ADC News
Volume 2, No. 2
June 2009
Supporting Indian students under attack 
The ADC is planning a strong Jewish community response to recent attacks on Indian students. It hopes the community will turn out in force to participate in the Harmony Walk. Participants meet at 2.30pm on 12 July in Carlton Gardens for the walk to Federation Square. The Premier Mr John Brumby announced he would lead the walk to "celebrate and reaffirm our state's tolerance, diversity and multiculturalism". The walk is part of the government response to violent racist attacks on Indian students. "We want to see everyone come together for the inaugural Harmony Walk," Mr Brumby said. ADC Research Director Deborah Stone said as a more established minority community it was particularly incumbent upon the Jewish community to speak out.
Antisemitism at New Matilda
The news website newmatilda is regularly allowing antisemitic comments to be posted on its blogs with no attempt to block or remove them. This is despite a stated policy which reserves the right to delete or censor comments that are abusive or promote hate of any kind. A study of newmatilda by the ADC over the first three months of 2008 found broad slabs of hate towards Israel and Jews were common. The themes of troubling comments included Holocaust denial, claims that Jews have no right or historical attachment to Israel, claims that there is no such thing as antisemitism and that Jews are paranoid, claims that Jews are a threat to the world, would infect the whole world with plague and that Israel is supported by "blood money".
The comments are typically posted in response to newmatilda reporting on Israel, which is also heavily partisan. Of the 18 articles on the subject run by newmatilda in the first quarter of this year, 17 presented the Palestinian narrative, characterizing Israel as an oppressor and not acknowledging its victims or security concerns. Only one article characterized Hamas as a terrorist organization. Only one article acknowledged the existence of competing narratives and it argued for the validity of the Palestinian narrative.
Newmatilda editor Marni Cordell told the ADC she believed the site's coverage of the issues was fair and the site was providing readers with "valuable alternative viewpoints".
Respecting the Past, Protecting the Future 
The artefacts of the Nazi regime are powerful symbols of the dangers or racism. Unfortunately many are now traded in the memorabilia market as mere curiosities and some fall into the hands of fascist and racist groups who use them to try to revive racism and hatred. Nazi memorabilia including medals, weapons and uniforms belong in museums where they can be used to teach future generations about the dangers of racism.
The ADC has launched a program to ask Australian antique dealers to choose not to sell these items. Many dealers have responded positively with market leading websites like ebay and Trading Post declaring they will not trade these offensive items. Where sites and shops choose to continue selling these items, some agree to display a sign educating the public about these wares and standing up against racism. Sites and shops are invited to copy the text here. Dealers who would like printed signs can receive them by sending a request and postal address to the ADC.
 Multifaith Future Leaders Program wins government grant
Another cohert of future leaders from varied faith communities will have the opportunity to join the Multifaith Future Leaders Program next year.
The ADC has received a $22,000 grant from the Victorian Multicultural Commission, which will ensure the program is funded for 2010. The program, which this year provided leadership training for about 30 young leaders from Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities, will be expanded to included leaders from other faith communities.
Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs Mr James Merlino presented the cheque to ADC Chairman Mr Tony Levy at a recent function at Beth Weizmann. He said the program was a fine example of the kind of initiative the Victorian Government was keen to support. 2009 participant Jade Kestenberg told participants at the function that she had gained enormously from participating in program and was continuing to have positive contact with young leaders from other backgrounds whom she met at the program.
Raising Government awareness on Iran
ADC Orator Dr Charles Small met with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith in May to brief him on developments in Iran. Dr Small, the Director of the Yale Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism, told the Minister that Iran presents a real danger in the Middle East and needed to be carefully monitored. During his visit to Canberra he also met with Opposition Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop and spoke to a lunch of the Parliamentary Friends of Israel. His Canberra meetings built on the highly successful ADC Gandel Orations in Melbourne and Sydney where Dr Small addressed more than 600 people on the imminent threat of Iran. Dr Small also spoke at Monash University where students were able to question him about his predictions for Iran's role in the Middle East.
Comment was not racist
People unfamiliar with latest fashion terminology mistakenly thought morning television host Kerri-Anne Kennerley had betrayed a racist streak in a fashion showing of bridal gowns. Ms Kennerley was surveying the offerings of bridal couturier Alex Perry, who was launching his ready-to-wear collection. A listener complained to the ADC that Kennerley had commented that she didn't like a particular dress because it was "too Jewish". But Channel Nine Corporate Affairs Manager Scott Briggs explained that what Ms Kennerley actually said was "too zhoosh". The term "zhoosh" (pronouced tjuzs) is a fashion colloquialism refererring to enhancing one's appearance. In fact Perry later in the program talks about brides who prefer a gown that is "zhooshier". Having reviewed a recording of the show, the ADC accepts Channel Nine's comments and has withdrawn its complaint. | 
Antisemitism 
