Fostering young Jewish leadership is crucial
As antisemitism surges across Australia, some notable suggestions have been made to combat this dangerous trend. While these are undoubtedly important, most overlook the critical need to foster Jewish pride and leadership – an effort that is vital not only for Jewish safety but for the future of the community.
At the recent Sky News Antisemitism Summit, former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg emphasised the need for “more proactive” solutions, while Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, outlined what she called “decisive” measures.
While these measures should form part of a comprehensive action plan primarily led by policymakers, external solutions can’t heal internal wounds. They can’t replace the steps that only Australia’s Jewish community can take – steps to empower our youth and prepare them for an uncertain future.
In these unprecedented times, nurturing Jewish pride and leadership from a young age is just as, if not more, important than responding to antisemitic acts.
With this in mind, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) recently wrapped up its annual Leadership Development Program (LDP). Over one month, the program took 10 young Jewish students through an exploration of Jewish life across three countries and four cities, providing them with the tools to lead change within their communities and beyond.
Each year, AUJS selects its top leaders to travel to various Diaspora communities abroad, offering an intimate look at the challenges facing the Jewish world while providing practical, community-
focused solutions. The ultimate goal is to return to their communities with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to make a lasting impact – while deepening their connection to Jewish life and its diversity.
This year’s cohort included students from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, each of whom has already led initiatives in their communities. Over January, we visited Berlin, Prague, New York City and Washington, DC, connecting the past, present and future by exploring Jewish history, contemporary politics and their intersection. As the program’s coordinator and instructor, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact it had on participants and their aspirations for the future.
Due to security concerns at the time, we made the difficult decision not to travel to Israel. However, Israel remained the cornerstone of the program at every stop. In Europe, we visited concentration camps and reflected on the horrors perpetrated by the Nazis to systematically dehumanise Jews, while also drawing comparisons to the tactics employed by Hamas today. In Washington, we attended Donald Trump’s inauguration and discussed the implications of the Trump administration on Israeli politics and the ongoing conflict.
A key aspect of the program was practicality: participants were encouraged to ask, “How is this relevant to my community?” and “How can I implement this idea or connection within my sphere of influence?”
It was inspiring to see participants turn theory into action. One student decided to change career paths, pursuing a role with an Israeli company they learned about on the trip. Others drew inspiration for their future roles in AUJS and began planning events and initiatives. Another participant returned to Melbourne determined to start a Jewish leadership program for high school students, realising that the future of his community depends on young people stepping up.
The surge in antisemitism we are witnessing is a serious threat that must be confronted. But our survival in the face of future challenges depends on our youth and their sense of responsibility. Jewish resilience has always relied on community, and community depends on engaged individuals. As the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks famously said, “Community plays an important role in the way our lives unfold.” It is our responsibility to ensure that our youth grow and develop as part of the community, not just alongside it. That is where the LDP stands out – it strives to foster a deep understanding of Jewish communities, a sense of pride in their values, and a strong connection to their rich history, all of which cultivate a profound feeling of belonging.
Our future generations rely on capable leaders, and our future leaders rely on us to set them on the right path.
Encouraging leadership from a young age is by no means a new idea. It has been a foundational principle of AUJS since its inception in 1948, just a few years after the most significant surge of antisemitic rhetoric and actions the world had ever seen. Fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership within its members has always been a priority for AUJS – uniting the four pillars that support the organisation: Judaism, activism, Zionism and pluralism.
Alone, these pillars are merely ideas. It is the people who engage with them and bring them together who create discussions, events and, ultimately, a community. Our youth stand as the greatest testament to our resolve – a clear message to those who would see us gone that we are here to stay.
Tobias Siegal is the Jewish Agency shaliach to AUJS.
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