WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps convene in Berlin to advocate for Jewish rights worldwide

Berlin – The World Jewish Congress convened in Berlin this week a regional induction meeting of its Jewish Diplomatic Corps, bringing 45 members from 20 countries to engage in high-level diplomatic meetings at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German Federal Agency for Civic Education, and 14 embassies throughout Berlin.

The aim of the meeting was to induct new members of the program to learn about the objectives, structure and accomplishments of the WJC, and how to effectively conduct public diplomacy on behalf of world Jewry.

In addition to internal meetings and briefings, the delegation visited Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial site – the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – for a commemoration ceremony for the 6 million Jews that perished during the Holocaust, to pay their respect to the past, and to be reminded of the importance of WJC’s mission to advocate for Jewish rights worldwide.

The delegation conducted meetings with several senior officials at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs including State Secretary Antje Leendertse, and Germany’s Special Envoy for Jewish Life in Germany and to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Dr. Felix Klein. They discussed the rise of antisemitism worldwide, the importance of Holocaust remembrance, and the unfair treatment of Israel at international organizations such as the UN.

At the German Federal Agency for Civic Education, the delegation was welcomed by its Director Thomas Krüger and discussed education efforts in Germany to combat extremism and antisemitism, and Holocaust Remembrance. Abraham Lehrer, Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, welcomed the delegation to Berlin on behalf of the Jewish community and briefed them on the challenges and opportunities for today’s German Jewry.

Other distinguished speakers during the program included Germany’s Deputy Special Representative for Relations with Jewish Organizations Karina Häuslmeier, WJC’s Deputy CEO for Diplomacy Dr. Maram Stern, Israel’s Ambassador to Germany Jeremy Issacharoff, and the Executive Vice President and CEO of The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation Rabbi Joshua Spinner.

On the last day of the meeting, the WJC Jewish Diplomats conducted diplomatic meetings with 14 embassies throughout Berlin, including with the embassies of Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, India, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Peru, Romania, Spain, Sweden, USA, and United Kingdom.
 

Meeting at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (c) World Jewish Congress

WJC Jewish Diplomat Eugen Balin (Germany) and Germany’s Special Envoy for Jewish Life in Germany and to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Dr. Felix Klein. (c) World Jewish Congress

From left to right: State Secretary at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs Antje Leendertse and WJC Jewish Diplomat Kevin Baxpehler (Israel). (c) World Jewish Congress

From left to right: Israel’s Ambassador to Germany Jeremy Issacharoff and WJC Jewish Diplomat Cindy Amar (Hong Kong). (c) World Jewish Congress

From left to right: Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany Abraham Lehrer and WJC Jewish Diplomat Micky Fuhrmann (Germany). (c) World Jewish Congress

At Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial – the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. (c) World Jewish Congress