Yoni Hammerman, WJC Elevate Director, and Maya Cimeša Samokovlija, WJC Community Relations Executive Director, welcomed the Lauder Fellowship cohort to the World Jewish Congress with an overview of what the Seminar and overall program entails.

Lauren Rose, WJC Executive Office Executive Director, led a session providing an overview of the WJC's diplomatic relationships with world leaders at global institutions including the UN in New York and Geneva, UNESCO, and the European Union.

The WJC-American Section hosted a dinner welcoming WJC Elevate to New York City. Andrew Gross, Director of the International Innovation and Partnerships, New Jersey Economic Development Authority gave a keynote address, speaking about his extensive experience maintaining economic ties between the state of New Jersey and Israel.

Yoni Hammerman, WJC Elevate Director, provided an overview of the World Jewish Congress’ structure, global priorities, and guiding principles that underpin its work.

Michal Yeshurun, WJC Digital Advocacy and NextGen Communications Manager, and Máté Holler, Elevate Coordinator, led separate brainstorming sessions where Fellows shared their Fellowship work plans and gained constructive peer feedback.

The Fellows engaged in an activity led by Maya Cimeša Samokovlija, WJC Community Relations Executive Director, delving into their personal Jewish identities and exploring the values and needs that are essential for fostering a strong and vibrant Jewish community.

Shahar Azran, WJC Director of Visual Arts, reflected on his decades of experience to highlight how diplomacy and photography interact on the global stage.

Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation, shared insights from his book Find Your Fight with the Lauder Fellowship and the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps, offering practical tools on how to be effective advocates.

The Fellows toured the United Nations, gaining firsthand exposure to global diplomacy. They also attended a session with Jonathan Miller, Deputy Permanent Representative for the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, who provided them with insight into the behind the scenes of Israel's diplomacy at the UN and its fight against the double standard against it.

Noa Schreuer, Legal Advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross, provided an overview of the ICRC's mandate and the organization's work in Israel today. She also led a discussion on the urgent plight of the 50 remaining hostages held by Hamas, detailing the ICRC’s ongoing efforts to secure their release.

Yfat Barak-Cheney, Executive Director of the WJC Technology and Human Rights Institute, discussed the Institute's work with tech companies such as Meta and TikTok to combat the increasing threat of online antisemitism and Holocaust denial and distortion.

Michal Yeshurun, WJC Digital Advocacy and NextGen Communications Manager, and Máté Holler, Elevate Coordinator, led a second round of brainstorming sessions for the Fellows to further develop their work plan concepts and what they hope to achieve both throughout the Fellowship and beyond.

The Fellows had a discussion with Maram Stern, WJC Executive Vice President, about the challenges facing Jewish communities around the world and the advocacy efforts being made to strengthen the future of the Jewish people.

The Lauder Fellows came together to share their individual reasons for "why" they put their time, effort, and energy into advocating for Jewish communities.

Yoni Hammerman, WJC Elevate Director, closed the Opening Seminar with an overview on what comes next in their time as Lauder Fellows for the upcoming year.