Zeddy Lawrence steps down as Zionism Vic exec director

Zeddy Lawrence, the executive director of Zionism Victoria, has announced his departure from the organisation after successfully elevating its profile both within and beyond the Jewish community.

Lawrence, a former editor of the Australian Jewish News, cited multiple factors influencing his decision to step down.

“I think it was a coalescence of three things. One, my contract was coming up for renewal. Two, there was a new board appointed at the end of last year. And three, I just had a baby at the end of last year. So it seemed like a good juncture, or a good crossroads to look for something new to do,” Lawrence explained.

During his tenure, Lawrence transformed Zionism Victoria from an organisation primarily focused on annual commemorative events into a significant communal voice with broader reach and influence.

“I fulfilled and surpassed my ambitions for what I wanted to achieve with Zionism Victoria, which principally was to make it more than just the organisation that did Yom Hashoah and Yom Ha’atzmaut, but an organisation that had credibility, not just within our own community, but the wider community as well,” he said.

His leadership was particularly tested following the October 7 attacks, when Zionism Victoria quickly adapted to meet community needs by organising memorial services, rallies and creating diverse engagement opportunities.

“When October the seventh happened, most of the major communal organisations found a niche… We became the organisation that organised the major memorial services, the major rallies, and created opportunities for the community to unite and engage,” Lawrence said.

These efforts led to unprecedented community participation, with attendance figures doubling at major events.

The first anniversary commemoration of October 7 drew 10,000 people, while this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations attracted between 8,000-10,000 attendees.

When asked about his proudest achievements, Lawrence pointed to both the organisation’s enhanced reputation and the emotional impact of its events.

“Every time I attend one of our events and I see the sheer number of people who are there, or I feel the emotion that is expressed each time, I think this is the best thing ever.”