An Open Letter to the Jewish Community of Australia
This is a guest post from Jono David of Osaka.
I am a freelance documentarian of Jewish communities worldwide (www.JewishPhotoLibrary.com). My mission is to contribute to the preservation of Jewish communities by documenting them photographically. I recently spent a month making arrangements for a photo tour of Australia’s Jewish Communities (AJC), the first of several visits to document every synagogue, Jewish cemetery, and aspects of Jewish life Down Under. My 80 or so query emails initially met with plaudits and approvals. Then responses turned to “no thank yous” and permission retractions (though not all). I was confounded. Then a few kind souls brought Community Security Group (CSG), an organization that oversees matters of security within the AJC, to my attention. In short, I was ultimately left with no choice but to cancel my project.
This letter has two aims: 1, to highlight CSG’s inflexible policies and underhanded procedures, and, 2, to encourage discussion by ordinary members of the AJC on matters of security, access, documentation, and community image.
“Whilst the CSG does not consider Mr. David himself to be a security concern,” emailed Gavin Queit of CSG Victoria to all Jewish communities, “the subsequent publishing of such photographs does pose a risk to the Jewish Community. As such, it is our recommendation that Jono David be denied permission to photograph Victorian Jewish institutions.” In a follow up email to me (after I had initiated contact), Mr. Queit stated that emails were “sent to all Jewish community institutions in Australia (by the CSG’s in each state) [sic].” A similar email had also been, unbeknown to me, sent by David Rothman, head of CSG Sydney.
There was no reason to inform anyone, much less everyone, that my work “poses a security risk” (Gavin Queit) because there is indisputably no such evidence. In fact, I challenge anyone to name a single incident — worldwide — where photographs played an integral part in an attack on a synagogue or a Jewish institution.
While I have on rare occasion been denied photo requests, I could never have imagined being blacklisted on an entire continent. CSGs emails at once sabotaged my project and, for all intents and purposes, maligned me, a fellow Jew, as a threat to the AJC. Their words are, in effect, defamatory. I am open to photo conditions. In the extreme, I am happy to document an institution and keep the images safeguarded for at least a generation. But, alas, I was deemed unworthy of even a courtesy email. I fail to understand such treatment.
I am a stranger in every community I document. Naturally, verifying and vetting outsiders is necessary. Jewish community security concerns worldwide are justified and do not need explaining. I do not “map out” synagogues or other Jewish institutions. Nor do I not make images available if an institution has issues with said images. No exceptions. I am aware of a recent rise in anti-Semitic sentiment in Australia. But documenting Jewish life is important even in times of adversity — perhaps more so. By restricting documentation, the AJC is going to wake up in a generation and realize there is no photographic, no film, and no video record available to them. That is a real shame. CSG’s blanket no-photo policy, therefore, is actually a detriment to the AJC. Moreover, a hyper-sensitive security measure is a victory for the terrorists. But by photographing a vibrant community, the Jewish people win.
Perhaps the AJC ought to ask itself just what CSG is aiming to achieve. Do they wish to see the AJC go underground? Do they desire shutting down community websites which, contrary to their own “advice”, display for the world vital community information such as addresses, names, maps, prayer times, events, even photographs similar to those I wish to take? Does CSG desire stopping the presses too? The Australian Jewish News, and publications like it, is a portal into the life and times of the AJC. It is replete with community news and affairs past, present, and future — information that can be employed by the savvy terrorist. What is the point of “securing” a Jewish community, particularly in a free nation, if it cannot thrive openly? With so much Jewish history destroyed over the millennia, why surrender now? Jewish communities of the world have always been resilient in times of adversity and always emerged stronger because of it.
I am not giving up on Jewish Australia. I hope the AJC is not giving up on itself. Isaiah 41:6 says, “Each helped their neighbor and everyone said to his brother, be strong and courageous.”
Jono David
www.JewishPhotoLibrary.com
jono@gol.com
Osaka, Japan
(Note: as this is a guest post, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editorial staff.)
jono,
i assume you intend to photograph the internal aspects of synagogues? because photography of the synagogue facade from the public domain (ie, the street, footpath etc) doesn’t require any permission at all. while it might be polite to ask, you are well within your rights to simply photograph from the public domain.
best of luck with the project.
And I just wonder where the CSG has been or what it’s been doing to increase the feeling of security of Jewish students on Melbourne campuses in the wake of the loud propaganda of the Students for Palestine organisation?
Documenting Jewish communities around the world is a precious Mitzveh. It’s important for the next generation to be able to look back and see the visual evidence of the long long chain of life that they will belong to.
This is a bizarre decision.
This does not suprise me in the least actually. It’s the wall that the community has surrounded itself with about interaction with the rest of the world.
Plus, it is probably related to the over the top perceptions being passed on by ‘responsible agents. For example, with respect to taking photos on public transport. I have been in communication with Connex about this ‘who take advice from the appropriate authorities’. This includes harassing Japanese tourists in Flinders street station…and extend that to everwhere else.
I’ve taken photos all over Europe, no problem, but here…
And then, lo and behold, I’ve just been on Google Maps and looked at a couple of synagogues..so it’s garbage what’s going on, just garbage
Any guest of a wedding can walk into a shul, take a brazillion photos of every part of the building and ceremony, walk out to her or his car and the proceed to post all the images widely on the Internet. No questions asked, no permission required, no identities checked.
CSG – feh to you.
Michael.
So Yiddishe Mamme, you want the CSG to provide bodyguards for Jewish students so they can feel secure on campus? It’s not the CSG’s role to get involved in “making you feel secure” on campus. You clearly have no idea what the CSG’s actual role is.
Almoni – Google Earth or Google Street View? Responsible shules got themselves removed from Google Street View ages ago.
Mikeybear69, yes there are lots of photo’s of weddings etc – though not all packaged in one convenient easy-to-use place.
A lot more goes into keeping the community safe than you guys seem to think.
In the last 7 months Jewish community attcked in Mumbai, plots prevented to plant bmbs at shules in New York & Porto Allegre and a shooting at the Holocaust Museum in DC. Enough for you to take security seriously?
