Zoe Booth is a cultural commentator, writer, and Content Director at Quillette, an Australian magazine known for long-form analysis, cultural commentary, and heterodox ideas grounded in reason and humanism. She hosts the Quillette Cetera podcast, where she has interviewed leading thinkers, academics, journalists, and public intellectuals from around the world. Zoe has written for The Australian and The Australian Financial Review, and has appeared on Sky News to discuss free speech, culture, and contemporary politics. She holds double degrees in Arts (Politics and French) and Law from the University of Newcastle and is based in Sydney.

Zoe Booth is a cultural commentator, writer, and Content Director at Quillette, an Australian magazine known for long-form analysis, cultural commentary, and heterodox ideas grounded in reason and humanism. She hosts the Quillette Cetera&nbsp;podcast, where she has interviewed leading thinkers, academics, journalists, and public intellectuals from around the world. Zoe has written for The Australian&nbsp;and The Australian Financial Review, and has appeared on Sky News to discuss free speech, culture, and contemporary politics. She holds double degrees in Arts (Politics and French) and Law from the University of Newcastle and is based in Sydney.

Zoe Booth

Guests: Mike Zervos OAM & Sabrina (Sabi) Chakman 

Mike Zervos has served as the inaugural CEO of Courage To Care Victoria, a B'nai B'rith organisation focused on preventing prejudice, racism and bullying programs. In 2021 Mike was honoured for leading Courage To Care to inspire cross-cultural understanding in schools across Victoria. 
Sabrina Chakman has been appointed as the new B'nai B'rith Chair of Courage to Care Victoria Inc. 

Guests: Mike Zervos OAM &amp; Sabrina (Sabi) Chakman Mike Zervos has served as the inaugural CEO of Courage To Care Victoria, a B'nai B'rith organisation focused on preventing prejudice, racism and bullying programs. In 2021 Mike was honoured for leading Courage To Care to inspire cross-cultural understanding in schools across Victoria. Sabrina Chakman has been appointed as the new B'nai B'rith Chair of Courage to Care Victoria Inc.&nbsp;

Courage To Care

Topic: 'What are the key sources of Antisemitism in Australian Universities, and how should anti-racist advocates respond!'

 
Philip Mendes has been an outspoken commentator on antisemitism in Australia, analysing its historical roots, modern manifestations, and how it impacts Jewish identity and security. He has argued for strong educational, political and interfaith responses to combat antisemitism, and often situates these issues within the broader fight against racism and bigotry.

Topic:&nbsp;'What are the key sources of Antisemitism in Australian Universities, and how should anti-racist advocates respond!'
&nbsp; Philip Mendes has been an outspoken commentator on antisemitism in Australia, analysing its historical roots, modern manifestations, and how it impacts Jewish identity and security. He has argued for strong educational, political and interfaith responses to combat antisemitism, and often situates these issues within the broader fight against racism and bigotry.

Professor Philip Mendes

Deborah Glass was the Victorian Ombudsman, appointed to a 10-year term in 2014, responsible for investigations into Victorian government departments, local councils and statutory bodies. These included individual complaints and systemic issues, as well as referrals from Parliament, including the ‘Red Shirts’ case and the alleged politicisation of Victoria’s public sector. The Ombudsman is also Victoria’s human rights investigator, in which capacity she investigated the hard lockdown of Melbourne’s public housing towers in 2020 and the closure of the State’s borders in 2021. 

Deborah was raised in Melbourne where she practised law briefly before leaving Australia, then working for a US investment bank in Switzerland. From there she moved into a career in financial services regulation, first with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Moving to London in 1998 she was appointed CEO of the UK’s Investment Management Regulatory Organisation.   
Changing course to police oversight she was appointed a Member of the UK’s Police Complaints Authority and then a Commissioner of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the first agency with the powers to independently investigate the police in England and Wales. 

She  headed up numerous criminal and misconduct investigations into police involving fatal police shootings, deaths in custody and police corruption, as well as the landmark investigation into the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster. She was appointed IPCC Deputy Chair in 2009 and in 2012, was awarded an OBE for her service.   She returned to Australia in 2014 to become the fifth Victorian Ombudsman and first woman in the role.

Deborah Glass was the Victorian Ombudsman, appointed to a 10-year term in 2014, responsible for investigations into Victorian government departments, local councils and statutory bodies. These included individual complaints and systemic issues, as well as referrals from Parliament, including the &lsquo;Red Shirts&rsquo; case and the alleged politicisation of Victoria&rsquo;s public sector. The Ombudsman is also Victoria&rsquo;s human rights investigator, in which capacity she investigated the hard lockdown of Melbourne&rsquo;s public housing towers in 2020 and the closure of the State&rsquo;s borders in 2021.&nbsp;
Deborah was raised in Melbourne where she practised law briefly before leaving Australia, then working for a US investment bank in Switzerland. From there she moved into a career in financial services regulation, first with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Moving to London in 1998 she was appointed CEO of the UK&rsquo;s Investment Management Regulatory Organisation. &nbsp; Changing course to police oversight she was appointed a Member of the UK&rsquo;s Police Complaints Authority and then a Commissioner of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the first agency with the powers to independently investigate the police in England and Wales.&nbsp;
She&nbsp; headed up numerous criminal and misconduct investigations into police involving fatal police shootings, deaths in custody and police corruption, as well as the landmark investigation into the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster. She was appointed IPCC Deputy Chair in 2009 and in 2012, was awarded an OBE for her service. &nbsp; She returned to Australia in 2014 to become the fifth Victorian Ombudsman and first woman in the role.

