The 2025 General Assembly of the ECJC – Thank You for Your Participation

The 2025 General Assembly of the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC) was a truly inspiring and successful gathering, with over 70 members and partners participating from across Europe. It was a powerful demonstration of unity, resilience, and shared purpose. ECJC President, Claudia Fellus warmly welcomed everyone, introduced the members of the Executive Committee of the Board, Abraham Lehrer, Marc Sugarman, Aron Schuster, Sabrina Cohen and Robert Cohen, setting a tone of community and collaboration. Stefan Oscar, JDC Executive Director Europe, Africa & Asia, also greeted participants, emphasizing the close partnership between JDC and ECJC since ECJC’s creation more than 60 years ago. ECJC’s Director, Taly Mair, then introduced our new team – Teona Dalakishvili, Programs Manager and Ralph Baker, CFO- emphasizing their diverse expertise and shared commitment to supporting Jewish communities across Europe. Speaking both as ECJC Director and drawing from her experience leading the Athens Jewish Community, Taly highlighted the ECJC’s importance as a unifying, non-denominational, and non-political platform uniting Jewish communities across Europe, while also promoting collaboration, capacity building and shared learning. She articulated a vision of a thriving, interconnected European Jewish community rooted in shared heritage, empowered through resource sharing and mutual support, and she invited all participants to contribute their energy and insights to achieve our strategic goals, working together towards a resilient and sustainable future. Taly and Teona outlined initiatives and partnerships from 2025, the new membership strategy focused on transparency and inclusivity, sharing a warm invitation to engage with ECJC’s provided resources. The level of engagement shown by our participants throughout the assembly was truly inspiring, highlighting the critical need for a platform like ECJC. We celebrated the diversity and vibrancy of our Jewish communities, acknowledging both the challenges faced and the successes achieved together. The event reaffirmed our commitment to building bridges between communities, organizations, and individuals and harnessing our collective resources to face the future with confidence. This gathering also served as a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with purpose and determination. It laid the groundwork for an exciting year ahead, driven by shared goals of resilience, cultural vitality, and partnership. With so many dedicated voices united in purpose, we are inspired to continue strengthening Jewish life across Europe, ensuring our communities not only survive but flourish for generations to come.