JCCV launches new strategic plan
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has launched its new strategic plan, saying that it formalises the work they have already started and that it provides the organisation a clear path forward.
President of the JCCV Philip Zajac
The roof body says that its new strategic direction moves it from a reactive to a more proactive posture.
JCCV announced that its new revised mission was, “Championing a vibrant and resilient future for Victoria’s Jewish community.”
“The JCCV has led our Jewish community for 87 years and we must continue to lead with purpose, clarity and strength,” JCCV President Philip Zajac said. “In the face of rising antisemitism and increasing community need, particularly since 7 October, the JCCV’s role has never been more vital.”
The plan is built on four strategic pillars:
- Lead: Engaging political and key stakeholders to advance community interests through evidence-based research and advocacy,
- Coordinate: Mobilising collaborations between Jewish organisations and volunteers to meet the evolving needs of Victoria’s Jewish community,
- Engage: Actively listening to the community to uncover key needs and perspectives, broker connections and define common goals, and
- Upskill: Engaging service providers to foster understanding of Jewish life, history, and antisemitism and build intercultural connections.
Naomi Levin, CEO of JCCV said, “This strategy is not just a vision, it includes a practical series of initiatives and activities that will lead to coordinated action and meaningful change. The plan will better support our member organisations, individual community members and enhance and improve existing JCCV programs.”
Levin told J-Wire, “The strategic plan, including the revised JCCV mission and pillars, was developed by the current JCCV board. The concept behind the plan is to focus the efforts of the organisation on key areas where we can best support JCCV member organisations and the broader Victorian Jewish community.”
JCCV’s eight key initiatives for the next 18-24 months will be:
- An antisemitism case management model,
- A research and data hub,
- Supporting member organisations with fundraising strategies,
- Community strategic planning development,
- Community volunteer coordination,
- JCCV’s community interfaith strategy,
- Community co-labs, and
- Growing its Jewish immersion program.
The community co-labs are planned to build on the work JCCV already does in bringing community leaders together for Plenums and Council of Presidents meetings and broader communal discussions that are targeted, focused, and outcomes-based.
The new direction comes from the JCCV reflecting on its role as the roof body for the Victorian Jewish community in the shadows of October 7.
Since the devastating attacks of 7 October 2023, the JCCV says it has been focused on supporting community members facing antisemitism at home and work; pushed for new anti-vilification laws in Victoria; advocated for steps by the State Government, Victoria Police and councils to improved social cohesion; and secured police resources for the community.
It’s a real shame JCCV Honchos have ignored one of their many mistakes in particular legitimising their affiliate AJDS the most active Jewish pro Palestinian activist group in Australia. Not only does one of their longest serving members claim on social media he has been fighting for Palestinian rights for over 35 years [ this was 20 years ago ] not only have some of their members demonstrated outside the very offices of JCCV against JNF , not only do AJDS work closely with Australias most powerful and successful Palestinian Lobby group Nasser Mashni’s APAN not only joining them on trips to Canberra to lobby against Israel but keep the Palestinian and Muslim Lobbies abreast on what the Jewish community is up to . You would think that the mere fact AJDS [ along with Progressive NIF ] lobbied against the IHRA definition would be enough to expel AJDS from JCCV/ ECAJ affiliation ,NO .Can we ever imagine the equivalent of JCCV say the ICV Islamic Council Victoria ever having as one of their long standing and respected affiliates a Pro- Zionist anti Palestinian activist group , is it any wonder the Palestinians own the Narrative in the Israel Palestinian Pr War here . This is just one of JCCV’s many bad Judgements and the reason in my view they should be disbanded, certainly not funded !