Young Jewish leaders never more important, WJC President tells WJC Future Leadership

As part of a two-day training program for members of WJC’s NextGen Advisory Committee and WJC’s Jewish Diplomatic Corps Steering Committee, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder encouraged members of the organization’s Future Leadership programming to continue their advocacy efforts, telling them it is the “most important thing you can do for the Jewish people.” The wide-ranging conversation focused primarily on the rise of antisemitism, including white nationalism and anti-Zionism, as well as the importance of building coalitions to combat bigotry.  

“The activism of young Jewish leaders has never been more important than now. We must not be passive in this time of surging Jew hatred and bigotry,” said President Lauder.  

Led by members of the WJC staff, the inaugural training program included brainstorming sessions on collaborative efforts between NextGen and the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps, as well as discussions on how to assist Jewish communities globally to flourish and thrive.  

As a part of the two days of meetings, the committee members attended WJC’s Annual Theodor Herzl Award Gala honoring former Israeli President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin and filmmaker Ken Burns.  They also met with Bilahari Kausikan, who served as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 1995 and 1998, among other diplomatic positions and the current chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore The participants and Ambassador Kausikan discussed the long relationship between Israel and Singapore, the art of diplomacy in the 21st century, and the importance of diplomacy in combating the challenges of today’s international political climate.  

About WJC Future Leadership 

In the context of its efforts to protect, defend, and ensure the betterment of Jewish communities across the globe, the World Jewish Congress recognizes the importance of ensuring that the future of the Jewish people is safeguarded with trained leaders ready to confront the challenges that come their way. 

To that end, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder initiated the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps and WJC NextGen. These two programs work with individuals aged 16-45 to develop, engage, and empower our Jewish communities’ future leaders. 

WJC provides this cohort with resources and networks in order to enable them to support their local communities and advance global Jewish interests through diplomacy, advocacy, and public policy for today and tomorrow.