NEW YORK / BUDAPEST - The World Jewish Congress (WJC) will hold its 14th Plenary Assembly in Budapest, on 5-7 May 2013, to discuss matters of importance to the Jewish people globally, including the alarming rise of neo-Nazi political parties in several European, and other, countries, and the situation in the Middle East. 500 delegates and observers from the WJC’s affiliated Jewish communities and organizations in 100 countries are expected to convene in the Hungarian capital. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has confirmed that he will address the opening dinner on 5 May.
Other keynote speakers at the Plenary Assembly will include Germany’s Foreign Minister
Westerwelle, Cardinal
Péter Erdő, the archbishop of
Esztergom-Budapest and current president of the Council of European Bishops Conferences, as well as various special envoys to the Middle East. Delegates will also elect a new
WJC Executive for the next four years.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said: “This will be a good opportunity to show that by standing united, world Jewry can make its voice heard and can improve things. We are looking forward to meet in Budapest, which has a great Jewish history and a vibrant community.”
The event is organized in cooperation with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Hungary (
MAZSIHISZ), the official representative body of Jews in Hungary.
MAZSIHISZ President
Péter Feldmájer declared: “The fact that the
WJC is holding its Plenary Assembly in Budapest is a symbol of solidarity with our Jewish community, which has been faced with growing anti-Semitism in recent years. We look forward to welcoming the
WJC delegates here in Hungary, home to the largest Jewish community in Central Europe.”