To download this statement in PDF format, click here.

These are extraordin­ary times for our community and our nation. We are all living under the strain of upended daily routines, concerns for our loved ones, and a situation that is both uncertain and rapidly evolving.

One of the key functions of the Executive Council of Aus­trali­an Jewry and its State and Territory roof bodies, and of course our CSGs, has always been to ensure that we as a community are resilient and prepared in difficult times.

Lead­er­ship groups in different States are engaging in regular con­sulta­tions with our syn­agogues, schools, care facil­it­ies, service providers and other insti­tu­tions to assist and coordin­ate in the adoption of prudent measures to best protect members of our community and our society, and to deal with potential long-term implic­a­tions should this situation continue for an extended period of time. The ECAJ Executive will shortly be meeting to facil­it­ate co-operation between these groups across Australia.

Identi­fy­ing our most vul­ner­able

While Jewish organ­isa­tions are well-placed to handle any difficult situation con­cern­ing their members, employees and other stake­hold­ers, we are mindful of those in our community who are highly vul­ner­able, including those who are elderly or infirm and live inde­pend­ently, including hundreds in public housing. As some families begin to avoid non-essential outings, it is these most vul­ner­able who might begin to feel­par­tic­u­larly isolated and anxious, and whose needs will be greatest, in terms of obtaining basic household items and medicines.

The strength of our community comes from our sense of mutual respons­ib­il­ity to one another. We are also blessed with out­stand­ing volun­teers and pro­fes­sion­als in care-providing organ­isa­tions who are ready to assist anyone in need.

We urge members of our community who are not currently receiving assist­ance and are having dif­fi­culties with shopping, obtaining medicines, or are exper­i­en­cing emotional or psy­cho­lo­gic­al distress, to reach out to us, either by phone or email, so that through our state con­stitu­ent bodies we may direct them to the indi­vidu­al or organ­isa­tion in our community who is best placed to offer immediate assist­ance. 

Call for volun­teers

In anti­cip­a­tion of possible further restric­tions on gath­er­ings and an extended dis­rup­tion to daily lives, we are also calling for members of our community to come forward to volunteer in the provision of basic assist­ance to our neediest, which might include deliv­er­ing groceries to the elderly or simply placing regular phone calls to those living alone.

If you are able to volunteer in some capacity, we ask you to please send your details to the contacts listed below and we will work with our state rep­res­ent­at­ive bodies and care-providers to match volun­teers to community needs.

Contact
Alex Ryvchin | Co-CEO
ph: 02 8353 8505 | m: 0478 297 245
e: [email protected] | www.ecaj.org.au

Contact
Peter Wertheim | Co-CEO
ph: 02 8353 8505 | m: 0408 160 904 | fax 02 9361 588
e: [email protected]| www.ecaj.org.au