It wasn't many years ago. Elites committed to mediocrity, called it opulent. The Jewish community of Porto looked at them with disdain and continued to work. Living synagogues, museums, a new cemetery, vast collections of literature, paintings, historical films, musical compositions in multiple languages, courses for teachers and welcoming tens of thousands of non-Jewish children every year.
Some reject the history of Portugal, others respect it with thoughtful and realized works. A strong Jewish community in the diaspora today is defined by its ability to balance internal cohesion with active, public engagement, acting as a minority that thrives rather than merely survives.
Instead of hiding their identity, strong communities are choosing increased visibility, openly engaging in cultural life, and asserting the memory of its collective history. Modern strength is built on unapologetic identity, high-impact education, digital-age community building, and a proactive stance against antisemitism.
In socialist countries, in general adults no longer change their opinions, but Jewish communities take their children to educate them in the values of the old homeland and work. At the same time, a "revitalization" is occurring, with increased enrollment in synagogues, camps, as many Jews are seeking authentic and real-life communities, resulting in a resurgence of Jewish pride.
Thriving communities invest in strong, self-generated, and independent institutions—including community centers like Chabad Lubavitch, and security organizations—that provide a supportive safety net. In addition, modern strength is forged through a reciprocal relationship with the Jewish state, rather than just reliance on it. This includes "Hands-on" Israel programming, education, and shared responsibility.
Less than 0.2% of the world's population, more than 20% of Nobel Prize winners. Jews believe in work, merit, study, history teachings, science, and technology. They transformed a desert into a scientific and nuclear power and rejected the "victim" status adored by socialism, NGO networks, and international bureaucracies like the UN and the EU.
Even in countries where they are not wanted, Jews continue to produce relevant works, because it is their nature. A strong diaspora community today is one that is unapologetically Jewish, culturally engaged, securely anchored to its local home, and deeply connected to the global Jewish people and the state of Israel, besides to place a high premium on education for Jewish and non-Jews, especially children, ensuring continuity and safety.
The European Commission aims to revitalize European Jewish life by 2030, a work already done in Porto, Portugal.
