WJC – Lauder re-elected as president, Noemi Di Segni in the Executive Committee
On May 19, delegates of the Plenary gathered in Jerusalem to unanimously re-elect Ronald Lauder as president of the World Jewish Congress. In his speech, he called for a renewed global effort and launched an appeal to the Jewish world to commit to a new educational strategy to combat antisemitism. “What is needed now is a new project for the Jewish people — one that educates millions of children, Jewish and non-Jewish. We must go school by school to remove anti-Israel and antisemitic teachers and administrators. This will not be easy, but the World Jewish Congress must lead the way”.
More than 350 delegates representing over 70 Jewish communities participated in the WJC’s Plenary Assembly. Among them was Noemi Di Segni, President of the UCEI, who was elected to the WJC Executive Committee. “The plenary offered two days of in-depth discussion on contemporary Jewish identity, communication, relations between Israel and the diaspora, and the role of communities in responding to an atmosphere of increasing tension everywhere,” said Di Segni. “It was important to bring the voice and presence of Italian and European Jewry to this international context, offering concrete solutions to challenges that now, more than ever, require strong connections among Jewish communities. We should work together to support education, strengthen Jewish identity and relations between Israel and the diaspora, starting from mutual support.”
Chella Safra was elected Chair of the WJC Governing Board, Aaron Frankel was named Treasurer, and David Koshitzky, Chair of WJC North America, was tapped to lead the WJC Policy Council.
During the assembly, several references were made to American politics. Ronald Lauder praised U.S. President Donald Trump for suspending federal funding to certain U.S. universities accused of failing to protect Jewish students. While this stance was welcomed by the audience, it also drew criticism from other Jewish organizations concerned about the potential repercussions for the academic system.
At the opening of the Plenary Assembly, the American Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, dismissed concerns of a growing divide between the US and Israel. “Don’t listen to those who say that there is an impending divorce with the State of Israel. We can’t afford a divorce. We will live as partners for peace and prosperity,” he said.
“Let me be clear: one of the reasons there will never be a divorce between the United States and Israel is that neither of us can afford the alimony if we split up,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Israel is our only authentic and stable partner in a region marked by instability. If we don’t understand how much we depend on each other, we will both fall.”
At the end of the opening ceremony, the Resilience Award was presented to the Shoham family, who survived captivity at the hands of Hamas. Tal Shoham, who was released after being held captive in Gaza for 500 days, asked the participants not to forget the hostages. “My heart is still there. It is not just hope that has saved my family, but action.”
Lauder’s speech followed a special ceremony in which Israel’s President Isaac Herzog awarded him with the country’s Presidential Medal of Honor, recognizing his decades-long dedication to Israel and the Jewish people.