World Jewish Congress (WJC)
Website: http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/
Category: Religion
Year of Foundation: 1936
Location of Foundation: Geneva, Switzerland
Location of Headquarters: New York, USA
Brief Description: The World Jewish Congress describes itself as 'an international organization whose mission is to address the interests and needs of Jews and Jewish communities throughout the world.' (source: www.worldjewishcongress.org; accessed 19 April 2010).
Founding Rationales:
At the First World Jewish Congress held in Geneva in August 1936 Leon Kubowitzki outlined the following political roles for the organization: 'Jewish representation to the outside world ... the new emancipation ... economic equality ... immigration possibilities ... struggle against Hitlerism ... legal and economic defence'.
Source: Comité Exécutif du Congrès Juif Mondial, 'Protocole du Premier Congrès Juif Mondial, Genève, 8-15 Août 1936' (Genève: Comité Exécutif du Congrès Juif Mondial, 1936), pp. 84-87.
Evolution of Membership:
Source: YIO