New Zealand Jewish Council
 | |
| Founded | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
Region served | New Zealand |
President | Juliet Moses |
| Website | nzjc |
The New Zealand Jewish Council (NZJC) is a Jewish communal organisation in New Zealand. Aided by regional Jewish councils, it was established in 1981 to respond to antisemitism in New Zealand and misinformation.[1] The Council also monitors and responds to the New Zealand government's foreign policy and attitudes towards the State of Israel and the Middle East.[1] It acts as the representative body of Jewish communities in New Zealand, therefore representing 10,000 Jews across the country.[2] It is an affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.[3]
History
[edit]The Council was established in Wellington in 1981 at a national conference of Jewish leaders from across New Zealand.[3] Wally Minsch was appointed as the chairman of the Council.[3] The Israeli ambassador, Yaacov Morris, also attended and spoke at the conference.[3] Also present was Israeli-Australian Jewish activist Isi Leibler, who had been working with local Jewish leadership to form the organisation.[3]
In 1991, the Council supported the government's investigation into whether suspected Nazi war criminals were living clandestinely in New Zealand.[4] In 2010, the Council criticised a government ban on Shechita (Kosher animal slaughter), arguing that "denying us a fundamental tenant of our religion is a direct challenge to our existence. It is unintentional anti-Semitism."[5]
In July 2021, the Council's spokesperson Juliet Moses criticised Mongrel Mob member Harry Tam for chanting the Nazi victory salute "Sieg Heil in a video. Moses described the video as offensive to New Zealand Jews particularly Holocaust survivors.[6]
In March 2022, the Council published the Survey of Antisemitism in New Zealand in 2021.[7] Since the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, the council has criticised civic and political leaders for not denouncing what it called antisemitic rhetoric at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in New Zealand.[8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Page 4. Zionism in New Zealand Archived 16 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine Te Ara. 8 February 2005
- ^ Home New Zealand Jewish Council. Retrieved on 16 December 2023
- ^ a b c d e "New Organization Founded to Represent New Zealand Jewry". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "New Zealand Begins Investigation into War Criminals Living There". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Dan (18 November 2010). "New Zealand schechitah ban to go to court". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Hendry-Tennent, Ireland (23 July 2024). "NZ Jewish Council slams video of Mongrel Mob's Harry Tam saying 'sieg heil'". Newshub. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ Survey of Antisemitism in New Zealand in 2021 Archived 15 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine New Zealand Jewish Council. March 2022
- ^ "Jewish community says it feels 'isolated and vulnerable' after swastika graffiti". The New Zealand Herald. 17 November 2024. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2024.