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Don’t forget to check our website at www.hobartsynagogue.org
11
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of AUSTRALIAN JEWRY AGM
Annual General Meeting – Sunday 5th/Monday 6th December 2004
Held at Hakoah Club, Bondi [Sydney]
It was my privilege to once again represent both this congregation and the Tasmanian Jewish community at
the ECAJ AGM, as President of the Hobart Hebrew Congregation and, thus, a Vice President of the ECAJ.
The Agenda was very full and I made full notes of proceedings which will be presented to the Board of the
Hobart Hebrew Congregation at its December Board Meeting.
After an “Acknowledgement of Country” by Graham Mundine, Indigenous Participant in Australian National
Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews, we heard from the NSW Premier [Bob Carr] who welcomed
delegates to New South Wales. Social historian, Assoc Prof Suzanne Rutland spoke about “The ECAJ
History Project” and it is hoped that contributions will be forthcoming from every part of Jewish Australia.
(Please see the insert regarding the Research Project).
Before lunch on Day 1, Prof Yoram Dinstein of Tel Aviv University spoke on “Global Jewish Challenges”. He
highlighted the challenges faced and ways of overcoming these – by positive action. The lunchtime speaker
was The Hon Peter McGauran, Federal Minister for Citizenship & Multi-cultural Affairs.
Following lunch “Terrorism and AntiSemitism” were discussed, with three speakers covering these topics from
differing perspectives: Gavin Queit, who heads the CSG [Community Security Group for the ECAJ] – Gavin
came to Hobart and produced the 15-page report which this Board has found very useful when considering
issues of security, etc. Jeremy Jones discussed “Violence, Vandalism and Harassment”, and it should be
remembered that Jeremy was instrumental in leading the 6-year struggle against Olga Scully. Finally,
Amanda Gordon spoke: Amanda is the President of the Australian Psychology Society and her topic was
“The Impact of AntiSemitism and Terrorism on Australian Jewry”.
We welcomed to our midst Gabby Levy, previously Israeli Ambassador to Australia but now Charge D’Affaires
of Israel whilst First Secretary/Acting Ambassador Orna Sagiv is back in Israel. Gabby told us of his work
back in Israel and his task here is to progress the new Ambassador’s credentials to/through the Australian
Government. Gabby told us that President Moshe Katsev will be making an official visit to Australia at the
end of February/start of March 2005. Unfortunately, a visit to Hobart is not on the President’s
itinerary/agenda!
Late on Day 1, Kevin Rudd (Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister) spoke to delegates. He was followed by David
Zwartz from New Zealand, who gave an update on that country’s current situation re: anti-Semitism, etc.
In the evening, I attended a dinner to mark the ECAJ’s 60th Anniversary. The first speaker was Rabbi John
Levi who gave a very interesting historical overview of Australian Jewry and some celebrated Australian
Jews. The Guest Speaker was The Hon Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Immigration & Indigenous Affairs.
The first speakers on Day 2 were John Gatfield [Sky News] and Peter Kerr [Sydney Morning Herald]. They
have recently been to Israel as part of a Journalists’ Delegation and gave their respective views of what
they’d seen. It was interesting to hear them speak on the different news media – electronic/screen and print
respectively. Following them, we heard from the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade on “Australia and the Middle East”.
The Report from AUJS [the Australian Jewish Students’ Union] was informative and I hope that this
congregation can do more to “draw in” Jewish students studying here in Tasmania.
Professor Yoram Dinstein gave an overview of the work of the World Jewish Congress and the lunchtime
speaker was Allan Gyngell, Director of the Lowy Institute for International Affairs – “Australia in International
Affairs – punching above our weight”.
The final speaker was Professor Michael Chlenov, President of Va’ad of Russia and Secretary-General of the
Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. As many of our readers will now know, Professor Chlenov has visited Hobart
during Chanukah and was made welcome by this congregation.
The 2-day AGM was an important occasion, to hear and learn what is happening in the national and
international Jewish arena. It also gave me an opportunity to seek advice on various matters. I cannot
stress too much the importance of attending such meetings. The ability to “network” is both invaluable and
incalculable.
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