During the last general assembly, two new organisations joined the association

The AEPJ is very proud and happy to welcome the UCEI (Unione delle Comunità Ebraiche Italiane) and the Rede da Judiarias de Portugal as new members. They joined the association during the last general assembly, held on December 1st in Barcelona.
The UCEI, which has already been cooperating since many years with the AEPJ in the celebration of the European Day of Jewish Culture with an impressive program of activities and a huge number of participating cities, is the non-profit entity that represents 21 Jewish Communities in Italy and its members whose thousand-year presence in the country contributes to enrich the cultural and artistic heritage. Its main purpose is to promote the unity of the Italian Jews ensuring the continuity and development of the Jewish heritage in the religious, spiritual, cultural and social fields. The UCEI recognises the central role of the State of Israel with regards to contemporary Jewish identity, and therefore strives to strengthen the relations with Israel, the Diaspora and with any other entity representing Judaism and Jewish organization in the Italian institutions and organizations of an international character.
As to the Rede da Judiarias de Portugal (Network of Portuguese Jewish Quarters) is a public association ruled by private law, with the aim to act together in defending the urban, architectural, environmental, historical and cultural heritage with regards to the Jewish legacy. The association, founded in 2010, intends to combine the recovery of history and heritage with the promotion of tourism, as well as to reveal an aspect of the Portuguese and Peninsular identity. The Network is currently formed by the following 19 cities: Alenquer, Belmonte, Castelo Branco, Castelo de Vide, Elvas, Évora, Fornos de Algodres, Freixo Espada à Cinta, Guarda, Lamego, Leiria, Lisboa, Penamacor, Penedono, Sabugal, Tomar, Torres Vedras, Trancoso, Vila Nova Foz Côa.
The AEPJ is convinced that both associations will add valuable inputs towards achieving the goals of the organization, and is looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership.