Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Remembrance and dedication – Kristallnacht and NAIDOC Week

This week in Jewish Studies, Year 6 learnt about the destructive events of the 9 November 1938 – 10 November 1938, known as Kristallnacht – the Night of Broken Glass. This provided us with the opportunity to reflect and make connections with our Term 3 learning through Project Heritage and of pre-war Jewish life in Europe. 

We then explored a fascinating connection between Kristallnacht and Australia, through the life and actions of an indigenous Yorta Yorta man, William Cooper. 

William Cooper is an important figure and leader for indigenous people and the Australian community, and an inspirational figure who lived his values and spoke up for others.  

In 1935, William Cooper drafted a petition to send to King George V, asking for Aboriginal representation in the Federal Parliament. His petition was similar to current discussions and debates about enshrining an indigenous voice in parliament. The Prime Minister of the day, Joseph Lyons, did not pass on this petition to the King. On Australia Day 1938, William Cooper organised a protest and congress, called a Day of Mourning, to draw attention to the history and current plight of Australia’s indigenous people. 

In December 1938, upon hearing of the destruction and persecution of Jews during Kristallnacht, William Cooper organised a protest at the German Consulate in Melbourne. Denied citizenship, civil rights and equality in Australia, Cooper stood up for Jews in Germany and Austria who were experiencing persecution.  

If you are interested in learning more about William Cooper click here.

Building on this historical connection, our focus turned to learning more about the Uluru Statement of the Heart, an amazing document that amongst other things, echoes William Cooper’s petition in 1935. 

Inspired by the life and values of William Cooper, students were challenged to think about what actions, on an individual and communal level, could be taken today to bring about justice in Australian society. 

As part of Project Heritage, Lia McLellen was working with Dr Anne Sarzin, mother of Lisa Sarzin and grandmother of Gabriel Pozniak. Lia’s creative writing piece reflects on the many connections between indigenous and Jewish communities in Australia. These connections include William Wallace and other examples cited by Lisa and her mother in their book, Hand in Hand.