New Zealand Jewish Council
Founded1981 (1981)
HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
Region served
New Zealand
President
Juliet Moses
Websitehttps://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 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

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
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