the sydney jewish report - august edition

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VOL. 44 Friday, 3 August 2018 / 22 Av 5778

Fostering a closer Jewish community

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SENIOR CYCLING AT MONTEFIORE

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MT SINAI - AN APPLE DESTINGUISHED SCHOOL

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KETUBAH BY: TODAY TOMORROW FOREVER PHOTO CREDIT: RONEN BOIDEK

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

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community

August 2018

Montefiore gets moving with seniors’ cycling program MONTEFIORE RANDWICK Montefiore Randwick is proud to be first in the Eastern Suburbs, and only the second organisation in Sydney, to be part of Cycling Without Age, a not-for-profit pairing cyclists with people living in aged care.

Cycling Without Age’s battery-assisted, custom built trishaws (three-wheeled bikes) are ridden by a pilot and hold two passengers in front. The aim is to give older people the chance to experience the freedom of riding a bike and exploring their local area, as well as helping to create social connections between younger riders and aged care residents.

Speaking at the July 24 launch of the Montefiore program, visiting cofounder Dorthe Pedersen said: “What our passengers tell us they enjoy most isn’t the cycling, it’s the social aspect.

It’s about moving slowly, seeing life at street level, interacting with neighbours and using your senses to take in the sights and sounds. The trishaw itself is a conversation starter, too, people want to know what it’s all about.”

The Cycling Without Age program launched in 2012 in Denmark, and now extends to 37 countries around the world, with around 20 groups now operating in Australia.

Photo credit: Giselle Haber The initiative was first brought to Montefiore’s attention by local cycling group BikEast, whose members went on to source a generous anonymous donor for the trishaw. BikEast will also provide a willing roster of volunteer pilots

who will help to make rides through nearby Centennial Park and surrounding neighbourhood a regular part of the Montefiore Leisure & Lifestyle program.

BikEast Cycling without Age coordinator Adrian Boss says: “We’ve been working towards this since we first heard Dorthe

speak in 2016, and our members are lining up to volunteer their time as pilots.

We can’t wait to get started at Montefiore, and are in talks with local councils to fund further trishaws, too.”

For more on the program, visit: cyclingwithoutage.org.au

Toll Relief: Free Rego For $500,000 invested into Eastern Suburbs Drivers

THE HON. GABRIELLE UPTON MP

Toll road users across the Eastern Suburbs will benefit from free vehicle registration under the NSW Government’s Toll Relief program, which commenced on Sunday 1 July.

Gabrielle Upton MP, Member for Vaucluse welcomed the announcement from Premier Gladys Berejiklian which will save eligible motorists between $423 and $729 a year on registration costs.

Ms Upton said toll road users will be eligible for free vehicle registration if they spend more than $25 a week on average, or $1,300 over a 12 month period.

“Toll Relief delivers a fairer go for drivers across the Eastern Suburbs who are regular users of on toll roads” Ms Upton said.

“The NSW Government is committed to addressing cost of living pressures faced by families and motorists. Toll Relief is another example of the NSW Government putting

money back into your pocket.”

The scheme will apply to private drivers who use existing toll roads and will apply to any new toll roads in the future. The scheme is backdated, so eligible motorists will enjoy free vehicle registration if they spent more than $25 a week from 1 July 2017 up to 30 June 2018.

Drivers that are currently opted into the M5 Cashback Scheme will have the choice to opt out and have their M5 tolls count towards Toll Relief or remain in the M5 Cashback Scheme.

The program is one of a raft of NSW Government measures helping to ease cost of living pressures for households including through the Fuel Check app, cheaper hospital car parking, Active Kids vouchers and CTP refunds.

For more information visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au.

upgraded safety on New South Head Road, Bellevue Hill THE HON. GABRIELLE UPTON MP Work is complete to improve pedestrian access and safety at the intersection of New South Head Road and Victoria Road at Bellevue Hill.

