WINNIPEG โ This week, more than 2,000 Jewish leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 2025 General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). The Jewish Federation of Winnipegโs delegation, including incoming Board Chair Carrie Shenkarow, Senior Vice-Chair Jessica Cogan, President and CEO Jeff Lieberman, Public Relations Director Adam Levy, and Director of Operations Carmelle Noiseux, joined community heads across Canada and the U.S. to strategize on pressing issues facing Jewish communities.
Representing 141 Jewish Federations across North America, the JFNA collectively raised over $3 billion in 2024, approximately $1 billion above typical levels, signaling the deep impact and solidarity of Jewish communities in these challenging times.
The Assembly opened with powerful testimonies from former hostages Noa Argamani, Avinatan Or, Evyatar David, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who recounted their harrowing survival after captivity by Hamas. Their stories set a solemn and determined tone for the gathering.
Prominent speakers included Senators John Fetterman and Ted Cruz, as well as Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago Mayor and Ambassador to Japan. The bipartisan lineup focused on the rising tide of antisemitism, the erosion of support for Israel among younger generations, political polarization, and the role of social media in amplifying anti-Zionist and antisemitic narratives.
Transitioning from immediate crisis management, the Assembly announced the conclusion of a record-breaking Israel Emergency Campaign and unveiled the โRebuild Israelโ initiative. This new effort aims to support mental health services, physical reconstruction, and aid for displaced families, leveraging collaboration with vital partners like the Jewish Agency and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which have already assisted over a million Israelis and facilitated a record number of immigrants.
The successful implementation of the LiveSecure community security system was celebrated, with renewed focus on countering antisemitism through expanded civic engagement and cross-community bridge-building. Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Scholar-in-Residence, framed the dialogues within Jewish spiritual tradition.
A highlight was the SAPIR Debate, featuring Michael Koplow, John Podhoretz, and Tamar Ish-Shalom, which explored the future viability of the two-state solution. Noa Rothman also spoke poignantly about her grandfather, former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabinโs enduring legacy.
Jewish Federation of Winnipegโs Adam Levy completed Cohort II of the Executive Accelerator program during the Assembly, describing it as a formative experience alongside 25 emerging Federation leaders across North America.
The Assemblyโs clear and urgent message underscored that Jewish communities stand at a crossroads. The decisions made now will significantly shape the future of the Jewish people. This vital gathering united leaders to confront the defining challenges with resolve and collaboration.
For videos and highlights from the event, visit the conference website here.
This article is based on verified information from the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Jewish Federations of North America.