JCCV’s Zoom plenum
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria affiliates have connected online for the May Plenum meeting.
JCCV Plenum
The Plenum provides an opportunity for affiliates to stay connected and be fully briefed regarding communal matters and is also a platform for sharing information and identifying emerging trends and strategic responses. Jennifer Huppert, President JCCV welcomed 47 community members in participating in the online meeting.
The May Plenum hosted key presentations from Itzik Sztokman, Executive Principal UJEB and Nicole Matejic, Crisis & Emergency Management Advisor, Covid-19 Jewish Taskforce.
The session on UJEB highlighted their significant growth in programs and student involvement since 2016. Sztokman spoke proudly of the “Jewish Life Journey and the Experiences of Education, which collaboratively have the potential to lead to increased Jewish community engagement.” An overview of Jewish Life programs across Primary and Secondary aged students was highlighted to engage with youth at different stages to meaningfully connect and contribute to the community in the longer term.
Nicole Matejic from the Covid-19 Jewish Taskforce spoke of the detailed emergency management program not only for the immediate Coronavirus outbreak but building resilience across the community for post Covid-19. “The community recovery process will be an 18-24 month journey,” according to Matejic and will be divided into stages during a carefully planned transition period.
The Plenum meeting highlighted the interdependence of many community organisations and how the recovery process across all spheres of community life are intrinsically linked. The advocacy role of the JCCV with all levels of Government, is work with agencies such as the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Multifaith Advisory Group and Victoria Police, together with the JCCV’s role in combatting antisemitism were highlighted in Huppert’s report to JCCV Affiliates.
Representatives from Our Village Kitchen Lisa Lipshut and Romy Bursztyn, spoke of their passion for preparing fresh kosher food packs and meals for those most vulnerable in our community and distributing with the assistance of Jewish Care. Our Village Kitchen, which is based at the Ark Centre in East Hawthorn, has now become the newest affiliate of the JCCV.
