How grassroots groups galvanised support
Melbourne-based J-United co-founder Simonne Whine, Sydney-based Together with Israel organising committee members Hagit Ashual and Avi Efrat, and Sydney-based Bring Them Home Australia founding member Lauren Placks, reflect on the one-year anniversary of October 7.
J-UNITED
When J-United was first created [by Simonne Whine and Jacqui Majzner], the primary hope from a Jewish communal perspective was to provide immediate support and solidarity in the face of unprecedented challenges following the events of October 7.
The initial goal was simple: to create a space where the community could come together, share information and support one another during a time of fear, vulnerability, and uncertainty.
From an outreach and advocacy perspective, the vision was to create a platform that enabled swift action – whether through social media campaigns, organising rallies and vigils, or coordinating efforts to clean up antisemitic stickers and graffiti.
The J-United WhatsApp group, which followed the Facebook group’s initial success [with 3800 members], became instrumental in breaking through the isolation that often prevents unified action.
By listening to the community’s needs and directly implementing solutions, J-United gave people an outlet for activism and a means to advocate for Jewish causes.
Almost 12 months later, the expectations have evolved.
J-United is no longer just about reacting to crises, but proactively creating a stronger, more cohesive community.
Of J-United’s many events, one that really stands out was the snap protest last December, outside the Red Cross office.
Despite the short notice, significant numbers attended, driven by deep anger and frustration, that stemmed from the Red Cross’s complete inaction for the hostages in Gaza, coupled with that organisation’s biased and inflammatory social media presence.
The demonstration was impactful because it forced the Red Cross to engage – they arranged a meeting with representatives from the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Magen David Adom Australia and David Southwick MP.
While the discussions and outcomes from that meeting were confidential, the key point was that the community’s voices were heard.
For J-United, what has been most powerful is seeing how many people who had never previously engaged with the Jewish community, now stepping forward.
People have come together in remarkable ways, supporting one another and standing strong, despite the grief.
Jewish communities globally need to adopt a new playbook and our organisations need to adapt to radically new circumstances.
Being a grassroots group affords us the flexibility to do so, and a licence to innovate, unencumbered.
The tragedy of October 7 has deeply affected us, but the resilience and unity within our community continues to inspire hope.
Together with israel
As a grassroots organisation, Together With Israel emerged in response to the tragic events of October 7.
Its founding committee members were Israeli-Australians, and when we looked at the news coverage here, all that we saw was the other side’s perspective, and we knew it cannot be this way.
We made two early decisions. The first was to provide an immediate source of support for a grieving Jewish community that felt shaken, in order to come together, and hold each other up, during such a difficult time.
It’s clear that this created a stronger, more connected and more engaged community.
Our goal was also to be very active at the macro level too – through political advocacy, meeting politicians, holding rallies and communal outreach – to raise awareness, and advocate for Israel and for all the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Together with Israel has become a platform that continues to unite and empower people, ensuring that our community’s voice is heard.
We’ve made a huge impact through various initiatives – whether it was our rallies, the one-on-one connections we’ve made with political figures in three visits to Parliament House in Canberra, or the recent Yellow Piano installation, which offered a unique way to remember our hostages through music.
One that really stands out was our first rally which, despite low expectations, drew a crowd of many thousands of people, singing and marching together – not in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, but in the city centre.
It was incredibly special, and it gave our community a chance to share our voice and spirit with the broader Australian public. All they needed was a spark.
Other notable, smaller events include two demonstrations outside the Sydney offices of two Greens MPs, led by [Together with Israel committee member] Ofir Birenbaum.
One involved standing in rubbish bins outside Senator Mehreen Faruqi’s office and the other dressing up in octopus costumes in front of Newtown MP Jenny Leong’s office.
The point is, when we see such antisemitism occurring, we are not going to sit quietly – we are going to stand up for our community. The rise in antisemitism that followed October 7 has made us realise that being connected has become not just important, but essential.
Our strength is in our community, and what has truly stood out in the last year is how people who may never have been involved in the community before, felt compelled to engage. We’ve never seen the Jewish community here more connected, and that is truly inspiring.
Bring them home
After Hamas’s devastating attack on October 7, we – a group of Jewish mothers – were heartbroken by the violence and antisemitism that followed.
United in grief and determination, we refused to sit back and do nothing. So we organised the ‘Empty Shabbat Table’ event at Bondi Beach, to show our support for Israel, and to send a powerful message that we will never give up hope of bringing our innocent hostages home.
In just six hours, we pulled together to create a safe space for our community to gather, feel supported and stand united in strength and solidarity.
Today we stand stronger, unwavering in our support for Israel and in our resolve to bring our hostages home.
While all our events brought our community together, and used different creative elements, the ‘Lights of Hope’ event last December was a standout moment, illuminating the sky with beams of light as a powerful symbol of our community’s resilience.
Among us that night, Noa Argamani’s closest friends shared heartfelt words, uniting in prayer, hope and advocacy for her and the other hostages’ release. When Noa was rescued, an overwhelming wave of pure elation washed over us, transcending words and embodying the depths of our collective joy.
Amid the tragedy, a silver lining emerged in the past year – our community growing stronger and closer than ever before.
We’ve witnessed previously disconnected individuals now standing united, embracing Jewish pride and community bonds.
Despite the increasing threat of antisemitism, we, as Jews, have faced this challenge before.
Together, our solidarity will only strengthen, fortifying our resolve to stand firm in the face of adversity while replenishing our spirits.
With so much support behind us, as a group, we are determined to keep up our strong advocacy as long as needed.
As mothers, we are also showing our children how to use their voice in a powerful way, and to stand up for their Jewish beliefs and heritage.
Together with Israel founding member Avi Efrat at a press conference in Sydney’s Botanic Gardens. Photo: Shane Desiatnik
Ofir Birenbaum (on the right) from Together with Israel, leading a demonstration outside Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi’s Sydney office. Photo: Shane Desiatnik
Lauren Placks from Bring Them Home Australia, at a Balloons of Hope art installation in Double Bay. Photo: Shane Desiatnik
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