EJA take part in the European Commission Working-Group on the implementation of EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in Brussels

US Ambassador Bill White, Madrid Community President Estrella Bengio and Christians for Israel, honoured at EJA Annual Conference.

Our Annual Conference Gala Dinner is an opportunity to honour and say thanks to the many good people, Jewish and non-Jewish Leaders, as well as Senior Political figures, for their steadfast support and positive actions in defence and in the promotion of Jewish life on the Continent. Previous recipients of our prestigious King David Award include Chelsea Football Club, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Boris Johnson and the former President of Montenegro to name a few.

This year, for his bravery and single-minded determination to defend Belgian Jewry against legal attacks on circumcision, calling out Europe-Wide antisemitism, and for rallying the United States Presidency to the Jewish cause, the EJA awarded the 2026 King David Award to United States Ambassador to Belgium, His Excellency Bill White.

In his moving acceptance speech Ambassador White said:  “I’m Deeply honored to receive the King David Award. This recognition reflects President Trump’s unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism—not just in words, but in action. To Belgium’s Jewish community: you belong here, your traditions deserve protection, and your future must be secure.”

He also thanked the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun for joining the dinner, demonstrating this Administration’s steadfast support for Jewish communities worldwide, and for his encouraging and inspiring speech at the Gala Dinner.

We were also immensely proud to present the first-ever EJA Queen Esther Award to Estrella Bengio, President of the Jewish Community of Madrid, at our annual conference, held just after Purim. The story of Queen Esther is about courage, about stepping forward and refusing to look away. It is a story that continues to guide and inspire us. Estrella embodies these values. Through years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to Jewish life in Europe, she has made a real and lasting impact on her community and beyond.

Finally, we were honoured to present the EJA Mensch Award to Frank Van Oordt, Chief Executive Officer of Christian for Israel in the Netherlands, in recognition of his steadfast support for Israel and the Jewish people. Christians for Israel in the Netherlands, under the inspiring stewardship of Frank has stayed true to their fundamental values, in spite of protests, vandalism and the firebombing of their Israel Centre in Holland. They are true friends.

Kurz vor dem Start einer Auktion von Nazi-Erinnerungsstücken gerät der Veranstalter im US-Bundesstaat Maryland in die Kritik. Der jüdische Dachverband European Jewish Association (EJA) fordert, die Versteigerung abzusagen. Einige Hinterlassenschaften stammten aus dem Umfeld des NS-Diktators Adolf Hitler.

»Der Verkauf dieser Gegenstände ist abscheulich«, erklärte der EJA-Vorsitzende Rabbi Menachem Margolin in einem offenen Brief an die Veranstalter der Auktion, Alexander Historical Auctions, im US-Bundesstaat Maryland. Der EJA vertritt nach eigenen Angaben verschiedene jüdische Organisationen in Europa.

In seinem Brief nahm Margolin auch Bezug auf einige Gegenstände, die bei der Veranstaltung meistbietend verkauft werden sollen. Auf der Auktionsseite wird unter anderem eine Golduhr Hitlers beworben, die der Führer zu seinem 44. Geburtstag erhalten haben soll. Das derzeitige Gebot liegt bei einer Million US-Dollar.

Die Uhr wurde laut der Beschreibung am 4. Mai 1945 von einem französischen Soldaten in Hitlers Feriendomizil in Berchtesgaden gefunden, als die Alliierten in den bayerischen Bergen vorrückten. Laut dem Auktionshaus hätten mehrere Uhrmacher und Historiker bestätigt, dass die Uhr echt ist und Hitler selbst gehört habe.