The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro joined the Jews and Gentiles at the opening of the Jewish street festival in the city.
In total about 9000 people took part in the celebration.
"Respect for all religions is of fundamental importance in a city that is already experiencing an abnormal explosion of violence. And we do not need any religious phobia. The fact that there are so many people out of the Jewish community here is a demonstration of tolerance that should exist among all religions, "said Mayor Rio Marcelo Crivella, who does not hide the sympathy for Israel with the evangelical Christian.
Fest Rio Judaico was held on October 22 in the heart of Ipanema, one of the most prestigious areas of Rio, home to hundreds of Jewish families. Jewish culture and traditions, including music, dances, cinema, literature, science, cooking and much more, were presented at the event, which received good coverage in the media. "Jewish culture attracts me. This is of particular importance. This millennial people, who saw the greatest atrocities, persecution and rebirth as an extraordinary people in culture, science, defense, and democracy. Being here today is a way to celebrate all this, "Krivella said.
According to the organizers, this was the largest open Jewish festival ever held in the second largest city in Brazil, home to about 30,000 Jews. The previous major Jewish events in Rio were held in confined spaces for security reasons. "The emergence of Judaism on public grounds is of fundamental importance in the fight against anti-Semitism. Those who know us respect us; those who do not know us are more prone to prejudice, "said Osaas Wurman, JTA's Honorary Consul in Rio de Janeiro and former president of the Jewish Federation of Rio de Janeiro.
In July, Crivella laid the first stone on the site, where the long-awaited Holocaust memorial in Rio will be created. Two months earlier, he delivered a speech in honor of Israel before the 2000 people during the celebration of Israel's Independence Day at the Jewish sports club.