Crif - The 16th Plenary Assembly of the World Jewish Congress

As antisemitism is on a rise around the world, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) held its Plenary Assembly on May 25, 2021, an opportunity to raise the key issues that affect Jewish communities around the world and to present the main political lines of the organization for the years to come.

On the occasion of its 16th Plenary Assembly, organized entirely online, the WJC officially announced the election of its leaders*, and in particular the re-election of Ronald S. Lauder as President, to guide the organization representing 103 communities Jews around the world. The President of Crif warmly congratulated Ronald Lauder on his re-election, as well as all the elected leaders.

This exceptional meeting was perfectly chaired by Maram Stern.

In his opening remarks, Ronald Lauder sounded the alarm at the frightening rise in antisemitic hatred seen around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Ronald Lauder stressed the importance of the succession and the programs of the World Jewish Congress dedicated to the training of future Jewish leaders. Among them, the Jewish Diplomatic Corps, several members of which work regularly with Crif.

Ronald Lauder's speech at the 16th Plenary Assembly of the World Jewish Congress

His concerns were shared by international figures present, including the President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro and the Director. General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay. All congratulated Ronald Lauder and the WJC for their commitment to the fight against anti-Semitism and intolerance, the promotion of human rights in the world, the preservation of the memory of the Shoah, and the development of the next generation of leaders of the Jewish community. Everyone reaffirmed their support for CJM and the global Jewish community.

Ronald Lauder assured the hundreds of delegates attending the Plenary, representing their Jewish communities and organizations, that as Chair, he would take a multi-pronged approach to address the current challenges facing the global Jewish community and to promote the Jewish unity across Israel and the Diaspora:

• Education - promoting the establishment of new Jewish schools in the United States and around the world to cultivate an understanding of what it means to be Jewish early in life, raise funds to support scholarships for families to ensure that all children Jews can access education, and to support synagogues in expanding educational provision.
• Pluralism and shared Jewish community - encouraging Jews from all walks of life to accept and support each other.
• Support for Israel - “After all the deaths, losses and suffering the Jews endured to reclaim our homeland, we cannot allow it to be lost again. We must stand up and fight for it. We must be relentless. "
• Development and enforcement of stricter hate crime legislation.

Crif President Francis Kalifat, Vice President of the World Jewish Congress, attended the plenary assembly and delivered a speech, recalling his commitment to the French Jewish community.

With its 23 delegates to the General Assembly, France is one of the most important delegations to the World Jewish Congress.

*The WJC leadership was elected by the delegates representing member Jewish communities and organizations, who voted through an anonymous, online electoral process.