The Contest Judges

Tom Tate was elected Mayor of the Gold Coast, Australia’s 6th largest city, in April 2012. Now the longest-serving Mayor in the city’s history, he was re-elected for a fourth term in March 2024.

With a background in civil engineering from the University of New South Wales, Mayor Tate began his career in the construction industry before transitioning into tourism and hospitality. His strong business acumen has been instrumental in guiding the Gold Coast’s transformation into a globally recognised city while retaining its enviable lifestyle and stunning natural environment.

As a Board member of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games Organising Committee, Mayor Tate is looking towards the future and the opportunities that will come from this event where the Gold Coast will host various sports and a satellite Games village.

Jillian Segal AO was appointed as the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism on Tuesday 9 July 2024 by the Australian Government.

Jillian is a professional company director with a legal and regulatory background and private and public sector experience. She was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2003 for services to society through business leadership, and in January 2019 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the banking and financial regulation sectors, to not-for-profit organisations, and to women. Jillian is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Her current directorships Chair of the General Sir John Monash Foundation (Australia’s national postgraduate educational scholarship organisation) and a Director of the Grattan Institute of Public Policy. She is Immediate Past President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. She is a Member of the International Board of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.

Her previous appointments include the Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority until June 2025, Director of Rabobank Australia Limited up until November 2024, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research up until September 2024, Director of ASX Ltd, Director National Australia Bank Ltd, trustee of the Sydney Opera House, Deputy Chancellor of UNSW Sydney, a member of the Australian Government's Remuneration Tribunal. member of the Order of Australia Council and Commissioner (1997 to 2000) and Deputy Chair (2000 to 2002) ASIC.

Lorraine Finlay is the Human Rights Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission. In this role Lorraine leads the work of the Commission in areas including modern slavery, asylum seekers and refugees, business & human rights, and technology & human rights. Prior to joining the Commission, Lorraine has worked as a lawyer and academic specializing in human rights and public law.

Lorraine holds a PhD in Law from the University of Queensland, and a dual Masters in Law from New York University and the National University of Singapore, where she studied as a Singapura Scholar. Her past roles have included working as the Senior Human Trafficking Specialist with the Australian Mission to ASEAN, an academic at Murdoch University, and a State Prosecutor with the WA DPP.

Hermann Vorster represents the electorate of Burleigh in the Queensland Legislative Assembly and serves as the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs and International Student Attraction in the Crisafulli Government. His priorities are protecting the lifestyle of the southern Gold Coast which underpins its social, community and economic success. Prior to his election, Hermann represented Division 11 on the Council of the City of Gold Coast chairing the Lifestyle and Community Committee, and serving on the committees responsible for transport, infrastructure, and planning. He was a founding committee member of Gold Coast District Neighbourhood Watch Incorporated and served on the regional policy board for Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland. Hermann pursued the International Baccalaureate at high school and was awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship to complete degrees in Commerce and Information Systems. He is also Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and continues to champion the cause of small and family businesses.

Once the leader of America’s largest neo-Nazi organization, Jeff Schoep has become a global advocate for peace, transformation, and human rights.

His riveting true-life story, American Nazi: From Hate to Humanity, chronicles his extraordinary journey from the frontlines of hate into the trenches of healing.

Jeff’s work as a speaker and consultant has reached audiences from the Nobel Peace Center in Norway, including collaborations with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, RAND Corporation, and countless others.

Jeff has also been featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary White Right: Meeting the Enemy, Paramount Pictures’ Indivisible: Healing Hate, and Red Table Talk with Jada Pinkett Smith — along with appearances across the History Channel, National Geographic, 60 Minutes, Hulu, Comedy Central, and numerous other acclaimed documentaries.

Through powerful storytelling and lived experience, he now weaponizes the lessons of his past in service of humanity — driving change, bridging divides, and reshaping futures.

Mr. Shaikh is a former supporter of extremism who changed his ways after the 9/11 attacks. After spending two years studying Arabic and Islamic Studies in Syria, he self-deradicalized and returned to Canada where he was recruited to be an undercover operative with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. He worked multiple CLASSIFIED investigations and then traversed to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (Toronto) in the so-called “Toronto 18” terrorism investigation and its subsequent 4-year, 5-hearing public prosecution. He was also extensively involved in counter-ISIS activities for the U.S. military (CENTCOM, SOCCENT, AFSOS, USASOC, DIA, and others) and Coalition forces between 2012 and 2023, directly engaging with numerous ISIS supporters and members, and supporting deployed elements involved in the fight against ISIS. He currently sits on the Joint Staff – Strategic Multilayer Assessment team as an expert on the topic.

