From 6-9 March 2025, the Board and Executive of Masorti Europe, hosted by the Bet-El community in Madrid, came together for a weekend exploring the theme of ‘Future Growth – Strengthening Roots, A Masorti Future in Europe.’

Joined by representatives of Masorti Olami, MERCAZ Olami, Marom, and NOAM Olami, rabbis from across Europe, Abraham J. Heschel Seminary students, members of European Academy for Jewish Liturgy (EAJL), and a host of community leaders and international guests, the group included members from all countries within Masorti Europe.
Across the weekend the group explored the meeting theme through impactful working groups, a special panel discussion where they heard about five different personal Masorti journeys and their visions for the future of Masorti Europe, shared learning, and wide-ranging presentations from many of those present. Throughout these sessions, discussions brought many new ideas to the table and saw great enthusiasm for future planning across Masorti Europe programming and community connections.

Also inspired to think ahead by the truly outstanding leadership for the Friday night services of the NOAM group in Madrid, they were especially pleased to have the opportunity to present the Bet-El community with a token of recognition for their new home and to wish them Mazal Tov for this amazing achievement.

During the Board meeting, held on the final day together, the participants heard from Masorti and MERCAZ Olami Executive Director Rabbi Mauricio Balter on the importance of the MERCAZ elections currently now in full swing across the globe, and also a meaningful d’var torah on how to plan for our future as a movement from Rabbi Phil Scheim, past president of Masorti Olami.

Masorti Europe President Wanda Teplitsky shared: “These were amazing three days! We met again for a Board meeting in person after many months and we had wonderful new participants invited for the first time. Masorti Europe is in the process of enlarging the group of representatives from different communities and organizations and this means more participation, wider diversity and more opportunities to develop the Movement in our continent. We are all very thankful to Bet El for the extraordinary warm welcome and we congratulate them on their new building.”

Masorti Europe leadership was delighted to have this time together, their first in-person board weekend in almost two years, and to continue to strengthen connections across Masorti/Conservative movement, global partners and communities.

Fredi Rembaum, Vice President on the Masorti Olami Executive shared: “Having gotten to know some of the Masorti Europe community leadership during our years in Berlin, we were delighted to renew friendships and meet new dedicated people who are building Masorti communities across Europe. We were most impressed with the level of collaboration, cohesion, and support services available, thanks to great work by leaders of Masorti Europe and Masorti Olami, and we are especially grateful for the support of our Masorti rabbinic students in Germany in the school’s difficult transition.”

Read more about the weekend from our partners at Masorti Judaism in the UK and the Bet El Masorti community in Madrid.

Rabbi Phil Scheim shared: “The gathering in Madrid of Masorti leaders from diverse European communities illustrated the reach, the resilience and the strength of our movement. Especially enthusing was the large representation of NOAM youth, reassuring us of the promising future that awaits us. At a historical moment of global uncertainty, such encouragement made the trip to Madrid exceptionally worthwhile and important.”

Excited for the new vision for Masorti Europe and for the future throughout European Jewry, the group closed the weekend thanking Bet-El community for the warm welcome and hospitality.