European Jewish Congress President Dr Moshe Kantor participated in the 75th anniversary commemorations of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) in New York, joining Holocaust survivors, Jewish leaders, and international decision-makers in marking seventy-five years of an extraordinary mission: securing justice for survivors while ensuring that the memory of the Shoah endures for generations to come.
Established in 1951 in the aftermath of the Holocaust, the Claims Conference has been at the forefront of negotiating compensation and restitution for Holocaust survivors. Over the past seven decades, it has also become one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust by funding survivor care, educational programmes, academic research, documentaries, museums, exhibitions, books, and cultural initiatives that safeguard historical truth.
As the generation of Holocaust survivors sadly passes away, this work has become more urgent than ever, ensuring that their testimonies, experiences, and voices continue to educate future generations and stand as a powerful defence against Holocaust denial, distortion, and antisemitism.
The European Jewish Congress has maintained a longstanding and close partnership with the Claims Conference. As a member of its Board of Directors, the EJC represents Jewish communities across Europe within the organisation and actively contributes to its vital mission of securing justice for Holocaust survivors, addressing their evolving needs, and preserving the memory and legacy of the Shoah.
The anniversary commemorations served as a powerful reminder that the work of the Claims Conference is far from complete. For the European Jewish Congress, participating in this milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to defending Jewish life, honouring the survivors who rebuilt their lives after unimaginable tragedy, and ensuring that their stories continue to inspire the fight against antisemitism, hatred, and historical revisionism.
For Dr Moshe Kantor, this commitment has been a defining part of his life’s work. Throughout his years of leadership, he has consistently championed Holocaust remembrance, the dignity and welfare of survivors, and the strengthening of the institutions dedicated to preserving their legacy. As Chancellor of the Council of Yad Vashem, through his longstanding involvement with the Claims Conference, and as the driving force behind the World Holocaust Forum, Dr Kantor has worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of Holocaust survivors remain at the heart of global efforts to educate future generations, combat antisemitism, and preserve the memory and lessons of the Shoah.
European Jewish Congress Executive Vice-President Raya Kalenova and Director of European Affairs Ariella Woitchik also participated in the Annual Meeting of the Corporation and Board of Directors of the Claims Conference.
Ms Kalenova was recently appointed to the Claims Conference Leadership Council, a recognition of her longstanding dedication to the organisation’s mission and of the close partnership between the Claims Conference and the European Jewish Congress. Her appointment further strengthens the EJC’s contribution to advancing justice for Holocaust survivors, preserving the memory of the Shoah, and ensuring that Jewish communities across Europe continue to play an active role in this vital mission.
