|
|
|
|
TITLE: Armenia's Jewish Schism |
AUTHOR: Karine Ter-Saakian |
PUB: IWPR |
DATE: February 28, 2001 |
|
Armenia's tiny Jewish community - numbering less than 800 - has split into two opposing camps whose differences are, apparently, irreconcilable. Each faction accuses the other of squandering international funds and failing to observe the fundamental teachings of the Torah. And each claims to be the only official representative of Armenia's Jewry in the international arena. But most observers agree that the vendetta is causing untold harm to a community, which, in any case, is threatened with extinction. Despite Armenia's exceptional record for ethnic tolerance, more than 3,000 Jews have left the former Soviet republic since 1993 in an effort to escape grinding poverty and social collapse. Now the remaining few are considering joining them. "We aren't leaving because of racial problems," says Milena Shteinberg, an actress from the Russian Drama Theatre in Yerevan. "Everyone finds life hard in Armenia today, not just the Jews." In the meantime, they are forced to choose between two rival organisations - the Jewish Religious Community of Armenia (JRCA) and the Jewish Community of Armenia (JCA). And, in making their choice, they effectively renounce all links with members of the opposite camp. Founded in 1991, the JRCA, which meets at Yerevan's Sheikh Mordecai synagogue, is led by Rabbi Hersh-Meir Burstein and Willi Weiner, chairman of the Menora cultural association. It is funded by the international Joint Jewish Centre as well as sponsors from the USA and Israel who contribute a total of around $50,000 per year. Meanwhile, the JCA gathers in two small rented rooms in downtown Yerevan under the watchful eye of Rimma Varjapetian. The JCA's financing comes from Sokhnut and is comparable to the JRCA's annual budget. However, both organisations argue that they should have complete control over all funds donated by international sponsors. The JCA claims the JRCA spends unnecessary amounts on trips abroad and lavish celebrations. And the JRCA recently accused its rival of compromising its religious integrity by accepting a $20,000 donation from the Harvey Mission, a Jewish-Christian sect in America. Varjapetian promptly published an article in the local press in which she denied any links with the sect, adding, "But, of course, no real Jew, however independent or modern in their outlook, is going to argue with a Rabbi." Unsurprisingly, both organisations claim to be the last bastion of the Jewish faith in Armenia. Willi Weiner, of the JRCA, said the group put special emphasis on the celebration of religious feasts "since this is the only way to preserve our historical legacy both for ourselves and for our children". Weiner lived in Israel for three years before returning to Armenia. "Life is hard everywhere but here I have friends and a community. I simply don't have the right to abandon them," he said. Rabbi Burstein describes a recent trip to Washington as a "minor victory" for the JRCA. It marked the first time that any Armenian Jewish group had been independently represented at the International Jewish Communities summit. He believes that this is because the organisation has succeeded in preserving Jewish traditions over the past century. "We observe the fundamental teaching of the Torah," he said. "Don't do to others what you would not wish others to do to you". Burstein said he regretted the schism between the two rival organisations, commenting, "Our peoples have suffered a great deal in the 20th century and we should be together in these troubled times." But he considers that the JCA has no right to celebrate holidays or carry out charity work in the name of Armenian Jews. "Varjapetian is a member of the Israeli immigration service," he says, "and simply has no authority to represent our Jewish community on an international level." The JCA leader, on the other hand, argues, "Our organisation is a movement aimed at preserving Jewish culture, traditions, rituals and the Jewish way of life. Rabbi Burstein is only concerned about his standing with Orthodox Jews abroad." Varjapetian dismisses claims that the JCA's membership criteria are less discriminating than the JRCA's, adding that "anyone with a drop of Jewish blood in their veins has a right to call themselves Jewish". "The Rabbi is preaching isolationism," she commented. "That might be fine for Israel but, in Armenia, we need more tolerance. We need to admit that it's impossible to observe all the laws of the Torah in this country." But Varjapetian agrees with the Rabbi on one issue: "We should help one another to survive in these hard times rather than remaining at loggerheads," she said. And yet neither side has made any steps towards reconciliation. Razmik Davoyan, advisor to President Robert Kocharian on the problems of racial minorities, is optimistic. "Sooner or later the communities will unite. It's just a matter of time," he says. But time is running out for the few remaining Jews in Armenia. END |