Some reading for you (obviously U.S. focussed):
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090617_security_places_worship_more_matter_faith
Security at Places of Worship: More Than a Matter of Faith
June 17, 2009 | 1706 GMT
Global Security and Intelligence Report
By Scott Stewart and Fred Burton
The full text of this article has been removed by the editor as the link is sufficient. Thanks for your post.
To clarify== Google maps has photos of various synagogues. And a terrorist could of course look in the phone book, Jewish News or anywhere to find out where places of workshop are.
To CSG supporter.
Any fool, including a terrorist nutcase, could bypass the wannabees with the earpieces and walkie talkies on various street corners with a 4 wheel drive or worse.
The work of security of this sort lies with intelligence agencies, not Maxwell Schmarts in shabbos best and expensive long raincoats. Frankly, I am sick and tired of being scrutinized when I walk past certain religious institutions. I get the vibe that they think we in the middle of Hebron.
And to quote an American report is stupid. We are not in the United States or Mumbai. Stop fantasising. But there are problems. 3 days before the Mumbai attack, I was in Venice. I was quite concerned that Lubavitch has a mission in the middle of the ghetto open to all covers 1) it was bad taste as only the Lubavitch can do –which is a cultural, rather than religious offence 2) there are real terrorists in Italy, and this was an open door asking for trouble if you ask me.
Some time ago I was in a Kosher eatery in Sydney when I noticed a man in a car in the street taking photos of the place. He didn’t look like someone local to the area, and it was clear to me that he was not doing this as a tourist, rather he was “casing” the place. After a short time he noticed me and my lunch partner looking at him, and then quickly drove off. I reported it to the local CSG and didn’t hear anything further.
I found the experience quite alarming, and it did bring home to me that even here in Australia, there is a genuine threat to our safety by those who wish to do us harm.
The CSG are trained in counter-surveilance, and while they sometimes seem over the top, there is little way for the general public to know the effectiveness of what they do, because their role is preventative. It would probably be reasonable for them to report the “success” of their activities to some independent communal authority who could advise the community at large that they are indeed fulfilling a purpose, in a way that doesn’t compromise what they actually do.
Almoni,
I’m sorry that your find Lubavitch reaching out to and helping Jews all over the world “in bad taste culturally”. I’m sure the people who are the beneficiaries of their work feel otherwise.
Those who think we should stop being so conspicuous as Jews and “blend in” and then all those nasty terrorists won’t want to bother us are really fooling themselves.
David, IF you see something suspicious, report it to the national security hotline or the police. That is what we pay taxes for.
And I don’t like my free progress down the street being snooped at by the CSG.
With respect to my comments about the Lubavitch in Venice, I was referring, in my opinion, to the lack of harmony they had with the beautiful surroundings their shop fronts on to. Aesthetics are important, -and I don’t think importing upfront missionarianism NY style to Venice is quite right.
And they might be asking for a rock through the window from some crazy. Given the tight security that other synagogues are under in Italy in fact, I’m amazed that they allowed to be so unsecured.
But I don’t know if these young missionaries care so much for art and beauty in a world heritage area as saving lost souls….
If I reported it to the national security hotline, they would probably either ignore it, or refer it to the CSG who have specific knowledge about threats of this nature. Yes, the two organizations do communicate directly.
And I don’t like my free progress down the street being snooped at by people who want to blow me up. At least I know that CSG is looking out for my interests.
I haven’t been to Venice. I wonder if the neighbours also think it’s an eyesore? or if it’s in breach of local council regulations that protect the look and feel of the streetscape?
Again, you seem to suggest that they are “asking for a rock to be thrown” simply by being upfront and proud of their Judaism, and their desire to reach out to lost souls. That’s a dangerous proposition.
CSG Supporter, what has happened here is scary. Who is pulling the community’s strings? Who is in control here? What happened to freedom of speech? What happened to freedom of expression? Are we living in fear? Have the terrorists won? Do they have the upper hand? Must we lock our doors? Look over our backs all the time? Time to go underground? Disappear?
Taken a look at Wikipedia’s page for “Synagogue“? There are a multitude of photos of Synagogues there. Perhaps it’s time to censor that page and remove all the images. Too dangerous for anyone to see them because they could spark a rush on bombings. And maybe we should burn all copies of the book “The Synagogue” because there are actually photos of Synagogues there. Yeah, burn the books. Tear down all the web sites.
What next???
Michael.
I am writing as someone who has served some time with the CSG several years ago.
I was recruited by a guy I knew who was then a trainer with the CSG, as he knew I had a background in martial arts.
While there are many good people within the CSG, there are also many paranoid nut-jobs. A lot of these guys are having delusions of grandeur, almost like they think they are operatives of Shin-Bet. They massively over-estimate the potential danger and risk of many very innocent situations, and that is what seems to have happened here.
Sadly, by a kind of natural selection, it seemed to me that most of the more level-headed types don’t stay with CSG for more than a few years, and it is the the nuttier types that stay more than a decade and thus rise to more senior positions within the organisation.
I don’t want to cast aspersions on every long serving member, as there are several exceptions to this trend. However, it seems that amongst the highest ranks, there are some serious personality defects. For example, paranoia, lust for power, inappropriate military role-playing, and a generally poor grasp on reality.
My biggest concern is not so much the CSG in and of itself, but the obedience and trust of the Jewish organisations that automatically follow the advice of these delusional amateurs. It seems to me that the reason for this is that outsiders to the CSG are under the impression that the senior people at the CSG have more expertise than they actually have. I’d be interested to hear what other people think.
Thank goodness for an insider’s comment. The only other person I trust who has some connections says basically the same thing as FORMER CSG INSIDER.
Every since antiquity, it has been said
quis custodiet ipsos custodes?–Juvenal “(if the guardians watch us) then who watches the guardians. ”
1)Do we not face the absolutely classic case of many organisations dealing with ‘secrets’ when there is no external scrutiny in the security area? We’ve had too many problems with ASIO and various special branches in the past to know how things can go absolutely haywire. They make (political) errors too easily–that’s why police are now required to get degrees and get educated. But it’s a tough call to crack the culture. By the way, I have 2 friends with many years of police force experience, so I am not anti-cop,and we talk about these things.
