New chair and tributes to Upstanders

B’nai B’rith Courage to Care Victoria has named Sabrina Chakman as its new chair following the passing of much-loved former chair Judy Glick.

Chakman, known affectionately as “Sabi”, joined Courage to Care in January 2019 and has played a pivotal role in many areas including facilitating school and adult programs, serving as a custodian speaker sharing her father’s Holocaust story, chairing the education sub-committee, and as a member of the committee of management.

“Sabi’s deep passion for education, inclusion and human rights is shaped by personal experience and professional dedication,” a statement from Courage to Care Victoria said.

For over two decades, Chakman taught academic skills and creative writing at Swinburne TAFE, has a Masters in Educational Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Careers Education, and concluded her professional career as a senior careers educator at Deakin University. She describes discovering Courage to Care as being one of the most fulfilling experience of her life, “Going into schools across metropolitan and rural Victoria enables me to talk to a diverse range of people. We learn from each other and explore together the damage that hate and discrimination cause.

“It is so satisfying to witness the students’ deep attention when a Holocaust survivor shares their ‘upstander’ story – stories of being rescued by ordinary people with the moral conviction, compassion and courage to stand up in the most challenging of circumstances. It highlights the power each individual holds to make a difference.”

Kerryn Lowe will continue as vice-chair and has also been appointed as a director of Courage to Care Australia Ltd, representing Victoria at the national level.

These changes come at a sad time for Courage to Care Victoria following the recent passing of two of its volunteers – Julie Meadows, the author of Courage to Care Anthologies which told the true stories of Australian Holocaust survivors, and Holocaust survivor Peter Barta.

Barta volunteered with Courage to Care for over 17 years as a survivor speaker, and his story often honoured the brave efforts of Raoul Wallenberg, whose actions in Budapest were instrumental to his survival.

Courage to Care Victoria stated, “Speaking publicly was never easy for Peter. Recounting the trauma of his childhood remained painful, even after many years. For a long time, he could not sit through the introductory film shown at the start of the program – it was simply too distressing. And yet, he returned time and again, motivated by the genuine, heartfelt responses of students and volunteers alike.

“He often reflected on the deep emotional connections he formed during school visits, such as the day he met a 16-year-old African-Australian girl in Geelong, a fellow survivor of loss.

“They cried together, a moment of shared grief, understanding and healing. Peter’s dedication to Courage to Care was unwavering, and he was constantly supported by his beloved wife, Shirley.”

Courage to Care Victoria CEO Mike Zervos sent condolences to the Barta and Meadows families and told The AJN, “Peter’s quiet dignity set a fine example for us all and Julie’s documenting 50 amazing stories of rescue has left us a lasting memory.

“Courage to Care is enriched to have had such wonderful albeit different examples of Upstander behaviour by both Peter and Julie.”