Dozens of community rabbonim from across Europe gathered in Divonne-les-Bains for a European Rabbinical Center seminar focused on education, family challenges, communal leadership and security amid the sharp rise in antisemitism across the continent.

Dozens of rabbonim serving Jewish communities across Europe gathered in Divonne-les-Bains, near the French-Swiss border, for a professional leadership seminar organized by the European Rabbinical Center.

The seminar addressed issues increasingly confronting rabbonim in their daily communal work, including challenges in Jewish education, complex family situations, support for struggling students and security preparedness amid the continued rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe.

Veteran educator Rabbi Shlomo Rein, chairman of the Ha’azinu organization, led workshops on identifying students and young adults experiencing difficulties and providing them with effective support. He also addressed ways to strengthen cooperation between rabbonim, families and educational institutions.

Psychologist and lecturer Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Ackerman spoke about challenges facing Jewish families and the sensitive situations frequently brought before community rabbonim. His sessions included practical guidance and responses to questions raised by participants.

The rabbonim were welcomed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Pevzner, rov of the Chabad community in Geneva, who described the growth of Jewish life in Geneva and the surrounding region, including the development and expansion of local educational institutions.

With Jewish communities across Europe facing heightened security concerns, the seminar also included practical security and self-defense training. Professional instructors guided participants in responding to attacks, preparing Jewish institutions for emergencies and improving communal readiness.

Rabbi Aryeh Goldberg, director general of the European Rabbinical Center, said that the changing realities facing European Jewry require rabbonim to develop skills extending beyond their traditional responsibilities in Torah teaching and halachic guidance.

“Rabbonim 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 thanked Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Rabbinical Center, for his ongoing work on behalf of Europe’s rabbonim, as well as Rabbi Avraham Abba Turetsky, secretary of the Council of European Rabbis and content director of the seminar, and Rabbi Yossi Beinhaker, deputy director general of the center.