A recent reflection by Lynda Ben-Menashe, president of the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, draws attention to the persistent and evolving nature of anti-Semitism in contemporary society. Ben-Menashe connected historical depictions of rising hatred, as portrayed in the film *Cabaret*, to current experiences faced by Jewish Australians.
*Cabaret*, set in Weimar Berlin during the rise of Nazism, illustrates how propaganda and societal dehumanisation can enable the spread of hatred and totalitarianism. Ben-Menashe revisited a notable scene from the film in which Joel Grey’s character sings “If You Could See Her,” a plea for understanding against hostile prejudice. The final whisper, "If you could see her through my eyes, she wouldn’t look Jewish at all," resonated deeply with her after witnessing testimony at a recent royal commission.
The testimony was given by Josh Burns, a Jewish member of parliament, who described the anti-Semitic and misogynistic abuse suffered by his non-Jewish partner, Georgie Purcell MLC. Purcell herself contributed a submission to the commission in which she described how being close to Burns exposed her to the ways in which anti-Semitism mutates and adapts over time. According to her statement, anti-Semitism now hides behind conspiracy theories and crosses political lines, embedding itself in both public discourse and private attitudes. She also emphasized that this normalization of hatred erodes social cohesion and fosters an environment in which racism and violence against Jewish people can be seen as justifiable.
Ben-Menashe highlighted that Purcell’s experience—existing at the intersection of anti-Semitism and misogyny—is a reality for many Jewish Australian women represented by her organisation. She drew parallels between historical propaganda disseminated in media like radio, film, and newspapers during the Weimar era, and the contemporary amplification of such messages through social media platforms.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief Mike Burgess has warned that potential threats to national security could come from various extremist groups, including Islamist extremists, neo-Nazis, far-left extremists, or Christian radicals. While these groups often oppose each other, Burgess noted that many share a common hatred toward Jewish people.
Ben-Menashe cautioned that the descent of a civilized society into barbarism can happen rapidly when misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda are allowed to spread unchecked, especially when different extremist factions amplify similar hateful narratives. She stressed the importance of acknowledging these dynamics in ongoing inquiries and public discussions to prevent further social division and violence.
Her reflection serves as a reminder of the persistent and virulent challenges posed by anti-Semitism and the critical need for vigilance and education to counter hatred in all its contemporary forms.