Mr. Shaikh is an internationally known specialist and practitioner and has addressed the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, U.S. State Department, the U.S. Senate, the Canadian Parliament, the European Parliament, and many others on the topics. He is currently a counter extremism specialist with the renowned NGO, “Parents4Peace” where he conducts interventions in extremism cases and appears before the U.S. Courts as an expert.

Holding a Master of Policing, Intelligence, and Counter Terrorism (Macquarie), Mubin also happens to be featured in a permanent exhibit at the New International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. under the section, “Preventing Terror.”

David is Chancellor of the University of New South Wales and Chairman of the UNSW Foundation Ltd. He is Non-Executive Chairman of Barrenjoey Capital Partners Group Holdings Pty Limited, Chairman of Sydney Airport and Chairman of Levande Living. He is also a member of the Board of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, a non-executive Member of LeapFrog Investment’s Global Leadership Council, a member of the Commonwealth Government’s Competition Taskforce Expert Advisory Panel, Patron of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, NAISDA Foundation and Raise Foundation and a Founding Panel Member of Adara Partners.

He was previously Chairman of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, President of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Board of Trustees, Chair of the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools for the Commonwealth Government of Australia. He was also a member of the Takeovers Panel, the ASIC External Advisory Panel and Director of Singapore Airlines Limited, the Westfield Group and Singapore Telecommunications Limited, Chairman of Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd, the Australian Securities Exchange Ltd, the Sydney Theatre Company, the Guardians of the Future Fund, the Australia Council for the Arts, the Board of Trustees of Sydney Grammar School and Investec Bank (Australia) Ltd.

Mayor Sharona R. Nazarian, PsyD was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in June 2022 and is currently the first Iranian American Woman to serve as Mayor of Beverly Hills.

An accomplished community leader and philanthropic advocate, she has dedicated her career to public service and giving back to the community that she loves and has presented her with so many opportunities.

Mayor Nazarian is an immigrant, exiled from her country of origin due to religious persecution, and English is her third language. Her work ethic continues to revolve around finding solutions together, spreading awareness about the importance of inclusivity and giving those without a voice a platform to speak out.

Mayor Nazarian has always been vocal about antisemitism and her ‘NEVER AGAIN IS NOW’ initiative will include multiple events throughout the year such as speaker series and book discussions. She has also been actively involved in the City’s October 7th Permanent Memorial RFP and Committee process that will ultimately decide on a design concept unveiled on the anniversary date in 2025.

Mayor Nazarian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Sociology from USC. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Multicultural Psychology from Alliant University. She lives in Beverly Hills with her husband Daniel, former Chairperson of the City’s Health and Safety Commission, and is the proud mother of three sons.

Natalie serves as a Public Affairs Officer at the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) where she is deeply involved in global efforts to combat antisemitism and fight extremist ideologies. Born and raised in Long Island to an Israeli mother and Iranian father, Natalie draws on her multicultural background and lived experiences to inform her work and amplify voices that often go unheard.

In October 2023 Natalie was visiting Israel when she narrowly survived the Nova Music Festival massacre, a traumatic and life changing moment that shifted the entire trajectory of her life. In the aftermath, she dedicated herself fully to advocacy, turning her personal experience into a mission to raise awareness and fight hate in all its forms, including rising antisemitism.

At CAM, Natalie is spearheading the “Iranian Coalition”, bringing together activists from a wide range of backgrounds to speak out against the regime in Tehran. The coalition aims to shine a light on the regime’s human rights abuses and amplify the voices of those standing up for freedom, justice and dignity both in Iran and in the diaspora.

Councillor Will Nemesh is the Mayor of Waverley Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, first elected as a Councillor in 2017 and as Mayor in 2024. A lifelong Waverley resident, he is committed to protecting the area’s heritage, natural environment and public spaces while advancing thoughtful planning, design and infrastructure improvements. His professional background spans state and federal government, the property sector, and community organisations, including board roles with Emanuel Synagogue and Courage to Care, and engagement work with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.

As Mayor, Will has prioritised community engagement, accessibility, and strategic planning. He has also led national efforts to strengthen social cohesion, with Waverley becoming the first local government in Australia to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and implement a dedicated strategy to combat antisemitism. He has represented Waverley internationally, including at the 2025 Paris Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism.

Cr Simone Zmood was elected Mayor for the 2024–2025 Council year and is the inaugural Councillor for Orrong Ward. Simone was first elected to Glen EiraCouncil at the 2020 Local Government election for Camden Ward and held the role of Deputy Mayor in 2023–2024. Cr Zmood grew up in Glen Eira. She has made her home just down the road from where her great-grandparents lived and has happily raised a family of four children with her husband. Since first elected as Councillor, two of her children have finished school and two have moved out of the family home. She is a management consultant and high-level strategist consulting to multinationals, ASX200 companies, government-owned corporations, start-ups, and not-for-profit. She has experience in strategic planning and performance management within more than 20 industries. Cr Zmood is passionate about building on Glen Eira’s strengths to further enhance the opportunities for locals to have healthy and deeply satisfying lives within our municipality, supported by appropriate services and facilities, and an inclusive, well-connected community. As Mayor, Cr Zmood pledges to lead with integrity, transparency, and compassion. “Together, we will write a story of progress, resilience, and unity—a story that future generations will look back on with pride.”

