David Zyngier: Local councillor and academic left an ‘indelible mark’ on the community

Flags have been lowered in honour of academic and local councillor David Zyngier.

Dr David Zyngier's funeral was held at Springvale Botanical Cemetery's Jewish Cemetery on Monday. Picture: supplied

Hearts are heavy across Melbourne following the sudden death of a local councillor and prominent member of the Jewish community.

Glen Eira Council lowered the flags at the town hall over the weekend in honour of David Zyngier who died on Sunday.

Mayor Anne-Marie Cade said Dr Zyngier, who was elected to the council in 2020, had left an “indelible mark” on the community and his death was an “immeasurable loss”.

“Cr Zyngier never shied away from asking the big questions and challenging all of us to aim higher,” she said.

Glen Eira Resident’s Action Group members also shared their sadness at the “great loss” of Dr Zyngier who they described as a “tireless contributor to education, our council and our community”.

Dr David Zyngier was a member of the Greens. Picture: Supplied

Glen Eira councillor David Zyngier recently celebrated three years of serving his community. Picture: supplied

A couple of months before his death Dr Zyngier shared his pride at serving the community.

“Three years into my council term. So much has been achieved for the community, for the environment, for heritage in Glen Eira,” he posted to social media.

“A real privilege to make a difference.”

Dr Zyngier was the son of Holocaust survivors from Poland and was the first in his family to complete high school and attend university.

He was a student at Melbourne Boys High School and went on to study history and politics at Monash University.

He later returned to Monash where he studied to become a humanities teacher.

From 1994-96 Dr Zyngier was the principal of The King David School in Armadale and was a senior lecturer at Monash University for 16 years until 2019.

At the time of his death he was an associate professor (adj) at Southern Cross University, where he supervises Doctoral and Masters of Education research students.

Dr Zyngier was a well-known member of Glen Eira’s Jewish community and an active member of his synagogue, Kehilat Nitzan.

He was a passionate advocate for climate action, helping to establish the Glen Eira Emergency Climate Action Network, and was also a member of the Jewish Climate Network.

Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said Dr Zyngier would be greatly missed.

“David’s lifelong passion for worker’s rights, public education, sustainability and peace leave an enormous legacy,” she said.

“We send our strength and love to the Zyngier family and his community.”

Dr Zyngier is survived by his wife, Suzanne, children and grandchildren.

He was farewelled on Monday at Springvale Botanical Cemetery’s Jewish Memorial Cemetery.