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PESACH PRICES, HATE LAWS & YOUR LOCAL ELECTION FORUM
PESACH PREPERATIONS
So many of us have been immersed in Pesach shopping and preparations this week. I am sure you have noticed, but the price of Pesach groceries is eyewatering. I urge you to shop around for Pesach supplies and if you need help, ask.
The Social Blueprint has links to services available to our community. I know that this time of year are very challenging for some families. On the other hand, if you can, this Pesach please support the JCCV member organisations doing remarkable work to help those in our community who need it:
HATE CRIMES LAWS PASS
This week, I was pleased to see the Victorian Parliament pass new anti-hate laws.
For years, the JCCV had been advocating for stronger hate crime laws in Victoria. This took on a new urgency after October 7 with the explosion of antisemitism on our streets. I called for action, not just words, in response.
The passage of these new laws hopefully signals a new era in Victoria where those who are undermining our social cohesion face consequences for their destructive actions.
We will work with our Jewish community and with Victoria Police to ensure the laws help Jews to live in safety and peace.
GOLDSTEIN DEBATE
Photo credit: KV Photography
The JCCV hosted a Jewish community forum in Goldstein featuring Zoe Daniel MP (Independent) and Tim Wilson (Liberal), in partnership with Zionism Victoria, ECAJ, AIJAC, ZFA and the Australian Jewish News.
It was a wide-ranging discussion, below is some snippets of the candidates’ comments on topics on our minds:
On Antisemitism
Zoe Daniel – “Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, and on the street, and at school … my entire focus has been to push the Government to do things to improve the safety of the community.”
Tim Wilson – “Frankly it has been the silence of our leaders that has angered me.”
On Zionism
Zoe Daniel – “The term ‘Zionist’ has been twisted into something that it isn’t and I don’t think that is appropriate.”
Tim Wilson – “All my adult life I have described myself as Zionist or pro-Zionist.”
On Israel
Zoe Daniel – “People will have conflicting views about war, but our focus should be here in Australia and here in our community.”
Tim Wilson – “We will make it clear that Israel is Australia’s ally. And there is no moral equivalence between a liberal democracy … and the actions of a terrorist organisation that has no moral qualms taking children from the arms of their mothers.”
On preferences
Zoe Daniel – “I don’t direct preferences. I run on an open ticket. I will ask only that people give me their number one and number every box.”
We will host a similar forum in Macnamara on Wednesday, April 9.
