As we wrapped up two inspiring days of our boot camp with activists from across Europe, who joined us to learn how to combat antisemitism and stand up for Israel through traditional media, social media, diplomacy, and advocacy, we wished to express our deep appreciation to everyone who took part.

Our EJA team put participants through detailed, intense, and inspiring training sessions, sharing practical tutorials, strategies, and tools for dealing with traditional media, social media, and public advocacy. The levels of engagement, commitment, and genuine passion shown throughout the program were truly humbling, reinforcing our belief that investing in both the next generation and current advocates is essential in strengthening Jewish communities and combating antisemitism across Europe.

As part of these two meaningful days, we were honoured to organise an inspiring event together with the Jewish community in Copenhagen: “Standing Strong Together – The Future of Jewish Life in Denmark,” held at Københavns Synagoge. We sincerely thanked this wonderful community for joining us and contributing to such an important and meaningful discussion.

While we had the opportunity to share our own experiences and perspectives, we also learned a tremendous amount from the community itself — about their daily lives, the similarities and differences between our communities, and most importantly, how we can continue strengthening one another in our shared commitment to safeguarding and supporting Jewish life across Europe.

We also extended our heartfelt gratitude to the chairwoman of the community, Ms. Rosen, for her warm welcome and for sharing not only how the community had come together in a way that gave us hope, but also how supportive the Danish government had been in helping ensure the safety and security of Jewish life in Denmark. We arrived hoping to share our knowledge and experience, but ultimately left having learned far more from the community itself.

In addition, we expressed our deepest appreciation to the incredible team at Chabad House Copenhagen for opening their doors to us throughout those two days, making us feel at home, taking care of all our needs, and sharing with us the story and history of their community. A special thank you was extended to Rabbi Katzenstein and Rabbi Lowenthal for their hard work, dedication, and hospitality.

The success of both events was made possible thanks to this remarkable spirit of cooperation, partnership, and shared purpose. We look forward to continuing and strengthening these collaborations in the future as we work together to ensure that Jewish life across Europe remains safe, vibrant, and prosperous for generations to come.

“Stop this Madness and protect our Freedom of Religion”

The Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA) Rabbi Menachem Margolin and dozens of Jewish Leaders from Communities all over Europe, including the Presidents of Paris, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, Porto and Amsterdam today published an open letter to European, EU and Belgian Political leaders urging them to act against a Belgian prosecutor’s attempt to criminalize circumcision and to protect Freedom of Religion.

“All the words of politicians about the importance of Jewish life in Europe mean nothing if they do not act immediately to stop this injustice,” said the Leaders.

The letter comes as Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to refer two Jewish ritual circumcisers, known as mohels, to the correctional court, effectively criminalizing the act of circumcision. The Mohels, extensively trained in religious circumcision, are not doctors.

In their letter, the Jewish Leaders said:

“We are horrified that the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to refer two Jewish ritual circumcisers, known as mohels, to the correctional court, effectively criminalizing the act of circumcision. In many countries a solution has been found that balances freedom of religion. In France, Holland and Germany for instance. We believe therefore, based on the Belgian authorities’ outright refusal to seek an accomodation, that this prosecution is antisemitic in nature, reminiscent of efforts taken in Europe against Jewish practice prior to the Second World War. That the same prosecutor’s office has too often closed clear cases of antisemitism but is now choosing to act against Jewish life itself confirms this belief.

We remind belgium that Freedom of religion is a fundamental right. This decision stands in direct contradiction to it. The message being sent here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium. And Belgian jews are now Second class citizens with limited rights. Circumcision has been shown throughout decades of medical research to not be harmful to baby boys. In fact it has medical benefits – which is why so many people choose to circumcise their children outside of religion. Attacking circumcision in this manner – only when it relates to Jewish babies, is an attack on Jewish life in Europe.

All the words of politicians about the importance of Jewish life in Europe mean nothing if they do not act immediately to stop this injustice. We urge them and the Belgian Government to stop this madness. Circumcision is not a crime.”

EJA is honored to take part in an importat project – REM ΗERITAGE – Holocaust Education Remembrance through Intergenerational Exchange.

REM HERITAGE: Holocaust Education Remembrance through Intergenerational Exchange is a European project implemented from April 2025 to March 2027. It brings together partners from five countries to strengthen Holocaust remembrance and the collective memory of other mass atrocities.

The project promotes an innovative intergenerational educational approach, combining shared learning experiences, awareness-raising, and communication activities to maximise visibility and long-term impact across Europe.

Objectives:

The overall objective of the project is to foster critical awareness among young people and students about the Holocaust, while promoting democratic values, tolerance, and respect for fundamental rights.

Through the active engagement of multiple generations, the project aims to preserve and transmit the memories and lessons of Holocaust survivors to younger generations, ensuring that such atrocities are never forgotten.

Methodology:

REM HERITAGE is implemented through a series of coordinated activities across participating countries. These include workshops, training sessions, and interactive educational events designed to bridge generational gaps and deepen understanding.

The project employs innovative pedagogical methods, digital tools, and creative approaches to ensure that learning is both meaningful and accessible. In parallel, online awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives, including transnational components, support a broader European dialogue on Holocaust education and remembrance.

A central digital platform will host project materials, including media content, workshop results, and digital stories produced by partners.

Project Partners

1. CARDET – Center for the Advancement of Research & Development in Educational Technology (Cyprus, coordinator)
2. European Jewish Association ASBL (Belgium)
3. KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Center (Greece)
4. Deutsche Schule Athen (Greece)
5. University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz (Poland)

The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. PROJECT NUMBER: 101196704

“This prosecution is antisemitic in nature. Not borderline, not ambiguous, but antisemitic…in a manner reminiscent of efforts taken in Europe against Jewish practice prior to the Second World War…The message here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium. We will prepare a conference on addressing this topic, including emigrating out of the country.” Rabbi Menachem Margolin, EJA Chairman.

(Brussels 6 May 2026) The Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA) Rabbi Menachem Margolin today responded to news that the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to refer two Jewish ritual circumcisers, known as mohels, to the correctional court.

In a statement today Rabbi Margolin said:

“Another red line has been crossed. This prosecution is antisemitic in nature. Not borderline, not ambiguous, but antisemitic. It is a clear attempt to misuse irrelevant constitutional provisions in order to effectively ban circumcision, in a manner reminiscent of efforts taken in Europe against Jewish practice prior to the Second World War. Not similar. Not comparable. Identical in its logic of restriction.

The same prosecutor’s office that too often closes cases of antisemitism is now choosing to act against Jewish life itself. This crosses a red line.

Today it is clear exactly what we are facing.

All the “beautiful words” of politicians about the importance of Jewish life in Europe mean nothing if they do not act immediately to stop this injustice.

Circumcision has been shown throughout decades of medical reserch to not be harmful to baby boys. In fact it has medical benefits – which is why so many people choose to circummsice their children outside of religion. Attacking circumsicion in this manner – only when it relates to Jewish babies, is an attack on Jewish life in Europe.

Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in Belgium, and this decision stands in direct contradiction to it.

The message here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium. And Belgian jews are now Second class citizens with limited rights. We will prepare a conference on addressing this topic, including emigrating out of the country.

That it has come to this marks a deeply shameful moment for Belgium.