2) This actually raises the point: is the CSG keeping files on people? If so, who? Under what legal authority, and what scrutiny is there?? The potential for abuse is extraordinary, to come to think of it. I know what the response will be ‘We can’t discuss security matters’. Blind obedience and trust are scary things, and create an institutional dynamic of their own.
3) On the culture of policing , it’w been well-established through lots of good research that policing and security industries tend to appeal to people with authoritarian personalities–who did the classic work? Some German Jewish refugees , Theodor W. Adorno, Else Frenkel-Brunswik, and others. Even though the work was criticised soon after its publication, it has helped to identify problems with authoritarianism.
4) Furthermore, there is the phenonmenon of the ‘tough Jew’ in response to the Shoah, both in Israel and in the diaspora. I suspect that is part of the apppeal of the CSG to some people, as it has also been of appeal to people in both left and right Jewish youth movements and parties.
5) Linked to this, as I have suggested in other posts, is the ‘existential threat’ factor that has been promoted in various Zionist political circles that leads to heightened suspicion and paranoia
6)I know there are probems. I have been to shul in London and elsewhere and seen what the situation is like.
But Melbourne is not London, nor is it Hebron. A proof of this is the widely variant degree of security around different shuls–from virtually none that I can see to a fortress mentality.
7) It’s therefore time for some openess and an annual report, and statement of principles and modes of operations and a justification of that, and perhaps an oversight report by a retired Judge. The case of the Jono David is a very good example of something gone haywire. It certainly needs external scrutiny
7) As for my comments about Venice, it’s clear that Mr Werdiger should familirize himself with the world heritage, and particularly, the artistic heritage of Venice and why Lubavitch stands out like the proverbial beitzim. If one believes in beauty, they spoil it. It’s as simple as that. Let them have their shop front shteible, but make it nice please.
What a shame insider. Seems you left the CSG with “sour grapes”. I have a feeling the CSG of your memory is a lot different from the CSG of today.
It’s very hard for the CSG to defend itself against allegations of paranoia when it obviously cannot release information about the specifics of threats against the community. Lets put it this way, the government did not just drop $20 million on school security because of paranoia. The State Gvt did not give the ZCV $2,5 million to enhance security at Beth Weizmann because of paranoia. Yeah – I’m ready for your comments about the state and federal gvt’s kowtowing to the Jewish Communal leadership……
Almoni – it’s a pity ypu take being “scrutinised” so personally. It isn’t personal, trust me. The point of my original email which Alomni didn’t pick up on was the geographical spread of attacks or plots against world Jewish Communities is vast and things happen regularly without anything to precipitate them. Alomni, do you think our community is immune? If so why? Justify yourself.
I don’t think there is an “existential” threat to the Melbourne Jewish community; but as a parent of kids at Jewish day schools and as someone who knows a bit more than the layman about what our CSG has had to contend with over the past few years, I’m pretty certain that the lesser evil in this case is trained community members outside our facilites looking out for those that would do our community harm AND (for the doubters), working extremely closely with government agencies to prevent harm coming to us.
In my time in the CSG I have never found the leadership to be Zionist, Anti-Zionist, particularly left or right or otherwise – in fact I would be hard pressed to know where most of them stood with regards to Israeli or any other politics. They have always seemed genuinely committed to their cause.
Finally – in terms of “level-headed” types, there is an honour board in the CSG office with the names of people who by any measure are level headed and to-a-man got on with the job at hand without seeking any sort of public recognition for periods of between 10 and 17 years. You couldn’t say that about almost any other orgisation in our community.
CSG Supporter,
I did not leave the CSG with “sour grapes.” I simply didn’t believe that the organisation was well run, and was wasting my time. I was also in the problematic position of having to take military-style orders from an individual of questionable intelligence and competence, to say the least.
As for whether the CSG of my memory is different to the CSG of today – well, I have no good way to evaluate that personally, but Jono David’s experience rings true to my memory.
As for the number of threats we face, I am not denying that there are threats; rather I am concerned that there are often disproportionate security measures taken to deal with matters that are not of significant danger to the community.
I also want to make it clear that I do support the existence of a community security organisation, but it needs to be run in a more, dare I say it, sensible fashion. Ultimately, we have to strike a balance between security versus the celebration of and participation in our culture. My feeling is that the CSG has long ago lost sight of this. And the case of Jono David highlights this.
Mr CSG supporter
In the case of Mr Jono David, it appears to me that the CSG has provided an assesment that is garbage and is a threat to free speech and artistic expression.
And if you claim that ASIO or police have provided such advice, then I really do challenge the comptenence of people providing such advice. You may as well express high walls around everything with electric fences and dogs.
But we are not in Joburg–where I find it frequently over the top and perceptual, rather than real.
And I do have concerns about the amount of money being provided to Jewish schools. I would much rather this money be spent on proactive policing. There’s nothing like a copper on the beat.
At least such work is ultimately, publicly accountable through the parliamentary system.
The CSG is not.
I think that some of you are really missing the point of the CSG.
The CSG isn’t really there to do anything. It’s there to give people a sense that something is being done.
Obviously if there were any real and substantial threat to the community a few guards milling outside a synagogue would be utterly ineffective. And as for the so called millions being spent on security. Well ever since the 9/11 governments have fallen over themselves to spend money on ineffective security.
It’s the figure of $2.5 million that sounds impressive. And that’s the point. Obviously anyone who would spend that much money must be serious. Of course they must. When has a government ever been known to waste money on thingds it doesn’t actually need?
A community simply needs to believe that something is being done, so that we don’t have to spend any time actually thinking about it. Obviously if anyone were to actually think through the real ramifications the farcical nature of almost all governmental institutions would be revealed for what they are.
It’s like a nuclear deterrent in a way. No one would ever use it, but people needed to know that it was there. And when the logic of nuclear deterrence is analysed it fails every single test of cogency. There would never actually come a time when any sane or rational person would ever use the deterrent, so its ultimate effectiveness is nil.
But if we didn’t have it? People would be way too frightened.
There seems to be far too much agitation on this site for communal organizations to actually do things. What utter silliness and naïveté.
