Educate 10,000 opens doors to understanding Judaism

More than 40 organisations and hundreds of individuals have pledged to learn more about Victoria’s Jewish community through the JCCV’s Educate 10,000 campaign.

The statewide initiative was launched after the Bondi Beach terror attack to encourage Victorians from all backgrounds to learn about Jewish culture, identity and community life.

The program includes facilitated sessions, synagogue visits and museum programs, with the aim of building understanding, strengthening relationships and countering rising antisemitism.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria said pledges had come from government agencies, local councils, multicultural organisations, community service providers, companies, education institutions and interfaith networks.

The campaign has also produced the JCCV Cultural Learning Directory, a community-wide resource to connect participants with appropriate Jewish programs across Victoria.

The campaign has included a Jewish learning program for North Melbourne Football Club, the first AFL club to formally take part in such an initiative with the Jewish community.

More than 80 staff, including CEO Jennifer Watt and coach Alastair Clarkson, took part in the session with Jewish educators.

JCCV CEO Naomi Levin said the response showed people wanted to turn concern into action.

“There was an outpouring of emotion toward the Jewish community following the Bondi Beach tragedy, and the JCCV set up Educate 10,000 to create a tangible way for compassionate individuals to show support,” Levin said.

“We decided that a lasting outcome would be to bring non-Jewish people to meet with our community, to hear our story and to engage with our culture and traditions.”

“It is heartening to watch Educate 10,000 take off and see many people go through Jewish museums and synagogues and hold meaningful conversations.”

Educate 10,000 is being delivered with Jewish community organisations and institutions, including the Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourne Holocaust Museum and synagogues.

The program is designed for workplaces and leadership teams, school staff, community and faith groups, and individuals who want to deepen their understanding of Jewish life.

Levin said education was central to fighting prejudice.

“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat prejudice. When people connect, learn, and ask questions, it builds empathy and trust, and that has a lasting impact across our community,” she said.

“We are inviting individuals, organisations, and community leaders to take the next step, to turn their support into action, to engage, to learn, and to be part of building a more inclusive and respectful Victoria.”

Organisations and individuals can express interest and make a pledge through the JCCV.