The European Jewish Congress held its first in-person Executive Committee meeting for the 2025–2029 mandate under the leadership of its President, Dr Moshe Kantor, on 19 November in Paris, France, where leaders of Jewish communities gathered to discuss recent developments, exchange best practices, and address the challenges ahead.
In his opening remarks, Dr Kantor expressed his relief at the return of all living hostages held by the terrorist organisation Hamas and his hope that the remaining bodies will soon be brought home. He emphasised that one of today’s most pressing challenges is youth radicalisation, increasingly fuelled by the misuse of social media and artificial intelligence to spread hate and false narratives.
He stressed the need to establish an international forum dedicated to addressing this phenomenon and underlined the importance of providing real opportunities for young people through a model based on Homes, Education, and Jobs (HEJ) to distance them from fundamentalist ideologies. Dr Kantor called for the creation of an umbrella structure to unite the various organisations already working on youth deradicalisation, in order to strengthen cooperation and maximise impact.
For his part, CRIF President Yonathan Arfi warmly welcomed the EJC Executive to Paris. He highlighted the growing antisemitism in France and the crucial role of Jewish institutions in safeguarding the community. He praised Dr Kantor’s proposed deradicalisation project, noting the significance of addressing youth radicalisation and the urgent need to provide young people with positive opportunities and guidance to prevent their exposure to extremist influences.
Afterwards, EJC Executive Vice-President and CEO Raya Kalenova led a discussion on the recent developments in Israel since the ceasefire agreement, facilitating an exchange of views among Executive Members on the situation in Europe and the coordinated actions taken, as well as those planned for the future.
During the meeting, Executive Committee members provided updates on the situation in their respective countries, outlining community responses to rising antisemitism and the difficulties they continue to face. They also set out strategic priorities for 2026, focusing on strengthening advocacy, enhancing security, supporting community engagement, and deepening cooperation with European institutions to safeguard Jewish life and culture.
Participants had the opportunity to hear a presentation from Adrián Werthein, former President of the Latin American Jewish Congress and Permanent Observer to the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress, on the situation of Jewish communities in Latin America. His presentation was followed by an engaging Q&A session during which he addressed participants’ questions and provided further insights based on his extensive experience in the region.
Following Mr Werthein’s report, a briefing was delivered by SACC by EJC CEO Ophir Revach on the Manchester synagogue attack of October 2025, highlighting the lessons learned, the overall security situation in Europe, and how communities can better prepare against fundamentalist threats.
The EJC Executive Committee meeting took place on the eve of the 2025 Paris Mayor Summit Against Antisemitism, organised by the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the City of Paris in collaboration with the European Jewish Congress, the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (CRIF), and the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ). A delegation of EJC Executive members took part in this high-level event, attended by mayors, elected officials, and civil society representatives from across Europe and beyond.
