New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies

The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies is the umbrella organisation for almost every Jewish group within the State.

Contact details

CEO: Vic Alhadeff

Tel: 9360 1600

NSWJBD NEWS

Seder gets an unexpected Eliyahu!

A Seder organised by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies at Sydney Girls High school had an unexpected visitor when a curious local resident investigating the activity, refused security personnel’s request to leave and was held handcuffed by them until police arrived, resulting in the visitor suing the then NSWJBD president and the 22 others present as well as the security company. Sydney’s Supreme Court this week heard Justice Robert Hulme’s decision denying 68-yr-old pensioner Evangelous Rouvinetis’s  request for a trial by jury on the evidence so far presented in his case against former president of the NSWJBD, David Knoll and 22 others.  The request was based on the presence at the Seder of a Supreme Court judge whom it is alleged the sole director and shareholder of the security company which is the second defendant.

The court heard that Rouvinetis claims he was not unknown to the school and often visited it and had talked with the principal. In 2008, out for an evening stroll, he spotted an open door and, concerned about the school’s security,  decided to investigate. Inside the school the NSWJBD was holding a special Seder. The Community Security Group members confronted the pensioner asking him to leave. When he tried to move past them, he was brought to the ground and restrained hand-cuffed for 25 minutes awaiting the arrival of police. He was released following their arrival.

Rouvinetas is suing on the basis that the 23 defendants “allowed or permitted excessive force by the second defendant [security] to be used after it became aware that the Plaintiff represented no threat” as well as false imprisonment. The judge ruled any claim of false imprisonment or negligence had no bearing as the Board members were not liable for Security’s actions. He claimed false imprisonment citing that security were not instructed to release him after the school’s principal Dr Varady had let it be known that Rouvinetis was known to the school and did not present a risk.

His request for a trial by jury has been refused, but the judgement has permitted the pensioner to file an amended statement.

A previous case in which Rouvenitis sought to sue the school’s principal, the Department of Education and the State of NSW was dismissed in March this year.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff said the Board of Deputies could not comment on the case “as the matter is still before the courts”.

Rouvenites has until December 18 to file an amended statement.

Younger Deputies in NSW

The elections for the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies have elicited unprecedented results; 99 people nominated for 75 General Franchise Deputy positions.

Of the 75 people who were elected, 23 are under the age of 30, almost one-third. This is a meteoric rise from just 2 deputies under the age of 30 before the elections.

They have been elected for two years, from January 2010 to December 2011.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff said: “This is a great outcome. The exceptional interest shown by young adults and university students is a clear indication that there is growing awareness out there of the meaningful work that the Board of Deputies does, coupled with a genuine desire to get involved and make a difference.

“We warmly welcome every one of the new deputies and look forward to their active participation.”

The elections were conducted by postal ballot, with all Board of Deputies members eligible to vote.

NSW celebrates Israel’s Independence Day

The Israeli ambassador Yuval Rotem and the NSW Premier, Nathan Rees joined members of the community to celebrate Israel’s 61st Independence Day.

Click here to read the address given by the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President Robin Margo.

Margo and CEO Vic Alhadeff had arrived back in Australia the same day after attending the AIPAC conference in Washington.

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