Darcy Byrne is the Mayor of the Inner West Council in Sydney. As the birthplace of Australian multiculturalism, the Inner West community has long held opposition to antisemitism as an important principle. The recent exponential increase in antisemitic vilification in graffiti and attacks has been a serious challenge for the Inner West Council.

Under Darcy’s leadership, the Inner West has led the way in establishing the first Local Government Anti-Racism Strategy in NSW, as well as collaborating with councils across Sydney to coordinate on social cohesion and combating antisemitism.

Elected to Woollahra Council in 2021, representing Cooper Ward, Sarah Swan became Deputy Mayor in 2023 and was elected Mayor in October 2024. A family lawyer and director of a law firm, Sarah also has a background in finance from her time in New York. She is a committed advocate against family violence and abuse across all genders, age groups and races.

Passionate about community wellbeing, Sarah is active in local yoga, running, and cycling groups, bringing energy and compassion to her leadership.

Roshena Campbell is the Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, a commercial barrister, and a mother of four young children.

She was first elected as a Melbourne City Councillor in 2020 and subsequently elected Deputy Lord Mayor in 2024.

Roshena holds portfolio responsibilities for Planning, Tourism, and Events, where she plays a key role in shaping the city’s future and enhancing its vibrancy.

Roshena is proud to have championed council initiatives such as the rapid removal of antisemitic and racist graffiti and materials - ensuring they are eliminated within one hour of being reported.

Zann Maxwell is the Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney, elected to the City of Sydney Council in 2024 on a platform to make Sydney more affordable, bring back its nightlife, and improve council services.

Since taking office, he has supported key reforms including stronger developer contributions for affordable housing, the introduction of Special Entertainment Precincts to support live music and performance, and an insourcing framework to improve the delivery of council services.

Before entering local government, Zann worked across public policy, corporate affairs, and politics. He advised on national policy reform in areas such as payments and fintech, consulted on advocacy and public affairs campaigns in the not-for-profit, social impact, and regulated sectors, and managed corporate affairs and strategy at a leading disability tech platform. He previously served as a political adviser to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Senator Kristina Keneally, and former Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Zann is an executive member of Rainbow Labor NSW, which advocates for LGBTIQA+ rights within the Labor Party and across the broader political system.

He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne and is completing the AICD Company Directors Course.

He originally hails from Lord Howe Island.

Alex Ryvchin is co-Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. He is the author of the critically acclaimed works, The Anti-Israel Agenda - Inside the Political War on the Jewish State (2017) and Zionism - The Concise History (2019). His fourth book, The Seven Deadly Myths - Antisemitism from the Time of Christ to Kanye West (2023) was shortlisted for the 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Award and investigates the extraordinary conspiracy theories behind antisemitism.

His advocacy and writing has seen him recognised as Australian of the Year for 2024 by The Australian newspaper, as one of 25 global Jewish visionaries by The Jerusalem Post and ranked 38th in the Daily Telegraph’s Power 100 for 2024. He is the recipient of the 2025 B’nai B’rith Human Rights Award.

His children’s book, A New Day (2020) written during the Coronavirus Pandemic to help families overcome adversity, was an international bestseller and rated by PBS as the top book to help kids navigate the pandemic.

Simone Abel is head of legal at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. She is a human rights lawyer and former CEO of Capital Punishment Justice Project (2020-2022), Director of Reprieve UK (2013-2020), CEO of Rene Casin (2010 - 2013) and winner of UNSW’s 2022 Alumni Award for Social Impact & Service. Simone’s career has focused on assisting those who have experienced extreme rights abuses, and engaging in advocacy and policy work to challenge rights violations.

Simone has a Masters of Laws (with a focus on international law and human rights) from UNSW, and has published articles on human rights law issues. She has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of NSW. Before moving back to Sydney in 2020, Simone worked at human rights organisations in New York and London. The most thrilling moments of Simone’s career to date have been working to support a case that led to three individuals’ exoneration and release from a death row abroad, and being part of a joint initiative that successfully evacuated and resettled 96 Afghans at risk of execution.

