Voice of the People Council Completes First Term in Budapest
The group reports 20 active projects and 2,500 applicants for its second cohort following a three-day meeting in Hungary.
By Noor Graham ·
Jewish community organizations are increasingly formalizing international cooperation to address security and social challenges. In response, the Voice of the People council concluded its first official term in Budapest, Hungary, from October 19 to 21, 2026. The gathering marked the end of the initial experiment and the start of a new phase for the network.
The council comprises 150 members, split evenly among Israel, North America, and the rest of the world. It was established by Israeli President Isaac Herzog in partnership with the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and several major foundations. The group’s first meeting occurred in Haifa in March 2025. Since then, members have developed more than 20 initiatives covering education, technology, and regional business cooperation.
Organizers received approximately 2,500 applications for the second cohort, a figure that is more than double the number of applicants for the first group. The original members will not leave the structure entirely. They will transition into an alumni network to act as ambassadors and help new participants integrate into the existing work.
Political tensions in Europe influenced the atmosphere of the conference. Robert Ejnes, executive director of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France, noted that recent riots in France affected the entire country, not just the Jewish population. However, he acknowledged that antisemitic incidents and hostile social media posts have risen sharply since October 7, 2023. Ejnes attributed much of this increase to far-left political parties and said Jewish groups are coordinating with French police.
Herzog attended the Budapest session during an official visit to Hungary. He met with Hungarian President András Baka and Prime Minister Péter Magyar on October 20. Baka described the visit as serving an important purpose in linking bilateral relations to the council’s goals. Herzog praised Hungary as a friend and ally, citing its role in promoting constructive relations between Israel and the European Union.
Participants also focused on internal community dynamics. Josh Aronson, an autistic British journalist, urged the group to share Israel’s experience in disability inclusion with the wider world. Naftali Aklum, director of educational programs for Israel's Ethiopian National Project, emphasized the need for Jewish communities to take greater control of their public narrative. He described the media as a front in ongoing conflicts and argued that the community must change how it is perceived globally.
The council’s work has extended into the private sector. Mikhal Ben Joseph and Noam Meirov launched the Abraham Executive Academy to connect business leaders across the Middle East. The network’s first summit took place in Berlin in May, drawing about 30 participants from roughly 10 countries. Ben Joseph stated that the group aims to create a business forum for the region that functions similarly to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Deborah Apeloig, founder of Tikun Talks, described the first members as guinea pigs in an experiment that unfolded during a regional war. She said the program staff adjusted the structure based on feedback from focus groups. The next cohort will join a network that already has active projects and a large applicant pool.
