European Jewish Congress
Budget
€200 — €0
EP Access
5
accredited persons
Staff
5
4 FTE
EU Grants
€205,376
Mission & Goals
Based in Brussels, the European Jewish Congress is the representative umbrella organisation of national Jewish communities. It federates democratically elected national Jewish community organisations in over 40 European countries uniting 2.5 million Jews across the continent. The EJC is the only democratically elected body representing on the political level the interests and concerns of European Jewish communities. The EJC was created in 1986 to give a unified voice to Jewish communities around Europe, representing their common interests and concerns, but at the same time allowing smaller Jewish communities a wider platform to express their specific needs. The main role of the EJC is to protect Jewish life in Europe and to combat antisemitism, racism and all forms of discrimination. The EJC is also committed to preserving the memory of the Holocaust, enhancing interreligious dialogue and contributing to a democratic European society based on democracy, peace, and understanding.
EU Legislative Interests
The EJC is monitoring the implementation of the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, the European Parliament Resolution on combatting Antisemitism adopted in June 2017, the Council Declaration on the fight against antisemitism and the development of a common security approach to better protect Jewish communities and institutions in Europe (6 Dec 2018), the Council Declaration on mainstreaming the fight against antisemitism across policy areas (2 December 2020) and the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life adopted in 2021. To that end, the EJC is working closely with the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament. We are also following the work of the LIBE and AFET committees for areas relevant to our activities, including the fight against antisemitism. The EJC is the Secretariat and member of the advisory board of the European Parliament Working Group against Antisemitism (WGAS).
Communication Activities
The leadership of the EJC has met at several occasions the President of the EP, the President of the European Commission and EU Commissionners in order to discuss specific issues of concern for European Jews. The EJC is organising regular meetings, briefings and symposiums on the rise of antisemitism in Europe. The EJC has been organising since 2011 each year together with the President of the European Parliament the International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in the Yehudi Menuhin Hall or on historical sites in Europe. Since 2019, this ceremony has been institutionalised and is now held in the plenary of the European Parliament. We are also promoting inter-faith initiatives in collaboration with MEPs. The EJC is the secretariat and member of the advisory board of the European Parliament Working Group against Antisemitism (WGAS).
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
The EJC is a regional affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.
Organisation Members
http://www.eurojewcong.org/communities/ https://eurojewcong.org/who-we-are/our-history/
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.