Focus on Jewish-Aboriginal relationship
The unique relationship between the Jewish and Aboriginal communities will be the topic of an address to the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies plenum by Shadow Minister for Human Services Linda Burney this month.
Linda Burney
The first Aboriginal person to be elected to the NSW Parliament and the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the Australian House of Representatives, Linda Burney is a member of the Wiradjuri nation and her commitment to Indigenous issues spans more than 30 years.
Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff commented: “The Jewish and Aboriginal people share a unique relationship and Linda Burney has addressed several Board of Deputies events over the years, including launching our book Hand in Hand, which outlines Jewish-Aboriginal projects. We urge community members to avail themselves of this opportunity to meet with her.”
Linda Burney was elected federal member for Barton in 2016 following a 14 year career in the NSW Parliament as Member for Canterbury. During her state political career she served as minister in a number of senior portfolios including as Minister for Community Services and later as Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Following her election to the Federal House of Representatives she was immediately appointed as Shadow Minister for Human Services. She has held senior positions in the non-government sector serving on a number of boards, including SBS, the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, and the NSW Board of Studies.
In 2012 Ms Burney launched the book Hand in Hand: Jewish and Indigenous people working together. A project of the Board of Deputies, it was written by Anne Sarzin and Lisa Miranda Sarzin. “These stories reveal partnerships based on mutual respect and learning and show strong connections between Australian Indigenous and Jewish people, how both groups value an inclusive society, the sharing of ideals and the cherishing of culture and identity,” she said at the launch.
Linda Burney was a guest of honour at the inaugural ‘Women of Diversity’ Dinner co-hosted by the Board of Deputies in September 2016. She addressed over 300 women, reflecting on how far society has come by electing an indigenous female to parliament -which would have been impossible several decades ago.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies plenum will be held on Tuesday 16 May at 7:30pm in Darlinghurst. Inquiries: 9360 1600.
