A Jewish education for Stonnington

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) delivered its first Jewish Immersion Day program with City of Stonnington staff at Malvern Town Hall last month.

JCCV has been training staff at Glen Eira, Port Phillip and Stonnington councils to help them work more closely and effectively with Jewish residents.

JCCV CEO Judy Fetter told The AJN, “With councils providing essential services for seniors, families, youth and people with disabilities, as well as recreation and cultural programs, it is important that staff working in council areas with large Jewish populations have greater understanding of our community.”

New census data shows that three-quarters of Victoria’s Jewish community live in the three neighbouring municipalities.

JCCV project officer Joshua Goodman said, “This was an important engagement with senior Stonnington staff.

“Many of the participants had not formally interacted with Jewish organisations before.”

The program – presented by Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, Gary Samowitz and Shelley Cohney alongside JCCV staff – introduced the demographic, ­socioeconomic and community structures in Victoria’s Jewish community, including an in-depth look at the Stonnington area.

The group also took a tour of the ARK Centre and learnt about the Jewish calendar and lifecycle.

Last month, the JCCV also hosted anti-racism and bystander training for team leaders at the City of Port Phillip. Facilitated by Courage to Care, the group explored the experience of being discriminated against, and the tools and potential impact of intervention.

“As a roof body for the community, one of our core objectives is to ensure that the community can feel secure and supported,” Goodman said.

“Establishing and maintaining meaningful, collaborative relationships with the public servants that work for our local councils will result in improved engagement and offering services that suit the needs of our community.”

The JCCV has additional programs scheduled for the second half of 2022.