New Zealand Jewish Council

New Zealand Jewish Council

Founded	1981; 44 years ago (1981)
Headquarters	Auckland, New Zealand
Region served	New Zealand
President	Juliet Moses
Website	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]

History

The Council was established in Wellington in 1981 at a national conference of Jewish leaders from across New Zealand.[3] Wally Hirsh was appointed as the inaugural 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

• History of the Jews in New Zealand

References

1. Page 4. Zionism in New Zealand Archived 16 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine Te Ara. 8 February 2005
2. Home New Zealand Jewish Council. Retrieved on 16 December 2023
3. "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.
4. "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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Survey of Antisemitism in New Zealand in 2021 Archived 15 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine New Zealand Jewish Council. March 2022
8. "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.

External links

• Official website