Ms Upton said the NSW Government provided $320,000 to Woollahra Council as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to transport and road safety.

“The work included widening the footpath, upgrading the kerb and installing new pedestrian crossing facilities on the southern side of the intersection.

This provides safe and connected pedestrian facilities along New South Head Road through Bellevue Hill,” Ms Upton said.

Improvements on New South Head Road between Victoria Road and Gladswood Gardens at Double Bay were also completed with $150,000 from NSW Government to upgrade the road surface and the vegetation.

“This important work was completed at the end of last month, which is great news for local pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.”

“Together

these

completed

projects represent nearly $500,000 of NSW Government funding into road safety measures in our local area – that is a welcome and important investment,” Ms Upton said.

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community

August 2018

JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

Shalom: Sydney Jewish Writers Festival 2018 SYDNEY JEWISH WRITERS FESTIVAL

The Shalom Sydney Jewish Writers Festival (SJWF) returns in August 2018 with a diverse range of international guests, local talent and timeless tales of survival and triumph.

This year’s Festival leads with a pre-Festival event: Storytellers on Tuesday 21 August at 7pm at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre. Storytellers will feature wordsmiths Donna Jacobs-Sife, Bruria Hammer and Matt Friedman, poets David Ades and Les Sher reading their poems, and musical performances by Old Man River, Miriam Lieberman, Nadav Kahn and Lior.

The official opening night will take place at Bondi Pavilion on Thursday 23 August at 7pm, and will feature journalist and host of ABC’s The Drum Ellen Fanning in conversation with a showstopping international guest author: Masha Gessen. Gessen is a Russian-American journalist, author, translator and activist who has been an outspoken critic of Putin and Trump. Masha Gessen is the author of nine books, most recently The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia, which was awarded the National Book Award in the United States in 2017.

The Festival’s main offering unfolds at Waverley Library on Sunday 26 August with the breathtakingly talented author of Brit(ish), Afua Hirsch. Hirsch is a

Afua Hirsch writer, broadcaster and former barrister whose work explores the complexities of navigating the tensions of her own layered identity with the racism that she sees evident in British society.

Other highlights include: • On Borrowed Time: Robert Manne in conversation with Caroline Baum.

Professor Robert Manne is the author of countless books, articles and essays about wide ranging topics like climate change, asylum-seekers, the media and Islamic State. His latest book deals with his own mortality, the future and his love of life. • Reading Horror: Helen Lewis in conversation with Michaela Kalowski.

In The Dead Still Cry Out, Helen Lewis writes about her father’s extraordinary

experience photographing the liberation of Bergen Belsen. The child of Jewish refugees, Mike Lewis’ images shocked him and the world. Helen explores the issues around the use of photographs as source documents and the ethics and aesthetics of viewing images of atrocity. • Journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald, Peter FitzSimons talking about Monash’s Masterpiece, his latest historical work which brings us a uniquely Australian insight into the famous Battle of Hamel. • Fictionalising the Holocaust, featuring Heather Morris (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Lauren Chater (The Lace Weaver) and Kirsty Manning (The Jade Lily). It is often said that fiction can explore

and explain trauma more viscerally than factual details. Through three very different books this session delves into that process and how it can illuminate the horrors and terrors of Auschwitz, the escape of Jews to Shanghai and the onslaught of Stalin’s Red Army into the Baltic States. • Ros Ben-Moshe in a session entitled Where it all Begins: Laughing at Adversity.

Ros’s approach to life is that love, laughter and mindfulness can help us overcome all types of adversity. As a Global Laughter Ambassador and Founder of LaughLife Wellbeing Programs, Ros has a unique way of embracing a positive mindset to enhance resilience during life’s prickly moments. This session will awake your inner smile and remind you to live your life to its fullest. ‘We are so excited by the diversity and talent of this year’s Festival. It is always such a privilege to work with passionate authors and 2018 is no exception.

