‘A passion that knows no bounds’

Earlier this month a capacity crowd attended the annual Courage to Care NSW fundraising lunch, with guests including Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, as well as Sydney Jewish Museum president Greg Shand, JCA president Ian Sandler and a large contingent of directors from several B’nai B’rith entities.

The event was also attended by six Holocaust survivors. Special guest speaker Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, was unable to attend the event in person as he was invited to speak at the United Nations in New York, but he sent a pre-recorded video message.

“We need to do everything we can by supporting wise and effective initiatives like Courage to Care – supporting their delivery of education programs [and] early intervention, which drives out ignorance and indifference before it becomes entrenched,” said Ryvchin.

“We have to live by the memories of those taken from us, people who were defined by kindness, respect and empathy. The very values that Courage to Care leaves behind wherever it goes. And we need to support organisations that are collaborative, and Courage to Care has always been a genuine friend and partner of the ECAJ, and its partnership with the Sydney Jewish Museum adds considerable value to both institutions and to our community. Courage to Care receives no recurrent government funding and relies solely on donations.”

CEO Ed St John interviewed three students who have experienced the Courage to Care program in their schools. Adelaide Watmuff from Canberra, Otto Lucy from Newcastle and Marnie Batman from Wollongong shared their reflections of the Courage to Care program, which included hearing from a Holocaust survivor and participating in a workshop that explored how to be an Upstander.

Chair of Courage to Care Tom Curtis said the organisation has re-doubled its efforts in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack.

“My mother survived the Holocaust only because she was in hiding with a non-Jewish family,” said Curtis.

“They were Upstanders. It is her story which I’ve inherited. It is her story that has become my narrative and my responsibility. And now tragically, after Bondi, Australia has its own narrative. I know you didn’t ask for it but now it’s your gig too.

“Today, Courage to Care is a professionally-run organisation overseen by a diverse and capable board which I am proud to lead.

“Our program is delivered by our well-trained, tireless and expanding cohort of volunteers, including our few cherished Shoah survivors. For over 25 years our volunteers have delivered Courage to Care’s message with a passion that knows no bounds.”