Community message
- Published
- Community Message
WHAT I SAW THIS WEEK GAVE ME HOPE
From North Melbourne Football Club to Shavuot and community resilience.
Dear friends,
Shavuot
There is nothing more important to the Jewish people than the Torah – the Five Books of Moses.
This week, the festival of Shavuot provides an opportunity for us to reconnect with the stories, the lore and the lessons of the Torah.
I hope to see you at one of the dozens of planning community Tikkun Leil, Shavuot learning, events. Our shules will welcome speakers from all walks of life, all enjoyed with a plate of cheesecake.
North Melbourne Football Club Jewish Immersion Program
North Melbourne Football Club was the first AFL club to participate in the JCCV’s Jewish Immersion Program as part of the JCCV’s Educate 10,000 initiative.
I was lucky enough to join around 80 club staff, including CEO Jennifer Watt and senior coach Alastair Clarkson, to engage in meaningful conversations about Jewish identity, culture and traditions, as well as antisemitism in Australia today.
What stood out to me was the genuine willingness to listen to and learn about these issues. We also explored the role all of us can play in standing against hate and building communities where everyone feels safe and respected.
I want to sincerely thank North Melbourne Football Club for its leadership and for turning support into action. It truly matters to our community.
Budget update
In this week’s Federal Budget, an additional $22 million over three years was provided in security funding for the Australian Jewish community. These funds are a top up on the $102 million already provided to support the growing security expenses that the community has been forced to absorb through security levies and operational budgets.
Organisations looking for assistance to cover security costs can contact the JCCV office for information about accessing funding.
In the recent Victorian Budget, $3.4 million was allocated to “community-led projects to fight racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia”. The funding is yet to be allocated to specific projects, but the JCCV will work together with the Victorian Government to ensure the funds are best directed toward evidence-based, community-led actions.
Royal Commission update
This week marked the conclusion of the first block of public hearings for the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
Rabbi Daniel Rabin, senior rabbi of Caulfield Hebrew Congregation; B’nai B’rith Victoria Vice President Emeritus Professor Andrew Markus and Melbourne-based artist Deborah Conway were among the witnesses to appear before the Royal Commission this week.
Rabbi Rabin told the Royal Commission of the antisemitic calls made to his synagogue:
“The person on the end of the line would say “you guys are baby killers,” he said. “I can't think of anything more grotesque to say about a person then that they actively want to go and kill babies. “It's actually mind boggling that they are accusing us of that and then calling our synagogue to say that about us.
While the JCCV has not been called to give evidence yet, our organisation has been called on to submit a large amount of data, reports and information to assist the Royal Commission.
Share Your Story
The courage of those who have shared their experiences has helped paint an important picture of the antisemitism that our community has been facing. There is still time for your voice to be heard. Submissions close on 14 June 2026.
Community safety
The JCCV, together with CSG, continues to work closely with Victoria Police to address any potential threats facing our Jewish community.
We met with the new Inspector of Victoria Police’s Priority and Safer Communities Division Andrew Markakis to ensure that both police and community leaders remain well informed and connected. The terrorist alert level in Australia remains at probable. Among the issues raised were the return of foreign fighters from territory formerly held by Islamic State in Syria. We received assurance that police are monitoring the returnees closely.
JCCV Engagement: City of Glen Eira
The City of Glen Eira is set to become the first Victorian local council to develop an Antisemitism Strategy, following a motion sponsored by Councillor Margaret Esakoff and passed in November 2025.
The JCCV has been working hand in hand with the City of Glen Eira to help develop a fit-for-purpose approach for council and residents. This week, JCCV’s Sebastian Inwentarz participated in a workshop to help further shape the strategy.
I want to acknowledge the extensive engagement being undertaken by the City of Glen Eira with the Jewish community throughout this process. This work reflects the value of partnership and the importance of local leadership in responding thoughtfully to antisemitism.
Have your say: crisis preparedness
Join us on Monday, 1 June 2026 for the next JCCV Plenum, where we will come together to discuss one of the most important questions facing our community: how do we prepare for crisis and strengthen community resilience?
The Chanukah attack at Bondi Beach and the impact that has had on the Sydney Jewish community underscored the importance of effective crisis planning.
This conversation will be an opportunity for JCCV member organisations and community members to participate in crisis preparedness discussions.
The Plenum will also include an overview of work being currently undertaken by Jewish Community Crisis Management (JCCM), with learnings drawn from the NSW Jewish community’s experience following the Chanukah attack at Bondi Beach.
I encourage you to register and be part of this important community conversation.
