Rabbinical Council of Victoria

5 Tevet 5771
12 December 2010

RCV Honours William Cooper

Last week the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) was represented at an event in Federation Square to honour the memory of the late William Cooper.

In 1938, immediately following the events of Kristallnacht, Aboriginal elder William Cooper headed a delegation from the Australian Aborigines League to deliver a petition to the German consulate in Melbourne protesting against Germany’s persecution of its Jews. The delegation was refused admittance and the petition refused.

In expressing gratitude for the selfless actions of one man who stood up for justice in the face of a world that had turned its back on European Jewry, RCV Immediate Past President, Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, told the crowd that William Cooper provided an example for all people to follow. “It is written in the Torah that one should not stand idly by whilst others are being persecuted. William Cooper, who well understood what it meant to suffer the pain of persecution, was unable to remain silent when he saw the tragedy befalling another nation in a distant land. He understood the power of the individual to make a difference and loudly protested the crimes being perpetrated on innocent people,” he said.

“In paying our respects to the memory of William Cooper, and noting the presence at this commemoration of his grandson Alf ‘Boydie’ Turner and great-grandson Kevin Russell, I express our sincere gratitude for the kindness shown to the Jewish People by William Cooper and those who supported him. The Jewish community and indigenous Australians have much in common and share a strong bond of friendship. We appreciate the opportunity to be involved in this event and look forward to further cooperation in future,” Rabbi Kluwgant said.