New Zealand Jewish Council

Last updated

New Zealand Jewish Council
Founded1981;42 years ago (1981)
Headquarters Auckland, New Zealand
Region served
New Zealand
President
Juliet Moses
Website https://nzjc.org.nz/

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]

Contents

History

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] Israeli ambassador, Yaacov Morris also attended the conference and was a speaker. [3] Isi Leibler was also present, he 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 March 2022, the Council published Survey of Antisemitism in New Zealand in 2021. [6] Since the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, the council has decried the failure of both civic and political laders to denounce antisemitic rhetoric at pro-Palestine demonstrations in New Zealand. [7]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Page 4. Zionism in New Zealand Te Ara. 8 February 2005
  2. Home New Zealand Jewish Council. Retrieved on 16 December 2023
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 New Organization Founded to Represent New Zealand Jewry Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 24 August 1981
  4. New Zealand Begins Investigation into War Criminals Living There Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 19 July 1991
  5. New Zealand schechitah ban to go to court Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 18 November 2010
  6. Survey of Antisemitism in New Zealand in 2021 New Zealand Jewish Council. March 2022
  7. Israel-Hamas war: NZ Jewish community feels ‘vulnerable’ after failure of civic leaders to condemn swastika graffiti and rhetoric New Zealand Herald. 20 November 2023