Government is there for reassurance. We need to feel that someone is in charge. If we ever actually knew how little they did have control, all hell would break loose.
Better not to see how the sausage is made. No one would ever eat it.
Whilst we are having this discussion, take a moment to look at the legacy Roman Vishniac left.
Michael.
“”The CSG isn’t really there to do anything. It’s there to give people a sense that something is being done.” I don’t think $2.5 million of taxpayers money should be be spent like this. Imagine what could be done with this money for youth homelessness, for example.
All the more reason for a well-reasoned rationale for such a service and particularly, public accountability.
There has been a history intelligence gathered in the Jewish community in the past that has been used against either directly, or indirectly, members of the community. I have seen old ASIO files which have made false allegations and it is clear that the information came directly from agents in the Jewish community.
What is to guarantee that this isn’t happen again, or that it is not happening again?
Thus:
1) Is CSG engaged in forms of surveillance or other activity that require licencing? See http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=125. If not, why not?
2) Is any information passed onto security agencies, either local or foreign. What is the nature of that information and does it breach any local laws. If other agencies are involved, what agencies? What laws cover the abuse of such information?
3) How, and to whom are individual members and/or management held accountable? What is to prevent conflict of interest?
4) What is to prevent the abuse of information gathered?
5) What is to prevent the infiltration of this group by local or foreign agents?
6) Is the CSG engaged in activity beyond the geographic area of the Jewish community (Caulfield, St Kilda, other Jewish institutions in Melbourne?)
If certain matters are sensitive, then I would be much happier if adjudicated by a legal panel experienced in such matters who could report back to the community.
In a democracy, we are entitled to protect our freedoms and prevent the abuse of power or surveillence.
Dear CSG Supporter,
Firstly let me say that I’m really happy there is such a thing as the CSG and that I appreciate whatever efforts are being made to protect the community.
The fact I questioned where the CSG was in relation to anti-zionist activities on campuses was because I know very little about anything that the community has done to respond, anticipate, and prevent any possible threats to the Jewish students there.
It’s not that I want a bodyguard shadowing each Jewish students. Rather, I’d like to see some evidence that the community is actually doing SOMETHING about it, not just leaving it to the hands of a few young, inexperienced, basically busy students trying to get through their exams without this extra burden.
I think the issue here is the same as TSJ keeps harping on: communication, involvement of the community, transparency in decisions (as much as is sensible for a security body).
I would like very much to know the CSG’s position about this particular matter. Whom do I ask?
Let me preface my comments by saying that in all my dealings with big machers of the CSG (and I have had about a dozen) I have found them to be nothing but sensible and professional, and I appreciate the valuable service they provide.
And now, story time:
While walking past a CSG-patrolled shule in Melbourne one shabbes, my ex-South African friend remarked how back in Joburg the Jewish community (either as individual institutions or collectively- I’m not sure) hires private security agencies to take care of them. He then went on to describe what “taking care of” means: burly okies in trenchcoats walking around shules with guns, breaking both legs of a guy who broke into a shule(presumably nothing more than a petty thief), and several other anecdotes of a similar nature.
Of course, Joburg and Australian cities are different worlds, but I still feel that these stories are valuable warnings.
More critical discussion and debate about the CSG and how it is operated is necessary. Any organisation which is responsible for community security requires scrutiny, and I feel that as a community we haven’t given the CSG the attention it requires. As much as its operational guidelines may need to remain secret, we still need to know how the CSG plans to act in certain situations (ie pro-Israel demonstrations on university campuses, or if a bunch of Jewish kids get into a drunken brawl with a bunch of non-Jewish kids in the city- do these warrant CSG involvement?) and as a community organisation it must be made clear to whom the CSG is accountable.
It seems clear that some in the community don’t understand what the CSG does and if/why it is necessary, and because of the way they operate at time, some do not trust them either.
We may or may not feel the same way about some aspects of what our government does in the way of counter terrorism. In that case, there are “checks and balances” associated with our system of government to give us a comfort factor.
As I mentioned in passing in an earlier post, a lot of these problems associated with the CSG can be remedied by better governance. Of course they will say that everything they do must be kept super secret for our own protection. However, they should still be accountable either to *some* external community org (perhaps a role for a JCCV-type organization) or at the very least have a board who can engage with the community regularly about what they do.
If the community trusts that the individuals on that board are “sensible” and not overrun with paranoia, then we can all feel that the CSG is doing not too much, not too little, and is operating within their legal rights.
Almoni,
I already said that I’ve never been to Venice and haven’t seen the place in question. You don’t seem to have responded to the core issue I was raising, so best to just leave it there.
Let me school some of you in the art of government.
One can have openness, or one can have government. You cannot have both, it is a contradiction in terms. And when applied to a government’s security apparatus the prescription becomes even more severe.
Try as you might. Start petitions, write to your local Member of Parliament but come hell or high water I can assure you all that there will never be any sort of investigation or inquiry into the activities of the CSG.
And if by some extraordinary chance such an inquiry were to get under way it would be stacked in the CSG’s favour and no tangible or actionable material would emerge, save perhaps for a finding encouraging an even greater spend of public and communal funds.
Transparency and communication make for fine sentiments but they are totally impractical and run counter to the ability of any form of government being able to get things done.
I am in broad agreement with Mr Werdiger, though I believe some hard questions have to be asked, particularly concerning the appropriate use of public funds and that all is above board.
Public accountability is critical through an external body such as a panel of lawyers or a retired judge is critical if there is in fact, a case for some material being kept secret (though what this material is, needs to be made very clear and justified for such an organisation which is exempt from FOI).
There is no place for playing cloaks and daggers with, a private security force, when its remit is open. The potential, or perception of abuse of its role is extraordinary. There are too many examples of it to think it cannot happen here. The current banning of Mr Jono David–the reason for this discussion is an example of this problem.
To bring this back to Jono David. I asked a few questions and came up with the following:
1. Jono David made an unsolicited approach to 10′s or maybe hundreds of Jewish Community Organisations in Australia.
2. He was not commissioned by anyone and what he does is purely one man’s project.
3. He photographs the insides and outsides of Jewish Community buildings and makes them available on his website to anyone, free of charge.
