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Michael Gencher

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May 13, 2026, 4:24 AM

When Words Stop Meaning What They Mean

When Words Stop Meaning What They Mean By Michael Gencher, Executive Director StandWithUs Australia In Sydney, Australia, we witnessed something that should concern not only Australians, but anyone who still believes words matter. A public forum was scheduled at a City of...

Apr 29, 2026, 5:44 AM

When Standing With Jews Became Too Difficult

I wish I could say I was surprised. I wish this felt like an isolated mistake, a moment of poor judgement that does not reflect anything larger. But the cancellation of the planned Sydney concert to benefit victims of...

Mar 26, 2026, 11:59 PM

And There It Is

Yesterday afternoon, I was standing on the sideline at my child’s sports practice, doing what parents do. Watching. Chatting. Half following the training, half listening to the conversations around me. Before long, the talk turned to petrol prices and supply....

Feb 19, 2026, 5:07 AM

The Curtain Has Been Pulled Back

I have been trying to find the right words for what has changed since the 14th. Not just what happened, but what happened afterwards. For a short moment, there was a kind of national pause. People reached out. Some were clumsy,...

Feb 11, 2026, 4:59 AM

A Defining Night for Australian Jewry

For the Jewish community in Australia, everything since December 14 has been different. The terrorist attack in Bondi did not just shock the nation. It shattered an assumption many Australian Jews had quietly carried for generations. That while antisemitism existed,...

Feb 3, 2026, 4:29 AM

From Classrooms to Campuses: Australia Must Choose Consequences

Over the last two years, Australia has argued about antisemitism as though it were mainly a contest of language, politics, and competing narratives. The events of Sunday 14 December 2025 in Bondi tore through that illusion. The terrorist attack at...

Dec 19, 2025, 11:19 AM

What Can Be Said That Hasn’t Already Been Said?

I have been struggling with how to begin this article. And let’s be honest: I’ve been struggling this week — and I know I’m not alone. Not in the vague way people say it when life feels “a bit heavy,” but...

Sep 19, 2025, 8:02 AM

Two Reports, Unequal Standards: Australia’s Fight Against Hate Risks Stalling

In the span of just a few months, Australia has produced two landmark national reports: one on antisemitism, the other on Islamophobia. On paper, this should be cause for optimism. Two vulnerable communities, both facing rising hostility, each given...

Sep 9, 2025, 9:09 AM

No More Words: Bondi Shows Where Inaction Leads

Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. (courtesy)

I was there on Sunday morning, September 7, at Bondi Beach. I organised the counter gathering as Executive Director of StandWithUs Australia. I saw families, students, and seniors arrive with Israeli and Australian flags. I saw neighbours from across...

Aug 23, 2025, 3:55 PM

Now Is Not the Time to Criticize Netanyahu

There are moments in history when internal division does more damage than any external threat. Right now, as antisemitism in Australia continues to rise to unprecedented levels, one such moment is upon us. Yet instead of unity, the Executive...

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About Me

Michael Gencher is the Executive Director of StandWithUs Australia, an international education organisation dedicated to supporting Israel and combating antisemitism. Michael brings a wealth of experience in public affairs and public relations, having made significant contributions to the Jewish community in Australia. Prior to his role at StandWithUs, Michael held key positions within the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, including Acting CEO and Head of Community. In these roles, he was instrumental in promoting education, fostering dialogue, and combating antisemitism. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to the Jewish community, both in Australia and in Israel, where he has actively volunteered with various community groups.