JCLJ marks its first year

The Jewish Centre for Law and Justice (JCLJ) marked its first full year of operations at a recent donor event in Sydney, showcasing a body of work its leaders say strengthens the community’s defences against antisemitism.

JCLJ chair Anthony Halas told guests the organisation had become “a vital piece of our communal infrastructure”, addressing a gap that had left legal action against antisemitism sporadic and poorly coordinated.

“Australia has never had an independent legal centre dedicated to using the law strategically to fight antisemitism,” he said.

“JCLJ fills that gap. We sit alongside our existing communal bodies as a complementary force, not duplicating what others do, but enhancing it.”

CEO Alessandra Steele said the organisation operated on a two-arm model: a community legal service providing pro bono advice as a “front door” for anyone experiencing antisemitism, and a legal strategy arm that selects cases capable of delivering systemic change.