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.”

She added, “Good things take time. Good things take discussion. Good things take the sort of work that your council does. It is a very good thing that you do, and it’s important that it has continued for 40 years, and long may it continue. Congratulations.”

During the evening Caulfield MP David Southwick presented council co-chair Alex Kats with a Caulfield volunteer award for his work for the council and Bendigo Bank provided the council with a $3500 donation.

Other highlights of the evening included cultural performance by students from the Worowa Aboriginal College and music by Lior including the prayer “Avinu Malkeinu”.

The Councils of Christians and Jews were formed as people sought to address the tragedy of the Holocaust. The 1947 Seelisberg conference (in Central Switzerland) brought Jews and Christians together, determined to combat antisemitism, through the establishment of similar organisations in other countries.

The 1965 Vatican II document “Nostra Aetate”, which set the Catholic Church on a new path in its relationship with Judaism, also contributed to the founding of the council in Victoria.

To learn more visit ccjvic.org.au