Dr. Charles Asher Small is the Founding Director and President of ISGAP. He is also the Director of the ISGAP-Woolf Institute Fellowship Training Programme in Critical Contemporary Antisemitism Studies, Discrimination, and Human Rights at the Woolf Institute, Cambridge, UK. Charles serves as the Goldman Fellow at the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy and as a Senior Research Fellow at the Moshe Dayan Centre for Middle East and African Studies, Tel Aviv University. He was previously the Koret Distinguished Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and a Visiting Researcher at St. Antony’s College, Oxford University. He currently serves as a Research Fellow at St. Edmund’s College, Cambridge University.

Charles received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McGill University, Montreal; an MSc in Urban Development Planning and Economics from the Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University College London; and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) from St. Antony’s College, Oxford University. He completed postdoctoral research at the Groupement de recherche ethnicité et société, Université de Montréal. Charles was the VATAT Research Fellow (Ministry of Higher Education) at Ben Gurion University, Israel, and has taught in the departments of sociology and geography at Goldsmiths’ College, University of London; Tel Aviv University; and the Institute of Urban Studies, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

He convened groundbreaking academic seminar series in the emerging field of contemporary antisemitism studies at Columbia University, Fordham University, Harvard University, McGill University, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, Sapienza University, the Sorbonne and CNRS, Paris, Stanford University, University of Miami, and Yale University. He also led an academic training program for professors at St. Catherine’s College, Hertford College, St. John’s College, and St. Antony’s College, Oxford University.

Charles was the Founding Director of the Yale Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism (YIISA), the first interdisciplinary research center on antisemitism at a North American university. At Yale, he taught in the Political Science Department and the Program on Ethics, Politics, and Economics, and oversaw a postdoctoral and graduate fellowship program. He served as an Associate Professor and Director of Urban Studies at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) and as an Assistant Professor at Tel Aviv University in the Department of Geography. He has lectured internationally and worked as a consultant and policy advisor in North America, Europe, Southern Africa, and the Middle East. His research focuses on social and cultural theory, globalization and national identity, sociocultural policy, social movements, and forms of racism, including antisemitism.

Charles is the author of numerous books and articles, including the five-volume Global Antisemitism: A Crisis of Modernity (ISGAP); The Yale Papers: Antisemitism in Comparative Perspective (ISGAP, 2015); Antisemitism in Comparative Perspective: Volume Two (ISGAP, 2016); The ISGAP Papers: Antisemitism in Comparative Perspective: Volume Three (ISGAP, 2018); and Social Theory – A Historical Analysis of Canadian Socio-Cultural Policies: Race and the Other.

He is committed to developing scholarly programming and research on contemporary antisemitism at top-tier universities internationally and to establishing contemporary antisemitism studies as a recognized academic discipline. He currently leads an international research project on the impact of soft power and undocumented funding on higher education as it pertains to antisemitism. Charles also has a human rights advocacy background, including serving as Chair of the Student Struggle for Soviet and Ethiopian Jewry in Montreal and as Chair of the African National Congress Solidarity Committee of Canada.

Adam started his career at Macquarie Group and co-founded EG Funds Management in 2000.

Today, EG manages over $3 billion in real estate assets and holds a development pipeline of $2.5 billion.

Adam also heads EGX, which has incubated many of Australia’s leading prop-tech and AI companies.

Other than serving as chair of March of the Living Australia, Adam is also a founder and director of two Australian charities as well as philanthropic missions in Lebanon and the Philippines.

Adam also maintains a popular LinkedIn blog aimed at young leaders, which has recently surpassed 20 million views.

Eli Imad is a dedicated member of the Armidale Regional Council and a committed Liberal Party advocate with over 20 years of active involvement. A graduate in Chemical Engineering, Eli has forged a distinguished career in the construction and development sector, delivering expertise in innovative project management and sustainable growth. Through a combination of long-standing political involvement, professional experience, and grassrootscommunity leadership, Eli advocates for responsible development, conservative values, and strong representation for the Armidale region.

Carol Tannous-Sleiman has over twenty five years experience in the retail, FMCG, early education and manufacturing industries both locally and internationally.

Carol led teams across people and culture, operations, and corporate affairs. She is a CEO and runs her own HR and employee relations consulting firm and is a qualified business Coach in leadership, supporting executives and businesses through significant organisational change, to transform individuals, culture and workplace.

Carol works closely with the Lebanese Christian Maronite community and is an advocate for fostering peaceful coexistence.

Carol is also a Councillor at Hunters Hill Council where she continues to speak out against antisemitic behaviour, demonstrating her commitment to social responsibility and ethical leadership.

Robert is a Councillor of Willoughby City; a local government area on the North Shore of Sydney in Cammaraygal Country. Chatswood is its largest centre. Robert works with the Mayor of Willoughby, Tanya Taylor, and his fellow Councillors to build community across Willoughby. Outside of Council, Robert has spent the last 18 years working with a large range of for-purpose organisations in consulting and more recently, a line role. Before that Robert worked with the Australian Trade Commission and a global multinational.

