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FIGHTING HATE, BUILDING UNITY: JCCV’S WORK THIS WEEK
TACKLING ANTISEMITISM IN SCHOOLS
The JCCV continues to support students and staff experiencing antisemitism in non-Jewish schools.
It is regrettable that this year already, the JCCV has worked with five non-Jewish schools – government and independent – to address antisemitism impacting Jewish staff or students.
The school leaders we work with are appalled by the behaviour and keen to improve the situation at their school. Some of the measures undertaken include:
- Student participation in age-appropriate education programs run by the highly regarded Courage to Care, Jewish Museum of Australia and Melbourne Holocaust Museum.
- Staff professional development via the JCCV’s Jewish Immersion Program.
- Displaying Israeli flags, alongside other national flags that are meaningful to the school community, in public locations in the school.
- Connecting school leaders with the relevant officials in the Department of Education to ensure they are aware of their obligations around reporting antisemitism.
The JCCV continues to work closely with the Department of Education to encourage and develop a proactive approach to preventing antisemitism.
POLICE UPDATE
The JCCV was updated by Victoria Police and the AFP this week on antisemitism investigations currently under way.
From Victoria Police, we followed up investigations relating to antisemitism at universities, incidents of offensive graffiti, conduct at pro-Palestinian protests and local neo-Nazi activity.
The AFP said the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team’s investigation into the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue is progressing, but details are tightly guarded to avoid prejudicing the outcome. We also received an update from the AFP on new Commonwealth laws, passed late last year, and how they can be used to prosecute those making antisemitic threats or violence.
We continue to urge police to ensure laws are upheld to protect every member of the Jewish community and to send a deterrent to any Victorian considering an act of anti-Jewish hate.
JEWISH LIFE IN ACTION
Well done to all who braved the pouring rain and wind last Sunday to attend In In One Voice. Thank you again to the organisers, Kadimah and SKIF, who did a marvellous job in very challenging conditions, and to the many Jewish organisations and their volunteers who set up stalls. Special mention to UJEB for dancing in the rain, literally!
Naomi Levin, JCCV CEO, attended the In One Voice reception, and had the opportunity to shmooze with community leaders and the many MPs from all sides who attended, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
And a final reminder, Underground: The Hidden Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto, at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum closes on March 30. The artefacts in this remarkable special exhibition are on display for the first time outside of Europe. If you have not yet had an opportunity to visit, I urge you to go in the final days before it closes.