SJWF2018 will challenge you, delight you and take you places you never imagined it possible to go.’ Justine Saidman, Festival Director.

SJWF will once again be hosted by Waverley Council, with events taking place at the Bondi Pavilion and Waverley Library.

For further information or to book tickets, visit www.shalom.edu.au.

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community

August 2018

A purpose full of promise: WIZO Multipurpose Day Care Centres DIANE SYMONDS PRESIDENT WIZO NSW

There are 400,000 infants and children at risk in Israel. These are children, whose parents for many reasons, do not provide them with the basics of food, clothes and a safe place to live. When parents cannot give their children the care and support they need, these children are at immediate and severe disadvantage.

Every life challenge will be harder, every goal less attainable, any self-confidence hard to find.

Children from dysfunctional families often do not have the support, structure, or even basic needs that enable normal development. Without intervention, their chances of becoming well-adjusted, productive members of society are near to zero. They and their own children are at high risk of suffering from the same dysfunction, poverty, neglect, and abuse as their parents.

WIZO’s Multipurpose Day Care Centres in Israel provide an environment in which parents and children can create better relationships, where children are provided with basic physical and emotional needs. At the same time, staff

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Enriching the Lives of Jewish Seniors

Wednesday 29th August COA Centre, 25 Rowe St Woollahra 12 Midday Specialty Lunch 12:45

Concert of Yiddish favourites with Len Mahemoff OAM accompanied by Shirley Politzer OAM

$7 per person. Please book your seat for catering purposes.

Ph: 9389 0035 Em: coa@coasydney.org Enriching the Lives of Jewish Seniors

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program at each centre is of the highest calibre and aims towards the full development of each child while providing essential love and support.

Each family receives a customized rehabilitation program, with the aim of getting them to become fully functional and stable.

This program includes parental skills workshops, employment training, counseling, and support groups. By treating the entire family, WIZO removes the children from the ‘at risk’ category and gives them the same opportunities and options as all children, enabling them to be productive, healthy, empowered citizens in this generation and beyond.

At the WIZO NSW Gala Event with Guest Speaker Molly Bloom – the inspiration behind the movie ‘Molly’s Game’ on the 9th August 2018, WIZO will raise the much-needed funds to support the Multipurpose Day Care Centres in Israel.

Tickets can be purchased via the WIZO NSW’s event page at http://wizonsw.org.au/molly For further details, please contact the WIZO office on 9387 3666

community

August 2018

JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

Courage to Care Launches Young Leadership Program COURAGE TO CARE For the past 20 years, Courage to Care has been teaching Australians vital lessons from the Holocaust - that every individual can make a difference by standing up to racism, discrimination and bullying. This year, thanks to a generous grant from the ORAH Project, Courage to Care has launched a program targeted at Jewish children and youth leaders in our community.

The Jewish Youth Leadership Program aims to empower the future generation of youth to become ‘upstanders’ not ‘bystanders’ as well as attempting to make a difference whenever possible in the world.

Another objective of the program is to engage with young people so that they remain connected and involved with the Jewish community beyond their youth movement years.

In July Courage to Care attended the Netzer Winter Camp in Taree and ran a tailored workshop for 50 students and 8 leaders. Attendees were introduced to the concept of upstanders and bystanders and listened to the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, and how, with the assistance of a ‘rescuer’, an ‘upstander’, they were able

to survive.

The students and teachers then had the opportunity to reflect on this story and how parts of the testimony resonated with them personally. Discussion followed about different types of discrimination and bullying as well as ‘the bystander effect’ and why it is so hard to speak up.

Participants were also asked to reflect on ways in which they could be an upstander in the future and make a difference.

Overall the program resonated with the children and youth leaders; it demonstrated to them how lessons from the Holocaust can be applied to modern day issues.

Courage to Care would like to thank the Pillemer family and the ORAH Project for their wonderful support. We look forward to sharing many more successes with the Youth Leadership Program as we endeavour to bring this initiative to other Jewish Youth groups in the coming months.

