Direction set for Jewish and First Nations communities to walk together
The Victorian Jewish community is engaging with First Nations communities in a range of ways, but there is more that could be done.
Daniel Aghion
Those are the findings of a comprehensive research report completed by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV)’s Walk Together Project Team.
The team, working together with Karen Milward, Aboriginal Cultural Consultant and Yorta Yorta woman, sought to find out about current activities involving local Jewish and First Nations organisations and then provide recommendations on how the Victorian Jewish community could take steps towards Reconciliation with First Nations Victorians.
“I am very pleased to learn that there are 19 JCCV affiliate organisations, including Jewish schools, museums, synagogues and others, engaged in activities to build connections between Jewish and First Nations people,” JCCV President Daniel Aghion KC said.
“It is also positive that many are seeking to do more in this space, to learn from local elders, to create Reconciliation Action Plans and to build ongoing relationships.”
The Walk Together Project Team, led by Miriam Bass, Lee Ann Basser and Joy Lobo, undertook a survey of JCCV affiliates to find out what activities they were currently undertaking with First Nations. These surveys were followed by consultations with both the survey respondents and also local First Nations organisations.
Findings of the survey indicated that there was great enthusiasm for engagement that is culturally sensitive, particularly among Jewish youth, but also, that some Jewish organisations see First Nations engagement as outside their purpose.
“In receiving this report, on behalf of the JCCV, I note that one of the findings is that meaningful engagement with First Nations communities takes time. One-off connections, such as getting an Indigenous leader to speak at an event, is not enough to progress relationships between Jewish and First Nations Victorians,” Aghion said.
“The JCCV Executive will be considering the findings from this report and developing actions in response. There is much we can do, particularly as we progress towards the Referendum later this year.”
“I thank the Walk Together Project Team, and Karen Milward, for their diligent work and thorough report. It is a real resource that will be of great use to our community as we play our role in Reconciliation.”
