New Jewish cultural centre in Western Sydney aims to combat antisemitism
Western Sydney’s first Jewish cultural centre, the Daat Library and Learning Centre, will open this Sunday in North Parramatta, marking a milestone in the fight against antisemitism and the promotion of cultural understanding.
Rabbi Cohavi with Liberal MP Julian Leeser
The centre, spearheaded by Rabbi Roni Cohavi, emerged from a vision to extend Jewish learning and outreach far beyond the walls of the Parramatta & District Synagogue.
Reflecting on the journey leading up to this opening, Rabbi Cohavi shared that the concept evolved significantly after the October 7 terror attacks, just over one year ago. “I always wanted to establish a Jewish library in Parramatta,” Rabbi Cohavi explained. “But after October 7, I realised that a library alone was not enough; just books sitting on a shelf are not enough. We needed a library and a learning centre where people could come, study about Judaism, and open dialogues with other communities.”
The Daat Library at the centre, already housing over 1600 Jewish books in Hebrew, English, and Yiddish across 20 different categories, is just the beginning. Alongside the library, the centre will host a variety of cultural activities, workshops, and educational programs aimed at fostering connections with the diverse communities of Western Sydney. “Western Sydney is very multicultural, and I believe that through education, we can bridge understanding about Judaism,” Rabbi Cohavi said. “Often, people form an opinion about Jews without ever really knowing Judaism or any Jewish person at all. A lot of the negative sentiment comes from a lack of understanding.”
The new centre also responds to increased security concerns in the Jewish community, as the synagogue now requires security guards for all services due to heightened risks. In this environment, the centre aims to build a supportive, welcoming space where both Jews and non-Jews can connect and learn. “Many Jews in the area, who were not previously connected with a synagogue, reached out after October 7. They wanted to connect to their roots, even if they weren’t interested in the synagogue itself. The centre, with its educational and cultural offerings, answers this need,” Rabbi Cohavi explained.
The launch event, taking place this Sunday, November 3, at 2:30 pm, will commemorate the victims of the October 7 attacks, in alignment with the centre’s dedication to the memory of those lives. Federal opposition MP Julian Leeser and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip will be among the speakers at the opening. In addition, a video will reflect on the horrors of October 7.
Through fundraising, the centre aims to raise $50,000 to further expand its collection and programming. Rabbi Cohavi and his team are optimistic that this unique centre will become a cornerstone for cultural exchange, advocacy against antisemitism, and the celebration of Jewish life in Western Sydney. The centre’s opening reinforces Rabbi Cohavi’s vision to “act upon ‘never again is now’” by making a tangible difference in his community and beyond.
To attend the launch event, register at Humanitix. (https://events.humanitix.com/gwsjcc-anniversary-commemorative-event
I wish you all the best with this Rabbi Cohavi. Your vision and intent is to be lauded.