Community message
- Published April 7 2024
- Community Message
Community message from JCCV President, Philip Zajac.
DISPATCHES FROM ISRAEL
I have been lucky enough to spend time this week in Israel and it has been an emotional time.
Witnessing what we took place on October 7 in the Gaza envelope was truly horrific. For me, it’s something I will never be able to unsee. I have tried to document what I have seen, please take a look at the video below.
If there is one upshot of the situation, it is that the people of Israel are remarkably resilient.
There is a paradox here. You have remarkably resilient people, but also a country that remains in a state of deep grief and mourning. There is strength and there is sorrow.
In our time here, we have moved from one tragic site to the next: the site of the Nova music festival, the settlements near the Gaza border, and so on. You think there is no way it can possibly get worse. But each time you move to another spot, it gets worse.
I have held many meetings during my time here. I spent time with an organisation called Brothers in Arms, which has around 15,000 volunteers. Brothers in Arms have stepped in to support Israel’s tens of thousands of displaced citizens – families, the elderly – who have had to move from the Gaza border area and Israel’s north into safer areas. Brothers in Arms are providing clothing, transport, education, and other support. It’s just incredible the work that these people have been doing.
We visited the home of Rachel Edri, who was a survivor of the Battle of Ofakim. It’s an amazing story about how the terrorists invaded her home and she ended up feeding them. In fact, there’s a recipe online for her cookies.
We spoke to a 25-year-old female helicopter pilot. On the morning of October 7, she was speaking to her grandmother. She later found out that her grandmother had been subsequently killed by Hamas. What is this young girl supposed to do? We just cannot comprehend the loss here.
On a different note, last Shabbat, the weather changed and Summer started in Tel Aviv. The beaches were full. The tayelet (esplanade) was full. People were out and about. Yes, this is a country at war, but to survive, the people know they need to get on with their lives.
While suffering, they’re still doing what they enjoy. We need to take a leaf out of the book of the Israelis and continue to live our lives. We cannot live in fear.
The people of Israel are working together to make Israel strong again. The people of Melbourne are working together to have a united Melbourne. We are all in this together and we can only win this battle if we work collectively.
BACK IN MELBOURNE
JCCV work has continued in my absence in Melbourne.
VICTORIA POLICE
This week, CEO Naomi Levin joined other Jewish community leaders in a meeting with Victoria’s most senior police, including Chief Commissioner Shane Patton. The group discussed the continuing feeling of insecurity and intimidation for many Jewish Victorians; the lack of information being provided by Victoria Police regarding incidents involving Jewish people; and the need for stronger laws to help police hold to account those seeking to harm Jewish people.
Chief Commissioner Patton listened attentively, Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson explained the police response to a range of situations, and there were a number of action points that police leadership agreed would be pursued.
MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL
Also this week, Naomi, JCCV Community Engagement Manager Joshua Goodman and East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Rabbi Dovid Gutnick hosted incoming Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece, and City of Melbourne Councillors Roshena Campbell and Kevin Louey. Rabbi Gutnick told them of the work he is doing with other faith leaders in East Melbourne, and they were briefed by AIJAC’s Joel Burnie, who has also recently spent time in Israel. Nicholas, Roshena and Kevin are great supporters of our community. They certainly share our frustration at the ongoing, hostile and threatening demonstrations that continue to block up our CBD each Sunday.
The JCCV also learned that the City of Melbourne has introduced a new initiative to remove offensive graffiti within an hour. Workers, residents and visitors to the CBD are asked to report offensive graffiti in the City of Melbourne via the fast track phone line: (03) 9658 9658.
The three councillors expressed deep gratitude to the many Jewish community members who shared personal and emotive letters and emails with councillors ahead of February’s ceasefire vote.
ANTISEMITISM AND THE LAW IN VICTORIA
Finally, a reminder, please register ASAP for the JCCV’s upcoming forum on Antisemitism and the Law in Victoria. This forum will feature a panel of experts, human rights expert Professor Melissa Castan, discrimination barrister Rachel Walsh and Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert.
COMMUNITY KOVED
This weeks’ Community Koved goes to David Southwick MP, for his tireless work for the entire Jewish Community. David, a proud Jew and Zionist, recently stood in Parliament and called on the government to do more when it came to hate and that there was a need to strengthen racial and religious tolerance laws.
Thank you David for your commitment and determination!
Please send your nominations for Community Koved to community@jccv.org.au
For media inquiries, please contact the JCCV on +61 3 9272 5566 or email community@jccv.org.au
