Community message
- Published January 28 2024
- Community Message
Community message from JCCV President, Philip Zajac.
REFLECTING ON AUSTRALIA DAY
Australia Day has become a day for reflection. In our community , we are all newcomers to this ancient land. For so many of us, Australia is where our families came to escape persecution and live full, active Jewish lives.
However, in recent months, many of us have questioned whether Australia is the land of blessings we thought it was.
I want to reassure you that while there are some Australians who seek to frighten us, harass us and possibly even do us harm, they are a minority. This minority has been brainwashed by sophisticated propaganda and can no longer hide their deep-seated, irrational hatred of Jews. Fortunately, our governments, police and large institutions, on the whole, are working with us to keep Australia as a safehaven for Jews, and all people.
It is my job, as a community leader, to continue to advocate for our community to continue fully and safely participating in Australian life. This Australia Day, that is what I commit to.
I would also like to wish a hearty mazal tov to the many Jewish Victorians recognised with Australia Day honours, including the JCCV’s own board member Frank Greenstein OAM.
LOCAL COUNCILS
The JCCV continues to engage with local councils across Victoria to help them understand that misinformed motions on Gaza are leaving Jewish residents, workers and business owners feeling vulnerable.
We were heartened this week by the strong statements delivered by councillors in the City of Greater Dandenong. Most councillors recognised that a radical statement on Gaza was divisive and unwanted by the broader community.
The JCCV has worked or is continuing to work with councillors at the following local councils:
- Banyule
- Bayside
- Boroondara
- Darebin
- Glen Eira
- Greater Dandenong
- Hobsons Bay
- Melbourne
- Merri-Bek
- Monash
- Port Phillip
- Stonnington
- Yarra
BACK TO SCHOOL
School begins this week for most students. We wish all students a successful and happy year.
The JCCV continues to engage regularly with the Victorian Department of Education to ensure Jewish students and staff in government schools are safe from all forms of antisemitism.
We are also aware that there is a fringe group of local teachers seeking to inappropriately spread their opinions on the Hamas-Israel conflict in the classroom, staff room or school yard. If you have any concerns about this type of activity at your school, please contact the JCCV office on 03 9262 5566 or community@jccv.org.au and we can provide advice on how to address it.
We have received feedback from some parents of students at Jewish schools that they are anxious about their children’s safety as they return to school. Please contact your school for specific advice, but CSG advises students, particularly those who use public transport to:
- Be aware of surroundings;
- If alone, don’t walk while using ear buds, texting or doing anything else that may stop them from hearing traffic or distracting your attention;
- Trust their gut and move away from a situation as quickly as possible if they feel something is wrong.
Parents are also encouraged to download the Jewish Emergency App [JEAP] and ask their children to do the same. CSG, Hatzolah and Victoria Police can all be notified quickly and easily via the app.
For media inquiries, please contact the JCCV on +61 3 9272 5566 or email community@jccv.org.au
