New Zealand Jewish Council
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Founded | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
Region served | New Zealand |
President | Juliet Moses |
| Website | nzjc |
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 a representative body of Jewish communities in New Zealand, claiming to represent 10,000 Jews across the country.[2] It is an affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.[3]
The council was established in Wellington in 1981 at a national conference of Jewish leaders from across New Zealand.[3] Wally Hirsh was appointed as the inaugural chairman of the council.[3] The Israeli ambassador, Yaacov Morris, also attended and spoke at the conference.[3] Also present was Israeli-Australian Jewish activist Isi Leibler, who 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 July 2021, the council's spokesperson Juliet Moses criticised Mongrel Mob member Harry Tam for chanting the Nazi victory salute "Sieg Heil in a video. Moses described the video as offensive to New Zealand Jews particularly Holocaust survivors.[6]
In March 2022, the Council published the Survey of Antisemitism in New Zealand in 2021.[7] Since the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, the council has criticised civic and political leaders for not denouncing what it called antisemitic rhetoric at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in New Zealand.[8]
