Youth Education
Our work in the education space has never been more crucial; Stand Up’s education programs assist Jewish youth to understand their culture and values and to be better equipped to be able to ‘Stand Up’ to the wave of antisemitism swirling around them.
Our powerful and inspiring education programs are all grounded in Jewish values and connected to Tikkun Olam. Through partnerships with Jewish schools, synagogues and other organisations we provide young Jewish people with a meaningful and fulfilling expression of their Judaism.
- in 2023, over 2000 young Jewish participants (aged 12-18) engaged in our education programs;
- 90% of participants in our B’nei Mitzvah programs developed a clear understanding of the connection between Jewish values and Tikkun Olam.
"What a fabulous program you have provided for the girls. You have broadened their perspective, which is so essential and encouraged them to bring more kindness to the world".
Michelle, Step Up parent 2023
Community Empowerment
We inspire the Jewish community to deepen their understanding and take action to address pressing social justice concerns. We feature keynote speakers who delve into issues that will engage, educate and inspire the Jewish community:
- ‘Women. Life. Freedom.’ an engaging event delving into the unfolding protests being led by women in Iran; and
- Kol Halev (From the Heart) Campaign — an inspiring project to educate the Jewish community about the First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum.
We have also supported IsraAID’s humanitarian crisis work in Israel as well as globally, including the devastating earthquakes in Morocco.
"The beauty of what we saw when partnering with Stand Up was people coming together, irrespective of our beliefs and our religions. When we are united and cohesive, that is when change can happen".
Nos Hosseini, Spokeswomen & Secretary of the Iranian Women’s Association
PROJECT EDEN
Launched in 2023, Project Eden is our pioneering new program that supports the work of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia. Project Eden provides an opportunity for our Jewish community to welcome new arrivals who have been identified by the United Nations as being in urgent need of resettlement.
Stand Up volunteers have been making a real difference to the lives of newly arrived Refugee families by facilitating their relocation and settlement. Not only are they the first people who greet them at the airport, but they are proudly Jewish and welcoming them to our country.
Sometimes it’s not the money, it’s not that kind of thing, but it’s the human warmth that we have received from you, which has been the most important thing since we haven’t experienced that for a long time and that is what it has made us feel now as well.
Family from Venezuela, Project Eden
Derech Eretz
The Derech Eretz Program is Stand Up's premier initiative, fostering a profound and enduring 19-year relationship with the First Nations Communities of Toomelah and Boggabilla. This pioneering program links young Jewish adults with Community Elders, orchestrates enriching school holiday activities for the Community's youth, delves into the intricate tapestry of Gomeroi Culture, and ignites a passion for social justice among emerging Jewish leaders.
Over 250 participants have done the program since its inception.
"Derech Eretz was a deeply profound experience. The warmth, trust and generosity we received from Community was amazing. I’ve become more educated, compassionate and understanding as a result."
Rachel, DE Participant 2024
Come Together
Come Together is Stand Up's pivotal Truth Telling program. Through open conversations, we bring First Nations voices, stories and histories into the Jewish community. This strengthens our allyship and moves us together towards self-determination and reconciliation.
Through our partnership with Children’s Ground, we have seen how mutual allyship and understanding can grow from meaningful partnerships.
Over the coming year, we hope to expand our engagement to include other diverse communities. We believe that dialogue and trust are the first steps towards combating division, racism and antisemitism.
I think truth-telling is the most important current step towards First Nations justice. Next steps will need to be action and changes, but before that this seems to be the way to get Australia on the right understanding of what happened in this country and where we’re at.
– Adam, Come Together participant, 2022