There was an early celebration of Chanukah in the Victorian State Parliament last week organised by Chabad of Melbourne CBD attended by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Former Australian Labor Party Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, has released a 500 page book titled “Diary of a Foreign Minister” depicting his activities in office from March 2012 to September 2013. It includes a vicious attack on the Jewish communal leadership, charging it with disproportionate influence on government. The criticism is reminiscent of the notorious Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer book on the Jewish lobby in America.
The iconic Jerusalem Theatre was the venue for Keren Malki's third Rainbow of Music annual concert. Tickets had already been completely sold out by the previous week...but for the more than 450 people in the audience, a highlight of the performance was the opening speech delivered by surprise visitor, former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard.
Australians can now nominate their own local champions who have helped to promote inclusion and strengthen community relations under a new ambassador program set up by the Gillard Labor Government.
Peter Wertheim, the executive director of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, was in Canberra today for the launch of the Australian Multicultural Council of which he is a member. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard was the keynote speaker.
