New community centre for Perth
The Western Australian government will provide $ 6million to match a further $6million from the Federal Government to build a new Jewish community centre in Perth.
Marc Adonis, Tony Tate, Sol Majteles, President Holocaust Institute of WA, Simon Millman MLA, member for Mt Lawley, Ben Wyatt MLA, WA Treasurer, Ian Green, Justine Shabarnee, President Maccabi WA, Malcolm Lemer, President Jewish Community Centre, John Schaffer, Jonathan Silbert, David Karotkin, Project Architect.
Private donations of $3 million will assure the $15 million cost of the new centre.
The new project will replace the one in the suburb of Yokine built almost seventy years ago and currently run by Maccabi Western Australia.
The new centre will house a world-class Holocaust education centre incorporating a permanent memorial to the Aboriginal activist William Cooper who led a protest against the Nazis treatment of the Jews in 1938.
It will also be a hub for communal organisations and provide a space for youth and a day care centre.
Artist’s impression
WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt said: “The plan to redevelop the site will not only ensure the community has a suitable place to gather for decades to come but importantly will include a new world-class Holocaust education centre.
I’m heartened that included in the plans for the Holocaust education centre is a memorial to Aboriginal social justice activist William Cooper who led a historic protest against the Nazis’ mistreatment of Jewish people in 1938.”
Local State MP Simon Millman was impressed with the plans for Holocaust education. He said: “The Holocaust has become a byword for the horrendous inhumanity which can result from racial hatred and religious bigotry.
We remember the Shoah as a specific – but by no means the only – example of antisemitism that too frequently characterised the relationship between Jews and gentiles in Europe.
Learning about the Shoah reminds us all of the threat of authoritarianism, the risk of dehumanisation, and the terrible consequences that can flow when we give bigotry a free pass.
I am grateful to be a member of the McGowan team that is ensuring our terrific local community organisations have the facilities they deserve.”
Tony Tate told J-Wire: “We will set up temporary accommodation to ensure that the tenants at the Centre are not disrupted during the construction.
