Community message
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- Community Message
WHEN 350 BOYS TOOK A STAND AGAINST HATE
Inspiring moments of allyship, interfaith unity, and community resilience across Victoria
FRIENDS AND ALLIES
Recently, the JCCV office was sent a heavy envelope that contained a large petition. The petition was the initiative of some student leaders at Xavier College, a Catholic school in Kew.
It said:
We at Xavier College, along with many others, have been deeply saddened and appalled by the recent rise in antisemitic attacks … The thoughts and prayers of the students and staff at Xavier College are with you throughout this time of grief.
It was signed by more than 350 school boys.
Naomi Levin, JCCV CEO, attended a school assembly at Xavier College to thank these boys for their courage and allyship.
She said:
It is true that the Jewish community here in Victoria has had a rough time recently, but we are a resilient and strong community. Our resilience comes from 2000+ years of Jewish history, from the knowledge that we have risen about persecution in the past and can do it again. That strength comes from knowing that people like you, have our backs. That there is a group of boys here at Xavier College – and others across our community – who have built a bridge to the local Jewish community and invited us to take your hand.
This week, Naomi, together with other Jewish community representatives, also met with Hindu friends at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Albert Park.
This was another powerful meeting of allies who have so much in common: we love Australia, we are passionate about our community and our faith, and we want to see social cohesion strengthened here in Melbourne.
This visit followed an earlier one hosted by Rabbi Ralph Genende at Jewish Care. We are learning more about each other’s traditions and practices and building meaningful relationships.
POLICE UPDATES
Jewish community leaders from around the country were briefed by the Australian Federal Police on the progress of Special Operation Avalite. Avalite was launched in late 2024 by then-Attorney General Mark Dreyfus to investigate threats, violences and hatred towards Jewish Australians.
The AFP, together with its partners at Victoria Police and ASIO, continues to prioritise the investigation into the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6. We were updated on progress in that investigation following the recent publication of CCTV footage of the attack.
We continue to urge police to act as swiftly as possible to remove the culprits of the firebombing off the streets.
We also received updates from Victoria Police on progress into the investigation of neo-Nazi activity outside an early election centre in Kew last month. The JCCV continues to work closely with police on this matter.
FRESH FACES
Finally, it was great to see so many Jewish community professionals and lay leaders at the JCCV’s members-only Coffee and Chat this week.
Thanks to our panellists (pictured) Ginette Searle, interim CEO of Zionism Victoria; Shari Cohen, general manager of Maccabi Victoria; and Itzik Sztokman, principal of UJEB, who led a discussion on how organisations can increase their reach and engagement. And thank you to all the JCCV member organisations that participated.
