Hosted by WJC Israel, the Executive Committee opened with bittersweet opening dinner in Jerusalem. The evening featured remarks by former Israeli Government Spokesperson Eylon Levy and music performance by Michal Greenglick, who brother Shauli Greenglick z”l, fell fighting in Gaza.

The Executive Committee this morning at the Knesset where our communities had the opportunity to engage with Amir Ohana MK, Mrs. Merav Cohen MK of Yesh Atid Party and Amb. Ron Dermer, Minister of Strategic Affairs, on the plight of the hostages, the future of the Israel-Hamas war, and the state of antisemitism.

While visiting Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the most directly impacted communities in the south of Israel, WJC honored the memory of former WJC-Israel board member, Mr. Ofir Libstein z"l, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th.

The delegation visited the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre and listened to survivors as they recalled their stories of survival on October 7th.

At the Tkuma “Car Graveyard,” the delegation surveyed the wreckage of cars that were burned and destroyed by Hamas terrorists. The cars were given a Jewish burial due to difficulty finding some of the bodies of people murdered during the terrorist attack on October 7th.

The day ended in Kibbutz Sa’ad, one of the first southern kibbutzim who returned to their homes, where WJC hosted a BBQ for the community and heard from the Special Uniform Band.

On the last day of the WJC Executive Committee, community leaders heard from Dr. Cochav Elkayam Levy, Founder and Head of the Dvora Institute for Gender and Sustainability Studies, who spoke about the sexual violence on October 7 and the global fight to ensure that the stories of the survivors and victims are never forgotten.

The WJC Executive Committee heard from the families of Tal Shoham and Omer Neutra, who were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. The session was hosted by Amb. Collette Avital, and the Headquarters for Hostage and Missing Families Forum.

The WJC Executive Committee had the privilege of meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at his official residence to gain a fuller understanding of the challenges Israelis now face. Following the meeting, President Herzog commented, “I met today with leaders from all over the Jewish world. In each of their countries and communities, they face the ongoing rise in antisemitism: online, on the streets, and on campus. We discussed the importance of standing up against hate and the incredible strength and resilience of the Jewish people.”

The WJC Executive Committee unanimously adopted several policy resolutions focusing on issues including the creation of a formal executive task force to combat antisemitism, the amplification of the voice of young leaders, and a firm statement of support for Israel on behalf of the global Jewish community.