Ryvchin’s book on antisemitism reaches every member of parliament
The Independent MP for Wentworth Allegra Spender has distributed Alex Ryvchin’s book ‘The 7 Deadly Myths: Antisemitism from the Time of Christ to Kanye West’ to each Member and Senator of Australia’s Parliament House.
Allegr Spender
Allegra Spender MP co-founded the Parliamentary Friends of International Holocaust Remembrance Day two years ago with MPs Josh Burns and Julian Leeser, reflecting that standing up against antisemitism must never be partisan.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s work has been instrumental in ensuring collaboration between governments and organisations across the globe. Its work recognises that political coordination is essential to combating growing Holocaust distortion and antisemitism.
‘The 7 Deadly Myths: Antisemitism from the Time of Christ to Kanye West’ was published in September last year, and its message is growing in importance
It looks at how antisemitism has developed throughout time and most importantly, it provides us all with the tools to call it out, in all its forms.
As Alex Ryvchin, the co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, wrote in his book, antisemitism is not a new phenomenon. It has existed in every civilisation throughout history.
Inside the book delivered to Parliamentarians was a cover letter from Alex Ryvchin, Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal, Allegra Spender, Josh Burns, and Julian Leeser.
Allegra Spender’s efforts to tackle antisemitism include securing the appointment of the new Antisemitism Envoy, conducting a survey of Jewish university students and providing the results back to the universities and the education minister, hosting a roundtable with the principals from Wentworth’s high schools to combat antisemitism and pushing for stronger hate and ‘doxing’ laws.
Alex Ryvchin
Alex Ryvchin and his organisation have been working tirelessly alongside Allegra Spender in supporting the Jewish community through some of the darkest times in the history of Australian Jewry.
Allegra Spender said: “I have given this book to every parliamentarian because it’s every parliamentarian’s responsibility to put an end to antisemitism. Too many politicians are looking the other way, and I am working to change that.
It has never been more important to educate decision-makers and the wider public about antisemitism and arm them with the knowledge to take action.
Without understanding the myths and tropes that have evolved throughout history, we cannot truly understand or confront the antisemitism of today.
I hope that this book will be a useful resource for parliamentarians in navigating antisemitism in today’s climate.”
Kol HaKevod, Allegra Spender. You are really pulling your weight in very concrete ways to make a difference. I would love to know what the Greens senators do with their copy. It’s not hard to guess.