From 16 to 19 October 2025, the Jewish Community of Montenegro hosted the 12th International MAHAR Conference in Budva, bringing together around 400 participants from Montenegro, the wider region, Israel, Europe and the United States. Held under the theme “Women in Judaism,” the conference once again confirmed MAHAR’s role as one of the most important annual gatherings for Jewish communities in Southeast Europe and beyond
The conference opened with addresses from prominent community and institutional leaders, including Nina Ofner Bokan, President of the Jewish Community of Montenegro; H.E. Avivit Bar-Ilan, Ambassador of Israel to Serbia and Montenegro; representatives of the European Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress; and Dr Budimir Aleksić, Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro. Their remarks underscored the importance of Jewish continuity, dialogue, and the central role of women in sustaining Jewish life.
Over three days, panels and lectures explored women’s roles in Judaism from historical, religious, philosophical, cultural, and contemporary perspectives. Speakers included journalists, academics, artists, community leaders, security experts, and educators, who examined themes ranging from women’s leadership and education to memory, resistance, ethics, and identity. A special exhibition, “Iron Heroines,” dedicated to Israeli women who showed extraordinary courage on 7 October 2023, complemented the programme and remained open throughout the conference.
The MAHAR Conference also maintained its strong communal and multigenerational character. Shabbat services and a festive dinner, cultural programming, children’s workshops, and youth activities organised with BBYO reinforced the conference’s emphasis on continuity, education, and family life. The screening of Where Is Anne Frank and a closing musical performance further highlighted the power of culture and art in preserving memory and fostering empathy.
MAHAR 2025 concluded as more than a conference: it was a shared space for reflection, learning, and connection. By centring the theme of Women in Judaism, it highlighted the enduring importance of women’s voices in shaping Jewish identity, safeguarding heritage, and strengthening communities.