4. Many community organisations asked the CSG for advice about this. They gave their professional opinion after checking out his website.
5. The CSG ‘s advice is in no way enforceable. Just like it has advised community organisations to get themselves taken off Google Streetview, some did, some didn’t.
6. Ultimately, the leadership of each organisation must weigh the potential risk to it’s members / constituents and make their own decisions.
Finally, the CSG is extremely accountable. What you might not like is that it’s not accountable to you personally.
We can all bitch and moan around the Shabbat table or on a blog, but ultimately we’re just bitching and moaning.
Unless we join organisations, work our way to management level, or stand for election and actually attempt to make a difference by doing something other than typing from the comfort of our loungerooms we’re just venting opinion.
And you know what they say about those….
CSG Supporter,
You write:
“Finally, the CSG is extremely accountable”
Accountable to whom, exactly?
You also seem to be under the impression that the Jewish community hold democratic elections… I suggest you read some of the posts from a couple of weeks ago that deal with the topic of democracy and representation within our community.
If what CSG Supporter said is true then this perhaps points to an even more worrying phenomenon: The institutionalization of irrational fear within the community. Whether the CSG is a cause or a symptom of such an institutionalization, its presence never the less exacerbates it.
What I mean is as follows:
On the one hand there is an organization who’s brief it is the protect the community from perceived threats. Whether they are accountable or not, that is their mandate and they are well within it to offer their advice. On the other hand is a community that feels it has some kind of need or obligation to the CSG, to vet something as seemingly innocent as a photographer of Jewish life and culture.
If I were the CSG, given my mandate I would also advise against allowing the photographer. That would be my job – to be continually erring on the side of caution. However it is not the community’s obligation to adhere to the advice of the CSG. They, like all other communal bodies are not backed by statutory authority but rather by a form of communal consensus.
What worries me about this latest twist in the saga is that it squarely points to an entire community that has become obsessed by what many would call an irrational fear. To post guards outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur is a reasonably logical activity, but to seek and then follow the advice of security organization over an activity like the photographic documentation of synagogues for cultural purposes borders on the hysterical.
How did we get to the point where we have allowed the CSG mentality, which is important in its own right, to dominate the context of all of our actions?
Yoram Symons–what you refer to is what I had been referring to earlier, this increasingly internalization and a culture of fear that is non-rational and suspicions about everything that is the’other’. We saw the problem under John Howard and in fact he was responsible for exaggerating fears of Islamic terrorism through very crafty language… and huge amounts of money are spent on a security apparatus with limited accountablity and a history of political decision-making that is beyond challenge. And CSG is reflective of this culture.
This is not to deny there are real security problems but these needed to be handed with a high degree of skill in accordance with the law. As we know, a number of people have been jailed for various activities. But whether or not people behaving like wannabe cops will prevent this is another matter.
Thus I am particularly concerned if CSG is engaged in political surveillance. Its remit needs to be made public and transparent and if in fact, it is engaged in private surveillance of this sort, I would have deep, deep concerns about the justification for this and whether if belongs in such an organisation and how and with whom such ‘intelligence’ is shared.
I am only asking questions, not making accusations. We live in a democracy, not a country where security agencies deal with issues that ‘can’t be talked about’ and their judgement, even if wrong is seen as being beyond question. The photographer issue is a classic case of wrong decision-making.
But other than this, there is a cultural problem of how the CSG behaves. I don’t feel comfortable, as I have said with the stakeout mentality.
Another example. I was at Monash for a lecture. Members of the group were charging around quite officiously, and all of a sudden, one poked her head in a rubbish bin to ‘check’. It was quite silly and cursory. It was nothing to do with security, but ‘make work’. But I also have concerns about groups such as CSG working at Monash. This should be carried out by Monash security staff. Students must have wondered what was going on.
This is really worrying.
This appears to be a more transparent and accountable model, though many of the issues discussed in these posts will not be solved except through highly professional governance that is based in reality, particularly when public funds are involved.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Security_Trust
http://www.thecst.org.uk/
For those that are trying to make the CSG out to be some sort of “secret organisation”, you’re painting a picture that just isn’t true. Former Insider, if you were involved for any length of time, you would know that there are some secrets. You signed a confidentiality agreement as a CSG volunteer that restricted what you could say about your training, CSG procedures & methods of operation and who you worked with.
Surely that makes sense.
You like the CST as a model? Good, you’ll be happy to know much of the CSG is based on the CST model.
The fact the CSG is accountable to the JCCV is well known. You may not like the JCCV, but it’s the organisation we’ve got. Have a problem? Call them and ask for a response. Again, you can either whinge here (as you are doing), or get off your collective backsides and actually DO something, like stand for the JCCV Executive and try to make a difference. Go on, I challenge you. How about volunteering for the CSG and seeing what it’s all about? I double dare you.
I’m amazed at the arrogance of people like Alomni who “know better” about everything. What do you know? What are you studying? To be a doctor, lawyer, accountant? Would you take advice on how to diagnose a patient from a counterterrorism professional? I didn’t think so. What makes you think you know what you’re talking about when it comes to protective security?
Why is it Former Insider that you think the only people our community leadership hear from are the leadership of the CSG? Our leadership are far smarter than you give them credit for and they get their information from multiple sources, one of which is the CSG. Again, for those of you that think they’re smarter / better, stop typing and DO!
You bunch of whingers. You’re pathetic. You who sit and complain with a laptop on your knees. How dare you insult the people that give of their time and energy to try and improve our community, and in the case of the CSG, literally put themselves between harm and you. Get some spine.
Dearn CSG supporter, despite your insults, your comments about “methods of operation and who you worked with. ” leave me concerned, particularly if the CSG is not subject to proper scrutiny on its politics and procedures.
Trust and respect have to be demonstrated, not just dictated. It appears that in the case of the photographer, something has gone wrong to undermine this.
I am only a citizen of this country who has lived in several other countries and has seen abuse of secret and unchallenged authority. I am deeply sorry for being concerned about due process.
