Hatred Down Under

A colleague of mine this week told me of a Jewish family that had been planning to emigrate to Australia for years and were finally leaving next week. In the past, it would make me sad that another family was leaving because I don’t like the idea of the community dwindling. But, this week, my immediate response was surprise that they were still going. I would have certainly had second thoughts, what with the antisemitism the Australian Jewish community is experiencing.

Reading the story on page 3 is spine chilling. It’s hard to believe that our expats are living with that kind of hatred and racism. It’s so damn ugly, and it doesn’t appear likely to stop because there are few, other than in the Jewish community, who seem to care about it.

For many of us, we have as many family members in Australia as we do in Israel. Over the years, there has been a steady stream of South African Jews heading to shores Down Under.

For years, there has been a sense that life in Australia was much the same as ours. Do you remember that old Chevy advert that apparently epitomised our life in South Africa, “Braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies, and Chevrolet”? Well, the belief was then – and now only without the Chevy – that our lives and Ozzie lives focused on those same things. And many expats who left over the years have had a great life and have done exceptionally well.

The truth is that Australians are different to South Africans and indulge in the so-called “tall poppy syndrome”, which is a cultural expression Down Under which “feeds on the belief that anyone who appears to represent success, high ability, or admirable qualities must be attacked, demeaned, and cut down to the common level”, according to researchers. So, if you stick your head above the parapet, it might well be chopped off. In other words, do what everyone does, and you’ll be fine. Stand out too much, and you’ll not be loved for it. South African culture is different, especially in our community. Here, we certainly admire and celebrate those who excel and stand out in their success.

So, it hasn’t necessarily been easy for everyone who moved there, but for those who made it work, they have thrived. From the research I could find, there are close to 207 000 people of South African birth living in Australia, which isn’t a small number.

In South Africa, we hear stories of how expats invariably feel the need to justify why they left with horror stories from South Africa. Never having been to Australia myself, so I can’t verify this, I’ve heard from many sources that expats love stories about just how bad we have it here. Crime, loadshedding, our corrupt government, and one that hates Israel, are apparently common Shabbos table conversations.

That’s not to say that they are wrong about all those issues, because they aren’t, it is just a wonder why they would bother to spend so much time talking about it when they aren’t here anymore.

But, I guess, they are worried about those of us who are still here. And I’m sure all of us appreciate that.

And now, we’re concerned about their well-being, and apparently, we have a substantive reason to do so.

Perhaps the antisemitism sounds worse than it is or perhaps, because things are generally so good there, when there are threats like this, they feel worse. I can’t say, but my sense from expats is that they are genuinely scared.

And the truth is that the people who left here left behind the problems we still have. As a rule, Australia runs smoothly and people live without having to pay extra for security, medical aid, great schooling, and so on. And unlike in South Africa, they don’t seem to have crises there very often. But this is a real crisis, one that is spreading there.

To all our readers in Australia, and we have many, we are with you, and we are here for you. Strength to you all!

While we’re now aware of what’s happening in Australia because of our many expats, family, and friends, it’s also spreading across Europe and America.

Jews everywhere need to stand together. We must not accept antisemitism in any form. We need to stand up against it. As a community in South Africa, we’re not exposed to that level of antisemitism in our society. However, as Jews around the world, we do have each other and Israel. Together, we are strong.

Before I sign off today, I want to reiterate what our chairperson, Howard Sackstein, said on our front page. Join us in making sure you continue to have all the information relevant to South African Jews, both here and abroad, at your fingertips. We want to continue to ensure you have all the information that impacts you available to you. Protect our voice! We do what we do for you, but we can’t do it without you.

Shabbat shalom!

Peta Krost

Editor