Jewish community calls for urgent national action on antisemitism

Amid a palpable sense of “hyper-anxiety” within the Jewish community, a high-level roundtable convened by Wentworth MP Allegra Spender on July 3 in Sydney’s east issued an urgent plea for national action against escalating antisemitism.

Participants, including key figures from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, emphasised the critical need for immediate interventions in schools, universities, and workplaces, alongside fostering social cohesion through education, interfaith dialogue, and robust political leadership.

In a statement following the meeting, Spender asserted “it is clear, and the events in Melbourne confirm this, that the community does not feel safe,” referencing a recent spate of antisemitic attacks, including vandalism at Miznon and Ren Dao restaurants and a firebombing of the East Melbourne Synagogue. “Antisemitism feels like it is being normalised rather than marginalised.” This sentiment was echoed by other community leaders who have observed a concerning increase in public incidents and a perceived apathy towards their impact.

A central pillar of the discussion was education, prompted by alarming reports of escalating hostility faced by Jewish students and teachers in non-Jewish schools and on university campuses. A key concern articulated was the absence of a consistent, universally adopted definition of antisemitism across Australian institutions, hindering effective response and accountability. Roundtable members strongly advocated for mandatory training for educators to address this critical gap.

AUJS Co-President Danielle Tischmann warned against the “risk of growing too comfortable with antisemitism, of accepting it as just part of the landscape,” stressing the urgent need for Jewish safety to transcend political divides, supported by “proper training and accountability.” Spender echoed this concern, noting that the current lack of clarity on whether universities are instituting a shared definition of antisemitism is a significant issue. She committed to continuing her advocacy for legislative clarity and institutional reform.

Michele Goldman, CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, welcomed the initiative. “Thank you, Allegra, for reaching out and taking the time to meet with us. Now more than ever, the Jewish community needs the understanding and support of decision-makers in Canberra.”

The forum also highlighted the broader need to share positive stories of Jewish life and culture to counter pervasive stereotypes and foster understanding. Spender pointed to local organisations such as Jewish House and the Sydney Jewish Museum as examples of the community’s wider contribution to Australian society. Sydney Jewish Museum CEO Kevin Sumption reiterated the critical role of Holocaust education in combating hate. “We need to illuminate and share with the broader community what Jewish culture and values are all about and show what happens when prejudice goes unchecked.”

Spender said she was particularly encouraged that some of the interschool and interfaith initiatives she had previously convened had led to lasting relationships and dialogue. She pledged to build on these models and increase the inclusion of Jewish voices across Wentworth.

Community safety, online hate, and workplace discrimination were also raised as urgent concerns, with several participants citing incidents of exclusion and abuse in public and professional settings. Mira Hasofer, Principal of Moriah College, welcomed the opportunity for meaningful engagement. “These conversations play an important role in fostering understanding, building relationships, and strengthening the fabric of our broader community.”

This event reflects Spender’s robust track record on antisemitism since entering Parliament, where she has introduced a motion condemning antisemitism in the House of Representatives and continues to advocate for stronger hate speech laws. Describing herself as “the strongest ally for the Jewish community on the crossbench,” Spender’s website affirms her support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and outlines plans to push for its university adoption, education reform, and interfaith engagement to counter growing hate.

Spender concluded by emphasising the roundtable’s “constructive and forward-looking” nature, underscoring the critical importance of community collaboration. She affirmed her unwavering commitment to “push hard to tackle antisemitism,” asserting its urgent significance not only within Wentworth but across the entire nation.