JOSEPH ASSAF

there are books we read and lucky if we remember the title or the Author's name.And there are books we read and stay with us practicing its value and wisdom every day. well i found "In Someone Else Shoes" written with life time experiences is very knowledgebale, informative and presented with high spirit and sensitivity taking care of others believes and values and this is what a true multiculturism all about.

Joseph, was able to add and provide us with more practical information about diversity and culture, he created awarenss that you cant do with mainstream education .

"Hidden in trouble lies the key to our magnificent opportunity".Albert Einsein
Undestanding our life, environement and culture we live in we can have more doors to more opportunities that we can get evey day.

In Someone Else’s Shoes
Joseph Assaf does not pretend that his book “In Someone Else’s Shoes” is an academic treatise of Multiculturalism as a public policy. However, what it is are the reflections of a man who has lived Multiculturalism to its fullest extent. In a very readable and, in many ways, a “gentle” manner, Joseph takes us through his own life to date, emphasising along the way the many issues that we, at Ethnic Communities Councils around Australia have been saying for countless years. His chapter on racial profiling of crimes was one of the many chapters that most caught my attention. Joseph, very gently, examines the futility and stupidity that occurs when Police and Media attempt to connect a person’s ethnicity to their criminality.

Joseph’s own story is truly one of Multiculturalism. Of Lebanese ancestry, a very proud Australian citizen, married to a lady of Italian ancestry and with children born in Australia, Joseph’s was the first voice heard in a language other than English on Radio 2EA (later to become SBS Radio). Very effectively, Joseph has examined the history of Multiculturalism in this country. His observations on a variety of aspects of that are simplified to the choices we make in the way in which we live our lives. Whilst simplifying the issues, Joseph is still able to capture the “essence” of Multiculturalism He does not shirk from addressing the difficult and sometimes, thorny issues of religious diversity together with multi racial and diverse communities attitudes. In the chapter relating to criminality and ethnic profiling he debunks the myth of the existence of “Ethnic gangs”. As Joseph puts it “ From what I could see, if we were to consistently discriminate against people based on their ethnicity, then the four pillars of our early society (Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed and Moses), if they tried to enter Australia today, would be put in detention. Jesus was a non-English speaker of Jewish parents who spoke Hebrew and Aramaic, Like many Middle Eastern leaders, he had ambitions to change the world, He lived his life by loving everyone, including his enemies.”

A beautifully written book, In Someone Else’s Shoes is simple and yet one of the most effective expositions of what Multiculturalism is all about. As ECC’s around the country have said for a long time, Multiculturalism is about ALL of us and not simply, compartmentalised policies, about specific ethnic communities. This is highly recommended reading for any practitioner in this field. Policy makers also need to take heed of Joseph’s views in this area.

I first met Joseph Assaf over 20 years ago when I met his son at age 8 on our first day of school and we have been friends ever since. I have been fortunate enough to experience both the Italian and Lebanese hospitality countless times dining at their house. He introduced me to eating with your hands and using bread as your eating utensil. If you have ever eaten a meal there, you would know you never ever leave empty with the “have some more” mentality. Joseph has a great way of reinforcing his ideas and experience of multiculturalism in his book in each chapter which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I enjoyed the examples given along with the entertaining stories used. Joseph lives the very essence of Multiculturalism in his everyday work and life. I have learned a great deal from the book and have a better understanding of multiculturalism.

Good on you Joe!... You deserve everything you have achieved. I remember you when you first came to Australia.You were eager to work hard and to get ahead. At the same time you never forgot your parents and sisters back and tried to help them as much as you could. You took any job whilst looking ahead for other opportunities ,worked hard and diligently ,applied yourself . .to the task at hand whilst forging ahead with bright ideas and looking for opportunities to apply them. You were born with above average brilliance of mind and with God's help ,hard work and Australia gave you the chance to be where you are today... Let us not forget that"Behind every great successful man there is a great woman"Gpod bless you and your family...

Dear Joseph,

Having experienced somehow a similar story to yours myself, I know now the wisdom behind why Lebanon has been missing some of its rare Cedars.

God has created us free and different to each other. Each individual comes from a different background, from a different ethnic community and we all have different traditions, values and cultures. We are like pieces in a huge puzzle. Each piece by itself represents nothing. It needs the work of a great artist to group these pieces of different colours and shapes and arrange them in a way to reveal the beautiful mosaic picture.

The work that you have achieved in Australia and across the world by bringing together this multitude of different ethnic cultures is a great work of a great artist "A Work of One Cedar of Lebanon" that brought the best within each ethnic culture and has enriched the Australian community and has made this mosaic picture, fitted with all its pieces coherent helping us embrace "Our Australian Society".

It is I suppose our destiny (We the missing Cedars of Lebanon) to bring out the best in us and to show the world how great we are when we do the work of God by helping, sharing and understanding our differences

I have enjoyed reading your book and believe it or not, it has opened new horizons for me.

Thank you & Good Luck & God be with you and your Family

An excellent book, I recommend for anyone of any cultural background to read. The depth of thinking and extremely intriguing stories, make this a motivating book. I felt so much prouder of my heritage, I now feel as though I have contributed to the greatness of our country, my home, Australia.

Congratulations on a great book! This book takes you briefly into the life of one man's journey to finding both success and happiness in a career, simply by looking at alternate ways of communicating in a multicultural society. This book is an inspiration and an example to young people such as myself. It has definitely changed the way I look at multicultural societies, and given me a positive attitude and willingness to embrace and learn from people of different backgrounds. Everyone has something to offer, if they are given a chance to communicate correctly. This book really puts into perspective the idea that "anything is possible", and endless opportunities are possible if we just take care in understanding each other better.
It is an extremely easy read, and I recommend it particularly for students, and anyone willing to open their hearts and minds to moving forward with multiculturalism, after all, the world is your oyster!

I greatly enjoyed the journey this book took me on - from the story of Joseph's life through the spheres of multiculturalism, diversity, cultural identity and the art of communication.

It is a book that challenges the way you think. Since reading the book, I have become far more aware of what I can learn from others. Rather than being afraid of difference, I now find myself asking what can I learn from this person whenever I am in a new situation. I realise that every person from every background has a richness to offer and bring to our lives - we just need to be open to discovering and embracing it.

I highly recommend this book for all young people who want to grow and contribute to this multicultural society in which we live.

A book I thoroughly enjoyed one that I truly recommend that can be enjoyed by all.
Congratulations on the book and thankyou for sharing your inspiring and wonderful story.

Excellent Book Khalo...
Must be read by everyone especially by young motivated people...