The October 7 massacre, marking the darkest chapter for the Jewish People since the Holocaust, has underscored the urgent need for Jewish unity in the face of surging levels of Jew-hatred worldwide. Now, more than ever, we must amplify our collective voice, channeling this pivotal moment in history into a powerful force for unity.
On the 8th of June 2023 in Jerusalem, the World Jewish Congress, the Reut Group, and the Jewish Peoplehood Coalition launched the Jewish Leadership Bridge for the Future.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog opened the event where 100 WJC Elevate members – Jewish leaders for the future - were joined by 150 of their local counterparts across Israeli societal groups. They conducted passionate, but respectful, roundtable discussions on crucial topics regarding the future of the Jewish people. The discussions centered around tangible actions, exploring the most effective ways to collaborate and secure a shared future.
President Herzog welcomed the group, stating that “At this challenging moment for Israel and for the world, I’m especially pleased to have this time here with you to reflect together on our many blessings and think together about what the current moment demands of us as activists, as leaders, as Jews, as human beings. And I’m even more pleased to be addressing a group in which a major contingent is NextGen leaders. Our best and brightest, who are actively choosing to step forward and take responsibility for the future of our people.”
Following the October 7th terrorist attack, WJC organized follow up sessions of the Leadership Bridge in Beer Sheva and Tel Aviv on 6 May and 7 May, respectively. The gatherings, which featured over 50 diaspora and 150 Israeli leaders, outlined the importance of unity, dialogue, and understanding and outlined projects to strengthen Jewish unity, acknowledging the profound impact of events like October 7th and the ongoing war.
During the launch event in Jerusalem, the roundtable discussions centered on key topics concerning the future of the Jewish people. Through active participation, the participants both identified the challenges at hand and collectively devised effective solutions, producing a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening Jewish unity. The highlights of this roadmap are summarized below.
Jewish Unity Salons
WJC Jewish Unity Salons will give structure to diverse conversations about Israel-Diaspora ties and will create the foundation for ongoing, local Leadership Bridge communities. The salons offer an opportunity to continue those initial discussions in Jerusalem, which included how Jews in Israel and the Diaspora could best support each other; how organizational leaders could better collaborate; how to ensure that young people understand the importance of Jewish unity and how to motivate them to leadership roles at various levels. At the conclusion of the initial salons, the participants will reconvene in Israel for continued discussions and joint-project development with their Israeli counterparts.
If you want to establish a community or join an existing one please email leadershipbridge@wjc.org
Salons held in Partnership with
In the words of WJC Elevate
Through laughter and tears, conversations and shared meals, we have renewed our bonds as a family, united by the threads of our Jewish identity and the pursuit of a brighter future. Our differences have melted away, revealing the essence that connects us all—the unyielding love for our heritage and a deep-rooted desire to safeguard it for generations to come.
Let the bonds we have forged inspire us to continue to engage, to advocate, and to work tirelessly for the welfare of our global Jewish community. The responsibility lies within us to uphold the legacy we have inherited and to create a world where our children and grandchildren can thrive, free from prejudice and persecution.
I will never forget spending Israel’s 75th birthday with the WJC in Jerusalem amongst some of the most inspiring leaders in today’s world, celebrating the modern realization of the dreams our ancestors had to return home.
Political landscapes should never hinder getting to know the people and land of Israel, and it was extremely powerful to hear from diverse panels of Secular, Religiously Jewish, and Arab Israelis and to discuss how both the WJC and Israeli civil society can work to strengthen the bond between the diaspora of global Jewry and our ancestral homeland.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with all the JDs and NextGen. As always, the WJC staff provided not only an exceptional learning experience, but the opportunity for all of us to connect and deepen our relationship to one another and our homeland. Thank you to all of you. I am grateful for each and every one of you.
It is often hard to explain to others how unique and special the JDCorps are. I am consistently amazed and humbled by this incredible group. Your talents, expertise, and passion are infectious and make a difference.
A special thank you to the WJC staff who made it all possible. Not only was this an amazing experience, but I also walk away with new contacts, new ideas, and action items that will hopefully help to increase the bond between the diaspora and our home, Israel.
I think that the relationship between Israel and the diaspora has become strained in recent years, as the shared values that have brought us together have drifted apart.
WJC's delegation to Israel was an incredible opportunity to explore these issues and build bridges between world Jewry, with panels and roundtables allowing us to learn about this complex relationship. As part of WJC NextGen, it was a true privilege to sit at these tables as equals of leaders of communities around the world. It was clear how much WJC valued our perspectives, and I'm so grateful for this experience, which I'll really never forget.
