European Jewish Association (EJA)

Background

The European Jewish Association is an umbrella federation that represents hundreds of Jewish organizations and communities across Europe. Based in Brussels, Belgium, the organization serves as a central hub for Jewish advocacy within the European Union. It was founded by Menachem Margolin, a rabbi who has worked as its chairman and general director since approximately 2010. ^{1  3  4}

The EJA’s mission focuses on strengthening Jewish identity, expanding Jewish religious and cultural activities, and defending Jewish interests throughout the continent. As a lobbying group, it maintains contact with decision-makers in the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Council to influence policy. Its primary activities include combating antisemitism, opposing the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel, and protecting religious practices such as kosher slaughter and ritual male circumcision from legal interference. The organization also facilitates educational programs and coordinates high-profile events, such as Holocaust memorial commemorations and policy conferences, to promote Jewish voices in European political discourse. ^{4  5  6}

Financials

In 2023, the European Jewish Association reported total revenues of $15,544,897. Contributions accounted for $15,307,769, or 98.5 percent of total revenue. Program services generated $236,091 (1.5 percent), while investment income totaled $1,037. Total expenses for the period were $13,032,159. The association ended the year with $14,436,711 in total assets and $3,250,028 in total liabilities, resulting in net assets of $11,186,683. Net income for 2023 was $2,512,738. ²

In 2024, the Koum Family Foundation associated with WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum reported two grants to the EJA of $5,450,000 and $5,538,000, respectively. ⁷

In 2024, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) reported a $1,100,000 grant to the EJA. ⁸ Jan Koum is reported to direct donations through his K18n Foundation through the SVCF to Jewish groups, such as the EJA. ⁹

Controversies

Following a series of high-profile attacks in 2015, European Jewish Association’s chairman Menachem Margolin urged European governments to loosen firearm restrictions to allow “designated personnel” within Jewish communities to carry guns for self-defense. This proposal was widely condemned by European officials and other Jewish organizations, such as the European Jewish Congress, which characterized the call as a “dangerous” departure from European norms and a threat to public safety. ^{10  11  12}

The organization has campaigned against legislation in countries like Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland that bans or restricts kosher slaughter and non-medical male circumcision. In 2026, the association led a defense of mohels, Jewish religious personnel who perform circumcisions, in Antwerp who were targeted by police raids, characterizing the investigations into ritual practices as a form of state-sponsored harassment. These positions have placed the group in opposition to secular animal welfare advocates and some medical associations. ^{13  14  15}

The association has also drawn scrutiny for its criticism of specific European governments. In 2025 and 2026, it released rankings and surveys that labeled Spain and Belgium as the most hostile nations toward Jews in the European Union. ^{16  17  18}

People

As of February 2026, Menachem Margolin is the chairman and general director of the European Jewish Association. He has also held the position of general director for the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE), an organization representing over 700 rabbis across the continent. A Chabad-affiliated rabbi born in Israel, Margolin has focused his career on lobbying European governments to protect religious practices and to increase security for Jewish institutions. ^{19  3  20}