Community message
- Published
- Community Message
EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT
Standing together against hate.
A CLEAR MESSAGE
This week, while in the city, I dropped into Miznon for a meal to show my support to staff.
As I waited for my food, I was pleasantly surprised to see the tables filled with so many people I know from our community. But I have also heard reports that the Israeli restaurant has been filled with allies. This is how we must respond to haters – by showing them that they will not win and we will not go away.
I was relieved to hear this week that police have made multiple arrests after the violent attack on Miznon staff and diners on July 4. These arrests send a strong deterrent to the extremists in our society.
EAST MELBOURNE CONGREGATION STANDS STRONG
A personal thank you to all who generously donated to the JCCV in recent weeks. There is so much that we need to be doing to support our community – and with your help, we are doing it.
We continue to work with the Rabbi and President at East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation to help that amazing community to get back on its feet following the recent firebombing. We met with leaders of that congregation to find out what their needs are, and to connect them to help that is available. It will take time for the East Melbourne community to recover, but with Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, Rachel Gutnick, President Danny Segal and Jenny Segal at the helm, that community is in excellent hands.
JCCV ANTISEMITISM SUPPORT SERVICE
You may have seen that we have launched the JCCV Antisemitism Support Service.
The JCCV took the lead in setting up this service when community members started contacting us in greater and greater numbers seeking advice and guidance after witnessing antisemitism at schools, in the workplace and in the wider community.
The first step when witnessing or experiencing antisemitism is always to call 000 if you are in danger, then to report to CSG via their JEAP app or 1300 000 274. But many individuals feel unsure of how to navigate the next steps after an incident.
As well as partnering with CSG, we are proud to be working on this service with Jewish Care. One of the aims of this service is to direct community members to the supports already being offered by experienced service providers, such as Jewish Care.
Thanks to the support of the Besen Foundation, this service is available free of charge to all Jewish Victorians.
