Unites States Ambassador to Belgium, Howard Gutman, was honored on Tuesday by the Jewish community in Brussels at a farewell ceremony, The European Jewish Press (EJP) reported.
The Ambassador, who will leave his post this month after four years, was presented the ‘’EU Jewish Building Friendship Award’’ for the strong ties he has maintained with the Jewish community.
Managed by Rabbi Michael Rosenblum, the EU Jewish building (EUJB), which is located adjacent to the EU Commission and Council of Ministers and opened almost ten years ago, is home of several Jewish organizations working in various fields on European level.
In his address, the Ambassador, the son of a Holocaust survivor, recalled the fact that has established links for all religious communities in Belgium. “I love building bridges. The Jewish community is amazing and I appreciated very much the Jewish holidays I shared with several families,” he said, according to EJP.
The award ceremony coincided with the inauguration of an extension to the EU Jewish building dedicated by world-renowned Belgian violinist and contributor Michael Guttman.