Workplace program aims to address antisemitism and strengthen social cohesion
This Thursday, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum is launching a new workplace program aimed at strengthening social cohesion and helping organisations address antisemitism, as Jewish communities across Australia continue to face a surge in incidents.
Called ‘The Space Between: Where Understanding Begins’, the program is led by trained facilitators and designed to encourage critical thinking, open dialogue and meaningful connection in workplaces.
Participants using VR technology during the program. (Photo: Aaron Zajonc)
It forms part of ‘Critical Thinking is Critical: Educate, Innovate, Advocate Against Antisemitism’, a three-year initiative funded through the Victorian Government’s multicultural affairs portfolio.
The launch comes against a backdrop of rising antisemitic incidents nationwide, including vandalism, threats and harassment reported in Australia in recent months. Community groups have warned that the increase has left many Jewish Australians feeling unsafe and uncertain, with flow-on effects in workplaces and public life.
The museum said the program was created in response to a clear need for spaces where people can reflect and talk openly about difficult issues.
While workplaces aim to be inclusive, fear of saying the wrong thing can lead to silence, creating distance between colleagues and communities. The program addresses this by offering a structured environment where participants can pause, listen and reflect on how they respond and make decisions.
Dr Breann Fallon (Melb Holocaust Museum CEO) (Photo: Simon Shiff)
Through immersive video storytelling, participants are introduced to the experiences of six Australian Jews, providing insight into everyday situations that feel familiar and human.
The program was developed with guidance from Monash University and is based on research showing that storytelling and guided discussion can help build empathy and understanding.
Holocaust museums in Australia and overseas have increasingly expanded their role beyond historical education, with programs that address contemporary racism and antisemitism in schools, universities and workplaces.
Melbourne Holocaust Museum CEO Dr Breann Fallon said the program highlights a shared responsibility across society.
“Every Victorian, and every Australian, has a role to play in shaping the kind of society we want to live in: one grounded in understanding, respect and cohesion,” she said.
“This work is about moving beyond compliance towards genuine understanding and recognising that change begins with everyday actions and conversations. This creates space to have safe conversations in the workplace and beyond.”
The program is offered at no cost to Victorian organisations and is designed to support workplaces to build critical thinking skills and engage in meaningful discussion.
An official launch event will be held on 26 March 2026 at 5:30pm. Organisations can contact the museum at [email protected] or on 03 9528 1985 to book a session.