Dr Josh Roose is an Associate Professor of Politics at Deakin University and a leading Australian scholar on political and religious violent extremism, terrorism, and the intersections of masculinities and ideological violence.

He has conducted research for, and advised, Australian and State Governments, and presented to organisations including the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), International Centre for Counterterrorism (ICCT) in The Hague, and the Australia–New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC). His expertise has been featured in the BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian.

Dr Roose has served as an expert witness in multiple terrorism trials and inquests and is currently examining the ideological convergence of the extreme right, extreme left, and Islamism around antisemitism.

Dr Andre Oboler is CEO of the Online Hate Prevention Institute and Australian charity tackling all forms of online hate and extremism since 2012, an Adjunct Associate Professor in the La Trobe Law School where he has taught a range of Cyber Security subjects at Masters and Undergraduate level, and an expert member of the Australian Government's delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

He also serves as the Chair of Global Policy Caucus for the IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

Dr Oboler has been tackling antisemitism, particularly in online settings, for over 20 years. He has advised international bodies, national governments, tech companies, and civil society organisations on responses to online hate and extremism. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Lancaster University (UK) and an LLM(Juris Doctor) and Honours degree in Computer Science from Monash University.

Rabbi Kastel was raised in the ultra-orthodox Hasidic tradition in the racially divided Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, New York. He saw the world through the lens of his tradition and the narrative of his community. This changed in 2001 when encounters with Christians and Muslims transformed him and he embarked on a journey of interfaith cooperation, bringing positive experiences of diversity to young Australians. He is still a Hasidic Rabbi teaching bible study at Chabad House North Shore in Sydney.

He was ordained as a Rabbi after study in the UK, Australia and the US, and completed a Graduate Diploma in Education with the University of New England, Armidale. In 2020, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his work on interfaith and intercultural understanding.

Robert Singer is a senior executive, serving as Chairman of Spero Impact Solutions. He serves as a volunteer senior executive of several diplomatic, Jewish, and educational nonprofits and initiatives including Center for Jewish Impact (Chairman), Alumot Or (Chairman), SASA Setton (President and Chairman), the Anières Program (co founder), and Combat Antisemitism Movement (Advisory Board).

Robert has an extensive background in world Jewish affairs, diplomacy and education. Most notably, he served as the chief executive officer and Executive-Vice President of the World Jewish Congress from May 2013 until July 2019, and was responsible for historic contributions and strategic decisions made by the international Jewish NGO. +C35

Robert has traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting Jewish communities in more than 60 countries while enhancing these organizations' global diplomatic and educational presence. He has participated in meetings with presidents and prime ministers of various nations, as well as prominent government, business, faith and civil society leaders, including Pope Francis, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, International Red Cross President Peter Maurer and many others. Mr. Singer has also spoken at, and participated in, many high-profile events on behalf of world Jewry.

Ron is a long-standing and highly respected leader in the Australian and global Jewish community. He is a Member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency (The Sochnut), a Life Member of the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) Executive, and Hon. Life President of the Zionist Council of NSW. He served as President of the ZFA for a decade, during which he was instrumental in launching transformative initiatives including the introduction of the Birthright and MASA Israel programs in Australia. His leadership also extended to education, where he spearheaded teacher training programs, Hebrew curricula, and the National Biennial Jewish Educators Conference. Ron played a pivotal role in the aftermath of the 1997 Maccabiah Bridge tragedy, securing justice for victims and leading systemic changes through a Knesset Committee of Inquiry.

Ron continues to contribute actively to Jewish communal life as a founding and current director of both the Y2i Year 10 Israel program and the Sydney Academy of Jewish Education (SAJE), as well as a board member of the Australian branch of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). He also helped establish the Online Hate Prevention Institute (OHPI) and the Australian Friends of Feuerstein.

In recognition of his exceptional service, Ron has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010, the Jerusalem Prize in 2009, and the inaugural Herzl Award in 2005. In 2021, he was honoured with the WIZO NSW Rose Fekete Community Hero Award, further acknowledging his enduring commitment to Jewish continuity, education and Israel advocacy.

Mark Leach is a dedicated leader committed to driving positive change in society. He has been leading local Anglican Churches for over 30 years, he has been actively involved in various initiatives that promote justice, leadership, and social impact. His experience includes serving as Interim CEO of International Justice Mission Australia, consulting to corporate leaders and schools on leadership effectiveness, and contributing to the boards of several not-for-profit organisations.

