AUSTFHU Year book 2022/2023

From the President WA Friends Division

A/Professor Peter Winterton AM

(Note this Report relates to the year-end 30 June 2022)

This year has been like no other in recent memory. World events beyond our control dominated our lives and needless to say the activities of the WA Friends HUJ.

The major events that impacted on all our lives in 2022 were the onset of the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in February, the changing circumstances relating to the Covid pandemic and of course the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, marking the end of an era of world stability of biblical proportion of three score years and ten.

These three events have impacted our society at every level. The war in the Ukraine, in particular has had a profound effect on the Jewish psyche as has the concomitant rise in antisemitism on social media platforms, affecting donations and confidence in our society.

Arrangements and the best of plans were laid asunder by Covid lockdowns and restrictions. In spite of all these impediments the WA Friends committee has become more coherent and enthusiastic this year, and I am grateful for their support and involvement.

Our first major friend raising event was the Einstein night at UWA in April 2022, to coincide with the centenary of the Wallal expedition. Professor David Blair gave an enthusiastic address to the WA friends about the importance of

teaching Einsteinian physics in high schools and the importance for UWA and Western Australia of the Wallal expedition in 1922. This has also been acknowledged by the Royal Australian Mint’s issue of a commemorative one-dollar coin to mark this event. I would foresee that promoting the teaching of Einsteinian Physics is a worthy activity for the friends and indeed the HUJ itself to be involved in for the future.

In late October we hosted a music afternoon, once again in a friend raising initiative. The generosity in spirit of both Margaret Helfgott, our world class pianist, and Martin and Barbara Brezger in allowing the WA Friends to use their home for the event, was outstanding.

We are anticipating the arrival of Professor Asher Cohen, President of the HUJ, in late November, accompanied by Professors Nahmias and Shagir. We are indeed honoured to be able to host their visit. A number of functions are planned, including a lunch hosted by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of UWA; a community reception at the home of Jerome and Lynne Swersky; a lunch to be hosted by Stuart Silbert; and a community breakfast at Temple David, to allow as many members of the Perth community hear Prof Nahmias speak on the developments around cultured meat.

Professor Cohen is very keen to personally thank Harry and Sylvia Hoffman for their unfailing

support to the HUJ over many years. As President of the WA Friends, I also would like to add my thanks to all of our donors, of many years, and our continuing donors who support silently and without fanfare the student exchange scholarship for HUJ and UWA students.

None of these arrangements and events happen on their own, Yael Jacobson, our WA Public Relations Officer, quietly and efficiently works behind the scenes to ensure events happen and run smoothly.

Robert Schneider, almost single handedly, keeps the front door of the organization open, and for this I would like to thank him. Robert’s attention to detail and governance issues is essential for this organization to run responsibly and instil confidence within our community, allowing members to feel secure in making bequests.

Clinical A/Prof Peter Winterton AM

President of the Australian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, WA Division.