The councillors had previously taken part in JCCV’s Jewish Immersion Program, and so the forum’s aim was to deepen the councillor’s knowledge of the Jewish community and help them understanding the challenges currently facing our community locally.

JCCV President Philip Zajac, Vice President Hayley Southwick and executive member Alissa Woolf all attended to answer questions and provide insights to councillors.

Naomi Levin, JCCV CEO, took the opportunity to share a few powerful stories, illustrating the community’s relationship to Israel.

“Using personal stories, we helped councillors understand that Zionism means the Jewish people’s unbreakable connection to Israel,” she said. “Explaining the reality of Zionism is essential as the concept has been hijacked.”

Councillors participated in a fascinating conversation, sharing their own experiences in dealing with the aftermath of October 7, discussing the letter campaigns and demands from different interest groups. They felt that the convergence of the cost-of-living crises, binary thinking, social media, and other societal pressures post-covid had created a fertile bed for conspiracy theories on the left and the right, both of which pull from antisemitic ideas. Councillors agreed that social harmony for their communities is more important than ever.

When asked what more they can do moving forward, Levin discussed some tangible actions local councils could take.

Key messages conveyed to the councillors were that our community needs the help of local leaders to ensure Victoria remains a safe place for Jewish people to live in and a place where we can express our identity without fear. In addition, there was a need to bring back nuance into the way we speak about sensitive issues, especially ones that are complex and affect the safety of community members.

“The councillors – who came from across the political spectrum – all engaged with goodwill and authenticity,” Zajac said. “The JCCV will continue working closely with councillors across Victoria to ensure they understand the lived experience of their Jewish residents and business owners.”

“It is only through dialogue and education that we can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for Jewish Victorians.”