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World Jewish Congress condemns fatal attacks in Atlanta

In response to the horrific attacks in Atlanta, which killed eight, including seven women, six of whom were of Asian descent, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder declared, "Together with all Americans of good will, I am appalled and deeply saddened by the unconscionable wave of violence, brutality, and hatred directed at Asians and Asian-Americans."  Read More... 

WJC hosts UNCSW65 parallel event highlighting the role of women in faith-based organizations  

The conversation and panel discussion brought together leading women to discuss their shared paths, often filled with obstacles, as well as the rewarding nature of being trailblazers within their respective faiths. WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps member Alana Baranov noted that the occasion was an opportunity to highlight the, “crucial role of bridge-building across religious and geographical divides..." Read More... 

WJC becomes first Jewish organization to participate in UNHRC panel  

WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps member Marie-Sarah Seeberger, who represented the WJC, stressed the importance of interfaith cooperation, adding that “antisemitism, much like racism, should not be considered an issue that only impacts minorities.” Read More... 

WJC and UNESCO team up to strengthen educational responses to Holocaust denial and distortion

Jonathan Bright and Paul Salmons discuss their research on the phenomena of Holocaust denial and distortion online. Their findings will soon be published by UNESCO and the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, with the support of the WJC. Read More... 

Facebook’s Jordana Cutler inspires at event for Jewish women

During her remarks, Cutler, the Head of Policy for Israel and the Jewish Diaspora at Facebook, noted that Facebook users who ‘search’ terms related to the Holocaust will be encouraged to connect with a credible website run by the World Jewish Congress and UNESCO. Read More... 

Chelsea FC launch No to Hate Campaign   

Under the leadership of club owner Roman Abramovich Chelsea FC has launched the No to Hate Campaign to address the recent surge of racial abuse directed at players and others. The campaign will run in tandem with the Say No To Antisemitism campaign and other efforts to combat hate. Read More... 

21 March | The Art of Respect: Journey of the Sarajevo Haggadah 

Join the WJC and the Congress of North American Bosniaks for a virtual event exploring the history and significance of the Sarajevo Haggadah’s journey from medieval Spain to its current home in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Read More... 

22 March | Commemorating the Holocaust of the Sephardic Jews of the Balkans  

Join the WJC, the Jewish Community in North Macedonia, and the Holocaust Memorial Center in North Macedonia to honor the memory of the destruction of Sephardic Jewry across the Balkans during the Holocaust, and examine the rebirth of several of these communities in the decades since. Read More... 

OpEd | Jewish students are no longer safe 

“Antisemitism in Swedish society is metastasizing and masquerading in politics, criticism of religion, or conspiracy myths," warns Petra Kahn Nord of the World Jewish Congress, Aron Verständig of the Jewish Central Council of Sweden and Nina Tojzner of the Jewish Youth Union in Sweden. Read More... 

Newly released antisemitism report highlights concerning trends in Austria

Although only a minority of those surveyed stated that they trusted information on social media, those who did had a heightened risk of believing antisemitic statements compared to those who trusted traditional media. Read More... 

Greek Jewish community outraged by vandalism of mural honoring Holocaust victims 

“Racism and antisemitism remain a serious problem and an open wound for our society,” the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki said in a statement. “It is obvious that we must always remain vigilant against any attempt to revive the ideologies that gave birth to the Holocaust, the nadir of humanity.” Read More... 

In Germany, President Rivlin says he trusts Europe will ‘stand by us’ against ICC probe | Times of Israel

During their meeting, President Rivlin thanked German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for “his commitment to further deepening relations between the countries” and Germany’s commitment to Israel’s security. Read More... 

UN Ambassador Erdan pushing for UN adoption of IHRA definition of antisemitism | JPost

Ambassador Erdan will work with UN antisemitism envoy Miguel Moratinos to push for the United Nations to adopt a formal definition of antisemitism, Erdan said. Read More... 

Knesset okays electronic bracelet for returnees from abroad | JPost

The legislation gives the government authorization to force those who enter the country from abroad or from specific countries to wear an electronic bracelet to ensure that they isolate at home, or be quarantined in a hotel. Read More... 

