Catholic and Jewish leaders unite to launch groundbreaking educational tool against antisemitism

In a powerful display of interfaith collaboration, Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) have unveiled a new educational resource aimed at equipping Catholic schools and communities with the tools to identify and counter antisemitic bullying.

The initiative, titled “Addressing Antisemitic Bullying: A Resource for Catholic Leadership and Formation,”features a compelling video dialogue between Catholic educators and prominent Jewish community leaders. Together, they share firsthand insights into the realities of antisemitic incidents and discuss effective strategies for prevention and response.

The resource is designed to spark informed conversations within Catholic networks—particularly at staff meetings, professional development sessions, and conferences—but is freely accessible to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of antisemitism and anti-bullying strategies.

Released amidst a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia since the October 7 global escalation of Middle East tensions, the creators clarified that the material was developed before those events and intentionally steers clear of political discourse. Instead, it focuses on core human dignity and the unique dimensions of antisemitic behavior that can be obscured in generic anti-bullying frameworks.

“To their credit, Catholic school principals are deeply committed to values of respect and inclusion,” said CRA President Br Gerard Brady CFC. “But what our Jewish colleagues help us appreciate is that not all bullying is the same. Antisemitic bullying has specific characteristics that need to be better understood and addressed.”

Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of ECAJ, emphasized the need for precision in how antisemitic behaviour is recognized and responded to. “Antisemitism has its own markers—just as Islamophobia or racism against First Nations peoples do. Without deeper awareness, incidents can slip through the cracks of well-intentioned but overly broad policies.”

The launch also marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the landmark Vatican II document that reshaped Catholic-Jewish relations and laid a foundation for greater interfaith understanding. Both organizations describe this project as a natural extension of that spirit of reconciliation and solidarity.

The full resource, including video and discussion guides, is available at:

https://www.catholicreligious.org.au/addressing-antisemitic-bullying