Zedwords: Zeddy in his own words
Shortly after leaving Oxford University with a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics & Economics, Zeddy’s dreams of becoming a philosopher were dashed when the local philosophy plant was forced to close due to an influx of cheap foreign philosophical imports. The House of Commons, meanwhile, had a full quota of politicians and supply of economists was outstripping demand.
The Phrase That Pays
With his future looking bleak, Zeddy turned to TV scriptwriting and found himself working among some of the best known names in the business on several soaps and sitcoms.
Credits included EastEnders, The House of Windsor, Dream Team and London Bridge.
He also studied for a postgraduate diploma in radio journalism, receiving a distinction, and went on to become a reporter, producer, presenter and news editor at a number of stations, including Fox FM, Mercury FM and News Direct.
Entering the noughties, Zeddy was hired to bring his creative flair to Europe’s first Jewish community website, Totallyjewish.com, where he launched the online soap Baruchside and was shortlisted for Online Journalist of the Year by the UK Press Gazette.
When Totallyjewish.com took over the newspaper The Jewish News, Zeddy served as Arts & Features Editor and subsequently National Editor. During his time at the JN, the publication won the Press Gazette’s Free Newspaper of The Year award.
In 2009, Zeddy moved to Melbourne having been headhunted by The Australian Jewish News to take over their paper and website.
With Zeddy at the helm, The AJN was a at the forefront of a number of communal campaigns and played a critical role in exposing child abuse cover-ups in the community.
Zeddy won Best Editorial Award at the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards, while the paper won Best Publication and Best Use of Social Media.
After 13 years at The AJN, Zeddy took on the role of Executive Director of Zionism Victoria.
As well as doubling the number of subscribers to the newsletter and writing countless pitches, proposals, speeches and newspaper columns, he regularly represented the organisation in the media as well as in talks with the government and other leaders within and outside the community.
He also helped secure the adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism by the Victorian Government and the establishment of the Israel 75 Peace Garden by Glen Eira Council.
Following 7th October, Zeddy and Zionism Victoria were responsible for organising all the major memorial services and solidarity rallies within Melbourne. These were routinely attended by thousands of people, including many high profile VIPs such as the Premier, the Prime Minister and other major dignitaries.