His journalism career took him to the world’s frontlines, reporting from Moscow on the fall of the Soviet Union, from East Berlin on the collapse of the Berlin Wall, from Jerusalem on the First Gulf War, and from South Africa on its historic first free elections which saw Nelson Mandela elected President. 

Also a scholar and lecturer on the Holocaust, Alhadeff has worked to educate future generations on its lessons. 151 members of his family, including his paternal grandparents, were murdered at the Auschwitz death camp. His play Torn Apart by War was based on his father’s remarkable Holocaust story and went on to be performed across Sydney theatres. 

Appointed Chief Executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies in 2005, Alhadeff led the organisation for 17 years, representing the Jewish community and working with government, media, and civil society to promote human rights and social inclusion. In recognition of his service, he received the President’s Award in 2022. His commitment to multiculturalism was further recognised in 2014 when he was appointed Chair of Multicultural NSW, where he fostered relationships between diverse communities, notably uniting Ukrainian and Russian leaders to prevent overseas tensions from affecting social unity in Australia.

Alhadeff's many contributions to human rights have been widely recognised. In 2012 the then Premier appointed him a judge of the state’s newly-inaugurated Human Rights Award; in 2021 he received the Premier’s Award for service to Human Rights; in 2023 he was named a judge of the Kennedy Media Awards' Human Rights category; and in 2024 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia. He is currently a non-executive director of SBS and Chair of the SBS Community Advisory Committee. 

Hero photo (from L to R): Head of School of Art, Communication and English Professor Alan McKee, Chancellor David Thodey AO, Vic Alhadeff OAM, Head of School and Dean of Sydney Law School Professor Fleur Johns.