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FROM MEDIA INSIGHTS TO COMMUNITY STRENGTH
Exploring how we’re seen, welcoming new members, and pursuing justice.
Inside the headlines: Media panel at the JCCV Plenum
The media is a frequent topic of conversation around Shabbat dinner tables and in community Wh
atsapp groups. The way the Jewish community is depicted; the media coverage of Israel; the spokespeople that the media choose to represent the community – we all have a view on which media outlets
are doing a good job, and which are not.
This week at the JCCV’s Plenum, we brought together a media panel for an insiders’ view on how local newspapers, TV networks, radio stations and online channels report on local Jewish issues.
James Campbell, national weekend political editor for News Ltd papers, Julie Szego, freelance writer and former columnist at The Age and Elahn Zetlin, former video producer and editor at the ABC offered a peek into how local newsrooms are dealing with the complexities of reporting on Jewish topics. They highlighted challenges, such as limited understanding of Jewish organisations, the scarcity of Jewish voices in newsrooms, and the lack of prior engagement many journalists have with the community.
They also discussed the shift of most Australians to social media as their main source of news and the challenges this presents to fair reporting of complex issues
A strong community, a strong relationship
Like me, you were probably distressed when listening to the tit-for-tat comments between the Australian Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister, and Israel’s Prime Minister. The JCCV focuses on issues closer to home and did not get involved publicly in this challenging situation. I would urge all in our community to work together for a united Jewish community and a strong, long-lasting relationship between Australia and Israel.
Welcoming new voices: Expanding our cultural community
I am pleased to welcome two new member organisations to the JCCV family – Centre of Jewish Artists (COJA) and Melbourne Jewish Book Week.
Both organisations make significant contributions to our vibrant and active Jewish cultural life here in Melbourne. COJA supports Jewish artists, offers events and workshops and hosts a weekly youth collective for our young Jewish artists. Melbourne Jewish Book Week promotes all things Jewish and literary. If you find yourself at a loose end, I encourage you to watch one of their many fascinating interviews and talks on their website.
We are excited to expand our JCCV membership and continue to truly represent the diversity of our wonderful Jewish community.
Seeking justice: Progress on the Adass firebombing
We received news this week that a further arrest has been made in connection to the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing in December last year. We thank the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team for its continued commitment to finding those responsible for this dreadful attack.
This is the third arrest in relation to this terrible terrorist incident. While we welcome the arrests, we note that none of these individuals have been charged with terrorism-related offences. I have written to Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Counter-Terrorism Tess Walsh to seek further information on this point.
Council plan seeks solutions to disruption
Included in the City of Melbourne Draft Council Plan 2025-2029, which was just passed by 9 out of 11 councillors, was a proposal for City of Melbourne to advocate for an all-levels-of-government approach to establishing a protest framework. City of Melbourne is taking the lead in trying to bring councils, state and federal governments together to address the disruptive and divisive weekly protests that have brought our city to its knees and have led to Jewish Victorians avoiding the CBD altogether.
The draft plan is now open for community consultation and I urge as many people as possible to support this approach by clicking below.
