Melbourne Uni blessed
It was the first time in the history of the university a mezuzah was blessed and affixed on a laboratory door.
A powerful and moving mezuzah dedication ceremony was held on November 17 in Professor Steven Prawer’s office in the School of Physics on the University of Melbourne campus.
It was the first time in the history of the university a mezuzah was blessed and affixed on a laboratory door.
The ceremony took place in the presence of chancellor Jane Hansen, vice-chancellor Duncan Maskell and senior academic leaders, Jewish colleagues, staff and research students in physics.
Prawer combines the fields of nanoscience (small particle physics) and neuroscience (brain and nervous system) to develop bionic devices.
He has a worldwide reputation in advanced diamond science and technology.
He chairs the advisory committee of the University of Melbourne and Hebrew University Joint PhD Program and collaborates in research with colleagues at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Technion.
Throughout 2024, Prawer and Maskell, who refused to endorse boycotts against companies dealing with Israel, became targets of a relentless campaign of vilification led by a small disruptive band of Pro Palestinian sympathisers who accused them of aiding “genocide” in Gaza.
Prawer’s office was “visited” on September 10 and invaded by 20 masked protestors on October 9.
The university’s academic board condemned the harassment of Prawer on October 24.
“The board condemns the incursion of Prawer’s office and endorses the university’s position that acts of intimidation, violence, vilification, or antisemitism have no place in the university.
“Scholars have the right to conduct research on topics of their choosing without interference or fear of intimidation or retribution.
“This includes partnerships with scholars and academics and other global institutions including those in Israel.”
Nadav, Prawer’s son, suggested a mezuzah ceremony to rule a line under his father’s harassment and demonstrate that his laboratory is a place everyone Jewish and non-Jewish, feel safe and welcome.
Harry Quiney, head of the school of physics, began the ceremony saying, “The events that occurred here were antisemitic and an ill-informed conflation of politics and cultural identity.
“Everyone who comes here with respect is welcome.
“This mezuzah on Professor Prawer’s office celebrates his cultural identity and affirms our unwavering commitment to respect, culture and academic freedom.”
Prawer spoke about the remarkable contribution of Jewish scientists to the world of physics, noting 25 per cent of Nobel Prize winners in physics are Jews, including Albert Einstein.
He acknowledged his mentors the late Tony Klein and Geoff Opat, both distinguished physicists and graduates of Melbourne University.
“I shudder to think whether they would have enrolled here as students today and faced the gauntlet of anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment expressed by a small, but very vocal minority.
“That is why today is so important.
“We need to shout loudly that not only are Jews safe on this campus, but they are also welcome.
“We embrace with open arms their fulsome, unconstrained contribution to academic life and celebrate the culture of enquiry and debate they bring to the academy.
“We need to repudiate the hatred expressed by the minority and demand respect and civility on campus.”
Mark Leibler, a member of the university council, affixed the mezuzah, coloured university blue, and recited the blessing.
The university’s participation in the ceremony, affirmation of its solidarity with Jewish staff and students, was a mitzvah welcomed by Jewish staff and students, by alumni and wider community.
The mezuzah ceremony was an uplifting and unforgettable conclusion to a very difficult year.
Professor Leon Mann AO is from the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne.
comments