ECAJ builds bridges in Perth
'The Perth Jewish community is cohesive, united and offers a rich experience'
IN his first trip to Western Australia since that state’s COVID-related travel restrictions were lifted, Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) co-CEO Alex Ryvchin last week completed an intensive three-day visit that included face-to-face meetings with newly-elected federal politicians, and Curtin University vice chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne.
Hosted by the Jewish Communal Council of Western Australia (JCCWA), his visit was the first in 2022 as part of ECAJ’s interstate political engagement tours, in partnership with state Jewish communal roof bodies.
Trips to Brisbane and Adelaide are scheduled for the coming months.
Ryvchin met new Labor parliamentarians WA Senator Fatima Payman and Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence, Greens Senator Jordan Steele-John, and new independent Curtin MP Kate Chaney, describing the relationship-building meetings as constructive.
“Senator Payman was visibly moved upon hearing about the harassment, abuse and exclusion faced by Jewish students on campus,” Ryvchin said.
“As someone who is committed to inclusivity and youth empowerment, Senator Payman immediately saw the injustice of the targeting of Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) members, and what extreme activism on foreign conflicts does to our social cohesiveness.
“Meeting MPs and Senators in their electorates allows for longer, more constructive meetings, and for the ECAJ to be supported by local community leaders who are best placed to nurture the relationships we establish.”
With a backdrop of Curtin University’s Student Representative Council passing an anti-Israel motion in the aftermath of the Israel-Gaza conflict in May 2021, and at least one reported claim of antisemitic behaviour by two student protesters, Ryvchin held a meeting with Professor Hayne, accompanied by AUJS WA treasurer and former president Dylan Kotkis, Jewish Advocacy and Leadership Corps member Talia Swersky, and JCCWA vice-president Steve Lieblich.
Ryvchin said the meeting was held “to propose the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, among other education initiatives suggested by the vice chancellor”.
By the end of day three, Ryvchin chaired a Jewish Youth Leaders roundtable event, spoke to Friends of Israel WA members at Perth’s Chabad shule, visited students at Carmel School, and updated WA Liberal Party members on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and its implications for Australian security.
“The Perth Jewish community is cohesive, united and offers a rich experience,” Ryvchin said.
“We achieved a great deal in just a few days, and we look forward to working with JCCWA president Geoff Midalia and his team to build on this success.”
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