About the Event

A hundred years after the founding of the WUPJ in 1926, participants returned to the city where the story began. Darkeinu was net only a commemoration of history. It was an expression of how the World Union lives tadax: through its communities, relationshins, and shared responsibility.

At the heart of the conference was the connection between the global vision of WUPJ and the local realities of communities actess Europe and around the world. As Rabbi Sergio Bergman, President of WUPJ, said: "After 100 years, the WUPJ is not a top-down organization, but wants to be a

'glocal' hub and network in which the local eeds and realities of Progressive and Reform Judaism meet the worldwide vision and agenda of Progressive Judaism"

For Elon Cohen, WUPJ Governing Board member the conference brought together both the centennial of the global organization and the particular work of EUPJ across Europe. As he stated:

"It is amazing to see the 100 years of out organization, as well as to witness the EUPJ work across Europe in this raticular conference. As a WUPJ Governing Board membet I see the work of out organization in the support of the effoxts of Refe and Progressive communities from manx parts of the world, from India all the way to South America and beyond."

A significant part of Darkewu was the presence and leadership of global leaders from our Tamar Lami young adults network and Netzer Olam youth movement. Tamar and Netzer leaders and activists, participating as part of the WUPJ delegation, led a session on breaking engagement bawiers, stemming from their experiences in Zionist activism and Jewish leadership. The session was run by Dani Bewsick (South Africa) and Flaminia Ridolfi (Italy), Co-Mazkirat of Netzer Clami, together with Avishai Conyer (Australia), Lili Jendroska (Germany), and Elon Cohen (France), and Tamar Qlami and WUPJ. Participants explored barriets to engagement in different contexts and considered how listening to needs and giving real resronsiblity can strengthen participation acress the movement

The conference also carried the warmth of personal commitment and global friendshir. Tadd Schwab, whe particinated with his wife Sandy, sroke as a longtime friend and supporter of the WUPJ family, reflecting on decades of encounter with Progressive communities around the world.

He captured the sense of connection that being part of a global Progressive Jewisk reality brings:

"We may live in different countries. We may speak different languages. We may practice Judaism in slightly different ways. But we are one people. We are one movement And we are one family."