Jewish Communities

One of AJC’s top missions is supporting the Jewish diaspora across the globe. Our office works closely with Central European communities, maintaining friendly relations with Jewish organizations and representative bodies. We are always eager to learn first-hand about the challenges and joys of their life and provide AJC’s robust advocacy whenever needed.

“Advocacy and political support for Jewish communities are important. It is therefore very reassuring that Hungarian Jewry, as the largest in Jewish community in this region, is involved in the activities of the AJC Central Europe office.”

– András Heisler, President, Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary

Connecting, advocating and partnering

Together with Jewish community leaders, AJC holds public and diplomatic events that bring together partners to initiate dialogue and create opportunities for political, social, or cultural cooperation. Through regular online meetings we also connect Jewish communities across Central Europe so they can learn about each other’s challenges and opportunities, share their knowledge, and find ways to work together.

Jewish Community Center Kraków, Poland.

We connect community leaders and decision makers in their home countries, the European Union, Israel, and the United States. In April 2020, AJC Central Europe was chosen to host a meeting with Central European Jewish community leaders for Ambassador Philip T. Reeker, Acting Assistant Secretary at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. During the coronavirus pandemic, we created a platform for Jewish organizations across Poland to exchange information and experiences. Annually our office hosts a virtual diplomatic Pesach Seder that is co-hosted by a different community each year.

“Central Europe is now in a critical moment and we are blessed to have AJC right here, right now.”

– Michael Schudrich, Chief Rabbi of Poland

Our partners

American Jewish Committee signed formal association agreements with local communities. Our local partners include:

Czechia – The Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic

Estonia – Jewish Community of Estonia

Hungary – Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (MAZSIHISZ)

Latvia – Council of Jewish Communities of Latvia

Lithuania – Jewish Community of Lithuania

Poland – Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Poland

Slovakia – Federation of Jewish Communities in Slovakia (UZZNO)