Melbourne Jewish community unites to walk against violence
Later this month, more than a dozen community organisations will join together at Caulfield Park to send a clear message that our Jewish community stands united against violence against women.
The Walk Against Family Violence is an annual state-wide event held in support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), which marks the beginning of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
For almost 10 years Jewish Care has been immensely proud to lead our community’s representation in this important endeavour – however in 2023, for the first time since its inception, a Jewish community event was not held.
The failure of the United Nations and other feminist leaders to acknowledge the sexual- and gender-based violence of the October 7 attacks angered many Jewish women’s organisations.
“It was immensely disappointing that in the leadup to last year’s 16 Days of Activism – mere weeks after the events of October 7 – the majority of women’s rights organisations failed to condemn, or even acknowledge, the experiences of Jewish and Israeli women that day,” said Cassandra Barrett, Community Education and Partnerships Manager at Jewish Care. “It made it very difficult for us to support the 16 Days of Activism.”
“But while our hearts and minds have rightly been focused on Israel this past year, against the backdrop of war we know that there continue to be experiences of violence here in our community, behind closed doors – no matter how much we might like to believe that our community is somehow immune.
We want to send a clear message of support to victim survivors: we see their strength and courage; they are not alone; and support is available.”
The continued support of partner organisations incredibly heartening. Though we represent the vast diversity of our Jewish community, in this united show of support we speak with one voice: violence against women has no place in our – or any – community.
All community members are invited to join this important event. The group will meet at Caulfield Park at the corner of Balaclava and Hawthorn Rd at 12pm on Friday 22 November. Look for the orange and yellow balloons and our Jewish community banner.
