Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrated at Melbourne Uni

On April 22 a group of Jewish faculty and students at the University of Melbourne gathered to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut in the Old Quad in the heart of the university.

Nathan Ben-David, president of MUJSS, and Jasper Sherman, president of AUJS Victoria, welcomed students and staff. Rabbi Baruch Broh, the Jewish chaplain, arrived carrying pita bread, falafel, salads, hummus, tahina and tefillin.

Mah Nishtana? It is Israel’s 78th birthday. There was a festive atmosphere and the sound system played Israeli music. MUJSS students gather every Wednesday for lunch, a shmooze, and to support each other.

Professor Jane Gunn, the university’s Provost, and Professors Steven Prawer, Katy Barnett and myself attended the Yom Ha’atzmaut lunch in solidarity. Professor Glyn Davis, the acting vice-chancellor (and vice-chancellor 2005-2018), said he was delighted to meet MUJSS students at the bagel lunch on the previous Wednesday but was unable to attend on Yom Ha’atzmaut because security had locked down the Raymond Priestly Building.

The University of Melbourne, founded in 1858, ranks number 30 in the world. The university is steeped in academic history and Jewish soul. Sir Isaac Isaacs (1855- 1948) the first Australian-born Governor-General, graduated in law in 1880. Sir John Monash (1868-1932) Australia’s greatest military commander, graduated in law and engineering in the 1880s. He co-founded the Melbourne Student Union. Sir Zelman Cowen (1919-2011) another Governor-General, graduated in law in 1940.

Monash was vice-chancellor from 1923-1931. His office would have been in the Old Quad.

Monash was also founding president of the Zionist Federation of Australia in 1927. He would have made a fine MUJSS president! I imagine him sharing a falafel with Jewish students and even putting on tefillin!

Melbourne had a very troubled year in 2024 when pro-Palestine protesters erected illegal encampments, occupied a university building, and invaded Professor Steven Prawer’s office.

In 2025 the new vice-chancellor Emma Johnston enforced strict guidelines regulating staff and student protests. It marked a significant shift in the university’s approach to protest activity.

For many Jewish students and staff the lived experience on campus varies, with systemic issues remaining. The university’s leadership has signalled its intent to foster a welcoming environment for all communities and a renewed effort to address student concerns.

MUJSS president Nathan Ben-David observed: “Our Yom Ha’atzmaut picnic was a celebration of Jewish joy, of students coming together proudly and visibly Jewish on campus. We shared that moment with professors across the university.

“We are deeply grateful when we have the opportunity to engage with them directly. These events show the importance of creating spaces where Jewish life is visible and celebrated.”

Leon Mann is a professor at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences.