(Monday, 11 April 2022) – An extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee was convened on 11 April 2022 and the following decisions were taken.
Executive members acknowledged Dr Kantor’s decision to step back with immediate effect as President of the organization in order to ensure that the EJC continues its important mission without distraction.
The members of the EJC Executive Committee thanked Dr Moshe Kantor for his outstanding work at the head of the EJC over the last 14 years and saluted his strong leadership, commitment, and dedication to Jewish life in Europe.
They also expressed their sincere and deep appreciation for the unparalleled contribution of Dr Moshe Kantor over so many years to the flourishing of Jewish life in Europe, preserving the memory of the Holocaust and fighting antisemitism.
Dr Ariel Muzicant, who has served as Vice-President of the EJC since 2012, was unanimously appointed Interim President. As stipulated in the organisation’s bylaws, he will serve until the next General Assembly.
He was born on 12 February 1952 in Haifa and moved to Vienna in 1956. He studied medicine at the University of Vienna, where he received the title of Dr. med. in 1976. Currently, he is a partner of Colliers International Property Consultants, the third largest real estate network worldwide. He is married, and has 3 children and 11 grandchildren.
Dr Ariel Muzicant has been continuously involved in Jewish life in Vienna, Austria and Europe over the last 43 years, serving in leadership roles a large number of functions and institutions, such as: President (1998 – 2012) and Honorary President (2012-) of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG Wien) and the Jewish Communities of Austria, Founder and President of the Jewish School in Vienna (1979 – 1995), President of the B’nai B’rith-ZPC Loge (1996 – 1998) and President of Keren Hayessod/UJA-Austria.
The EJC is the representative umbrella organisation of 42 national Jewish communities in Europe.