Community message
- Published August 18 2024
- Community Message
Community message from JCCV President, Philip Zajac.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
I was privileged to be able to welcome Jillian Segal AO, Australia’s first Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, to give her first public address since her appointment.
The JCCV hosted Jillian at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, together with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ).
Jillian explained her plans for the role. One of her first projects will be surveying non-Jewish Australians on their perceptions of Jewish people and antisemitism in order to establish a baseline to measure future activity.
She also explained that she wants to strongly encourage Jewish people to reach out to their non-Jewish friends and colleagues to break down barriers and talk to them about Jewish heritage, faith and the current challenges we face.
Jillian has hit the ground running and her office has already conducted dozens of interviews with university students and staff to inform her submission to the Senate’s inquiry into the Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024.
Jillian has also invited any community members with information or ideas to contact her office on aseca@homeaffairs.gov.au.
On the same evening, ECAJ co-CEO Alex Ryvchin presented his book The Seven Deadly Myths: Antisemitism from the time of Christ to Kanye West, putting the current situation in its historical context.
Alex gave a remarkable presentation and, while it was at times alarming, he reminded us that we come from a long line of brave and courageous Jewish people who have faced great challenges but always pulled through.
The JCCV has a limited number of books available for purchase, please email community@jccv.org.au if you would like a copy.
The JCCV continues to spend time with Victorians of all faith backgrounds, helping them to better know and understand Jewish people.
Last Shabbat, JCCV CEO Naomi Levin attended the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation Interfaith Shabbat and met with representatives from diverse communities. All had a chance to enjoy the magnificent Shabbat choir, hear Rabbi Yaakov Glasman’s words of reflection from the pulpit, and then listen to the wisdom of Anglican Archbishop Philip Freier over kiddush. Kol hakavod to St Kilda Hebrew Congregation for hosting this important event.
Naomi also led a discussion about the local Jewish community at the Whitehorse Interfaith Network on Tuesday with participants from the Sikh, Hindu, Ba’hai, Christian and secular Chinese communities. She said there was a lot of empathy and a real desire to learn in the room.
The JCCV has plans to work with Jewish organisations and individuals to ensure the many interfaith and intercultural community groups around Victoria have Jewish participants or representatives.
I met with Police Minister Anthony Carbines this week. As we head towards the High Holy Days and the first anniversary of the October 7 tragedy, our community needs assurances that we are safe and can feel safe.
Minister Carbines was keen to learn more about the Victorian Antisemitism Report and the follow up research being undertaken by the JCCV and CSG. He also updated us on some of his discussions with Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes.
The JCCV will be hosting a community presentation on the Victorian Antisemitism Report on Monday August 26. Please register now.