AJN OCTOBER 13, 2017 18 TISHREI 23, 5778 COMMENT VOX Is enough being done by Western governments to combat terrorism?

No, more emphasis needs to be on education through the media. Melanie Schwartz

It is the duty of governments to be on the frontline. I believe a good start is supporting . Shimshon Gansberg Rabbinical student The group with Gadi Gvaryahu at the site of Mohammed Abu Khdeir’s murder.

NIF NAOMI CHAZAN FELLOWSHIP The struggle for social justice in Israel A bit but not enough. They are allowing terrorists’ propaganda Israel faces a number of social challenges, but it is heartening to see efforts made by to be broadcast all over the world. Les Melamed those on both sides of the conflict trying to create a more tolerant society. Company director E recently of years, it seems like each corner the Diaspora has played a crucial had the priv- GRAHAM of you explore has a role. ilege to par- KAPLAN different story to tell. Few places Young Jews, in particular, ticipate in the around the world are as full of are key to this process. As our New Israel BEC SHARP memorials and recognition of Generations X and Y become Fund’s Naomi trauma as Israel. more universal in their political ChazanW Fellowship tour of Israel. In the ultra-Orthodox neigh- were rising. and social outlook we need to see Five young Australians met up bourhood of Har Nof, we saw They should take control right Amid the tensions, we had a these values represented in Israeli with fellow participants from the the site where Palestinian terror- now because sometime in the confronting day with Tag Meir society. UK and USA to learn more about ists stormed a synagogue killing future they are going to have to founder Gadi Gvaryahu. Tag Meir NIF’s Fellowship – with young Israeli society and the struggles four worshippers and a responding and I think it’s the wrong process was founded in 2011 to respond adults from across the Jewish which are being fought there. We security guard in 2014. To see such to keep on giving in. to the increasing number of vio- world – plays an important role. Barry Simmonds met with a broad range of activ- destruction wrought in a holy site lent “Price Tag” attacks by right- No longer are coalitions to support Retired ists, mostly Israeli but also some was deeply saddening. wing extremists. His organisation Israel forged across local neigh- Palestinians. From an Australian strives to support and empower bourhoods; now they’re built on perspective our goal is to broaden social media networks and video the conversation about Israel in people-to-people efforts to reduce This fight – for chats. The richness and diversity our local community. tensions, minimise incitement and ‘ diversity, pluralism, of views in Jewish communities Heading to Israel, we were con- foster collaboration and mutual around the world is something we flicted between our social justice respect, particularly between acceptance and really look forward to emulating in values, our Jewish connection to Jewish and Palestinian citizens of the biblical land and the policies of Israel. tolerance – is central Australia. No. I believe these governments the current government. Their work crosses religious, to Israel’s future As Jewish MP and Shadow have a lot to learn from Israel. Having the opportunity to social and ethnic divides, ending Attorney-General Naomi Bamberg meet first-hand with Israelis and discrimination and speaking out success. recently said on ABC’s Q&A Admin assistant Palestinians striving to achieve against violence. After Shira Banki, ’ program, dissenting voices in a both social justice and a lasting a young Jerusalemite, was stabbed democracy are critical because peace showed us that not only were to death by an Ultra-Orthodox But it was the juxtaposition even when we disagree they enrich ONLINE POLL Jew protesting an LGBT pride jewishnews.net.au our personal conflicts completely of the Har Nof memorial and our community and our lives. normal, but also that positive march, Tag Meir organised a city- the barren trees of the Jerusalem Going on this trip was a real change and progress are possible wide vigil. Forest, just past Yad Vashem, privilege and it is impossible to from within. Seeing the entrepre- In 2014, after the brutal kid- where Mohammed Abu Khdeir distil in just a few words. Seeing 74% neurial Israeli spirit encapsulated napping and murder of three was killed by Jewish extremists, all the tireless work that grass- No on the ground was inspiring. Israeli teenagers, the Tag Meir rally that had a profound impact on us. roots organisations such as Tag It was also an important called for people to “mourn, not The only memorial in this place Meir are doing to create toler- reminder that we need to ensure avenge”. Tag Meir organised some was the blackened ground where ance and diversity in Israeli society, that the funds we donate to Israel 350 people to make a condolence his body was burnt. As we kicked allowed both of us to strengthen 26% are going to institutions with visit to the Abu Khdeir family, away dirt to find the ashened site, our connection to the country and Yes which we have shared values. whose teenage son was burned the enormity of the task faced by the Jewish values of tikkun olam. This lesson was most apparent alive by Jewish extremists just a Tag Meir really hit home, as well as Being able to experience this with Next week: on one of the most intense days of few days later. the broader hope that things must a cohort of young international the program in Jerusalem. During Their commitment to non- be better than this. Was Michael Danby activists made the experience one our time in the holy city, there had violence and the methodical, mat- This fight – for diversity, plural- we will cherish forever. justified in taking been a fatal attack on two border ter of fact way they go about it is ism, acceptance and tolerance – is out ads attacking the policemen at the Al Aqsa Mosque, something to behold. central to Israel’s future success. Graham Kaplan from Sydney and ABC’s Israel coverage? and much of the Old City was Having experienced so much The country has always been a Bec Sharp from are in complete lockdown as tensions conflict and pain over thousands global Jewish project, one in which NIF Naomi Chazan fellows.