Just received this invitation in the snail mail from the Anti-Defamation Council. Thought some readers may be interested in attending. Will do my best to transcribe verbatim:
The Chairman, Tony Levy, and the board of the ADC invite you to hear
David Michaelson (Head of Support – CSG, formerly of Victoria Police)
Leading Senior Constable Gary Oram of Victoria Police
discuss
STAYING SECURE: Antisemitism, personal security and the safety of your grandchildren
DC Bricker Pavilion, Princes Park, South Caulfield
Wednesday, 22 July 2009 at 11am.
COST: $15 per head.
RSVP with numbers attending:
9572 5770 for catering purposes.
Does seem a bit odd to have a community meeting at 11am on a weekday, no…?
Re the role of CSG: where were they when Glicks & people inside were attacked a year or 2 ago one Motsei Shabbas? I’ll tell you: a bunch of them were inside Glicks, stopping anyone else nabbing the still unarrested culprits, & doing nothing themselves. So when anything non-delusional & real happens: useless. Oh, & before you accept the guaranteed response that it didn’t go down like that, check with non-partisan eye-witnesses who were in the shop at the time. And lest you say that CSG is not a vigilante group: if thay can’t protect Jews in the middle of a physical attack, I’m not really interested in their “intelligence” capabilities. A rethink of their role is in order, with proper supervision & accountability.
And JCCV supervising CSG, don’t make me laugh, you obviously have no idea how things work.
Concerned Melbourne Jew,
Please give us an email at frochele@gmail.com
We’d be interested in following this up with you.
[...] Examination Part 1yoramsymons on Michael Jackson and the Lubavitcher Rebbefrochel on An Open Letter to the Jewish Community of AustraliaWA Veteran on Community [...]
Hi Yoram,
We think you raise an interesting point about the role of a security group being to err on the side of caution.
However, given that the CSG’s specific mandate is to provide security in order to facilitate the safe practice of Jewish communal life, permissive recommendations ought to be part of their role. After all, we’d all be very safe if we spent Shabbat locked in a bank vault but at what cost to the continuation of our cultural practices.
In addition, we know that CSG is meant to be collecting intelligence in order to be better equipped to make judgements about risk. There seems little point in this exercise if all situations (such as Jono David taking photographs) are considered too risky to permit.
An anecdote:
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine – let’s call him Josh – agreed to take a good friend of his from uni – let’s call her Aliya – on a tour of the Jewish sites of Melbourne. Aliya and Josh had been in the same study group for some time and had shared many interesting debates and discussions on religion, culture, society, etc. Aliya happened to be a religious Muslim who wore a hijab. Josh, a non-observant Jew.
So one Saturday morning Josh picked up Aliya from Balaclava station and they drove down Carlisle St, discussing Jewish customs such as kashrut, dress, prayer, Shabbat, etc. Josh drove Aliya past some of the major synagogues in Caulfield to further familiarise her with Jewish traditions. For example, he pointed out the external architectural features that are typical of synagogues, and explained the various shuls’ ideological and religious differences.
As they were passing one particular shul, Josh thought he noticed one of the CSG guards – an acquaintance of one of his siblings, who he knew by name – observing him and Aliya in the car closely, but a second later they were well past the building and he forgot about it.
Josh’s sibling later informed him that he (Josh) had been ‘listed’ on some sort of blacklist of people of ‘note’ to the CSG, simply because he had driven past the shul with an obviously Muslim passenger in the car with him. (His sibling had heard this directly from a member of the CSG.)
Josh thought his sibling was joking – he had gone to a Jewish school, been involved with various youth groups and communal organisations. He was known and respected by many people in the Jewish community. Why would anyone assume he was doing anything suspicious simply because he had a Muslim passenger in the car, particularly when he and the CSG guard on duty knew each other?
For those of us who take a considered view on this issue, and I suspect that there are also many lurkers, I came across this study
We Are Next!”: Listening to Jewish Voices in a Multicultural Country
http://journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mcjournal/article/viewArticle/79.
This is a peer reviewed article, and I also think it is funded research. For what it is worth, this means that it has some academic rigour.
Some readers will of course mock this study and anything that is to do with academic research by non-Jews, (pinko, chardonnay drinking anti-semites etc), but I can’t do much about that. I also apologize to those who accuse me and others of just being arm-chair critics. In fact, and this is all I’ll say, I’ve got, and continue to have, plenty of real world community experience here and in different countries.
I think it helps put some context on the question of perceptions and realities of terror, rather than discussing it in the abstract.
I had some experience with perceptions and the reality of crime in a certain part of Melbourne many years ago. Despite the reality, people were still convinced that their neighbourhood was worse than any other.
I suspect that a similar psychological compounding effect, based on what the article identifies as ‘pervasive fear’ in the Jewish community exaggerates the fear of terror through ‘what if’ scenarios that comes to include an ever widening suspicion –this is called the butterfly effect in chaos theory?–the ripple effect of some apparently innocuous event, such as the publication of a photo in a book could lead to a terrorist attack.
But it also has to be acknowledged, that there are attacks on Jewish life and limb in this country, but the question remains, ‘what is the appropriate response?”
This is what we are arguing about.
The only way to achieve balane is through scrutiny, accountability, and reality checking, or things can get out of control–as we have seen in the case of the photographer.
At the same time, accepting that there is the need community secruity in certain circumstances, how the ‘discourse’ (sorry) and behaviour of those entrusted with providing advice and security needs to be carefully scrutinized.
It will be interesting how the CSG responds to the coverage in this week’s AJN.
. In fact, I challenge anyone to name a single incident — worldwide — where photographs played an integral part in an attack on a synagogue or a Jewish institution.
Is he joking?
This attention seeking fool clearly doesn’t know the first thing about recent acts of Islamic and non-Islamic terrorism, which featured extensive preparation and planning.
If he were genuine, he would have sat down and said ‘alright, how can we compromise, so that I get my photos without compromising security’.
However instead, he is obviously more interested in PR for himself. Rather like the ‘Sensible Jew’ bloggers, I might add.
From sjeditorial: This comment has been deleted as it is a personal attack on another commenter.
Almoni,
In regards to your statement that you would rather have Monash security personal looking after you. Who would you rather have standing there if you really had to think about it… Some one being paid $15 an hour or some one being paid $0 per hour but does the job out of a sense of duty, commitment and love for their community?
