A night of Jewish pride

Over a thousand people packed the Winx stand at Royal Randwick on Sunday night for JCA’s 2025 campaign dinner.

The spirit of togetherness, community and pride was humorously encapsulated by keynote speaker Hillel Neuer of UN Watch, who referenced his famous UN Human Rights Council speech asking despotic regimes “where are your Jews?”

“Tonight, in Sydney, Australia, in perhaps one of the largest assemblies I’ve ever addressed, I think I found them,” he joked.

After describing a litany of the United Nations’ failings and the steps his organisation has taken to hold the world body to account, Neuer finished, as be began, on a positive note.

“Israel and the Jewish people are defined by the lives that they lead. Tonight, here in Sydney, joined together by the JCA … we’re proud Jews who are here to reaffirm their pride and their commitment to the Jewish people, the Jewish faith, the land of Israel.”

JCA president Ian Sandler said that while Australian Jews rightfully take pride in Israel, “We must not lose sight of our own community.

“This is where we live. This is where our children are growing up. And if we fail to invest in and fortify our foundations here, we become vulnerable,” he said.

“That is why the work of the JCA and our member organisations is more vital than ever,” Sandler said, lauding as examples Sydney’s Jewish day schools, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS), the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, CSG and the Sydney Jewish Museum.

Addressing the rise of antisemitism, JCA CEO Alain Hasson said, “Our response needs to be one of enabling overt Jewish pride. Our response needs to be to ensure that we continue to educate and pass on a love of Jewish history and traditions to our children and grandchildren.

“This is how Jewish life not only takes roots, but flourishes, and this is why JCA exists. At JCA, we are not just about reacting to challenges of today. We are about proactively building for tomorrow.”

Underpinning the importance of the CSG to Jewish life in NSW, businesswoman Anita Birges described her heartbreak at being doxxed and fearing for her safety after expressing support for Israeli hostages after October 7, 2023, and how the CSG came to her aid. She is herself now a proud volunteer.

Also at the event, the Aubrey Krawitz Award, given to those who have contributed to JCA through vision, leadership and commitment, was awarded to Paul and Karen Kaplan.