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A STORY THAT BEGAN 160 YEARS AGO
From Ballarat's Jewish past to the work of protecting our community today, plus updates on security, education and the Royal Commission.
Dear friends,
Back in time to the Golden Era
For more than 160 years, Ballarat has had a functioning synagogue and the JCCV is proud to count Ballarat Hebrew Congregation as a member.
In the mid-1800s, more than 1000 Jewish people lived in Ballarat and the city hosted a vibrant Jewish life. For those interested in learning more about Ballarat’s Jewish connections, a new permanent display has just opened at Ballarat Hebrew Congregation, curated by Esther Gyorki, a PhD candidate at Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation.
Police update
Over the next three years, the Australian Government will provide $40 million per year in security funding to the Australian Jewish community.
These funds are administered by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which this week provided an update on the progress of allocating those funds.
Applications were received from 187 organisations from around Australia, with a total of $88 million of security upgrades sought. According to Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of the ECAJ: “there will be insufficient funds to meet 100% of the security costs requested by all eligible Jewish organisations. The assessment process will endeavour to ensure that the highest-priority security risks are addressed within the available funding, and that the security benefit to the community overall is maximised.”
Successful applicants will be notified of their allocations towards the end of July.
Security funding update
Over the next three years, the Australian Government will provide $40 million per year in security funding to the Australian Jewish community.
These funds are administered by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which this week provided an update on the progress of allocating those funds.
Applications were received from 187 organisations from around Australia, with a total of $88 million of security upgrades sought. According to Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of the ECAJ: “there will be insufficient funds to meet 100% of the security costs requested by all eligible Jewish organisations. The assessment process will endeavour to ensure that the highest-priority security risks are addressed within the available funding, and that the security benefit to the community overall is maximised.”
Successful applicants will be notified of their allocations towards the end of July.
Antisemitism education taskforce update
This week, David Gonski AC, chair of the Antisemitism Education Taskforce, provided an update on work undertaken in the first half of 2026.
The Antisemitism Education Taskforce was established by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in December 2025, following the Bondi attack. Its objective is to drive the implementation of education recommendations made by Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. Its focus is all education and training, from early childhood to universities and TAFEs.
Among the projects outlined were the launch of the Social Cohesion Hub to provide free and quality-assured resources to help teachers address antisemitism, racism and strengthen social cohesion.
Work is also underway on a focused review of the Australian school curriculum to help identify and prevent antisemitism. At a university level, there is work being undertaken to develop guidelines for Commonwealth research grant recipients to avoid supporting research that amplifies or exacerbates antisemitism.
The taskforce has published a midpoint update:
Addressing antisemitism in healthcare
I wrote to Justin Untersteiner, the CEO of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), to welcome AHPRA’s commitment to eliminate antisemitism in healthcare in Australia.
AHPRA has taken a number of positive steps towards this goal, including working with Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal; adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism to assist in addressing antisemitism; and partnering with Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation to support research that provides answers on combatting antisemitism in hospitals.
AHPRA’s stance shows true leadership and commitment to health equality for all Australians.
Royal Commission updates
Two individuals very well known to many of us bravely gave evidence this week as the Royal Commission heard about the prevalence of antisemitism online.
Israel-Australian author Dr Lee Kofman, whose most recent work Ruptured: Jewish Women in Australia Reflect on Life Post-October 7, told the Royal Commission about being actively isolated by her non-Jewish colleagues and peers in recent years. These same colleagues signed one-sided open letters that failed to express any empathy for the victims of October 7.
Macnamara MP Josh Burns also provided evidence outlining the online antisemitic attacks against his non-Jewish partner and against his baby daughter. A member of the Government, Josh called for the continued strengthening of online safety laws.
Another significant witness this week was Julie Inman-Grant, Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner, who noted the many obstacles her organisation faces, including lawless global social media companies, limited local laws, budget constraints, when trying to keep Australians safe online. “We’re here to help people and I just want to acknowledge I know that … so many in the Jewish community have been suffering and I’m really sorry about the shortcomings of the scheme when we haven’t been able to help,” she told the Commission.
Thank you
Before I close, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the JCCV’s End of Financial Year Appeal.
The work you read about each week, whether supporting individuals, advocating with government, educating organisations or strengthening our community, is only possible because people choose to invest in it. Thank you for your generosity, your trust and your commitment to a strong Jewish future in Victoria.
Help available
It has been another heavy week for many in our community, but help is available and there is no shame in asking for it. Jewish Care has launched a revamped mental health and wellbeing program. It is free and no referral is needed.
You can call directly (03) 8517 5555 or fill in an online form and the team will be in touch.
