Rabbi Moshe Kahn meets with Albanese

A senior Melbourne rabbi has met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly in Canberra to advocate for a different approach to tackling antisemitism, one focused on building Jewish identity and pride rather than simply responding to hatred.

Rabbi Moshe Kahn, president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria and director of Chabad Youth, said he instigated last week’s meetings himself on behalf of the organisation and its broader network. The meeting with the Prime Minister followed an earlier discussion, after which Albanese asked him to build a relationship with the Multicultural Affairs Minister.

“It was a very positive meeting,” Rabbi Kahn said, describing the engagement as part of an effort to create “a more cohesive and positive working relationship with the community.”

While acknowledging scepticism within the Jewish community about the government, particularly around policy and decision making relating to Israel, Rabbi Kahn said he believed the government held genuine concern for Australian Jews.

“There’s a genuine care and worry for the Australian Jewish community, and a general want and desire to see them thrive,” he said.