ICJW Europe

The 17^th ICJW European conference was held in Bratislava and was attended by 70 participants from 19 countries, not only from Europe, but also from New Zealand, Australia, North and South America and Israel. We were looking forward to welcoming also Ukrainian women living in Poland, Germany and Slovakia.

The host was Marta Györova, chairwoman of the Esther Association Slovakia. The conference was organized by the European ICJW President Alice Vesela from Prague with help of the European vice President Cornelia Maimon Levi from Germany.

The first day of the conference was focused on the history of Jews in Slovakia. The exhibition on the theme "Jewish women who changed the world" was presented by the Bratislava Jewish Museum. 93 year-old Holocaust survivor impressed the participants with her life story. Many listeners had tears in their eyes. Another panel, attended by women from Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, was organized by the National Democratic Institute and provided information on studies and projects in these countries with focus on women's rights.

The second day was devoted to the situation of Jews in Europe. The first lecture was given via video by Vivian Teitelbaum, Vice-President of the European Women's League and Belgian Member of Parliament. Lawyer Sharon Shenhav from Israel spoke about the inpact of October 7 on women in Israel and about personal experiences, Holocaust survivor Evelyn Askolovich about the situation in France and the importance of intercultural dialogue, Gillian Gold spoke about the influence of the media in Great Britain and Anna Staroserlski, spokesperson for the Values initiative described the anti-Semitic acts in Germany.
The next panel was dedicated to the future, highlighting the resilience of the Jewish community after October 7. Dasha Gavornik, President of Makkabi Europe, described the Jewish sports club's important work with youth and networking. Anna Staroselski gave a presentation on special work with youth in Germany using the example of ZWST Machanot and ZR Jewrovision.
The tour of the city of Bratislava took the participants to the former Jewish quarter, to the mausoleum of Chatam Sofer and to the Holocaust memorial.

The participants particularly appreciated the opportunity to meet Jewish women from all over the world, learn about their work, inform about projects and exchange experiences and discuss, explore the intricate dynamics of intersectional discrimination faced by women, with a particular focus on antisemitism and the indispensable role of interfaith collaboration in confronting such challenges. To foster dialogue, exchange of best practices, and underscore the significance in championing inclusivity and equality, the event did bring together a diverse array of experts, activists, and community leaders. Through a lens of intersectionality was dissect how various forms of discrimination intersect, exacerbating the hurdles faced by marginalized groups, especially women. We exchanged our experiences and insights to share strategies for combating multifaceted layers of discrimination, reflecting on successful initiatives and collaborations that have effectively promoted tolerance and empowered communities. The discussion did showcase innovative initiatives that advance inclusivity, diversity, and social justice. Attendees did have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of intersectional discrimination, exchange ideas, and explore actionable steps toward building more equitable and inclusive communities, thus contributing to the broader mission of fostering equality and justice for all.