TELL May-June 2020

SOCIAL JUSTICE SPOTLIGHT
Peter Keeda
1. Tell us a little bit about you: your hobbies,
background, family.
My grandparents all came from schtetlach in Poland.
I was born in Sydney. My wife (Erica Mosselson,
born in Cape Town) and I made Aliyah in 1972.
In Israel we lived mainly in the south, Arad and
Omer, although we did spend three years in Hong
Kong where I represented Dead Sea Works. Our
three sons were born and raised in Israel, served in
the army and then, each in turn, came to Australia.
In 2004 we joined them here. We now have four
grandchildren in Australia and one of our sons has
returned to Israel.
Over the past fifteen years I have
returned to studies and am currently
undertaking my fourth Master’s degree.
I have also returned to playing the
classical guitar. From time to time I
renew my interest in philately with a
strong interest in Jewish themes.
2. You are the co-ordinator of the
Matthew Talbot volunteering
programme; how did you get
involved?
One of my degrees was in Community
Management which led me to want
to get involved in some social justice
activity within the Jewish Community.
Serendipitously, Rabbi Ninio was rejuvenating the
Social Justice group at the Emanuel Synagogue and
I joined the group. Since then, almost ten years ago,
I have coordinated the Matthew Talbot volunteer
group.
3. Can you describe the programme?
When we approached the Matthew Talbot Hostel
for Men, we asked them what shift was their most
difficult to fill – they indicated Sunday morning,
between 6 and 8 am, and since then we have served
at the Hostel canteen during those hours. In ten
years we have missed only three times.
4. Have there been surprises or things which you
did not expect?
Meeting the men at the Hostel has been an eyeopener
as to what homelessness looks like; after the
shift we return to our warm homes – they return to
the streets …
5. Have you always been involved in social justice
initiatives and volunteering?
I started volunteering as a child and have volunteered
in the Community ever since. From Boy Cubs, civil
guard, helping at children’s schools, participation
in various immigrant and refugee organisations etc.
Perhaps a highlight in this area was being one of
the founding members of Beer-Sova, in Beersheba
(https://www.beersova.org.il/?lang=en).
6. Can you tell us a little about your coffee group
and the micro loans?
Once a week I join a group of
old friends for breakfast. We have
known each other since youth
movement days, sixty years ago!
Each week each person donates
$2 (whether they attend or
not) and this money is ‘lent’ to
KIVA (https://www.kiva.org/)
for distribution as micro-loans.
Over eight years we have lent over
$125,000 – all for just $2/week!
7. Do you think that Judaism
has been an influence in your
social justice activities?
Judaism certainly has been a major influence in my
life and I believe that Social Justice is an integral part
of this.
Recently, with the support of the Australian Jewish
Historical Society and of the City of Sydney, I have
developed a phone app 'A Walk of Jewish Sydney'
which is available from your app store.
8. How can people get involved in the Matthew
Talbot if they would like to volunteer?
Contact Rabbi Ninio or me through Emanuel
Synagogue email: socialjustice@emanuel.org.au.
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