‘Declaration of interdependence’ proposed for Israel-Diaspora relations

A declaration of shared values, a research data base and a "diversity minyan" system were among the suggestions made by Australian delegates for a new Global Jewish Council.

The Australian consultation for a global project to improve Israel-Diaspora relations was held in Melbourne on Sunday. Ninety-one delegates from Australian Jewish organisations in four states attended the consultation, which is part of an Israeli presidential initiative to create a Global Jewish Council.

The consultation day was one of 15 such sessions being held globally, as part of Kol Ha’am-Voice of the People, an initiative by President Isaac Herzog to create a "Jewish Davos" – a collaborative forum for Jewish representatives from around the world.

In a recorded message to Kol Ha’am delegates, President Herzog expressed his deep concern about the growing rift between Israel and the Diaspora.

“Not only are we agreeing less and less but we seem to be losing the ability to talk to one another. We need a place where we can come together and listen to one another,” he said.

Delegates identified antisemitism, intermarriage, assimilation, connection/division, continuity and education as the key issues confronting the Jewish people.

But there was also hope. “We have so much to be grateful for and so much to be proud of. We are a thriving and accomplished people, connected by ties – historic ties, religious ties, family ties – that stretch across the globe over millennia,” President Herzog said.

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said he was proud of the strength and diversity in the room.

He cited the results of Crossroads23, the survey conducted by The Jewish Independent in the lead-up to the conference as evidence of a sophisticated community that cared about Israel, even as it expressed concerns about Israeli policies.

“The recent survey conducted by The Jewish Independent demonstrates that on almost every metric, the Australian Jewish community’s connection to Israel is stronger than it was in 2017. It also demonstrates that our Jewish identity has depth and sophistication such that our connection to Israel remains strong regardless of whether we agree or disagree with the policies of the Israeli Government of the day.”

Most of the day was spent in working groups discussing what a Global Jewish Council would look like, what it could reasonably be expected to achieve and what challenges it would face.

Ideas suggested by delegates included:

Key criteria agreed on by the delegates were:

There was also considerable frustration and scepticism expressed. At the beginning of the day, participants were asked to rate their attitude to the likelihood of success on a 1-10 scale and averaged 3.8.

Some delegates pointed out similar presidential initiatives had been tried before. There were fears a Global Jewish Council might be “just a talkfest” designed to act as a release valve for Diaspora frustrations with Israel without providing any genuine change.

Others felt a council would inevitably become factionalised and divided and would be no different from the existing World Jewish Congress and World Zionist Organisation.

Facilitator Rami Argov from Deloitte Tel Aviv said this was only the beginning of a process. Results from the 15 international labs will go to the President’s Office and the results will be fed back in a report to global communities.  

“I appreciate not only you taking part but also you being brutally honest with us. You are similar to Israelis in your brutal honesty, the cynicism you have shared with us and also how much this is important to you,” he said.