HOLOCAUST, HISTORY & HERITAGE

from JCA source 2020

AGED & COMMUNITY CARE

JCA is dedicated to ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust is preserved for generations to come and that programs are in place to inform people’s perceptions of morality, social justice, democracy and human rights. The Sydney Jewish Museum and the Australian Jewish Historical Society provide a conduit for the preservation of our history – making vast online resources available to the entire Jewish community – and a strong voice for teaching the lessons of the Holocaust. Community outreach programs educate thousands of non-Jewish high school students and hundreds of teachers every year in programs that are amplified by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies community-wide commemoration events. For detailed information about Holocaust, History & Heritage programs supported by JCA, please visit www.jca.org.au/programs

You can’t deny being jewish. it’s not only cultural, but philosophical – and a way of seeing the world and yourself.

A RICH HISTORY I’M STILL DISCOVERING Chaya Kasif

Chaya Kasif is 22 years young and studies ancient history. Growing up, her connection to the Sydney Jewish community was sparse – at the Catholic high school she attended, she was the only Jewish pupil until her younger sister joined her. When her classmates recited the Angelus, she would say the Shema. “They thought I was whispering in tongues.”

Although her mother had a conservative Jewish upbringing, Jewish identity was not a major part of Chaya’s childhood experience. She had limited interaction with the community and particularly with Jewish children her own age; she recalls feeling “disabled in a way.”

Chaya was determined to create her own path. “I’ve taken it on myself and redefined it – Judaism allows you to do that,” she said. For her, rediscovering the connection was a journey that has allowed her to redefine her personal identity. “It’s not only cultural but philosophical, and just a way of seeing the world and of seeing yourself. It’s making the everyday sacred, first of all, and secondly, being an agent of justice in the world – being a voice for peace and fighting for what’s right, but also making every single moment in the day something special.”

Chaya started reconnecting through friends she made after high school.

Additionally, her boyfriend who is Jewish has had a similar experience of rediscovery. “We encourage each other and together we seek out information on our identity and Jewish experiences,” she said.

Her passion for history led to her working as a researcher with the Australian Jewish Historical Society, sifting through hundreds of boxes of documents and ephemera, helping to catalogue the history of our local Jewish community. Every box brings with it the excitement of discovery. “By unearthing history I make it available to the public,” she observed. “When you have access to your history and knowledge of your past, it presents a way forward and it preserves identity. If we didn’t have history, we wouldn’t have each other, we couldn’t have collective identity, so it gives us identity, it gives us community.”

Through her university, Chaya began an internship at the Sydney Jewish Museum, working on an exhibition called Jews from Islamic Lands. For her, the experience of bringing knowledge to people and increasing public consciousness was uplifting, educational and enriching.

Through her work at the Museum and the Historical Society, Chaya has also become aware of JCA’s role behind the scenes, facilitating connections between individuals, organisations and community. “Like those that went before us through key moments in our history – Jews have always helped Jews,” she said, “and now we have JCA doing the same thing here in our community.”

Having previously felt estranged, Chaya is infectiously optimistic about the future of the Jewish community. “With people like me connecting,” she said, “our community can only get richer and more diverse.” Smiling, she added that even her non-Jewish friends are attracted by the appeal of Judaism.

2019-20 ALLOCATION $ 75,000

Key Impact Stats 323 boxes from NSW Jewish Board of Deputies organised and catalogued 2,000 historical files from the archives of AJHS collection catalogued 31,600 pages of AJHS

Journals digitised 6,500 searchable records of service men and women linked to National Archive 80,000 records of Jewish burials

2019-20 ALLOCATION $ 187,000

Key Impact Stats 5 major events held annually, attracting 2,200 guests 200 to 300 VIPs, from federal and state MPs and diplomats, to leaders of community groups and faiths, local government and leaders of civil society

Advocacy events promoting tolerance and respect across all cultural and religious boundaries

HOLOCAUST, HISTORY & HERITAGE

COMMUNITY-WIDE ARCHIVING AND DIGITISATION OF LOCAL JEWISH HISTORY Since the First Fleet, Jews have been part of the rich tapestry of Australia. This three-year project aims to preserve local Jewish historical information in all its forms, across all communal organisations, providing a rich legacy of Jewish continuity for future generations.

Program Provider Australian Jewish Historical Society

HOLOCAUST COMMEMORATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE OUTREACH EVENTS Multifaith communal events to honour the memory of Holocaust victims and survivors, to promote awareness of where racial hatred can lead, and to promote social justice for all. The program runs a number of key commemorative events that include: bringing the community together on Yom Hashoah, engaging the next generation through YouthHEAR (Holocaust Education and Remembrance) and bringing leaders of various faiths together with politicians and diplomats to commemorate Kristallnacht.

Program Provider NSW Jewish Board of deputies

2019-20 ALLOCATION $ 855,000

Key Impact Stats 28,500 students and 1,000 teachers educated in 2019 85% of secondary schools in Sydney participated in the program in the last 5 years 330,000 students have participated in the past 27 years 55,500 visitors to the Museum in 2019 and 800,000 in the last 27 years

Over 12,000 artefacts collected

HOLOCAUST AND JUDAISM EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR NSW SCHOOL STUDENTS Educating primary and secondary school students from all around NSW about Judaism, the history of the Holocaust, and how the lessons of the Holocaust are so relevant today. These programs embrace all primary and secondary school students in an age-appropriate way, and ensure future generations understand the lessons from the Holocaust.