Dear supporters,

This week marks one year since we launched the Jewish Council of Australia with our op-ed in The Age, declaring that as Jews, we support Palestinian human rights and don't accept that criticism of Israel is antisemitic. 

Since launching we have witnessed something remarkable: an expanding movement of Jewish Australians ready to stand up for Palestinian freedom and against all forms of racism.

Watch our short video to see how far we've come:

As I reflect on this heart-breaking year, I'm proud of what our entirely volunteer team has achieved:

• We’ve been working with our allies across the Palestine solidarity, human rights and antiracism movements;
• We’ve been speaking out, with 100+ media appearances across major outlets;
• We’ve been growing our supporters, including almost 1000 Jewish Australians who have signed onto our core principles;
• We've established 20+ discussion groups across Australia, and hosted events, creating spaces for honest conversations;
• We’ve been meeting and engaging with politicians and policy-makers.

But here's the truth: we're at a crucial turning point.

Our volunteer team has been working around the clock, responding to urgent media requests, organising events, working with allies, lobbying politicians, and amplifying diverse Jewish voices. To sustain this momentum and avoid burnout, we need your help.

For $18 a month - the numerical value of 'chai' (life) in Hebrew - you can help us:

• Respond rapidly to breaking news
• Expand our community engagement
• Organise more events like last night's sold-out discussion with Dr. Gabor Maté.

Your tax-deductible monthly gift will help us raise the money needed to hire a part-time communications specialist who can amplify our message that Jewish safety and Palestinian freedom are intertwined.

With Trump in power and the threat of the far-right rising here, we need your support, now more than ever.

Will you join us with a monthly gift of $18, $36, or $54 to help build a sustainable future for this vital work?

After watching our journey in the video, I hope you'll agree: we've built something special together. But to keep growing this movement, we need your support.

Good Shabbos / Shabbat Shalom.

In solidarity and hope,

Sarah Schwartz,
Executive Officer, Jewish Council of Australia

P.S. After you watch the video, which you can view on YouTube or Instagram, please share it with friends who might want to be part of our next chapter. Then consider making a monthly gift to help us expand our impact.

All donations over $2 to the Jewish Council of Australia are tax deductible. We are a registered charity with the ACNC and have DGR status.

Check out our website at jewishcouncil.com.au. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram for updates. Support us by making a tax-deductible donation.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands on which we live and work. We pay respect to Elders past and present — this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.