Most recently, Mark co-founded Never Again Is Now (NAIN), a movement dedicated to mobilising the church and everyday Australians to stand united against all forms of antisemitism in Australia. In just over a year, NAIN has grown into a nationwide movement with over 30,000 people attending rallies and joining the fight against hate. Through education, advocacy, and action, he continues to strengthen and uphold our shared Australian values built on our Judeo-Christian foundation.

Mark spent 14 years living in Melbourne, serving at St Hilary’s Anglican Church, Kew, and Christ Church, Hawthorn.

He has one wife and two adult children, one of whom, Freya, is very involved in public life and in the work of Never Again is Now.

Michele Goldman is the CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, the elected representative body for the NSW Jewish community.

Prior to this, Michele served as CEO of Asthma Australia. Her career spans the corporate, social enterprise, and not-for-profit sectors, with a strong focus on leadership, advocacy, and social impact.

Michele holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Sydney Leadership Program and the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia program.

She currently serves as a Director of JewishCare and has previously held board roles with the Social Impact Hub, The Housing Connection, and the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation.

Emily Scott is the General Manager of Waverley Council, a dynamic local government authority serving the iconic Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. Emily has over 20 years of experience working in the local government sector, holding a diverse range of roles across the sustainability, waste management, asset management, operations, major projects, and community programs areas. Emily is known for driving transformational change and an ambitious policy agenda for local government, recently receiving the 2024 Ministers’ Award for Women in Local Government Champion of Change Award. With her deep understanding of the complexities and operations of local government, Emily is passionate about fostering strong community relationships and ensuring alignment of strategic planning with community needs and council priorities.

Tahli Blicblau is the inaugural CEO of The Dor Foundation, a non-partisan not-for-profit organisation, launched in early 2025 to combat rising antisemitism and hate in Australia.

Prior to joining The Dor Foundation, Tahli worked as a lawyer, law enforcement officer, intelligence practitioner and senior executive in the NSW Public Service. Her most recent role was Director of Strategic Intelligence & Capabilities at the NSW Crime Commission where she focused on driving evidence-based strategies to reduce social harms and improve community safety.

Tahli holds degrees in Arts/Law (hons) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Science in Countering Organised Crime and Terrorism from University College London. In addition to her work, she is active community volunteer.

Zara Cooper is a former corporate lawyer who transitioned into full-time online safety advocacy following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent rise in antisemitism and online hate across Australia. In response, she launched the Clammy Fraud Instagram page, a grassroots initiative that quickly gained national attention for exposing coordinated online harassment, antisemitism, and the misuse of public funds by individuals spreading hate. Through the Clammy Fraud page, Zara compiled and shared evidence-backed reports, built community awareness, and worked closely with victims of online abuse. The account’s rapid growth and impact revealed a deep and urgent need for a broader, more structured approach to tackling digital harm.

This led to the founding of Digital Defence, a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving online safety through advocacy, legislative and policy reform, and education. As CEO, Zara now works with government departments, law enforcement and organisations from the not for profit, public and private sectors. Digital Defence is building national case studies and data sets on harmful online experiences across diverse communities, and collaborating with the relevant stakeholders to influence change. Zara’s goal is to turn the challenges exposed by the Clammy Fraud page, into long-term reform, helping to make Australia’s digital spaces safer, more accountable, and more inclusive for all.

Naomi Levin has been Chief Executive Officer at the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) since November 2023.

In that time, she has led the Victorian Jewish community’s response to rising antisemitism post-October 7.

She previously held roles in Jewish organisations in Australia, including Senior Policy Analyst at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) and Deputy Editor at the Australian Jewish News. Naomi also worked as a media adviser to Senator the Hon Scott Ryan from 2011-2017 in portfolios ranging from small business to education.

Naomi appears regularly in the media and has been published widely, including in The Age, The Australian, and The Herald Sun. She has been called upon by Commonwealth and state governments to provide expert input on a range of matters, including terrorism, racial and religious vilification and discrimination, and combating antisemitism.

Peter Smaller was born in Cape Town in 1947. He completed a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1969 and an MBA in 1971. He quickly established himself as a leader within the steel industry, beginning his career as Managing Director of UME Ltd, a family owned steel distribution company in South Africa and going on to hold many prominent positions including Director of the Steel Merchants Association of South Africa, Cape Town Chairman of the South African Institute of Steel Construction and Director of the National Board.

Peter emigrated to Australia in 1989. His business acumen transferred well to his new homeland where he went on to serve as Chairman of the Australian Steel Institute. He is the Executive Chairman and owner of the Southern Steel Group, the largest privately owned steel service centre in Australia, operating from 43 locations around the country and employing 1,350 staff.

Peter became involved with the Jewish National Fund of Australia when he turned 50. He became its National President from 2013 to 2019 and has recently stepped down from the board after 27 years of service.

