The Institute for Judaism and Civilization, over the financial year 2007-2008 has been involved in policy-oriented forums and publications in two principal categories: Jewish education and social policy
Jewish Education
JEWISH CONTENT IN THE TEACHING OF ART, MUSIC AND LITERATURE
Contributors: Professor Richard Freadman, Lingnan University, Hong Kong; Mrs Bronia Kornhauser, Department of Music, Monash University; Dr Victor Majzner, Former Head of Painting, Victoria College of the Arts; Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen, Institute for Judaism and Civilization
THE SUPPORT EXPERIENCED AND NEEDED BY RELIGIOUS JEWISH FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
Contributors: Professor Kate Miriam Loewenthal, Professor of Psychology, University of London; Rabbi S. M. Kluwgant, President, Rabbinical Association of Victoria; Mrs Zipporah Oliver OAM, Psychologist; Mrs Sarah Goodhardt, Convener, Jewish Schools Integration Program
Social policy
The Institute was one of the conveners of a significant "Ad Hoc Interfaith Committee" which gathered to state common positions, based on biblical tradition (that is, the Noahide laws) on legislative issues coming before the Victorian Parliament. The issues upon which this committee produced position papers have been:
Access to Invitrofertilization technology and surrogacy legislation
The Relationships Bill and homosexual couples
Submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission on Abortion law change
Private Members Bill on Euthanasia
The Director of the Institute and other members of this committee have also addressed groups of Parliamentarians from Government and Opposition, on these issues.
Two booklets, "Universal, traditional values and legislative redefinition of Marriage and Parenthood" and "Universal, traditional values and abortion", including commentary on the documents of the Ad Hoc Interfaith Committee, published by the Institute, were circulated to all members of the Victorian Parliament. The former went also to all members of the Federal Parliament. Significant feedback and impact was registered from both Federal and State Parliaments.