OpEd | We are Orthodox rabbis and we stand with Reform and Conservative Jews

In a joint statement with over 45 Orthodox Rabbis, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg writes that the High Court of Justice ruling requiring the Interior Ministry to recognize Conservative and Reform conversions “strengthens the democratic character of the state by treating all Jewish denominations as equal in this particular matter.” Read More... 

UCL provost apologizes after suggesting Holocaust denier would be allowed to speak | The Jewish Chronicle

In an apology to The Daily Telegraph, UCL Provost Dr. Michael Spence said: “I fully acknowledge the emotional impact that Holocaust denial has on Jewish and other members of the community. I will do my upmost to ensure UCL remains the kind of place in which such a speaker would never be invited.” Read More... 

This year's March of the Living to commemorate Holocaust, COVID victims | JPost

The virtual event will be led by President Reuven Rivlin and Holocaust survivors. Among the notable medical experts who will participate in the event is Israel's Coronavirus Commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash, currently leading Israel's national campaign against COVID-19. Read More... 

Why not a Holocaust Survivors Day? | The Forward

Focusing the world’s attention on survivors one day a year would convey their lessons of “resilience, hope and strength” to future generations said Jonathan Ornstein. “We need to do a much better job taking care of our needy Holocaust survivors, and I would hope that this day of attention would motivate people to support them around the world.” Read More... 

Leo Rechter, 93, fought for destitute Holocaust survivors | JTA

Rechter spent the last quarter-century of his life working for NAHOS and the Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, emerging as a clarion voice on behalf of survivors living in poverty. Read More... 

OpEd | Helping out during the pandemic 

Reflecting on the one year since the first COVID-19 lockdown was launched Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary President and WJC Vice President Andras Heisler writes, “We did what we thought was right despite having no prior experience to draw from.” Read More... 

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stresses positive UK relationship with Israel in vitual talk with BOD | Jewish Chronicle 

Board President Marie van der Zyl and Jewish Leadership Council Chair Jonathan Goldstein said, “We would like to thank the Foreign Secretary for meeting with us and discussing these important matters for our community.” Read More... 

OpEd | Is Europe becoming a miserable place for Jews to live… again?! 

“Europe promises liberty and freedom to all, but the recent actions by the courts in countries across the continent speak to the exact opposite,” writes Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt. Read More... 

Iraq’s last Jewish doctor passes away in Baghdad | Times of Israel

Dr. Thafer Eliyahu was nicknamed “the doctor of the poor” since he treated those who couldn’t afford the costs for free, according to Israel’s Kan public broadcaster and Washington Post Iraq correspondent Mustafa Salim. Read More... 

PM Boris Johnson 'extremely concerned' at risk of Iran 'developing viable nuclear weapon' | Jewish Chronicle 

During remarks at the House of Commons, Prime Minister Johnson said, “We remain extremely concerned by Iran’s influence in the region, the disruptive behavior of Iran and particularly, of course, we are concerned about the risk of Iran developing a viable nuclear weapon.”  Read More... 

Central Council of Jews meets with Evangelical Church in Germany to discuss pressing issues and community relations

During the two-hour conversation, Central Council of Jews in Germany President and WJC Vice President Dr. Josef Schuster called for unity, saying, “Together, we will defend basic democratic rights such as religious freedom and the protection of minorities." Read More... 

Interfaith prayer service at Western Wall for end of coronavirus | JPost

Christian, Baha'i and Jewish clergy met with members of the office of the Rabbi of the Western Wall, entered the main plaza and prayed before placing the requests they received between the stones of the wall. Read More... 

19 March 1944 | Nazi Germany begins occupation of Hungary  

Out of the approximately 825,000 Jews living in Hungary in 1941, approximately 255,000 Jews - less than one-third - survived the Holocaust. About 63,000 died prior to the German occupation of March 1944 and over 500,000 died from maltreatment or were murdered during German occupation. Read More... 

17 March 1992 | Bombing at Israeli Embassy in Argentina kills 29 people and wounds hundreds more

The investigation of the bombing was assigned to Argentina's Supreme Court, but the case languished. Virtually no action has been taken, even though Islamic Jihad had claimed responsibility for the explosion. Read More... 

WebTalk | The Power You Hold: How a Student Built an International Summit

Harvard University student and WJC Ronald S. Lauder Fellow Aidan Golub reflects on his work in developing the Israel Summit, an international conference dedicated to shifting the conversation surrounding Israel on college campuses. Watch Now...