About us
The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ), an NGO created in 2004, is a network of European institutions, including public bodies, private foundations, federations of Jewish communities and NGO’s, that serves as a platform to develop cultural initiatives and educational programs to European Jewish sites. The AEPJ network acts as a channel for intercultural dialogue and promoting better knowledge and understanding of European history, creating awareness of cultural diversity and strengthening European citizens’ cultural identity.
The AEPJ serves as an organisational umbrella to welcome, promote, train and help develop unique Jewish cultural and heritage projects of excellence around Europe. A community, a network and a meeting point of professionals working in the field of Jewish Heritage. The AEPJ helps organisations develop their programs, offers training in the field of Jewish cultural tourism and exchange of good practices and promotes the development of transnational programs.
With a heritage approach in line with the Council of Europe, with its integrated and cross-disciplinary approach to cultural heritage and diversity, the AEPJ promotes fundamental European values of human rights, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue seeking to bring the Jewish heritage closer to all European citizens, involving them in the production, circulation and conservation of Jewish culture and heritage.
To do this, the AEPJ develops two main projects:
The European Days of Jewish Culture
The fundamental objective of this European-wide event, which has been organised since 1999, is to highlight the diversity and richness of Judaism and its local, regional and national historical importance, with the firm intention of promoting dialogue, recognition and exchange through conferences, concerts, performances, guided tours and other activities, which take place simultaneously throughout the continent.
The European Days of Jewish Culture festival is held every year around a central theme that serves as inspiration for all the activities that take place in a decentralised, pluralistic and open way from the first Sunday in September. The AEPJ has coordinated this event at European level since its beginnings, giving cohesion, visibility and relevance to the activities organised. In addition, the AEPJ offers training, resources and support to any organisation, institution or individual who wishes to organise an activity that allows Jewish culture to be shared with the whole of society.
This project has been extensively reinforced by the collaboration with the National Library of Israel, which has acted as a means to develop all kinds of exhibition and educational materials, which have given an important added value to the festival while facilitating its celebration throughout the continent.
The European Routes of Jewish Heritage
Cultural route certified by the Institute of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
The European Routes of Jewish Heritage is a project that invites you to travel and to discover the rich and diverse Jewish heritage of Europe, by bringing people and places together in networks of shared history and heritage, providing a wealth of leisure and educational activities for all citizens across Europe, while being a key resource for responsible tourism and sustainable development.
The certification “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe”, which was awarded to AEPJ in 2004, is a guarantee of excellence. The network implements innovative activities and projects pertaining to five main priority fields of action: co-operation in research and development; enhancement of memory, history and European heritage; cultural and educational exchanges for young Europeans; contemporary cultural and artistic practice; cultural tourism and sustainable cultural development.
Board of administration 2025-2028
• François Moyse – President (Luxembourg)
• Claude Bloch – Honorary President (France)
• Caroline Lambert-David – Vice President (France)
• Noemi Di Segni – General Secretary (UCEI – Italy)
• Patrick Bikard – Treasurer (Belgium)
• Taly Mair – (Jewish Community of Athens- Greece)
• Helise Lieberman – (Taube Center for Jewish Life & Learning – Poland)
• Alfred Lang – (Burgenländische Forschungsgesellschaft – Austria)
• Judith Kiriaty – (Kiriaty Foundation International – Israel)
• Claudia De Benedetti – (Jewish Museum of Casale Monferrato – Italy)
• Assumpció Hosta – (Spain)
• Annie Sacerdoti – Counsellor (Italy)
Our team
Victor Sorenssen
Victor Sorenssen is director of the AEPJ since 2017. He has studied Political Science at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where he did a stage at the Observatory of European Policies. He has been director of the Comunidad Israelita de Barcelona and founder of the Jewish Cultural platform Mozaika, where he has helped develop projects such as Sefer Barcelona, the Jewish Book Festival or the Salam-Shalom initiative.
Victor Sorenssen
AEPJ Director
Victor Sorenssen is director of the AEPJ since 2017. He...
Federico Szarfer Barenblit
Federico Szarfer, based in Barcelona, works at the AEPJ as project manager of the European Days of Jewish Culture and other EU funding projects. He conceives his work as the design and creation of experiences for cultural institutions, television, theatre and events. His passion is sharing Jewish culture as a pluralistic, current and meaningful heritage that can engage anyone. He is the founder and member of the Jewish Cultural Platform Mozaika in Barcelona.
Federico Szarfer Barenblit
European Days of Jewish Culture Project Manager
Federico Szarfer, based in Barcelona, works at the AEPJ as...
Marc Francesch Camps
Marc Francesch Camps, based in Girona, is the European Routes of Jewish Heritage project manager since June 2022. Cultural consultant focused on the analysis and planning of cultural systems, heritage and museums and professor at the Open University of Catalunya (UOC) Master’s in Cultural Management. He strongly believes in the role of Jewish culture and heritage in contributing to contemporary challenges, within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda on issues such as quality education, reducing inequalities, creating opportunities, among others.
Marc Francesch Camps
European Routes of Jewish Heritage Project Manager
Marc Francesch Camps, based in Girona, is the European Routes of Jewish...
Sonja Viličić
Sonja Viličić is a Serbian-born cultural manager and educator with extensive experience in Jewish community development and informal education. She spent nearly a decade in Budapest, Hungary, working with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in various roles, including as Program Director of the International Jewish Youth Camp in Szarvas and as Educational Director of regional programs.
Sonja Viličić
Cities Embracing Jewish Heritage Project Manager
Sonja Viličić is a Serbian-born cultural manager and educator with...
Carme Vinyes Ferrer
Carme joins AEPJ with solid experience in Jewish heritage initiatives and project management. As founder and president of the cultural association Amics dels Calls de Catalunya, she has dedicated years to making Jewish culture accessible through educational events, literary tours and heritage visits.
With extensive experience in IT consulting, communication and team coordination her proactive approach and passion for cultural dialogue will strengthen AEPJ’s mission to connect communities and promote Jewish heritage throughout Europe.
Carme Vinyes Ferrer
Communication Officer
Carme joins AEPJ with solid experience in Jewish heritage initiatives...
The AEPJ is formed by 33 organisations
Azerbaijan Tourism Board
Azerbaijan Tourism Board is in charge of regulation of the activities, development of tourism, and the promotion of Azerbaijan as a destination. Core tasks of ATB include managing Azerbaijan’s destination brand, innovative marketing in the most internationally promising markets, and transferring our knowledge of guests and markets to the domestic tourism industry. Since 2016 joined the AEPJ and they work in a specific itinerary through Jewish local sites.
Azerbaijan Tourism Board
Azerbaijan Tourism Board is in charge of regulation of the...
B’nai B’rith Europe
B’nai B’rith Europe is a Jewish association that is present in 28 countries. B’nai B’rith means “Son of the Alliance” – the concept of alliance is a key concept in the Bible and in Judaism – and it has non-governmental organisational status. Its role is to fight racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism; to support the State of Israel; to help the needy; to promote Jewish identity; to strengthen the knowledge about the Jewish presence in Europe through culture and heritage; to encourage and train young Jewish adults for leadership in the Jewish communities.
B’nai B’rith Europe
B’nai B’rith Europe is a Jewish association that is present...