We must vote on whole platforms as Australians, not just as Jews

When a leaked video showed NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong describing how the “Jewish and Israel lobby” reach their tentacles into social justice campaigns, such as the fight to stop the watering down of racial vilification laws (known as 18C), because they want to “influence power”, I was angry for innumerable reasons. 

I have volunteered and worked professionally in social justice and for-purpose sectors for much of my life. I was also raised by two Orthodox (in principle if not practice) parents in a thoroughly Jewish home. Tikkun olam and tzedakah were always at the heart of every single lesson of what it meant to be a Jew. 

This is evident in the Australian philanthropic landscape, where Jewish donors punch well above their weight in terms of charitable giving across a number of causes, frequently outside their own community. 

Every single Jewish community with which I’ve been involved, both in Australia and overseas, has run social justice activities both within and outside their own gates, from large-scale campaigns and interfaith initiatives, to charity outreach programs, like soup kitchens, children’s giving programs, kitchen pantries and so on.  

As a mother to Aboriginal children, I am proud of the work Jewish community groups have done working to support the civil rights of First Nations People on stolen land. This stretched back to grassroots community groups who worked to bring about change during the lead-up to the 1967 referendum, the Jewish lawyers who worked on Eddie Mabo’s Native Title case, and through to almost all Jewish community groups vocally and actively supporting the Yes vote in last year’s Voice to Parliament referendum.