Published: 29 July 2019
Last updated: 4 March 2024
The thirst for inspiration, insights and experiences from those who have tried to make a difference, created a powerful buzz on Sunday at the second Australian Jewish Social Justice Summit, a joint initiative of social justice organisation Stand Up and The Jewish Independent, along with Shalom and the Emanuel Synagogue.
The talks and sessions delivered at Bondi Pavilion ranged from big politics to grassroots campaigns, national leaders and committed individuals. All the speakers were Jewish and all of them have focussed their energies outside the community. Hence, the summit’s name, Beyond The Tribe.
In the morning the former member for Wentworth, Kerryn Phelps, chronicled the evolution of the Medivac legislation she spearheaded through Federal parliament, and the moral shame Australian governments must bear over asylum-seekers.
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In the afternoon Sydney mother Anna Buch, speaking on a panel titled Local Heroes, talked about the support group she co-founded that spends every Thursday at Sydney’s Villawood detention centre, escorting a group of visitors who bring comfort and support to asylum seekers.
Similarly, the CEO of Greenpeace Australia David Ritter delivered a powerful address about the future of the environment: “on the great challenges of our age - the climate and extinctions emergency, the new technologies and the scourge of rising inequality - we have just re-elected a federal government that is offering nothing.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne historian and climate advocate Rebecca Forgasz reflected on how she and her sister Rachel were driven to start a grassroots Jewish climate action group in their lounge room.
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The summit was distinguished by this combination of corporate innovation and homespun wisdom. Sydney school friends Joshua Ross and Adam McCurdie discussed how they started their pioneering charity, Humanitix, a ticketing platform that redistributes profits to 30 partner charities.
Danielle Chiel, the founding CEO of global knitwear business KOCO (Knit One, Change One), reflected on how her company has transformed the lives of hundreds of women who work as knitters in villages across the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India.
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Gidon Goodman and Oscar Kaspi-Crutchett inspired with their tales of how they individually agitated to change government policy - Oscar started a not-for-profit in support of marriage equality, and organised various student strikes for climate change - and Gidon's advocacy pushed the government to remedy exorbitant parking fees at hospitals.
By the end of the day, these and other speakers had lit up paths to helping others that may not have been visible before. They did it with a charge of passion and conviction that inspired everyone who attended.
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Jewish community leaders have long talked about its willingness to help others in need. This summit opened many people’s eyes to the different ways that individuals can pursue this yearning, and the practical paths they can choose to improve the lives of others.
Main and bottom photo: David Ritter (Robert Klein/.Emanuel Synagogue)
Other photos
Rebecca Forgasz and Kerryn Phelps: Michael Visontay
Young business panel, young advocates, and group of women: Robert Klein
Hilton Immerman: Shahar Burla
