Together with the Jewish and broader Australian community, NCCA has paid respects at the passing of Jeremy Jones AM, 64, who is being remembered as a “legend” of the Australian Jewish community and for his immense legacy in building relationships across faith and cultural boundaries.

NCCA General Secretary, Ms Liz Stone, wrote to the Executive Council of Jewry (ECAJ) of which Jeremy was a former president on behalf of the NCCA President, Rev John Gilmore, the Board and the Christian members of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews (ANDCMJ).

“I am writing with a heavy heart to share with you the loss of our brother, Jeremy Jones, and to offer our sincere condolences to his wife Naomi and children and to ECAJ and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.” 

“Many of us feel privileged to have known Jeremy and to learn with and from him in our meetings across the years. We enjoyed his infectious enthusiasm and energy for our interfaith dialogues and we honour his important founding role in establishing the ANDCMJ in response to the tragic events of the Bali bombings and 9/11. We assure you of our prayers during this mourning time”, Ms Stone said.

	PHOTO – Jeremy Jones, far left, with APRO members including NCCA General Secretary, Ms Liz Stone, meeting in October 2022.

“May his memory be a blessing”

Jeremy was the Director of International and Community affairs at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), a former president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), a veteran of interfaith affairs and expert on antisemitism.

Together with Rev John Henderson, then NCCA General Secretary and Dr Amin Hady of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), Jeremy was instrumental in setting up the national interfaith dialogue of ANDCMJ and the multi-faith dialogue, the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations (APRO), and both continue today.

Jeremy was awarded the AM (Member of the Order of Australia) in 2005 for “service to the Jewish community, and to multiculturalism and international relations in the area of interfaith dialogue”.

Rev Tara Curlewis, former NCCA General Secretary also paid tribute to Jeremy.

“I personally have appreciated sharing with Jeremy both as co-chair of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians Muslims and Jews (2009 -2014) and in recent years as Co-Chair of the ECAJ - Uniting Church in Australia dialogue.”

“Jeremy leaves a tremendous legacy within the Australian community, the various faith communities in Australia, and the global community by the way he built relationships between people of different faiths and cultures. His passion for intentional dialogue was unwavering and even contagious.  His contribution will be long-lasting and hopefully, we will continue in the work that he held so dear”, said Rev Curlewis.