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Dozens of Rabbonim Attend European Rabbinical Center Leadership Seminar

A special professional seminar for dozens of Rabbonim from across Europe was held in the resort town of Divonne-les-Bains, on the border of France and Switzerland. The event was organized by the Rabbinical Center of Europe (RCE), which works year-round to strengthen Jewish community rabbis throughout Europe and provide them with practical tools to address the challenges facing their communities • Read More, Photos

The seminar focused on a range of issues central to rabbinic leadership in Europe, including Jewish education, the challenges facing Jewish families, navigating complex communal situations, and strengthening security awareness in light of the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents across the continent.

Among the featured speakers was veteran educator Rabbi Shlomo Rein, chairman of the Ha’azinu organization, which specializes in counseling and guidance for students and young adults in educational institutions. Rabbi Rein led professional workshops for the participating Rabbonim, addressing the unique challenges facing Jewish schools and communities in Europe and offering practical guidance on identifying individuals in distress, providing appropriate support, and strengthening cooperation between Rabbonim, families, and educational institutions.

The seminar also featured Dr. Rabbi Eliyahu Ackerman, a psychologist and lecturer, who addressed issues relating to Jewish family life and the complex situations frequently encountered by community rabbis. Through lectures and workshops, Rabbi Ackerman answered participants’ questions and provided professional tools for dealing thoughtfully and sensitively with challenging family and educational matters.

Welcoming the participants on behalf of the Rabbonim of Geneva was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Pevzner, Rabbi of the Chabad community in Geneva. He highlighted the impressive growth of Jewish life in the city and surrounding region in recent years, describing the establishment and expansion of Jewish educational institutions and emphasizing the importance of strengthening local communities as part of the broader network of Jewish life in Switzerland and across Europe.

In response to the growing wave of antisemitism throughout Europe, this year’s seminar also included security and self-defense workshops led by professional security experts. The rabbis received practical training on responding to attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions, improving communal preparedness, and handling emergency situations.

During the seminar, Rabbi Aryeh Goldberg, Director General of the European Rabbinical Centre, stressed that today’s rapidly changing reality requires community rabbis to continually expand their professional skills beyond the traditional realms of Torah teaching and halachic rulings.

“Rabbis across Europe stand on the front lines of Jewish life, confronting challenges in education, family, community leadership, and security,” Rabbi Goldberg said. “It is our responsibility to provide them with the broadest possible professional support so they can continue leading their communities with confidence, responsibility, and dedication.”

Rabbi Goldberg also thanked Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Rabbinical Centre, for his ongoing efforts on behalf of Europe’s rabbis. He further expressed appreciation to the seminar’s organizing team, including Rabbi Avraham Abba Turetsky, Secretary of the Council of European Rabbis and the seminar’s content director, and Rabbi Yossi Beinhaker, the Centre’s Deputy Director General.

The seminar forms part of the European Rabbinical Centre’s year-round activities, which are dedicated to providing rabbis serving Jewish communities across Europe with professional training, ongoing support, and practical resources to help them meet the evolving challenges of Jewish life on the continent.