Healing, Justice and Liberation for All: A Jewish Council Conversation with Dr Gabor Maté

We are delighted to invite our supporters and their guests to an exclusive conversation with world renowned Jewish author, Holocaust survivor and trauma specialist, Dr Gabor Maté. Dr Maté will be in conversation with esteemed human rights lawyer, former South African anti-apartheid activist, and Jewish Council Advisory member, Emeritus Professor Andrea Durbach AM.

Dr Maté and Professor Durbach will be discussing healing, justice, trauma and liberation for all - a conversation sorely needed in this current moment.

Dr Maté is in Australia on a sold-out tour, and has generously offered to speak at this intimate event with members of the Jewish community in Australia who would like to broaden their knowledge and perspectives on Israel, Zionism, healing and trauma. We encourage our supporters to invite friends and family members who may not share your views and who you think would value from Dr Maté‘s perspective.

Gabor Maté (pronounced GAH-bor MAH-tay) is a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. The bestselling author of five books published in 43 languages, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, Gabor is an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness. For his ground-breaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. His most recent book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture is a New York Times and international bestseller.

Prof Andrea Durbach is Emeritus Professor and was Director of the Australian Human Rights Centre (now Institute) at UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice from 2004-2017. Born and educated in South Africa, she practiced as a political trial lawyer and human rights advocate, representing victims and opponents of apartheid laws. In Australia, she has held senior positions in the human rights field, including as Executive Director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Deputy Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, and consultant to the Australian Defence Abuse Response Taskforce to develop a framework to address the needs of Defence Force victims of gender-based violence. She is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. In 2013, she was awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Law Award and in 2022 she was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to law, human rights, and tertiary education.

Dr. Maté's latest book, "The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture", will be available for purchase at the event. Dr. Maté will sign copies of his book after the event.

Please note this event will be held in person.

You can find accessibility information about the wheeler centre here: https://www.wheelercentre.com/.... Please email us at jewishcouncil@jewishcouncil.com.au if you have any questions about accessibility.