Grew up in a small community in Belgium. He was active in Hashomer-Hatzair for nearly two decades and involved in various Jewish organizations during his studies (political science & international relations). Eitan evolved through time towards his focus: politics. Eitan serves as the Executive Director of the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), Secretary General of the Committee of Belgian Jewish Organizations (CCOJB), a member of the WJC Diplomatic Corps and an elected member of the City council. Eitan is very active in preserving the memory of the Shoah, all of this before the age of 30.
MEET EITAN:
Tell us about Your Work/project:
I am a Jewish professional. I dedicate my career to Jewish issues, to our Kehila. I do it through the angle of representation and politics. I am the Executive Director of the European Union of Jewish Students. We represent Jewish student unions in 36 countries. We are an official partner of the European Commission. I oversee the operations; I am responsible for our team of professionals; I manage the budget and the relations with our partners. Since 7/10, antisemitism sky-rocketed, especially on University Campuses and our days have been harder, but our motivation is stronger than ever.
In 2022, I was appointed the Secretary General of the Coordinating Committee of Belgian Jewish organizations, that represents the Jews of Belgium towards our government, EU institutions, Israeli authorities and within international Jewish organizations.
Since 2021, I am a member of the WJC Diplomatic Corps. We defend the interest of the Jewish people by coordinating our efforts across the borders.
In June 2024, I entered politics. I was elected at the City Council of Forest, a district of Brussels as a member of the Mouvement Réformateur, the French-speaking Liberal Party of Belgium.
What is your proudest achievement?
I did my Bar-Mitzvah in Israel. During the trip, we went, with my whole family to Yad Vashem Museum. There, I was associated with a boy from my hometown, Liège, Belgium, that did not survive the Shoah. His name was Jules Nemeth. Even if I did not have a clear idea of what it meant back then, I agreed to “share” my Bar-Mitzvah with him, so he could symbolically have his.
I never met Jules, but since that day, he never left me. A few months after my Bar-Mitzvah, I wrote to Frieda, Jules’ sister. We have exchanged a few letters. To this day, I am in contact with Frieda’s children. There is a project in Europe called ‘Stolpersteine’. The idea is to have urban memorials in front of the last addresses of Holocaust victims. As a hidden child in Izieu, France, my grand-father, Alec Bergman had one. On that day, in 2016, an idea crossed my mind: “what about Jules?”.
The project was born. I will put a stone in the sidewalk for Jules. I was not even 25 and I decided to lead the project. with Jules lived 5 other members of his family and I decided not to put one Stolpersteine, but 6. Each stone cost few hundred euros. So I decided to make this project a participative project. I created a film, asking for donations. I involved local schools and authorities. In less than a month, we managed to gather the funds. On the 28th of March 2017, I convened the local authorities, the head of the Belgian Senate, local schools, medias and the family of Jules, and we inaugurated the 6 Stolpersteine, that are still in front of the house where the Nemeth family lived and was arrested.
How would you describe the impact of your Masa program on your life and professional path?
For me, the learning of the Hebrew language was the goal of my gap year. I was living in Kibbutz Mishmar HaSharon. In a few months, I mastered the language that I still speak today.
Masa was not only the engine behind this incredible year that shaped me but also the organization that accompanied me, the organization that designed a tailored-made program for me. This year changed my life. Since then, I went back at least once a year and always, I have this feeling that I don’t have when I travel elsewhere in the world: I am here like at home. Isn’t it a very Jewish thing at the end of the day? For 2000 years, we wondered where our home was, and I feel I have two.
Who is your role model?
Two personalities come to my mind, David Ben Gurion, who is for me an example of determination and Yitzhak Rabin, a courageous man who managed to see and believe beyond what seemed to be the easier option.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself in a leadership position, whether in the Jewish community or in my political party, advocating for my vision of society. I want to fight for a better world by defending ideas, by debating, especially with those I disagree with. I want to understand their views and be part of those who will build a better place for the next generations, so that we can live in peace, tolerance, and democracy. This might seem naive but “we have no choice but to be optimistic”.
What is your advice for young Jews around the world who want to make a difference?
To make the difference, you need to be determined. To fight. You need to work hard. You need to be confident, but you also need to listen to others. You need to have the courage of your opinion, as David Susskind told us. You need to read and know history.
Another important learning I heard was the one taught to me by Baroness Regina Sluszny, the president of the Flemish Jews. Regina was a hidden child during the Holocaust, like my grandfather. She owes her life to a Flemish couple. They saved her, risking their own life. Regina told me the story and she ended by saying “they chose to be good. They chose good. Anyone, you, should do the same”. As simple as this might seem, nearly a year after she told me her story, there’s not a single week when I don’t think about it and I always try to choose the good.