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JUSTICE, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY
This week I reflect on justice, new beginnings in Victorian leadership, and why engagement remains one of our community's greatest strengths.
Dear friends,
The wheels of justice turn
The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they do turn.
This week, Kazem Hamad, the suspected mastermind of the 2024 Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing and a dangerous international criminal, was jailed for life in Iraq.
Earlier this year, the Australian Federal Police announced it had been providing relevant operational information to Iraqi authorities that related to crimes that Hamad or his syndicate had committed or directed in Australia.
It is so important that those who do harm against our community face the full force of the law. The JCCV will continue to advocate for justice for all Jewish Victorians.
New Premier of Victoria
I was fortunate to have a quick conversation this week with Victoria’s new Premier Ben Carroll.
Premier Carroll is well known to many in our Jewish community and a regular attendee at community events, including, most recently, the Parliamentary Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations, where JCCV CEO Naomi Levin had a meaningful conversation with the then Deputy Premier and Education Minister about the work being done to combat antisemitism in Victorian schools.
We thank former Premier Jacinta Allan for her open door and listening ear throughout her time as the state’s leader. She also leaves the role having legislated much stronger anti-hate laws and overseeing a complete reform of the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Royal Commission updates
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has addressed several key areas this week during its public hearings.
On Monday, the investigation into Jewish community security continued.
On Tuesday, antisemitism training in the public service and the Department of Home Affairs’ visa decisions were in the spotlight.
On Wednesday, the focus was on antisemitism in the healthcare sector.
On Thursday, the Commissioner heard about ways to educate against hate and antisemitism.
On Friday, the Royal Commission’s attention turned to the arts and creative sector
I want to make two comments on the Royal Commission this week:
- We must remember that, as well as hearing the evidence during the public hearings, the Royal Commission team continues to comb through the 20,000 written submissions it received. Many of these will include additional, useful information that the Commissioner will have an opportunity to consider in her final report.
- A number of leaders from Jewish organisations gave evidence during this week’s hearings. What was noteworthy is that a number of these leaders are not Jewish themselves. I would especially like to call out the CEOs of two JCCV member organisations, Mike Zervos OAM, CEO of Courage to Care, and Dr Breann Fallon, CEO of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, for their courageous and eloquent evidence this week.
There are many ways to keep up to date with the progress of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
- Watch hearings live or review transcripts – ASC
- Keep-up-to-date during the hearings – AJN
- Watch clips from evidence – @ecajoz on Instagram
- Read summaries of each hearing block – ShareYourStory
Your questions, answered
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is one of the most significant inquiries our community has participated in.
I encourage you to join us at the JCCV’s August Plenum, where we will hear directly from Rebecca Carpenter, Head of Engagement for the Royal Commission. Rebecca will provide an update on the Commission’s work, its engagement with the Jewish community, and what comes next as it progresses towards its final report.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Whether you have been following the hearings closely or are looking to better understand the Commission’s work, I hope you will join us for what promises to be an important and informative discussion.
Community engagement
A few updates on JCCV activities this week:
- The Victorian Small Business Commission participated in the JCCV’s Jewish Immersion Program.
- JCCV board members Rabbi Ralph Genende OAM, Natalie Gunn, and JCCV staff member Sebastian Inwentarz represented the Jewish community at the inaugural Jewish-Hindu Leadership Initiative meeting. The first meeting covered strategy and future plans.
- Naomi Levin met with the newly arrived US Consul General Colin Crosby at a reception for the United States 250th anniversary.
- Naomi, together with Nicky Chung, CEO of the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA), joined a dancing class at the AVWA community centre in Springvale.
