Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Hanukkah

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (17:52): (516) My adjournment is for the new Minister for Multicultural Affairs Minister Stitt. It has been a devastating week for my community of Southern Metro. The electorate is home to Australia’s largest Jewish community and one of the world’s largest diasporas of Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Many in my community have family members in Israel. Many were just minutes or even seconds away from danger. My own staff member Zac is Jewish, and his father is from Israel. He has spoken to me about the personal effects of this. It has been even more devastating to see many in the Jewish community who have been afraid to go to school or to be open and proud of their Judaism and scared to go into their own city. We must fight bigotry, support our Jewish community and celebrate and promote their culture and beliefs.

That is why today I want to talk about the celebration of the Hanukkah festival of Pillars of Light. The festival features the lighting of the menorah tradition, music and dance performances, delicious food and various activities for people of all ages. It brings together families, friends and communities to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our Jewish citizens. That is why I was proud that in the 2023–24 budget the Andrews Labor government committed to investing $400,000 in this festival over four years. Victoria is multicultural, and Australia is a multicultural country. We are made up of a vibrant tapestry of cultures, religions and traditions. When we promote an environment where all individuals are welcomed and embraced, we strengthen the relationships and connections we make with one another. That unites us all together.

Hanukkah is a cheerful time for the Jewish community worldwide, and this year it will be particularly poignant. The festival reminds the Jewish people of their resilience and their perseverance throughout history. It commemorates the miracle of the oil in the Temple of Jerusalem. The menorah or candelabrum with nine branches is one of the central symbols of Hanukkah. The central candle is known as the shamash. The ritual of lighting the candle symbolises the spreading of light and the power of faith to dispel darkness. This serves as a beacon of hope and unity for both the Jewish community and our society at large. It serves as a reminder of the importance of taking care of our cultural heritage while encouraging an inclusive society. That is why the action I seek is for the minister to join me at the festival later this year. I know her presence would be deeply felt and appreciated by the Jewish community. The celebration of Hanukkah is embodied by principles of tolerance, understanding and respect, and its support will go a long way to building social harmony. It will send a powerful message of solidarity and support, which has never been more important.