What makes you trust the training and commitment of a paid security guard more than you would trust that of a member of your own community?
While I do appreciate your calls for more transparency in the CSG, I also sense some bitterness towards them.
As you mentioned earlier you had access to some old ASIO files and there was information within that you are sure came from community insiders, why do you think the CSG would be gathering intelligence on members of their own community? I am sure that ASIO, being the national intelligence agency has many sources of information within the community, why point a finger at the CSG ? Also how did you come to access these ASIO files, are they not classified? Can any one access them?
Orly–
I am concerned because the episode over the photographer that started it all off has not been resolved. In fact, CSG has not responded, unless I missed it in the AJN. The photographer issue is a classic case of wrong decision-making.
As CSG and its relationship to other agencies, I need to feel confident that all is above board.
That’s why I need openness and transparency about process. I don’t like the thought of such security responsibilities being delegated to private bodies without supervision and particularly, the right of appeal or complaint when something is done wrongly.
I also am not comfortable, as a citizen of Australia, thinking that I need to have my own private security at a place like Monash in addition to Monash security staff–they seem pretty professional to me and are used to all sorts of public events where supervision is required. It is a boundary I am not comfortable in crossing in a public university.
There are many examples of abuse of action by security companies in the supervision of public and private space, and there needs to be assurance that this is not the case here. I am not saying it has happened (except in one case now it seems), but that CSG should be able to demonstrate that all is above board.
By the way, the ASIO files I refer to are ones that are made available through the National Archives under the 30-year rule. http://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/publications/fact-sheets/fs52.aspx. No conspiracy here. Anyone can apply for them. Political spying is not a pleasant thing.
Let’s start off at the beginning of this stream by Jono David- “In fact, I challenge anyone to name a single incident — worldwide — where photographs played an integral part in an attack on a synagogue or a Jewish institution”.
First of all, I am sure that the attacks that have been carried out in the past have involved some form of information gathering on the part of a terrorist. Without knowing about an installation- how would attacks have been successful- right?
And while there are no incidents where photos played an integral part in an attack on a synagogue or Jewish installation, how do we know for sure? Maybe this fact just hasn’t been publicized to the wider community and press? Let’s certainly not start by giving those who would do us harm the option of using photos as a resource (whether or not this has been tried before).
To Almoni:
I read part of a response that you wrote here earlier:
“Another example. I was at Monash for a lecture. Members of the group were charging around quite officiously, and all of a sudden, one poked her head in a rubbish bin to ‘check’. It was quite silly and cursory. It was nothing to do with security, but ‘make work’. But I also have concerns about groups such as CSG working at Monash. This should be carried out by Monash security staff. Students must have wondered what was going on”.
How do you know that her check was just to “make work”? Let’s take the bombings of the Atlanta Olympics. 3 pipes were stuffed into a regular sized backpack to inflict the damage caused there. A backpack could easily be stuffed into a rubbish bin at Monash Uni. Wait for the crowds to exit the lecture theatre on mass and attack at such a time. And I’m betting people like YOU would then be the ones to say: “And where was the CSG?!” Let me remind you that the CSG is made up of volunteers, who at the end of the day aren’t receiving remuneration to carry out the duties that they carry out on a weekly basis.
They could be doing something more productive. Instead, they choose to be out on the street, after having seen a potential risk. They chose to do something in response to that risk.
Ask yourself, should Monash Security really be the ones to solely secure a Jewish event? I guarantee you that a commercial entity such as the security company working at Monash would be ill equipped to deal with a Jewish Community event. Not only do they not have the adequate training, but they also have no real knowledge of the Jewish Community, and do not have ongoing training. Are you really going to entrust a Jewish Community event to individuals who feel nothing for the Jewish Community, and don’t recognise a single member of the community. To add to this, Monash Security tends to patrol the whole Monash campus. That’s 5-8 people for a very large area.
Did you know that the CSG works WITH Monash Security when they secure an event there? And that doesn’t just include Monash. The CSG will work with any commercial security company that holds jurisdiction over a venue (unless of course the CSG is the one solely responsible for security at that time).
Frochel:
It is true that we would all be safest locked away in some bank vault on Shabbat. You’re right, if we did this however, it would be at a major loss of our culture and way of life. However, please understand that the CSG is not trying to impede on the Jewish Community’s way of life.
The CSG secures countless Community Torah Dedications, where hundreds of Jews march along public roads, singing, cheering and dancing. The CSG has not and does not recommend that events like this not go ahead. I would hardly say that the CSG is trying to box you in. Instead it is supporting the running of these kinds of events and making sure that you are allowed to enjoy your way of life safely!
Back to Almoni:
You call the CSG “wannabees with earpieces and walkie talkies” dressing in Shabbas best and expensive trench coats looking like “Maxwell Schmarts”. What do you propose instead? Some overweight gorilla dressed in rag tag clothing, leaning on a wall, smoking and drinking coke? I have an idea! Instead of “walkie talkies”, let’s have the CSG using paper cups with strings connecting them and relying on that method to let all of the other venues know about individuals and cars to be concerned about.
And let’s make sure that they’re all drunk from the night before, just to top it off. Remember, while you’re inside drinking hot tea on Shabbat, with not a care in the world for what is and isn’t going on outside, remember there are people outside who actually care, who will perform their duty regardless of rain, hail or shine to ensure that you and those you care about remain safe. I know that if you could, you would have it some other way. Thank g_d not everyone is like you or else we really would be in trouble.
To YoramSymons
What good is saying that it is logical to place guards outside shules on Yom Kippur and Shabbat, but then saying it is also okay for the interior of our shules to be displayed for all to see? This just raises the problem for a CSG guard standing out on shift during Yontef.
If I want to do the community physical harm and I have seen photos online and been able to pick where on mass the crowd will be, see the windows in the shule and where they face, seen the perfect place to plant whatever I want, my job is just that much easier.
So, this to me does not seem logical. And the wider community may be able to find out names and addresses from the net. All true.
However,
Regardless of your good intentions and what you are aiming to achieve or for what purpose (historical, cultural.etc) you have for taking photos of the interior and exterior of shules, you are still giving those who would do us harm yet another tool to be able to carry out that act of violence against the Jewish Community.
