The opening plenary of the 2025 General Assembly will set the tone for a defining moment in Jewish communal life. Two years after October 7, the North American Jewish community stands at a crossroads—tested by unprecedented challenges and inspired by extraordinary levels of resilience and action. The General Assembly will frame the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead to rebuild Israel, ensure Jewish security and combat antisemitism, and invest in strengthening Jewish life and identity.
At this year’s General Assembly, two thousand attendees from across the Federation system – as well as civic leaders, Hillel students, interfaith partners, leaders from other major Jewish organizers, political players, and many others – will delve deeply into these three core topics.
The dozens of speakers slated to share their insights represent the diverse backgrounds and experience necessary to provide a blueprint for Jewish Federations to chart the future. From political pundits to diplomats, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and educators, attendees will be well equipped to face the community’s challenges head-on.
To kick off the General Assembly, Fox News’s Jessica Tarlov, co-host of The Five, will moderate a conversation between CNN political contributor Scott Jennings and Rahm Emanuel (former US ambassador to Japan and Chicago mayor) about the Jewish community in today’s political environment.
“This is a moment when having the opportunity to come together as a North American Jewish community, alongside our partners and stakeholders from Israel and beyond, is essential,” says Jewish Federations of North America Executive Vice President Shira Hutt. “We have big things to discuss.”
The following is a partial list of speakers at the General Assembly:
Speakers
- Dr. John Crouch, General Assembly Co-Chair
- Rahm Emanuel, Former US Ambassador to Japan
- Eric Fingerhut, President & CEO, Jewish Federations of North America
- Micah Goodman, Israeli Author
- Sarah Hurwitz, Author
- Scott Jennings, Principal, RunSwitch PR; CNN Contributor
- Joan Lubar, General Assembly Co-Chair, Jewish Federations of North America
- Richard Marceau, VP, External Affairs & General Counsel, CIJA
- Jessica Tarlov, Co-host, The Five (FOX News)
- Gary Torgow, Chair, Board of Trustees, Jewish Federations of North America
Scholar-in-Residence - Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue (NYC)
Performer - The Tamari Project, Musician
In collaboration with The Jewish Federations of North America.