Ian Sandler, outgoing President of JCA’ speech , was a powerful reminder of the strength, unity, compassion and resilience of the NSW Jewish community.
Community is not built by proximity.
It is built by showing up.
By caring.
By standing with each other through the good times and the difficult times.
By lifting people up when they need it most.
Over the past year, the Jewish community has faced challenges many of us never imagined possible. Antisemitism moved from the fringes to our streets, our campuses, and even places where we once felt completely safe.
The events following October 7 reminded us that vulnerability can arrive unexpectedly. But they also reminded us of something far more powerful.
Our unity.
We refused to be intimidated.
We refused to disappear.
When our community was challenged, we moved as one.
We debated, as Jews always do. As the saying goes, two Jews, three opinions. Yet when it mattered most, we stood together with courage, compassion, and determination.
That collective response demonstrated who we are and who we have always been.
Through unprecedented collaboration across organisations, leaders, volunteers, donors, and families, we strengthened the bonds that make our community one of the strongest in the world.
The work of JCA and the many organisations it supports is more than an obligation. It is an investment in a future where Jewish life continues to flourish in Sydney and across New South Wales. A future where our children can grow up safely, proudly, and connected to their heritage.
As leaders such as Ian Sandler, David Ossip, Myron Salinger, Alain Hassan, and countless others have demonstrated, the answer to adversity is not fear.
It is strength.
It is generosity.
It is community.
And through it all, one thing has remained constant:
We show up.
It has been an honour to serve alongside so many remarkable people.
Am Yisrael Chai.
In times of unity we a me stronger when we work together - how do we work together
We need to be one
Every aspect is as one
We are one connected by community
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