Dave Burnett, Z”L (1985 – 2008)
In our work, personal lives and during this gathering in particular, we recall and wish to pay tribute to an Australian ROI Community member who died tragically in a hiking accident when he was just 22 years old. Dave was a Taglit-Birthright Israel alumnus, a 2005 recipient of the Charlie Award and a participant of the first ROI Summit, back in 2006. Dave personified all that a community might look for in a young leader and everything that a person might look for in a friend. He returned from his Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with a deeper insight into his Jewish identity and infused with an enthusiasm that burned brightly for the rest of his life. An activist by nature, Dave led AUJS (the Australasian Union of Jewish Students), was an elected leader in student politics at Sydney University and was a leading figure in the younger ranks of Australia’s Conservative Party. A participant in many CLI programs (The Center for Leadership Initiatives), Dave lived a deep connection with Israel coupled with a commitment to his home community in Sydney. Dave’s love of celebration, communal action and networking transformed him into a whirlwind of activity and innovation in every moment. Even though four years have passed since losing Dave, we still feel the gaping hole in our community. But we hold dear our memories of him, which continue to inspire us daily to emulate his standards of vitality, passion and commitment - by touching as many lives as possible, igniting their ability to act on Jewish values and dancing with them until dawn and beyond.