Vienna, Austria – 8 June 2026

The Association of European Jewish Heritage (AEPJ) concluded its 2026 General Assembly in Vienna today, bringing together members, partners and stakeholders from across Europe for three days of strategic discussions, institutional meetings and encounters centred on the future of Jewish heritage in Europe.

Hosted in cooperation with AEPJ associate Burgenländische Forschungsgesellschaft (BFG), the gathering took place in Vienna’s historic second district, once home to one of the city’s most vibrant Jewish communities. Participants met at Hotel Stefanie, located in the former Jewish quarter, providing a fitting backdrop for conversations about heritage, memory and the future of Jewish life in Europe.

Opening the General Assembly, AEPJ President François Moyse expressed solidarity with Ukraine and welcomed new members from the Lviv Tourism Office, underlining the organisation’s continued commitment to supporting Jewish heritage initiatives across the continent, particularly in challenging times.

From 2 to 5 June 2026, the AEPJ took part in the 13th edition of the Cultural Routes Training Academy of the Council of Europe. Held across Pécs (Hungary) and Osijek (Croatia), the event brought together participants representing certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, under the theme “Shaping Confidence and Diversity.”

The Training Academy, jointly organised by the European Institute of Cultural Routes and the Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route, in close cooperation with Zsolnay Heritage Management Nonprofit Ltd. and the Tourism Board of Osijek-Baranja County, served once again as a key platform for capacity building, strategic dialogue, and cross-route exchange.

Victor Sorenssen, Director of AEPJ, and Marc Francesch, Coordinator of the European Routes of Jewish Heritage, represented the AEPJ during this four-day event.

On 27 May 2026, during a ceremony held in New York, USA, the President of the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ), François Moyse, presented a Medal of Recognition to Daniel S. Mariaschin, long-time CEO of B’nai B’rith International, who will shortly retire from his position after decades of leadership and service to Jewish communal life.

In his remarks, François Moyse recalled the creation of AEPJ and paid tribute to the organisation’s founder, Claude Bloch. He also highlighted the important role played by B’nai B’rith International, and in particular the continuous support and engagement of Daniel S. Mariaschin, in advocating for the safeguarding and promotion of Jewish heritage across Europe.

The ceremony brought together a large number of current and former leaders, professionals and representatives of Jewish organisations from across the United States, reflecting the longstanding ties and shared commitment between European and international Jewish institutions in preserving Jewish culture, memory and heritage for future generations.

During the Final European Conference of the NOA – Networks Overcoming Antisemitism project, held in Brussels on 26–27 May 2026, the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ) and CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe formalised a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing the long-standing cooperation between both organisations.

The agreement was signed by Patrick Bikard on behalf of the AEPJ and Alain Philippson on behalf of CEJI, in the framework of the NOA conference, where both organisations participated as core partners alongside the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) and the World Jewish Congress (WJC). The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for future collaboration in areas including Jewish heritage, education, intercultural dialogue, combating antisemitism and fostering inclusive societies across Europe.

The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ) participated in the Final European Conference of the NOA – Networks Overcoming Antisemitism project, held in Brussels on 26–27 May 2026 at the Representation of the State of Hessen to the European Union. 

The NOA project brings together four major European Jewish organisations — the AEPJ, CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), and the World Jewish Congress (WJC) — with the aim of developing innovative public–civil society partnerships to combat antisemitism across Europe. Supported by European Union funding, the project combines educational initiatives, socio-cultural programming, training activities, sports workshops, policy tools, and the pioneering National Report Card methodology, promoting a holistic approach that connects policy and practice, education and security, and local and transnational action.

The European cooperation framework is gaining ever greater momentum for AEPJ members, resulting in diverse spaces for the exchange of knowledge, best practices, resources and solutions to the shared challenges specific to the Jewish heritage sector.

Brama Grodzka NN Theatre, and the Erfurt Municipality — both members of the European Routes of Jewish Heritage — are part of the JEWELS Tour project (Jewish Heritage as Leverage for Sustainable Tourism). Within this framework, they collaborate with the city councils of Ferrara, and Coimbra, the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, the Regional Development Agency of Lviv region and Breda University of Applied Sciences, jointly deploying innovative approaches to tourism development around local Jewish heritage.

Particularly noteworthy was the workshop held during the event, in which participants were able to analyse the common ground between the different cities across areas that orbit around the concept of cultural route or directly affect heritage management — such as conservation, restoration and research; the role of contemporary artistic creation; the involvement of young people and alliances with educational stakeholders; the development of a European cooperation dimension; and the role of cultural tourism in sustainable development.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome the Lviv Tourism Office to the AEPJ family.

A multicultural, spiritual and historical city first mentioned in 1256, Lviv has been shaped over the centuries by the many cultures that have called it home, Jewish heritage featuring prominently among them. Located in western Ukraine, just 75 km from the border with Poland, Lviv is a vibrant centre of culture, gastronomy, music and literature, hosting international events that have long defined it as an open and intellectual environment.

Since 2022, the city has taken on an additional role: a place of temporary shelter for internally displaced persons and, for many, a new home. Lviv today serves as a key humanitarian and logistical hub, a centre for international organisations and a host for guests from around the world.

On 30 April 2026, the city of Troyes marked a major cultural milestone with the celebration of the European Heritage Label awarded to the project “Rachi de Troyes, lieu de mémoire européen” (Rashi of Troyes, space of European memory). The ceremony, held at the City Hall, brought together institutional representatives, cultural actors and members of the Jewish community to honour the legacy of the famous exegete.

Mayor François Baroin highlighted the collective effort behind this achievement, emphasising the importance of recognising Jewish heritage as a shared European inheritance. Among the speakers, Haïm Korsia reflected on the enduring relevance of Rashi (1040–1105), whose commentaries on the Torah remain essential to its understanding. He also underlined the role such initiatives play in combating prejudice and fostering dialogue.

The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Online European Days of Jewish Culture (EDJC) Organisers and Coordinators Meeting 2026, taking place on 6–7 May, from 15:00 to 18:00 CET.

This annual meeting is a key milestone in the lead-up to the European Days of Jewish Culture, a pan-European celebration that unfolds each September through a vibrant programme of cultural and educational activities. Across cities, towns and communities, the EDJC brings Jewish heritage to life, fostering dialogue and contributing to a more open and cohesive European society.

A shared journey around the theme: LOVE

The 2026 edition of the EDJC will be guided by the theme LOVE, a concept deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and rich in meaning across cultures.