“We are at a crisis point in our nation re antisemitism and our education system, particularly in the universities, has been a breeding ground for it. We need to intervene however at the earliest level to provide teachers with modules that will dispel false narratives and build empathy, compassion and a sense of identification with children of diverse backgrounds. As well as our Indigenous Friends of Israel International public education program, we are working with a curriculum writer in Brisbane and the WE ARE HERE (WAH) Foundation Perth on a school program that aligns with the national curriculum and builds on WAH’s successful In My Pocket project. It will build resilience in children to withstand some of the antisemitic material in the media. Once the modules are ready, we will be looking for schools to be involved in a pilot program.” 

by Barbara Miller, Cofounder of Indigenous Friends of Israel International.

“As antisemitic voices and acts of hatred emerge in a daily torrent competing for a central stage position, it is imperative now, more than ever, to provide Australian teachers and school leaders with an alternative voice and potential for acts filled with compassion, respect for diversity and reaching out to connect with and understand our Jewish neighbours. It is of utmost importance and urgency to develop these teaching units on antisemitism for Australian schools in conjunction with the national curriculum, and together with teams from Indigenous Friends of Israel International and WE ARE HERE! Foundation. These units will guide teachers in how to discuss concepts of antisemitism, displacement of people groups, ethics and justice through quality literature such as the inspirational story, In My Pocket. It is a privilege to be involved in the writing of these units which have the potential to be a catalyst for change in our communities.”

Shoshana Linnane, Brisbane-based educator, curriculum writer and advocate for Israel.

Jill and Eli Rabinowitz of the WE ARE HERE! Foundation have spent the past two years educating thousands of upper primary school children in Australia and South Africa. Their In My Pocket Project is about seven year old Dorrith Sim’s escape from danger from Kassel Germany to Edinburgh Scotland in July 1939, and is an uplifting true story of rescue and survival which also speaks to the current situation of refugees and displaced children around the globe. In My Pocket is a free two-hour workshop of a book reading with a creative art activity for upper primary classrooms (Grades 5 and 6).

Jill and Eli Rabinowitz,
WE ARE HERE! Foundation https://wah.foundation/