What good is it documenting when you are giving an enemy the tool to wipe out your installation and everyone in it?
Weigh up the pros and the cons…
I do not deny that what the photographer is trying to achieve is both noble and a mitzvah in itself, and as much as I like the idea, I can’t help but think that the risks outweigh the positives.
Furthermore, you asked how we let ourselves be controlled by the CSG mentality? We haven’t! The shules asked for the CSGs advice. That advice was given. The shules were free to follow it as they chose fit. They have chosen to deny this photographer his wish.
The CSG didn’t twist their arm. Didn’t throw their advice onto the shules without bein asked for it.
It is simple. The CSGs professionalism and commitment EARNED the trust of the shules and of the wider community, who were free to make decisions as they wished. You all speak as if the CSG forced the mentality onto the community it is trying to protect.
Your thoughts??
Almoni
I too am not comfortable as an Australian citizen thinking that I require my own private security. Unfortunately this is not just about how you or I feel;
Maybe the fact that at every major communal function I have attended there has been a strong police presence, both state and federal, shows that its not just the CSG that thinks that the security of these events (and by inference the wider community) shouldn’t be left in the hands of standard private security companies… As professional and profiecent as these companies seem to be at handling large public events.
Your attitude towards the CSG is condescending, would you like to put forward another idea/model that you would like the community to take on board? CST (that someone suggested earlier) has volunteers on the ground, so you will still be confronted by those “Maxwell Schmarts in their shabbos best”.
As for the research “We are Next!”, that you posted a link to earlier, thank you, it makes for very interesting reading.
Hello there cyberpeople.
Yes, I have do have a practical alternative: Do what was done before. The idea that the Jewish community needs some kind of secretive security organisation would have been foreign to many of us only a decade ago. Most shuls employed security guards, who worked with a couple of volunteers from the community, and could (and still can) rely on the cooperation of the police.
Despite what many feel (probably due to our upbringing in very loving but slightly insane holocaust survivor families), we do not live in pre-war Poland. We can count on the cooperation of the authorities, even if there has been a rise in antisemitic incidents (we still do live very happy and safe lives in Oz).
A bigger problem is that the CSG has become a wonderful means for macho, gym-going, utterly irreligious Jews to reinvent themselves as the warrior-guardians of our community. They do this by dictating – often offensively – who may enter Jewish communal events, when, how, etc. It is alienating and humiliating.
I am observant, and on various occasions have been stopped at the entrance of shuls outside the eruv in Sydney and questioned at length. I demonstrate my empty pockets, apologise that I can’t carry ID on Shabbos, and pepper my speech with such expressions as “daven”, “shachris”, “shul”, “eruv”. Not that the CSG people understand these terms, but to demonstrate that I am a Jew and would like to make it for barechu. It sometimes seems that the more convinced they are that I’m frum, the more they want to delay me, just to show me who’s boss (I even recall this being done once, outside the Sephardi synagogue in Sydney, by a guy giving me a big, toothy, cocky grin! The guy knew exactly what he was doing). This has happened several times. And I know of much worse stories: And elderly lady denied entrance to the shul that she frequents every week because she had no ID; a frum moroccan friend of mine denied entrance (he also had no ID, it was outside the eruv) because they thought he might be an Arab (!!!!!!!). It is truly disturbing.
CSG people would do better to engage positively with their Judaism, beyond the violence of krav magga and the sick romance of firearms and fancy little earpieces. For example: Instead of preventing people from entering shul, why not learn how to daven? Instead of feeling like a big tough warrior, why not make some friends and bloody relax? Do some meditation! Read a book! Go for a walk!
Anyway, in case you hadn’t worked it out: My experience of the CSG has been deeply negative, and I know many others who feel the same way. Off the top of my head, Jono David, for instance.
And I truly hope that all sentient beings attain liberation from suffering. Why not?
Only mazl and brukhes to all,
cyberjew.
Just to clarify, I don’t oppose communal cooperation and even participation in security. I do think it’s better to be safe, and we tend to notice if something is off more than an outsider. Still, I think this CSG project has gotten entirely out of hand. It has become oppressive.
I’d just like to thank everyone for the amusement. It’s especially funny to read the paranoid rants of Almoni and Co, against the paranoia of the CSG..
Anyway, my 2 cents:
Every communal organisation, such as a shul, school, social center etc, has the right to determine to whom they wish to grant entry and who they wish to remain outside. These buildings do not belong to every member of the community. The members and supporters pay the bills and set the agenda.
If the leadership of that particular premises has decided to enact security measures with the volunteered cooperation of the CSG, it is their right to do so. If you don’t like it, go somewhere else. Or build your own shul..
I have friends and relatives who devote a substantial amount of time and energy to the group, and are willing to put themselves on the frontline of any potential attack for the benefit of people inside they do not even know. They were asked to step up, and they do, time and again. And yes, some of them would even rather be at the beach.
The CSG has never claimed that it can prevent a car bomb from ripping through a shul, heaven forbid. But it can help foil the plan during the information gathering stage, which usually precedes an attack.
If anyone opposes the right of a given community to defend itself, well I guess you are either blind to the threats being proclaimed so often by those who would like to hurt us, or you simply don’t care much for the lives of your fellow Jews. In which case, go to hell…
DISCLAIMER: I am not, nor have even been in CSG. Or maybe I have? Wait 30 years, and I’ll disclose the truth…
I know this post has been dormant for some time, but subscribers may be interested in watching this very… interesting… video from tabletmag.com:
http://www.tabletmag.com/news-and-politics/15161/rabbi-rambo/
Hasid,
Thanks for the link to the interesting video.
I must say, I wasn’t sure if I was watching a serious video, or a production by the very talented people at The Onion.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I am no firearms expert. However, I’d be surprised if the chair the protagonist was using to take cover provided much protection from a bullet.
Also, the protagonist’s technique in disarming the assailant (1’45 – 1’50) was really appalling. It appeared to be an extremely sloppy and unsuccessful attempt to perform a technique that in Japanese (Aiki) Ju-Jutsu would be termed Nikajo/Nikyo Osae.