In 2019, Peter’s involvement with the Australian steel industry and philanthropy were recognised when he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal.

Cr Ted Lapkin was elected as the Councillor for the Brown Hill ward in October 2024 and it is his first time serving on Council.

He has lived in Ballarat for two years and loves the architecture, vibrant cultural and intellectual life along with the informal friendliness of residents. Ballarat is also perfectly located with both Melbourne and the Surf Coast a mere 90 minutes away. Cr Lapkin also enjoys being surrounded by other amazing Gold Rush-era towns and natural attractions in this part of Victoria.

Cr Lapkin’s focus for the 2024-2028 Council term is on restoring public faith in Council by being more responsive to community concerns. He intends to focus on fiscal restraint to enable rate relief for residents and a renewed focus on the fundamental services that are within the realm of local government.

He is a former military officer, political strategist, ministerial advisor, opinion journalist and published novelist.

Cr Lapkin has a Bachelor of History from Tel Aviv University with first class honours and a Masters of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

His personal interests and hobbies including writing, reading and cycling. Cr Lapkin lives with his wife who is a Ballarat native.

Moshe Kadoury is President of Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) at UTS and is a Law and Business student.

Moshe leads advocacy and community initiatives, working daily to combat antisemitism and ensure Jewish students safety on and off campus.

Professor Ghil‘ad Zuckermann, DPhil (Oxford), PhD (Cambridge, titular) is a leading linguist and revivalist recognized among Australia's top 30 'living legends of research' by The Australian (2024). A recipient of the Rubinlicht Prize for Yiddish scholarship (2023), he is the founder of Revivalistics, a transdisciplinary field exploring language reclamation worldwide. Zuckermann has led the revival of Aboriginal languages such as Barngarla in South Australia and has worked globally on endangered languages. He has held professorial roles at Flinders University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and other institutions, and has advised major linguistic, psychological, and cultural bodies including ISGAP and AIATSIS.

A prolific author, Zuckermann's works include Revivalistics (OUP), Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew (Palgrave), Israeli – A Beautiful Language (Am Oved), and a trilogy of Barngarla resources. His MOOC on language revival has drawn 20,000 learners from 190 countries. He has served as expert witness in international legal cases on linguistics and antisemitism, and held fellowships and teaching posts at top universities including Cambridge, Oxford, and the University of Adelaide. His scholarship spans language, identity, heritage, and the empowerment of Indigenous communities through linguistic justice.

For over 20 years Ian Jankelowitz has been passionate about Jewish/Indigenous communal relations. In 2005 alongside his cousin Melanie Schwartz he started the Derech Eretz program, the cornerstone program of Standup's partnership with First Nations communities. The program connects young Jewish adults with the predominantly Indigenous communities of Toomelah and Boggabilla on the NSW/QLD border.

This immersive leadership and volunteering program fosters long-term relationships grounded in respect, cultural exchange, and solidarity. The program’s name, Derech Eretz (Hebrew for “the way of the land”) speaks to the deep, enduring connection forged between our communities. Ian lives on Gadigal land in Sydney

Daniel is the President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ).

He has previously held the roles of Honorary Secretary, Vice-President and Victorian Councillor of the ECAJ.

From 2021 to 2023, he served as President of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, the roof representative body of the Victorian Jewish community. In 2013 and 2014, together with Nina Bassat AM and Harry Rosenberg, Daniel was a member of Maccabi Australia’s Committee of Review into member protection matters.

Professionally, Daniel is a barrister and King’s Counsel, practising in civil and commercial litigation. He has previously received the Ron Merkel KC award from the Victorian Bar for his pro bono advice and advocacy in respect of homelessness and elder law.

Daniel and his wife have three children who attend Jewish day schools.

An ordained Pastor, Sue has served in Christian ministry on the Gold Coast for 28 years, 12 as the Lead Pastor of a local Church.

She has emerged as an Apostolic leader in her home city, working with Mayor Tom Tate and Church leaders in city-wide initiatives to bring transformation and cultural shift towards righteousness. Sue’s appointment to the Office of the Mayor of the Gold Coast as Pastoral Adviser, was a first in our nation.

Heath Hutchings commenced his career with the Queensland Police Service in 1990, bringing over three decades of distinguished service to the protection and safety of the Queensland community. Over the course of his career, he has held a diverse range of operational and leadership roles, consistently demonstrating adaptability, strategic acumen, and a deep commitment to public service. Specialising as a Detective, Heath has developed extensive expertise in investigative operations, which has culminated in his current appointment as Detective Superintendent within the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group. In this role, he leads eight critical capabilities focused on the prevention, disruption, response to, and investigation of terrorism, politically motivated violence, and other security threats. His leadership is grounded in intelligence-led approaches and strengthened through collaborative partnerships across agencies and jurisdictions. Heath’s exemplary contributions to specialist policing have been formally recognised with the Exemplary Conduct (Specialist) Medal, a testament to his professionalism, integrity, and impact within the field. He also holds a Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership, reflecting his ongoing commitment to professional development and strategic excellence in law enforcement.

