOFF Borah (zl)
Dr HALPERIN Vladimir (zl)
M. COHEN Henri (zl)
Pr GUGGENHEIM Paul S. (zl)
Me KÖSTENBAUM Alain
M. HERZOG Joël
M. KATTAN Elie
Mme FAYON Ruth (zl)
M. FRADKOFF Daniel
M. BENAMRAN Sylvain
Pr HALPERIN Jean (zl)
Dr SCHEPS Samuel (zl)
Mme PUDER Noémie
Mme WEILL Jaqueline (zl)
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Fight against anti-Semitism
In Geneva, as elsewhere in Europe, anti-Semitic acts have unfortunately increased in recent years, even if they have not taken the proportions that we have recently seen in France.
With its partner, the CICAD www.cicad.ch , the CIG fights anti-Semitism and defamation in all forms. If you have been a victim or witness of an anti-Semitic act or if you have any questions or remarks concerning the prevention and the fight against such acts, please contact the CICAD and in particular its general secretary, Mr. Johanne Gurfinkiel jgurfinkiel@cicad.ch
The CICAD publishes a newsletter, subscriptions at newsletter@cicad.ch
In Switzerland, anti-Semitic and racist acts are punishable under art. 261 bis of the Swiss Penal Code. The Federal Commission against Racism (EKR) is mandated by Swiss Federal Council to « deal with racial discrimination, to promote a better understanding between people of race, color, origin, provenance ethnic or national, different religious combat all forms of direct or indirect racial discrimination and attach particular importance to prevention in order for it to be effective».