Marking 40 years of interfaith dialogue

The 40th anniversary of the Council of Christians and Jews Victoria was recently celebrated at St Kilda Town Hall.

The council began when Rabbi John Levi was approached by the late Sister Shirley Sedawie NDS and said “We need to talk.” Sister Sedawie founded the Centre for Jewish-Christian Dialogue, now known as Shalom house, the venue where amongst other things, the council holds its meetings.

Since the inaugural meeting in February 1985, the council has produced prominent journals, hosted the visits of Chief Rabbis, Cardinals and Archbishops, and connected with Christians and Jews in Victoria and across the country. The event saw the relaunch of its journal Gesher for 2025.

The Governor of Victoria has been a patron of the council since 1985, and the Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner addressed the crowd.

“I feel that some online forums, indeed social media, treat civility as if it’s dispensable, only a weakness, and civility is definitely not a sign of weakness,” she reflected. “Taking the time as this council does and encourages to listen to and engage with, understand and protect a fellow citizen, is a sign of great strength.”