A refreshing arrival in Europe

For six months the world has been coming to terms with the arrival of  one of the most unusual and controversial politicians to lead a major European state. That man, of course, is Nicolas Sarkozy, president of France. So is he, as some alleged before the 2007 election, a dangerous maverick, even a closet fascist? Or is he rather a true original, a rare man of principle in a world of jaundiced values? Or perhaps he is a pragmatist, determined to stamp his and France's authority on the world, yet also willing to "cut a deal" if that is what it takes to get results?

Whichever answer is correct - and I suspect numbers 2 and 3 are closer to the mark - there is no doubt that Sarkozy represents a new mode of politics. After 15 years of Jacques Chirac, for all his suaveness and international experience, that in itself is refreshing!

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Jews in Europe - new challenges and opportunities

Imagine the scene 20 years ago, if 1800 Jews had gathered in the most prestigious official buildings in Kiev, at the annual All-Ukrainian Jewish Congress.

It would have been unimaginable then, even more so during the rule of the Soviets or when Ukraine fell under the Nazi jackboot.

Yet, just last month, in Kiev, there were 1,800 Jewish delegates representing all shades of opinion, from all parts of one of Europe's largest and fastest growing countries. Foreign Jewish leaders also attended this year, including an EJCJ delegation.

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