If you are interested in bringing the Youth Leadership Program to your group please call Courage to Care on 9321 6301.

Courage to Care is an initiative of B’nai B’rith. Find out more at www.couragetocare.com.au

Planned Giving

Bequests and Endowment Funds ‘Your Bequest – Israel’s Future’

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New Head of Education

has a Master of Teaching and has taught in schools, university and museums. Rebecca completed a PhD in history and education, focusing on the history of public art education in museums and galleries. Before joining the Sydney Jewish Museum, Rebecca managed the Learning Team at North Lincolnshire Museum Service in England, where she oversaw the learning programs that catered for a diverse audience range.

Museum CEO Norman Seligman says: “We have recorded remarkable growth in student and adult visitors this past financial year.

We look forward to building upon these numbers as we continue to expand the Museum’s programs and reach. I have no doubt that the Education Department will continue to flourish under Rebecca’s capable leadership”.

SYDNEY JEWISH MUSEUM

The Sydney Jewish Museum recently appointed Dr Rebecca Kummerfeld as Head of Education and Susan Wakil AO Chair of Education. In this position, Rebecca leads a team of inspiring and passionate education staff and volunteers, including 37 Holocaust survivors who speak daily to school and adult groups.

Under Rebecca’s leadership, the Education Department will run a broad range of tailored and syllabus specific seminars and tours for more than 27,000 students this year, and industry-approved training courses for 2,000 teachers both in the Museum and interstate.

Prior to accepting her new position, Rebecca worked as an Educational Officer at the Museum for 18 months. Rebecca

Photo credit: Katherine Griffiths

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August 2018

JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

Yes it does happen in the Jewish community JEWISHCARE CLAIRE VERNON

JewishCare has taken the lead in raising awareness about domestic violence in our community and yes domestic violence does exist in the Jewish community.

Domestic Violence can take many forms, it is not always physical abuse. It can involve psychological and emotional abuse like verbal insults or threats to family or friends or even pets. It can also include belittling comments. Domestic violence can include social isolation or financial abuse which could involve the perpetrator stopping access to, or control over money. It can also involve sexual abuse like being forced to engage in unwanted sexual acts or being forced to look at pornography.

In an effort to get the message across and to reduce domestic violence, JewishCare has engaged with community leaders especially Rabbis and has encouraged them and provided information and resources for them to speak from the Bima to their congregants.

Another key element has been the White Ribbon Day Mens Breakfast which takes place around the time White Ribbon Day each year. This is the largest such event in Australia and has featured some notable guest speakers over the years. You may have seen the giant white ribbon on the front of our Saber Street headquarters around that time of year.

This year our guest speaker will be Dr Michael Salter, a senior lecturer in criminology at the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University. Dr Salter researches violence against women and children with a focus on the intersections of gender, violence and culture and the ways in which violence is made meaningful by victims, perpetrators and others.

If you are interested in attending it is not too early to put aside the date which this year will be on Tuesday 27 November 7.45 – 9am at 3 Saber Street Woollahra.

Even better become a White Ribbon Day Ambassador and bring along a group of friends to the Breakfast to help rid the scourge of domestic violence from our community.

All attendees will be given a white ribbon and wearing it represents a personal pledge that the wearer does not condone violence against women and is committed to supporting community action to stop this violence.

Sadly JewishCare sees dozens of people, invariably women who are in that predicament each year. We have caring professionals who can work with you to help you and your family to get through this most challenging time.

If you are experiencing domestic violence please call JewishCare on 1300 133 660 or domesticviolence@jewishcare.com.au

Social Justice Summit 2018 STAND UP JACQUI DUBS If you’re passionate about social justice and aspire to make a difference, join Australia’s leading social impact thinkers, entrepreneurs and disruptors at the Social Justice Summit this month. Spearheaded by Stand Up and Plus61J, the Summit features a full program of stimulating ideas presented by trailblazers and innovators in this field, and is the first of its kind for the Australian Jewish community.

