Jews suspend Jewish Christian Muslim Association
In his resignation letter, Rabbi Ralph Genende wrote, “I am deeply disillusioned by the inability of Muslim leadership in Victoria, and indeed Australia, to distinguish between the barbaric antisemitic ideology of Hamas and the humane teachings of Islam, which I had assumed they represent”.
Victoria’s peak Jewish community body and at least two rabbis have pulled out of the Jewish Christian and Muslim Association of Australia (JCMA).
The interfaith body has been left in turmoil with the announcement that it’s president, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, past-President Rabbi Ralph Genende have quit and the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has suspended its participation.
The JCCV said while they have been heartened that some of their faith partners have been in contact to offer solidarity and express abhorrence at the massacre of Israeli civilians, there has been absolute silence from other faith leaders.
JCCV president Daniel Aghion said, “The JCCV has suspended its participation in the group due to its failure to recognise the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas”.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, chair of the JCMA, has also resigned effective immediately.
Rabbi Ralph Genende, said in his resignation letter , “I am deeply disillusioned by the inability of Muslim leadership in Victoria, and indeed Australia, to distinguish between the barbaric antisemitic ideology of Hamas and the humane teachings of Islam, which I had assumed they represent”.
He acknowledged that the Imams Council of Victoria, representing Islamic clergy, made what he called a throwaway statement about there having been a loss of life in Israel, but he didn’t feel it was genuine.
“They’ve got, obviously, a populace who are incredibly hostile towards Israel, but at the same time, how much are they responsible for that? Are they just passive, representing the mood of the community or are they actually directing it as well?” he asked.
Rabbi Genende said part of his disappointment is that Jews stood steadfastly with the Muslim community after the horrific Christchurch massacre and had hoped that this had deepened our mutual human and religious bonds.
“We would have expected you to stand by us at our time of need,” he said.
Genende said other rabbis involved in interfaith are now asking what they have achieved.
As well as the JCMA, another communal relations organisation may see a Jewish withdrawal.
The JCCV says they have made representations to the Victorian Multicultural Commission Commissioner and is considering their ongoing participation in the VMC Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG).
“The MAG drafted a statement with no consultation with the Jewish community and has failed to show solidarity with the Victorian Jewish community,” Aghion said.
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