Modern Jewish history to be taught at university

Vic Alhadeff, Australian Jewish News, 6 August 2004

The first general course in modern Jewish history is to be taught at the University of New South Wales. Titled  "Modern Jewish history 1750-1950",  will commence in January 2005 or as soon as possible thereafter, depending on the availability of the appointed lecturer.

The lectureship will initially be for five years, until December 30, 2009. The appointment will enable the consolidation and expansion of the teaching of Jewish Studies at UNSW.

After a lengthy negotiation process, documents were signed last week by deputy vice-chancellor Professor Robert King, pro-vice chancellor Professor James Bloomfield and Professor Anette Hamilton, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, on behalf of the university and the trustees of the Fund for Jewish Higher Education - Emeritus Professor Graham de Vahl Davis and Stanley Ross.

The proceedings were witnessed by fund chairman Peter Wertheim and Professor Clive Kessler. The agreement ensures that rather than standing alone, modern Jewish history will be an integral component of the school's curriculum in modern world history. The course will examine experiences of Jews in their encounters with modernity in the wake of emancipation. Inclusion and exclusion, assimilation and resistance, mass migration from Europe and the impact of various political, social and intellectual movements will also be covered.

"We've been conscious for a long time that, despite the large number of Jewish students at UNSW, there hasn't been a lectureship in modern Jewish history,"  Wertheim said. "The course is also expected to attract a significant enrolment of non-Jewish students and to provide insight into, and hopefully understanding of, the diverse ideas and complex forces that have influenced the Jewish people."

The fund will provide the salary and related costs, while the university will provide the infrastructure and facilities. 

South Australia to legislate against racism

Alana Rosenbaum

South Australia will introduce legislation condemning antisemitism and racism. In a speech to B'nai B'rith Adelaide chapter, South Australian Premier Mike Rann confirmed that the Racial Vilification Bill would be introduced into State Parliament soon. "I hope this bi-partisan motion will send a clear and unequivocal message that we will never accept violence directly against individuals, religious and cultural institutions," Rann said.

The Victorian Parliament unanimously passed a bill in June condemning all forms of racism and religious vilification as "a threat to the freedoms of citizens in this state."

The New South Wales and Federal parliaments passed an almost identical motion earlier this year. A spokesperson for Rann confirmed this week that the bill is being drafted.

The South Australian initiative came about through lobbying by the B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Victoria's anti-racism watchdog. ADC chairman Dr Paul Gardner said Rann had agreed to introduce the bill to parliament but failed to provide a time frame. He said Australia's existing state and federal bills broadly condemn all manifestations of racism.

An unrelated matter

To All,

Below is a copy and paste of the broadcast from channel nine, of the Perth based cancer cure. This went to air on the 9/8/04 at 6:30:pm Australain time. The website is below for anybody to wishes to view the video clip. 

To day is the 13/8/04, tonight is will be the fifth night in a row that this cancer cure and treatment has been aired on national television. 

 http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/

Allan



Over a period of 30 years, highly qualified Perth-based surgeon Dr John Holt has had some startling successes with a radio-wave therapy treatment for cancer patients.

However, this radical treatment has polarised the medical community in Australia. His supporters say he's been vilified, while his detractors point out there is no scientific basis for his claims.

Elvina Johnson had a lot of living to do when she was told she had an aggressive form of bone cancer. At 18, doctors discovered she had a "galaxy of tumours". She lost her leg and underwent intensive chemo treatment to try and stop it spreading. Her cancer was so severe that she relapsed soon after.

"It was through both of my lungs and by that stage it was pretty terminal," she told Ray Martin.

Elvina was desperate. Quite by chance she heard about a cancer specialist with a highly controversial procedure.

"By taking the chance and finding this man, I am here six years later and probably feeling better than ever, so I have had a rebirth," she said.

Dr Holt's controversial treatment works, in layperson's terms, by giving the patient an injection of a glucose-blocking agent. He then shines "radio waves" into the body at a specific frequency. Dr Holt doesn't guarantee it will cure every cancer, but it's not expensive and there's no quackery about it.

Born in Bristol 80 years ago and a member of the Royal Colleges, Dr Holt has 26 medical letters after his name. For more than a decade he was in charge of Western Australia's main cancer institute, until the late '70s, when he was blacklisted by his medical colleagues and politicians.

"The doctors took up such an action initially, they said the treatment was fake and useless," said former WA Premier John Tonkin. But Tonkin added, "There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this is the most advanced form of cancer treatment in the world today."

The polarisation of the medical and scientific community in Perth over Dr Holt's treatment has been evident since the mid-'70s.

"It is an unproven form of cancer treatment and it's not part of the armoury of orthodox ways of treating cancer in Australia," said Clive Deverill, the former boss of WA's Cancer Council. "Equally, there are legions of patients who have been down that track who can't say anything about their position because they're dead."

While the medical community continues to argue the merits of Dr Holt's unorthodox measures, the families of his successes feel they owe everything to this gentle man.

After two brain tumours and a tumour on her spine, Sophia Rosa was sent by pre-eminent brain surgeon Dr Charlie Teo for the radical treatment. Two years later, the only sign Sophia had cancer are the side-effects from the massive doses of chemotherapy given in Sydney.

"Sometimes I think maybe Sophia's reason for getting sick was so people would know about Doctor Holt," said Louisa Raso, Sophia's mum.

Contacts

Dr John Holt (08) 9322 3544

Dr John Holt support group
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