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The President of the Republic visited the Jewish Community Centre07.12.2004
 President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs. Ingrid Rüütel today visited the Jewish Community Centre in Tallinn and participated in the celebration of Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
At the Community Centre the presidential couple was met by the Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kot, the head of the Jewish congregation Boriss Oks and the President of the Jewish Community in Estonia Cilja Laud who offered an overview of the Jewish community's activities and plans for the future.
Following a tour in the synagogue and the Jewish Community Centre, the President of the Republic lit the first Hanukkah candle in the course of the celebration held in the courtyard of the centre.
President Rüütel noted that since the very beginning of its national state Estonia has endeavoured to create every possibility for ethnic minorities to preserve their own culture. ''Being the first in Europe, Estonia adopted the Cultural Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities Act as early as in 1925 and the Jewish cultural autonomy was declared a year later. This happened to be an exceptional phenomenon in the world and in the history of Jewish people'', said the Head of the State.
The President of the Republic thanked the Jewish community for its activities and participation in public life in Estonia. ''I would like to wish all of you on the occasion of today's holiday a lot of joy from the candle light, fellow people around you and your rich culture'', said the Head of the State.
After that the President of the Republic visited the Tallinn Jewish School where the director of the school Mihhail Beilinson gave him an overview.
Public Relations Unit of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, December 7, 2004
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