Friends of the Jewish Holocaust Centre

Birch

The Friends of the Jewish Holocaust Centre (JHC) organisation continues to support the social and educational programs of the Centre.

Last August the Friends held a successful fundraiser to contribute to the conservation treatment costs for significant artworks on paper in the JHC Collection. The event was initiated and organised by JHC Board member Mary Slade, who is on the JHC Collections Acquisition Committee and has insight into the behind-the-scenes area of the Archives. Graciously hosted by Jeanne Pratt at her beautiful estate ‘Raheen’, about 150 Friends attended the evening, demonstrating just how passionate our community is in supporting the work of the JHC Collections. Jayne Josem, Curator and Head of Collections, spoke about Doba-Necha Cukierman, and Dr Anna

Hirsh, Archivist, presented drawings by architect Hermann Baum, which were some of the significant works that have been sent to the University of Melbourne’s Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation. Similar fundraisers are planned in the future to support the preservation of our precious artefacts.

In November, the Young Friends of the Jewish Holocaust Centre hosted an end-of-year event, ably organised by Lauren SpitalnicMajtlis. Guests were treated to supper and were able to wander through the museum, which many had not visited since they were students. Jade Lipson, granddaughter of survivor and museum guide Tuvia Lipson, shared her grandfather’s remarkable story of survival with fellow guests. Another highlight of the evening was the attendance of two Jewish young adults who had recently migrated to Australia for work, and the opportunity the event provided for them to meet other young people who were born in Australia.

The purpose of the Young Friends is to bring young adults to the museum and provide the opportunity to reconnect with their Jewish roots. The Young Friends look forward to hosting a number of events this year. Anyone who wishes to become involved or to attend a future event should email Lauren Spitalnic-Majtlis at lspitalnic@hotmail.com

1 (l-r) Mary Slade, Jeanne Pratt AO, AC, Elly Brooks, Sue Lewis and Lauren Spitalnic-Majtlis

2 Young Friends at the JHC

3 ((l-r) Anna Hirsh, Mary Slade and Jayne Josem

The Friends of the Jewish Holocaust Centre plays an important role in providing financial support to the Centre through membership subscriptions, raffle book sales, sales of the Entertainment Book and social fundraising functions. To become a Friend of the Jewish Holocaust Centre, simply download and complete the form from www.jhc.org.au/ friends-of-the-jhc.html

For further information please contact Goldie Birch on (03) 9528 1985 or email goldiegb@bigpond.net.au.