From July 16 to 18, the World Jewish Congress NextGen participated in a commemoration event for the 1994 Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina bombing (AMIA) in Argentina. This two-day commemoration combined educational sessions, high-level meetings, and solemn remembrance activities.
July 16 started with a welcome session featuring a keynote address by WJC Head of Strategy and Programming Daniel Radomski, WJC NextGen Deputy Director Yoni Hammerman, WJC Global Interfaith Leader and JD Corps Americas Manager Isaac Choua, and Director of New Generations Nicolas Winter, introducing WJC Elevate. After the inspiring introduction, participants gained valuable insights from Federation for Defending Democracies Senior Fellow Emanuelle Ottolenghi, who presented an analysis of Iran and Hezbollah's activities in Latin America and globally. The day concluded with a public lecture by Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.
On Wednesday, July 17, the participants began with an engaging session on "The Art of Persuasion" led by Ariel Goldvarg, a renowned TedTalk speaker and expert in public speaking. The Elevate delegation then attended crucial meetings of Special Envoys and Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) and the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians (ICJP), fostering essential connections for the future. The day's highlight was the main plenary session, which featured addresses from three country presidents, underlining the event's international significance.
The final day, Thursday, July 18, was dedicated to the heart of the event. Attendees participated in the main AMIA commemoration, paying respects to the victims of the 1994 bombing. This was followed by a program at the AMIA building featuring high-level speakers expertly led by Maia Bornstein (Lauder Fellow '21-'22). The event took a reflective turn with a discussion on Jewish identity led by Rabbi Isaac Choua. The commemoration concluded with closing remarks from Dan Alpert (Lauder Fellow '20-'21), Eli Novershtern (WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps President), Tomas Blaser (Lauder Fellow '23-'24), and Daniel Radomski, each offering their perspectives on the event's importance.
Throughout the three days, WJC NextGen demonstrated its commitment to remembering the AMIA bombing victims while also engaging in forward-looking discussions on the Jewish community, identity, and global challenges. The event successfully balanced commemoration with education and networking, providing participants with a meaningful and impactful experience.
With its blend of remembrance, education, and high-level engagement, this AMIA commemoration event exemplifies the ongoing efforts to honor the past while working towards a stronger, more united Jewish future.