Building understanding 'Educate 10,000' draws 40 organisations

Making the pledge to learn

Hundreds pledge to learn more about Jewish life as JCCV’s Educate 10,000 campaign gains momentum.

By Bruce Hill 13 August 2026, 11:59 am

Mourners gather by floral tributes at the Bondi Pavilion in memory of the victims of a terror attack targeting the Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 15, 2025. (Saeed KHAN / AFP)

More than 40 organisations and hundreds of individuals have pledged to learn more about the Jewish community through the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV)’s “Educate 10,000” campaign.

The statewide initiative, launched in the wake of the Bondi Beach tragedy, invites Victorians from all backgrounds to engage with Jewish culture, identity and community life through facilitated sessions, synagogue visits and museum programs.

Pledges have come from government agencies, local councils, multicultural organisations, community service providers, corporations, educational institutions and interfaith networks.

Among the most significant early engagements has been a large Jewish learning program for the North Melbourne Football Club, the first AFL club to formally engage with the Jewish community. More than 80 staff, including CEO Jennifer Watt and senior coach Alastair Clarkson, took part in sessions led by experienced Jewish educators.

JCCV CEO Naomi Levin said the early response reflected a growing willingness across Victoria to translate concern into meaningful action.

“There was an outpouring of emotion toward the Jewish community following the Bondi Beach tragedy and the JCCV set up Educate 10,000 to create a tangible way for compassionate individuals to show support,” she said.

“We decided that a lasting outcome would be to bring non-Jewish people to meet with our community, to hear our story and to engage with our culture and traditions.”

Levin said it was “heartening to watch Educate 10,000 take off” and see people going through Jewish museums and synagogues and holding meaningful conversations.

Educate 10,000 is delivered in partnership with Jewish community organisations and institutions including the Jewish Museum of Australia, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum and synagogues. It is designed to be accessible to workplaces and leadership teams, school staff, community and faith groups, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding.

“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat prejudice,” said Levin. “When people connect, learn and ask questions, it builds empathy and trust, and that has a lasting impact across our community.