Hatikvah forms a coalition to explain What How & Why to Hebrew speakers.

The Hebrew speaking community of Australia was provided the opportunity to understand the framework of the Royal commission and the opportunity and tools to contribute to the Commission’s work.

Hatikvah Aust, Beit Tarbut & Shelanu together with Share Your Story, Project A, ncjwa (nation & Vic), JCCV, ZFA & Habayit all joined forces with to provide the this unique service. For the first time native Hebrew speakers were able to learn about and participate in an important but seemingly complex Aussie endeavour. Commissions of Inquiry are not new to Israelis, but Australian Royal Commissions are a different and unfamiliar beast.

Avishag Rager, ably assisted by Shani Burnie led the ZOOM.

Our legal expert, Niv Tadmor carefully explained:

·      the terms of reference, timeline (report by Dec2026) and the powers of the Commission

·      that the Israeli Australian experience is both significant and likely to be quite different to that of the broader Jewish Aussie population

·      that every experience is not just relevant on its own, but gains weight and relevance if it is widely reported. The commission pays attention to a critical mass of submissions that tell a similar story, such as: parents that report being cautious or scared to take their children to public spaces, or incidents at school or at workplaces

·      that authenticity is the key, a personal submission doesn’t need to be neat or well written, it needs to be your real experience. This includes acknowledgement that grammar or ability to write well is irrelevant. What is important is your story and where possible facts (date, place, words spoken). Make it easy for the Commission to read. Use headings:- In the Street; At Work; At School, etc.

A number participants shared their experiences and sought to understand how best to record them in their submission.

Negba Weiss Dolev spoke of the growing fear of the general Jewish community in relation to the level of government protection available and the growing certainty that Palestinian protests were creating dangerous spaces – no go areas - in our cities.

Another participant shared a harrowing story, relating how he felt the need to create a (non-Israeli) persona – all in order to avoid any potential blowback if he admits to being Israeli.

Anat Dror pointed out that she has already logged 3 submissions. One as a member of an organisation (workplace), one as a mother and one as an individual.

She also pointed out the need to understand the difference between providing contact details or choosing anonymity or confidentiality.

To watch the ZOOM for more detail:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbZAhW8P-5o&t=268s 

If you want to make your submission yourselfThe process is simple.Go to https://as.royalcommission.gov.au/share-your-story/submissions

Tip: prepare your submission in advance. The website doesn’t hold drafts.

For those still uncertain:- HELP is at hand!

Workshops to help draft your submissions available for Hebrew & English speakers.