A key part of Judaism is relationships—between us and G-d, our family, our friends, our people, and humankind.
Coming together—shoulder to shoulder—as friends is so important when you consider the existential challenges Israel faces and the rise of antisemitism in Queensland, across Australia and the world.
The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies is an organisation that was born in 1948—the same year as the establishment of the modern State of Israel. We represent more than 27 organisations and a community that has been active and part of the fabric of Queensland since 1865.
Our community is growing. In the 2021 Australian Population Census our population increased 9% and we are now close to 5000 people but, in reality, we are probably closer to 7500, given there is a number of our community who will not include their religion on a government form.
While the majority of our community lives in the south-east corner, we are the most decentralised Jewish population in Australia, if not the world, with residents in the far north, out west and south to Coolangatta.
This is in contrast to Sydney and Melbourne, who are 5 or 6 times our size and in clusters of central suburbs.
Despite our size, those who wish to practise their Jewish faith and express their culture are able to. In addition to our synagogues and temples, we have groups focussed on Zionism, welfare, women, youth, sport and social.
Yet, a significant challenge we face is antisemitism.
In a survey we undertook in 2021 as part of the Queensland Government’s review of hate crime and vilification laws, it was identified that 60% of our community had been victimised by serious hate crime—many incidents were in the workplace. Of those people, more than 90% said they didn’t report it for fear of more antisemitism.
Antisemitism—or what it really is: Jew hatred—needs to stop. It’s growing in Queensland, across Australia and globally.
We were encouraged by the leadership shown by the Queensland Government in accepting our position that Nazi hate symbols need to be banned and that hate crimes become a criminal offence.
Meanwhile, in the hallowed halls of some of our major tertiary institutions, we are seeing and hearing that antisemitism is rampant. It may not be just a swastika—it’s most often a more modern-day form of antisemitism: the unjustified and vicious attack on Israel.
Banners at both the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology carry the grossly offensive slogan: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, which greets Jewish students and make them fearful to display their Judaism and support for Israel. People don’t really understand what this slogan truly is expressing and that is: from the Jordan River on Israel’s east, to the Mediterranean Sea on Israel’s western coastline—there will be no Jews, not one.
As our friends you need to know how bad this is. While our voice is heard, together our collective voices can have great impact in calling out anti-Israel, antisemitism and anti-Zionism; so people know those hate-fueled views have no place here. Your voice to politicians, on social media, with friends, and even at the water cooler condemning hate is very much needed.
Together, we can make a difference.
On a more positive note, and another antidote to stopping antisemitism, I wanted to share a short update on the planned Holocaust museum for Queensland. Today we don’t have a museum, unlike Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.
However, that is about to change thanks to the funding secured from the Queensland Government, Federal Government and the Brisbane City Council.
We are very close to being able to announce with our partners where the physical museum will be and how we will be helping to share what happened during the most evil period of human history with Queensland school students throughout this great state. It is also intended that the museum will be visited by Queenslanders of all ages, as well as tourists.
Our mission is to inspire and educate Queenslanders and all visitors to stand up against antisemitism, hatred, racism and indifference, and promote multiculturalism, acceptance, tolerance and harmony.
All Queenslanders will be able to interact with the museum in person, online or as part of a regional tour.
Friends, kol hakavod for standing shoulder to shoulder with us and showing your solidarity with our community and the State of Israel.
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