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2nd Pan-European Conference of JCC Leaders Opens June 11 in VilniusOne hundred fifty participants, primarily senior staff and lay leadership of Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) in Europe and the former Soviet Union, will gather in Vilnius for the 2nd Pan-European JCC Conference from June 11-13. A follow-up to the first such event which took place in Paris in 2004, this year's meeting will be a forum for training and exchange for these critical Jewish leaders. Organized by JDC Europe with the collaboration of the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC), the World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers (WCJCC), and hosted by the Jewish community of Lithuania, the biannual conference will gather participants from over 20 countries, with the goal of creating stronger links and common programs among JCCs in Europe and the FSU. Countries that will be represented include: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, United States, and Uzbekistan. Over the course of the three-day gathering, plenary sessions and workshops will feature leaders in Jewish community development from cities as diverse as Budapest and Barcelona, Rome and Kiev, London and Sofia, Paris and Tashkent. The sessions will address topics of relevance to the evolving landscape of Jewish life in Europe, such as understanding JCC membership; creating innovative programming to reach youth various demographics, including youth and the middle generation (ages 30-50); and how JCCs can effectively take a leading role in community development. A few sessions will also be dedicated to professional exchanges among the participants. "We have entered into a new century and must ask ourselves what the main challenges are with respect to JCCs, considering the new paradigms in our society," explains Alberto, Director of JDC Europe. "Our work is showing us that the most crucial role of JCCs is outreach to the tens of thousands of non-affiliated Jews." By examining why these individuals are not joining Jewish communal life, JDC and its partners in pan-European networking efforts can suggest the types of programming that reflect the interests and experiences of these target groups. "New strategies have to be created to appeal to all demographics, and we must ask ourselves, 'Are we offering programs that are meaningful, diverse, and reflect the various forms of engagement to Judaism that families are craving?'" poses Alberto. "This is a new time, and we cannot use the same models as 30 years ago." In addition to reflecting multiple entryways into Jewish life, JCCs have the unique role and challenge of being "hubs" within each community. As such, there is an increasing need to be an all-inclusive Center, promoting both diversity and pluralism. "One of the most important questions which we have to look at is whether we are providing a place for differences — singles, alternative families, individuals with disabilities — and provoking enough debate within our communities," says Alberto. Ultimately, JDC's goal is to help communities develop on a local level, in part by providing them the benefit of experience, support and a networking on a regional one. As Mario, Director of Pan European Programs, JDC Europe explains, "Jews are a global people. And through meetings like this one, we are building a spirit that engenders cooperation and believes that it is better to work together to develop common strategies and create critical mass within Europe, accepting fully the differences that exist from one country to the next." June 2006 |
