Queensland summit plans for the future

PETER KOHN

A SECOND community centre, a cultural festival, a communal appeal and a leadership charter are ideas that emanated from an intensive one-day summit organised by Queensland’s 4000-strong Jewish community.

The March 21 parley, attended by 60 people from some 40 organisations stretching from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, was convened by Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies (QJBD) president Jason Steinberg.

In discussions moderated by professional facilitator Anthony Davis, the summit, held at the Jewish community centre, brought together Zionist groups, Chabad, mainstream Orthodox and Progressive congregations, and Sinai College, and included people of different ages.

“It was one of the most amazing community events I’ve ever been involved with,” said Steinberg, who was elected to the top communal post last November, after the 11-year incumbency of David Paratz.

“There was a level of enthusiasm and excitement in the room that lasted the whole day. There was no fighting, there was no criticism, there was cohesion and cooperation,” he told The AJN, predicting it will become an annual event.
Projecting the latest census figures that showed a 13 per cent leap in the number of Jews, the sunshine state’s Jewish community will swell to 10,000 by 2030, said Steinberg.

“We really need to look at infrastructure … we want to retain Jewish people and attract new Jewish people to the state.”

Australia’s most geographically diverse Jewish community –located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and the NSW Northern Rivers region — faces specific challenges if it wants to grow in a cohesive way, he argued.

“Within 20 years’ time, we can see that those four regions will become their own little pockets of communal activity and have their own infrastructure, possibly schools and more synagogues.”

There was a feeling at the summit that the community centre, located in central Brisbane, does not adequately serve the scattered communities, and an alternative centre, perhaps incorporating a satellite school, might need to be built.

A Jewish communal appeal modelled on Sydney’s drew strong support from delegates, as did the concept of a cultural festival, highlighting Jewish arts and entertainment in Queensland.

Leaders indicated a willingness to sign on to a voluntary leadership charter that would outline rules of conduct in settling disputes, in order to minimise tensions.

“People held up their hands and volunteered to work with the Board of Deputies,” said Steinberg. Many of them are professionals in planning, welfare and aged care fields who could lend their expertise to the state roof body.

The QJBD will prepare a report detailing ideas raised at the summit, and will liaise with Jewish community councils in other states to formulate an action plan.