Honours for former NSW JBD CEO and AJN editor
Vic Alhadeff has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the Jewish community, and to the media.
“None of my career choices has ever been about a job; without exception, they have been about issues I care about, from advocating for human rights and respect for diversity to combatting bigotry in general and antisemitism in particular,” Vic Alhadeff told The AJN this week.
The former NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) CEO and AJN Editor has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the Jewish community, and to the media.
“It’s a privilege to hold positions which enable one to be proactive in the human rights space, especially when the Jewish community is struggling and the times are challenging,” he said.
“It’s gratifying to have the opportunity to give something back to this country.”
Alhadeff worked for nine years as associate editor and nine as editor of The AJN prior to joining the JBD in 2004.
During his tenure at the roof body, he helped to spearhead the Keep NSW Safe campaign, a coalition of 34 cultural and faith groups, to strengthen the state’s hate laws. He also engaged with TAFE NSW on the implementation of a 10-point protocol to combat racism and bullying.
He was presented with the NSW Premiers’ Award in 2021 in recognition of his tireless service to the Jewish and broader community.
“His legacy for advocating for his community and for supporting inter-faith activities across NSW is unparalleled,” then Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
Alhadeff also received the JBD Presidents Award in 2022.
He has been a Non-Executive Director of SBS since 2021.
Prior to arriving in Australia Alhadeff railed against apartheid as a student and chief subeditor of The Cape Times in South Africa.
He said upon leaving JBD in May 2021 he had held to the “timeless injunction” from Pirkei Avot, “It’s not up to us to complete the task, but neither are we free to desist from it.
“This, above all, has driven me. The task of making this a better place to be Jewish. Of doing what we can to promote mutual respect across Australian society. Of making the world a better place.”
comments