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Measuring Commitment: A Reflection from the Spain National Report Card

20/03/2026

In Spain, the story of Jewish life is one of presence, rupture and renewal. From the rich legacy of Sepharad to the expulsion of 1492, and the gradual re-emergence of Jewish communities in modern times, this history reminds us that Jewish life is never a given. It is something that must be actively sustained through memory, responsibility and the conditions that allow it to flourish.

Fostering Jewish life today, therefore, requires more than symbolic commitments. It relies on sustained public action and the ability to assess where progress has been made and where more work has to be done. Within the NOA – Networks Overcoming Antisemitism project, the National Report Cards were created precisely for this purpose: to provide a clearer picture of how governments across Europe are addressing antisemitism and supporting Jewish life.

These questions came into focus at a conference held in Madrid, where policymakers, researchers, Jewish organisations and civil society actors gathered at Centro Sefarad-Israel to discuss the findings of the Spain National Report Card.

Among the speakers was Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, who emphasised that creating the conditions for Jewish life to flourish requires coordinated action and long-term political commitment. Opening the conference, François Moyse, president of our partner organisation AEPJ, highlighted the role of Jewish culture and heritage as drivers of dialogue and social development, recalling Spain’s longstanding contribution to European cooperation in this field.

The report itself presents a mixed picture. While awareness of antisemitism has increased and new initiatives have emerged, important gaps remain in areas such as monitoring antisemitic incidents, expanding education about Jewish history and antisemitism, and improving coordination between national authorities, regional institutions and civil society.

In the Ladino song La rosa enflorece, a rose blooms again with the coming of spring. The image resonates deeply with the history of Jewish life in Spain: a tradition that, despite rupture and absence, finds ways to take root again. But like any living thing, it requires care, attention and the right conditions to grow.

As emphasised in the Guidelines for Fostering Jewish Life, building inclusive societies requires engagement across many sectors. By offering a structured assessment of policies and initiatives, the National Report Cards help turn commitment into concrete action, ensuring that fostering Jewish life becomes a shared responsibility across Europe.