Politicians visit Jewish Melbourne
Eleven politicians participated in the Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s (JCCV’s) 2017 Politicians’ and Councillors’ Jewish Immersion Day, visiting Jewish Care, the Jewish Museum of Australia, St Kilda Hebrew Congregation, the Jewish Holocaust Centre and the Beth Weizmann Community Centre.
Anton Hermann, Cr Ogy Simic, Claire O’Halloran, Rebecca McKenzie, Cr Tony Athanasopoulos, David Southwick MP, Marsha Thomson MP, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Bill Appleby, Sen James Paterson, Cr Tim Baxter and Steph Hodgins-May at Jewish Care
Participants in the program included Senator James Paterson, David Southwick MP, Marsha Thomson MP, Nick Staikos MP, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Rebecca McKenzie CEO of the City of Glen Eira, Councillors from the cities of Glen Eira and Port Philip and parliamentary advisors.
JCCV President Jennifer Huppert said, “This is an important event, giving politicians and advisors the opportunity to experience first hand some of the diverse elements of the Melbourne Jewish community, including a brief introduction to Judaism and the many different ways it is expressed, and an explanation of some of the major issues and concerns of the Jewish community.”
At St Kilda Shul David Southwick MP, Steph Hodgins-May, Sen James Paterson, Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, Cr Tim Baxter and Claire O’Halloran
“The JCCV would like to thank the representatives from the Labor, Liberal and Greens parties who participated, the affiliates who hosted visits, and the community leaders who participated in the luncheon discussion (on issues including Israel, community security and antisemitism), including Zionism Victoria, Jewish Care, NCJWA, B’nai B’rith, AUJS, CSG and Emmy Monash.”
At Jewish Care, participants heard from Bill Appleby about the changing welfare needs of the Jewish community and planned major projects, at the Jewish Museum they received a brief history of the Victorian Jewish community, as well as a tour of the new Jews of Greece exhibit. Rabbi Glasman provided an introduction to the Synagogue and Judaism, Warren Fineberg and Survivor Guide Joseph De Haan hosted a tour of the Jewish Holocaust Centre, while community leaders including JCCV Vice President Anton Hermann and Zionism Victoria President Sharene Hambur led discussions on community issues and initiatives.
Ms Huppert said, “the excellent turnout from the politicians from the three parties demonstrates a serious commitment to understanding and working with our community.”
The full list of politicians
David Southwick MP Member for Caulfield, Claire O’Halloran Foreign Policy Advisor to Sen Di Natale, Cr Ogy Simic Councillor City of Port Phillip, Steph Hodgins-May Former Greens Candidate Melbourne Ports, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP
Member for Thomastown, Marsha Thomson Member for Footscray, Rebecca McKenzie CEO City of Glen Eira, Sen James Paterson Senator for Victoria, Nick Staikos MP Member for Bentleigh, Cr Tim Baxter City of Port Philip, Cr Tony Athanasopoulos City of Glen Eira
