Dozens of rabbis from across Europe gathered in the resort town of Divonne-les-Bains, near the French Swiss border, for a specialized professional seminar organized by the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE). The seminar formed part of the RCE’s year-round initiative to support and strengthen Jewish community rabbis throughout the continent, equipping them with practical resources to navigate the evolving challenges of contemporary Jewish life.

The seminar focused on a range of issues at the heart of rabbinic leadership in Europe, including Jewish education, challenges facing Jewish families, navigating complex communal situations, and enhancing security within Jewish communities amid the alarming rise in antisemitism across the continent.

Rabbi Shlomo Ryne, an educator and Chairman of the Ha’azinu organization, which provides extensive guidance and counselling to students and graduates of educational institutions, addressed the participants. Rabbi Ryne led professional workshops for the rabbis, highlighting the unique challenges facing Jewish schools and communities in Europe. He provided practical tools for identifying distress, offering appropriate support, and strengthening cooperation between rabbis, families, and educational institutions.

The seminar also featured Dr. Rabbi Eliyahu Ackerman, a psychologist and lecturer, who addressed issues affecting Jewish families and the complex situations frequently brought before community rabbis. During his lectures and workshops, Rabbi Ackerman answered participants’ questions and provided professional tools for approaching sensitive and challenging family and educational matters with insight and care.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Pevzner, Rabbi of the Chabad community in Geneva, welcomed the participants on behalf of Geneva’s rabbis. In his remarks, he highlighted the impressive growth of Jewish life in the city and surrounding region in recent years. Rabbi Pevzner described the establishment and expansion of Jewish educational institutions and emphasized the importance of strengthening local communities as part of the broader fabric of Jewish life in Switzerland and throughout Europe.

Considering the growing threat of antisemitism in Europe, the seminar once again included security and self-defence workshops led by security experts. The rabbis received practical guidance on responding appropriately to attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions, increasing communal vigilance, and managing emergency situations.

Rabbi Arie Goldberg, CEO of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, emphasized that today’s rapidly changing reality requires community rabbis to continually expand their professional knowledge and acquire a broad range of skills beyond the traditional fields of Torah instruction and halachic decision-making.

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

The seminar is part of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe’s extensive year-round programme, dedicated to providing rabbis of Jewish communities across the continent with professional resources, ongoing support, and effective responses to the evolving challenges of Jewish life in Europe.