From song to survey, shaping our Jewish future

Those who attended SHIR: Unbreakable in Sydney or Melbourne would have left uplifted and inspired.

After a tumultuous few years, coming together in song was exactly what we needed. In Sydney’s case, holding the event at the Sydney Opera House and reclaiming it from the mob that sullied its forecourt on October 9, 2023, was especially poignant.

To have former hostage Daniella Gilboa – who that hateful crowd would have condemned to a life in Hamas tunnels – victoriously perform just underscored this.

Gilboa’s voice was as angelic as her appearance, as strong as her undefeatable spirit – but the supporting cast was equally fantastic. Chutney and Ben Adler – the inspiration behind the event – were excellent. The varied cast of performers was a joy. To hear an Iranian deliver a heartfelt rendition of the Shema was a highlight.

Our community needs moments like this. Amid a news cycle of politics, antisemitism, Israeli elections and more, sometimes we need to take a break, shut out the noise of everyday life, come together – “When we unite, we are unbreakable,” Gilboa said – and be moved through music.

It reminds us who we are, which is not any hardships we may have to endure. It is our faith, our culture and traditions, our global sense of Jewish family. It is our joy in unashamedly being proud Jewish Australians.

In that capacity, we all have the opportunity to help shape the future of our community here. But the window is closing.

Gen26, which is open for another four weeks, seeks to create as accurate a picture as it can of Australia’s Jewish community – who we are, our communal involvement, how we educate our children, what our connection to Israel is, and more.

The data will be invaluable for our communal roof bodies in determining priorities and allocating resources in the years to come. But JCA NSW and the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation need as many members of the community as possible to partake.

On October 9 the rioters allegedly shouted “Where’s the Jews?” As Adler said at SHIR, “The Jews are here tonight, standing shoulder to shoulder with our friends.”

Australia is our country and we are planning our future here.