Waverley Council first in Australia to adopt anti-Semitism strategy

Schools in Sydney’s east are being encouraged to visit the Sydney Jewish Museum, for “targeted, early intervention” against anti-Semitism as part of a council’s nation-first strategy to combat the scourge.

School excursions to the Sydney Jewish Museum, awareness training, and forums on how to be ‘an upstander, not a bystander’ are part of an Australian first strategy dedicated to combating anti-Semitism.

The strategy, which was adopted at a recent Waverley Council meeting, is the first of it’s kind to be adopted by a local government in Australia, in hopes of becoming a blueprint for toward social cohesion.

Over a quarter of the state’s Jewish population resides in the Waverley local government area, which has seen an ugly scourge of anti-Semitic incidents in recent months.

Mayor Will Nemesh said the strategy was designed to be “more than just words on a page”.

“We are leaders in this space given what is occurring in our community,” Mr Nemesh said.

Sydney Jewish Museum. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“It's not just words on a page, but tangible actions showing our community they are valued, we respect them and that they should feel safe.”

Under the strategy, community activities are divided into the four areas of prevention, early intervention, response and recovery.

Protesters march against anti Semitism. Picture: Richard Dobson

The framework aims for “targeted early prevention identifying specific cohorts such as young people”.

“Schools in the catchment area will be encouraged to take their students to the Sydney Jewish Museum for awareness training and engage in programs such as courage to care,” the strategy states.

The same workshops, which involve meeting with and hearing the story of a Holocaust survivor, will be mandatory for Waverley councillors.

Council staff will also review the books and learning materials relating to Jewish history and culture, at Waverley Library, which is heavily used by HSC students.

Waverley College

When approached for comment on the strategy’s suggestion for schools, a spokesman for the Department of Education stated the six state-run schools within the council’s catchment had “engaged in relevant activities and programs to combat anti-Semitism”.

The spokesman also said the school regularly played against the Jewish school Moriah College in sports, which helped “build positive relationships and mutual respect”.

Nearby St Catherine’s School stated their Year 9 elective history classes learn about the Holocaust and visit the museum, adding their “very active student leadership group” convened with local members of government.

DAILY TELEGRAPH. Kincoppal Rose Bay school. 29/04/2024. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

Junior school students of Catholic independent school Kincoppal Rose Bay join forces with Jewish school Emmanuel College in a parent-led cultural exchange program called “Kids Breaking Bread”.

A spokeswoman also said the school was implementing the “respectful relationships program” across both senior and junior campuses.

Meanwhile, independent Anglican girls school Kambala College in Rose Bay said they had no comment regarding the strategy or its suggestions for schools.

Another focus area involves holding forums aimed at the wider community, with the message of how to be an ally or “upstander” who calls out hatred.

The council is also developing an emergency plan specifically related to acts of anti-Semitism, to “swiftly and effectively offer support” to those affected.

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