BAKU – In November 2025, the city of Baku will host a landmark event. More than 500 European rabbis will gather for the biennial convention of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER). For the first time in history, this prestigious forum will be held in a Muslim-majority, secular country.
The Azerbaijani government will serve as host, underscoring the nation’s reputation for religious tolerance and inclusivity. This is a historic occasion, considering that there are not many Muslim countries willing to host such an occasion and known for their long history of peaceful coexistence with the Jewish people.
The discussions will focus on how Azerbaijan aims to prepare to join the Abraham Accords, the strengthening of freedom of religion across Europe and beyond, and addressing the challenges posed by rising antisemitism in the West. This convention coincides with the 70th anniversary of CER, which represents more than 700 Orthodox Jewish leaders across Europe.
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of CER, highlighted the importance of the gathering in Baku, stating: “Jewish life in Azerbaijan is historic, visible, and vibrant. Our visit will be a unique opportunity to meet with the Azeri community and hold talks with the government there, which is widely recognized for its secular, tolerant, and inclusive nature.”
Azerbaijan’s Jewish population of roughly 30,000 souls has coexisted peacefully with its Muslim neighbors for centuries. This tradition of religious coexistence makes the country an especially meaningful location for such an international gathering, as Azerbaijan’s neighbors are not known to have such a positive history towards Jewish people.
Indeed, one of Azerbaijan’s neighbors is the Islamic Republic of Iran, which in recent days has been increasingly repressing the Jewish community since the conclusion of the 12-day war with Israel.
Holding such an event in neighboring Azerbaijan sends a strong message to the mullahs that their antisemitism is not to be tolerated, as they neighbor a country that is standing against their totalitarianism.
It also shows Turkey, which is also close to Azerbaijan, the benefits of having a strong relationship with Israel, in the hopes that the Turkish government will change course and start a more productive relationship with Israel, as they had in the past.
The event was initially planned for 2023 but was postponed following the October 7 massacre. Its realization in 2025 highlights both the resilience of Jewish communities and Azerbaijan’s ongoing role as a bridge between faiths, which have been doing everything in their power to repair the damaged relationship between Israel and Turkey.
The convention not only celebrates religious dialogue, but also signals geopolitical alignment: It reflects the growing partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel.
It creates an opportunity to discuss Azerbaijan’s potential involvement in the Abraham Accords, which have already reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is expected to deliver remarks, further demonstrating the event’s high-level political and symbolic importance.
The upcoming CER convention in Baku is more than a religious milestone. It is a symbol of interfaith harmony, a platform to address pressing global issues like antisemitism, and a reflection of Azerbaijan’s unique role as a secular, tolerant society in the Muslim world.
It also carries diplomatic weight, with the potential to expand the scope of the Abraham Accords and deepen ties between Azerbaijan, Israel, and Europe.
The opinions and facts presented in this article are those of the author, and neither TheJ.Ca nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.