Deborah Glass OBE

Rabbi Zachary Gomo is a prominent figure in Melbourne’s Jewish community, known for his multifaceted roles in education, religious leadership, and community service.
Rabbi Gomo is a sought-after speaker, known for his lectures on Jewish history and his advocacy for community resilience, especially following a high-profile antisemitic attack in 2014. 

Rabbi Zachary Gomo is a prominent figure in Melbourne&rsquo;s Jewish community, known for his multifaceted roles in education, religious leadership, and community service. Rabbi Gomo is a sought-after speaker, known for his lectures on Jewish history and his advocacy for community resilience, especially following a high-profile antisemitic attack in 2014.&nbsp;

Rabbi Zachary Gomo

Robert Gregory is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), a conservative Jewish advocacy organization in Australia. As CEO, Gregory has been vocal about rising antisemitism in Australia, particularly in the context of global events and domestic policy. He has criticized the Australian government’s response to antisemitic incidents and has called for more robust measures to protect the Jewish community. Under his leadership, the AJA has engaged with governments, parliamentarians and media to advocate for the interests of Jewish Australians.

Robert Gregory is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), a conservative Jewish advocacy organization in Australia. As CEO, Gregory has been vocal about rising antisemitism in Australia, particularly in the context of global events and domestic policy. He has criticized the Australian government&rsquo;s response to antisemitic incidents and has called for more robust measures to protect the Jewish community. Under his leadership, the AJA has engaged with governments, parliamentarians and media to advocate for the interests of Jewish Australians.

Robert Gregory

Josh Piterman is a singer, actor, author, podcaster, coach, and the only Australian to play both the roles of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and The Phantom in the brilliant original production of The Phantom of the Opera on London's West End. 
Josh was discussing his book 'Behind the Mask' and signed copies will be available to purchase.

Josh Piterman is a singer, actor, author, podcaster, coach, and the only Australian to play both the roles of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and The Phantom in the brilliant original production of The Phantom of the Opera on London's West End. Josh was discussing his book 'Behind the Mask' and signed copies will be available to purchase.

Josh Piterman

Rabbi Daniel Rabin is a prominent Orthodox rabbi and community leader based in Melbourne, Australia. He currently serves as the Senior Rabbi of Caulfield Shule, a position he has held since November 2021.
Rabbi Rabin is known for his dynamic leadership, particularly in youth engagement and community outreach. He has initiated programs like “Next Dor” to connect with younger generations and has been involved in organizing large-scale events, including Australia’s largest Shabbat dinner for university students.

Rabbi Daniel Rabin is a prominent Orthodox rabbi and community leader based in Melbourne, Australia. He currently serves as the Senior Rabbi of Caulfield Shule, a position he has held since November 2021. Rabbi Rabin is known for his dynamic leadership, particularly in youth engagement and community outreach. He has initiated programs like &ldquo;Next Dor&rdquo; to connect with younger generations and has been involved in organizing large-scale events, including Australia&rsquo;s largest Shabbat dinner for university students.

Rabbi Daniel Rabin

Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson is the Senior Rabbi of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (Toorak Shule). He began his communal leadership in 2010 as the founding Rabbi of the Chabad Jewish Community Centre in Port Melbourne, establishing a hub for Jewish life in the area. In 2012 he co-founded C Care, an innovative social enterprise addressing food insecurity and social isolation through volunteer-driven, community-based solutions.

Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson is the Senior Rabbi of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (Toorak Shule). He began his communal leadership in 2010 as the founding Rabbi of the Chabad Jewish Community Centre in Port Melbourne, establishing a hub for Jewish life in the area. In 2012 he co-founded C Care, an innovative social enterprise addressing food insecurity and social isolation through volunteer-driven, community-based solutions.

Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson

Lillian Kline is the Head of Philanthropy for the Victor Smorgon Group. She is CEO of Impact Outfit and Chief Impact Advisor at Lineage Group and inaugural Director of the Pathways to Politics Program for Women at the University of Melbourne.

A vocal advocate against antisemitism, she works to promote inclusion and equity. 

Most recently, Lillian led a group of 28 advocates to Israel to learn firsthand about the October 7 program, deepening their understanding of the atrocities committed and equipping them to better advocate for Israel and the Jewish community in Australia.

Lillian Kline is the Head of Philanthropy for the Victor Smorgon Group. She is CEO of Impact Outfit and Chief Impact Advisor at Lineage Group and inaugural Director of the Pathways to Politics Program for Women at the University of Melbourne.
A vocal advocate against antisemitism, she works to promote inclusion and equity.&nbsp;
Most recently, Lillian led a group of 28 advocates to Israel to learn firsthand about the October 7 program, deepening their understanding of the atrocities committed and equipping them to better advocate for Israel and the Jewish community in Australia.

Lillian Kline

The B'nai B'rith Armchair Society is an engaging, thought provoking and passionate discussion group of current affairs.

Run by B’nai B’rith volunteer Ron James, who, in his inimitable style, brings to the table a series of interesting topics for discussion. With an open forum, Ron encourages you to share your views and feelings about current issues and news items facing us. Held fortnightly throughout the year, these sessions are a great way to keep abreast of what’s going on in our world and the opportunity to talk part in lively, healthy discussions.

The B'nai B'rith Armchair Society is an engaging, thought provoking and passionate discussion group of current affairs.
Run by B’nai B’rith volunteer Ron James, who, in his inimitable style, brings to the table a series of interesting topics for discussion. With an open forum, Ron encourages you to share your views and feelings about current issues and news items facing us. Held fortnightly throughout the year, these sessions are a great way to keep abreast of what’s going on in our world and the opportunity to talk part in lively, healthy discussions.

B'nai B'rith Armchair Society Series

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