At the opening gala event on Sunday, hosted by WJC Israel Regional President Sylvan Adams at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a keynote address emphasizing the need to stand firm against extremism and reinforce global security. In one of the evening’s most emotional moments, Ambassador Huckabee, together with WJC President Ronald S. Lauder and Adams, presented a special Resilience Award to former hostages Tal Shoham, his wife Adi, and their children Yahel and Naveh, honoring their courage and survival in the face of unimaginable terror.

Experts explored the alarming rise in antisemitism following the October 7th terrorist attack, driven by far-left, far-right, and Islamist extremism. The conversation examined how these converging ideologies are endangering Jewish communities and undermining core democratic values. Panelists emphasized the urgency of a coordinated global response and shared strategies to counter these growing threats while reinforcing the protection of human rights.

Speakers:

‍Mr. Luai Ahmed, Yemeni and Swedish Journalist and Influencer

Ms.Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel’s Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

‍Mr. Robert Goot, Chair of the WJC Task Force on Combating Antisemitism

Dr. Kacper Rekawek, Senior Research Fellow and Program Lead, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism

Moderated by Ms. Lahav Harkov, Senior Political Correspondent of Jewish Insider, with concluding remarks by Mr. Dani Dayan, Chair of the Israeli (2025) International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Presidency.

Rising antisemitism in the aftermath of October 7th, fueled by far-left, far-right, and Islamist extremism, has emerged as a growing threat to Jewish communities and democratic values worldwide. The discussion examined how this resurgence of hate is evolving across ideological lines and digital platforms, and emphasized the need for a unified international effort to safeguard human rights and counter extremism in all its forms.

Speakers:

‍Ms. Elana Ben Amir, Clinical Psychologist

Prof. Karen Milner, President of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies & WJC Vice President

Ms. Ayelet Shmuel, Director of the International Resilience Center in Sderot

‍Mr. David Zarfati, Director of Security, Federation CJA

Moderated by Mr. Ernest Herzog, WJC Head of Combating Antisemitism, Intelligence & Security

This public conversation between Mr. Adam Presser, Head of Operations, Trust and Safety at TikTok, and Ms. Yfat Barak-Cheney, Executive Director, WJC Technology and Human Rights Institute, delved into the rapidly evolving digital landscape of online antisemitism, examining how emerging technologies shape online discourse, amplify hate, and influence society. The two experts addressed the challenges and opportunities these advancements present, offering insights into how Jewish communities can adapt, respond, and lead in the fight against digital antisemitism.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog awarded WJC President Ronald S. Lauder with the country’s Presidential Medal of Honor, recognizing his decades-long dedication to Israel and the Jewish people. Addressing Lauder’s extensive contributions to the Jewish world, President Herzog said “This moment, reflecting on the public labors of a lifetime, of one of the foremost Jewish leaders of our generation, gives me enormous pleasure and pride.” He added, ”your work within the World Jewish Congress has positioned it as a global organization with enormous reach and influence. It is an organization which I hold in the highest regard as a core diplomatic arm of the Jewish People, and Jewish communities everywhere.”

Delegates convened to elect WJC’s leadership and deliberate on policy resolutions, shaping the organization’s future direction. This important gathering was a symbol of the WJC's commitment to transparent governance, decisive action, and a unified vision for the global Jewish community.

With Israel’s diplomatic challenges intensifying amid shifting dynamics in the Middle East and evolving relations within international organizations such as the EU and the UN, the discussion focused on the impact of these developments on Jewish communities worldwide and highlighted the World Jewish Congress’s role and strategies in diplomacy and international advocacy.

Speakers:

‍Amb. Ronny Leshno-Yaar, Former Ambassador of Israel to the EU & NATO and to the UN in Geneva

Dr. Daphné Richemond Barak, Professor and Academic Head of InternationalProgram in Government, Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy & Strategy

‍Col. (Res.) Adv. Pnina Sharvit Baruch, Director of "Israel and the Global Powers" Research Program, Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)

Mr. Yonathan Arfi, President of the Representative Council of the French Jewish institutions (CRIF), WJC Vice-President

Moderated by Ms. Lahav Harkov, Senior Political Correspondent of Jewish Insider

Jewish community leaders discussed how expanding leadership needs to be inclusive in order to strengthen Jewish communities by enhancing security, preserving identity, ensuring diversity, and safeguarding continuity for future generations.

Speakers:

‍Ms. Ashager Araro, Founder of the Bettae Ethiopian Israeli Heritage Center; Writer and International Presenter‍

Dr. Alina Levi, President of the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria ‘Shalom’‍

Rabbanit Shira Mirvis, First Woman to be the Sole Spiritual Leader of an Orthodox Community in Israel

‍Mr. Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews & WJC Vice President

Moderated by Mr. Ryan Kassanoff, WJC Lauder Fellow

In a roundtable discussion led by Ms. Tal Schneider, Political Correspondent for The Times of Israel, panelists outlined the actions needed to strengthen unity. These talks introduced fresh perspectives and innovative solutions that create meaningful, lasting impact.

In a public conversation between Ms. Hadassa Getsztain, Chair, WJC Israel, and Mr. Amit Segal, Chief Political Analyst, Channel 12 News, Segal shared insight into his personal experiences on representing Israel beyond its borders, and how he combats antisemitism on the global stage, contributing to the public view of Israel both regionally and globally.

Mr. Matthias Berninger, Head of Public Affairs, Sustainability and Safety, Bayer AG, and Ms. Jennifer Wilton, Editor-in-Chief, Die Welt, two leaders from diverse communities, discussed the importance of dialogue, coalition building, and collective action in the aftermath of October 7th. The pair focused on how to foster trust, heal divisions, and strengthen relationships to create a more unified and resilient future.

Led by Rabbi Michael Melchior, internationally renowned Jewish leader, thinker and activist, the session focused on Middle Eastern communities faced with an unprecedented rise in antisemitism with unsubstantial strategies to resolve these issues. This session outlined a bold approach in which Jewish and Muslim religious leaders from the region are already working together as insider mediators to prevent a broader "holy war" and combat antisemitism.

Mr. Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, sat down with Dr. Ariel Muzicant, president of the European Jewish Congress & WJC Vice-President, for a comprehensive discussion of the relationship between Israel and the Jewish diaspora, with Sa'ar underscoring the global responsibility that unite Jewish communities.

WJC's affiliates celebrated Jewish identity and empowered Jewish communities to embrace their heritage with confidence. Young Jewish leaders shared their experiences in reclaiming Jewish narratives and empowering their communities to take pride in their Jewish history.

Speakers:

‍Mr. Dan Alpert, Member of the WJC Executive Committee

Mr. Gabriel Buznick, Board of the Latin American Jewish Congress and Steering Committee Member of the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps

Ms. Bella Ingber, WJC Lauder Fellow

Dr. Efrat Sopher, Chair, Board of Advisors, Ezri Center for Iran & Gulf States Research; Member of the WJC Executive Committee

Moderated by Ms. Tal Schneider, Political Correspondent, The Times of Israel

At the closing session of the Plenary Assembly, key outcomes and insights were presented, and the results of the Executive Committee elections were announced — marking the end of formal deliberations and setting the direction for the term ahead. The WJC also had the honor of welcoming the families of four Israeli hostages taken on October 7th, each of whom shared moving testimonies about their loved ones and called on WJC leadership to continue advocating for their release after 592 days in captivity.