Bayside Council’s Jewish education
'To me, it's learning and also understanding what our community concerns are,' says mayor Hanna El Mouallem.
Bayside City Council has participated in Jewish cultural awareness training as local government seeks to better support Jewish residents facing increasing antisemitism across Melbourne.
The seminar, conducted by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) at Brighton Hebrew Congregation this week, was attended by approximately 20 councillors and executive team members, including mayor Hanna El Mouallem and council CEO Matthew Cripps.
JCCV community engagement manager Joshua Goodman and director of strategic operations Sebastian Inwentarz facilitated the session, with a second training planned for council staff.
“To me, it’s learning and also understanding what our community concerns are. And you always learn something new. No matter how much you know, there’s always something to learn,” El Mouallem said.
He acknowledged hearing more concerns from neighbouring Glen Eira, saying, “To be honest, we’re relatively okay in Bayside, but I’m hearing more from Glen Eira. So, I’m always in contact with the Glen Eira mayor. We seem to be, touch wood, relatively okay.”
Councillor Robert Irlicht, who is Jewish, was instrumental in organising the seminar.
He said local government has a crucial role to play amid rising antisemitism.
“Jews in Australia, certainly in Melbourne, are really feeling like they’re facing perhaps an existential crisis in Australia with all the antisemitism, it’s just ramping up. It’s rising exponentially,” he said.
“In local government, we’re the first port of call at a level of government for people who are in crisis or in need, and we need to take up the slack and try and drive change.”
Cripps highlighted the importance of understanding community needs.
“[This is] an opportunity to understand the Jewish community’s needs and the challenges they’re faced with, and what local government can do to ensure we’re providing the right services and the right advocacy on behalf of them is important,” he said.
The training comes after Bayside Council expedited permit approval for a security fence at Brighton Hebrew Congregation following the Adass Israel firebombing.
Irlicht praised Cripps for resolving the matter “within the week” after the congregation reached out.
“You understood the concerns that the community was genuinely frightened for their safety. This is not building a fence for a new home. This is for a whole community’s safety,” Irlicht said.