by tskzFrom 15 to 16 May 2023, the Annual Conference of the European Jewish Association was held in Porto, Portugal. The focus of the Conference was shaping of the future of European Jewish Communities together. The Conference was attended by representatives of Jewish organisations from most countries on our continent, as well as guests representing public institutions from EU member states, Israel, the USA, the UK and other countries and international organisations.
One of the panellists in the opening session of the conference was Edward Odoner, Chairman of the Main Auditing Board of TSKŻ, who presented the current situation of the Jewish community in Poland. The closing session was in turn addressed by Klaudia Klimek, Vice President of the Executive Board. Our country was also represented by Artur Hofman, Chairman of TSKŻ, Jacek Młynarski, member of the Board, and Albert Stankowski, Director of the Warsaw Ghetto Museum and member of TSKŻ Board..
The most prominent topic on the agenda included the concerns and precautions taken in relation to anti-Semitism developing year by year primarily in Western and Northern European countries. The conference speakers drew attention not only to the hostile activities of populist movements and Islamist circles, but also to the anti-Israel attitudes of the European left and the communications of the independent media, whose declared anti-Zionism is just another facet of traditional anti-Judaism and the “modern” anti-Semitism that has been developing since the late 19th century.
The participants of the Conference adopted a resolution addressed to all European institutions, Heads of State and key figures of parliaments and diplomatic services of the EU member states. This resolution, while acknowledging the work of the European institutions to date, opposes the concepts and language of ‘intersectionality’ practised in these forums, linking the fight against anti-Semitism to the fight against all manifestations of racism and other forms of discrimination. The Jewish community leaders, who gathered together in Porto, are convinced that anti-Semitic actions and narratives are different from all other forms of discrimination. They also highlight the lack of solidarity and empathy towards Jewish communities, compared to other groups affected by hatred, when anti-Semitic atrocities occur or Israelis are murdered in terrorist acts. In addition, the vast majority of Jews are excluded from events, rallies and other activities organised by other discriminated social groups, due to their negative attitude towards the State of Israel.
The Conference also saw the announcement of the EJA scholarship scheme, which supports the brightest and most active youth representatives of Jewish communities across Europe.
The programme of the event was enriched by a guided tour of Jewish Porto, and a visit at the local Museum of the Holocaust.
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