Jamie Hyams OAM is the Director of Public Affairs at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, also known as AIJAC, where he has worked since 2000. AIJAC is the premierpublic affairs organisation for the Australian Jewish community. It conveys the interests of the Australian Jewish community to government, media and other community organisations. Its dedicated professionals produce regular commentary and analysis on developments in the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Among other activities, AIJAC endeavours to highlight and counteract instances of anti-Israel bias and misinformation in the Australian media and wider public debate. It also deals with domestic areas of concern for the Jewish community, such as antisemitism and other racism and extremism, and is known for its Rambam fellowship program which takes groups of opinion leaders including MPs, journalists, political advisers and clergy to Israel. Jamie also served four terms as a councillor on Glen Eira City Council, and was Mayor three times and Deputy Mayor twice. He is currently on the board of the Glen Eira Adult Learning Centre, and has been on numerous other community group committees, including the City of Moorabbin Historical Society, where he was president for eight years. Jamie received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2022 honours for service to local government and to the community of Glen Eira. He was formerly a solicitor and the executive director of Maccabi Victoria. His involvement in Jewish community organisations goes back to his university days, when he was Presidentof the Monash Jewish Students Society. Jamie plays cricket for Maccabi AJAX, and has been also president of that club.

Melanie Mackenzie is Deputy Head of the Office for Social Cohesion in the Department of Home Affairs, established in September 2024 to drive a whole-of-government, cross-cutting approach to social cohesion and democratic resilience in Australia. The Office for Social Cohesion builds on the work of the Strengthening Democracy Taskforce, which Melanie was instrumental in establishing in January 2023.

From 2019 to December 2022, Melanie was Counsellor (Home Affairs) in Washington DC, responsible for strategic engagement and partnerships across the United States government and civil society sector. Representing all parts of Home Affairs, Melanie advanced strategic policy engagement across national security, criminal justice, immigration, border protection and emergency management functions. Melanie’s core responsibilities included engagement on countering foreign interference, counter-terrorism, and border protection.

Prior to this role, Melanie led the Americas engagement section of International Policy Division, which she joined in June 2016. From 2007-2016, Melanie was a policy advisor in the National Security Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Melanie was recognised for her work to advance national measures to counter violent extremism and in the establishment of the Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. Melanie also led advice to the Prime Minister on major defence capability and acquisitions during a transformational period in Australia’s Defence capability.

Melanie commenced her professional career as a lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor, after her admission as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2001. She graduated from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (European Studies).

Ilan Kidron is a Sydney-based recording artist, performer, and producer best known as the frontman of Australia’s multi-platinum dance act The Potbelleez. A double ASCAP and double APRA Award-winning songwriter, Ilan’s catalogue has amassed over 1 billion streams and includes two Billboard Latin #1s, platinum records across multiple territories, and collaborations with global artists including Kygo, Rita Ora, Ricky Martin, Will Sparks, Chance The Rapper, Jessica Mauboy, and Chris Brown.

He’s the voice and co-writer behind the enduring anthem “Don’t Hold Back”, which topped the ARIA Dance Chart for 27 weeks and soundtracked one of Australia’s longest-running car campaigns. His music has featured across film and TV, from Eurovision and Love Island to the Oscar-nominated short Inja and the #1-selling soundtrack The Sapphires.

Ilan is currently touring internationally as the host and vocalist of Synthony, a groundbreaking mix of orchestral and electronic music and is gearing up to release his first solo album in late 2025.

Cr Esakoff is a long-time resident of Glen Eira.

She was educated in Glen Eira and has lived there almost all of her life. She is married with two children and three grandchildren.

Cr Esakoff has a vast experience in business administration, having run a small business with her husband, as well as working in the publishing, advertising and radio and television industries.

She is now serving her seventh term on Council, having served as Mayor in 2005, 2007, 2011, 2019/20 and 2020/21 and Deputy Mayor in 2008 and 2010.

She now devotes her time to Council apart from her voluntary work in the community which has included Delivered Meals, Helmsmen Kiosk at Caulfield Hospital, Member of the Ethics Committee at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem and sat on the Committee of Management of CisVic (Community Information Glen Eira). She is also an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Caulfield.

Cr Esakoff wants to see a safe, strong, healthy and caring community and is committed to improving quality of life and amenity for residents, takes a keen interest in all community issues and wants to see community satisfaction survey results continue to improve.