The Summit will take place in the picturesque surrounds of the White House mansion in Melbourne, the headquarters of ethical investors, Small Giants, on Sunday 26 August. The event will kick off with a Welcome Dinner the night before, and an inspiring keynote address by Kon Karapangioditis OAM. Kon is well known for his work as CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), and recently released his personal memoir, ‘The Power of Hope’.

The Welcome Dinner will include the opportunity to connect with a like-minded gathering of social justice enthusiasts and activists, and enjoy internationally inspired cuisine prepared by the ASRC’s own catering social enterprise.

The Summit theme, ‘Beyond the Tribe’, is designed todraw together today’s leaders of social impact and innovation from within the Australian Jewish community, and further afield. Guest presenters include renowned social entrepreneur, Evan Thornley, World Bank international development consultant - Zara Sarzin, and Sandra Dudakov OAM from Fareshare Food Charity, amongst many others. Workshops, panels and keynote addresses throughout the day will encourage the exploration of new ideas and inspire

attendees to create impact in their own spheres.

“The Social Justice Summit is a chance to bring a human element to change making.

We want to allow our community to know that social justice doesn’t only happen by our policy makers, but that it takes place when anyone with a voice decides to use it”, explains George Schneider, Stand Up’s Sydney Director. “This Summit is a chance to showcase some of the most inspiring voices from the Australian Jewish Community and beyond.”

The Social Justice Summit will culminate in a live Pitch4Purposeevent for upcoming social entrepreneurs, before a panel of ‘Shank Tank’ style guest judges. Pitch4Purposewill be a high-energy session where four pitches will be interrogated by the ‘sharks’. The winning pitch will receive funding and other resources to make their ideas a reality.

“Thanks to Plus61J for partnering with us to make this new social justice initiative happen”, adds George, “I encourage everyone to visit Melbourne for this summit of ideas, inspiration and community building”.

Be a part of this global conversation.

Purchase your Day Pass (26 August) or Welcome Dinner & Day Pass (25 & 26 August) at StandUp.org.au/Summit.

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community

August 2018

A Tale of Breath and Courage CAULFIELD SHUL

BY RABBI RALPH GENENDE OAM It’s been said that we need to constantly focus on creating a better planet for our children and better children for our planet.

The dramatic events and rescue of the twelve Thai boys and their coach caught the attention of the world. This was in part because it was a story about vulnerable children, our instinctive need to protect them and our deepest yearnings to make this planet of ours a worthy place for deserving kids.

It was obviously the kind of dramatic story we all love – filled with fear, tension, character, death, hope and salvation. It touched on our primeval fears of loss and helplessness; it took place in the watery depths and darkness. It was the horror of Jonah inside the whale’s cavernous belly; it was his plaintive cry: “From a narrow place I cry out to the Lord…

You have thrown me down into the deep… And the rivers swirl around me… the waters rush round me to my very life’s edge” This was the place of our childhood nightmares, except now it was very real and inhabited by twelve children and they could have been our kids, our grandchildren… The danger was certain, the odds stacked against them; the tragic death of the Thai diver, Saman Gunam, who died while laying oxygen tanks along the exit route only sharpened our trepidation.

But this was also a story of the best of humanity, our capacity to work together, to put aside our differences. So thirteen countries (including Australia and Israel) provided their best for the thirteen “Wild Boars Team”. Indeed, thirteen principals acting with principled faith!

As Commander McEwan of the ADF put it: “It’s amazing just what human beings can do.”

It was an operation of meticulous planning, creativity, ingenuity, persistence, courage and cooperation. Australians can be justly proud of our team of twenty including the intrepid Adelaide

anaesthetist, Dr Richard Harris, who assessed the team’s health and stayed with them. Harris belongs to a group called “The Wet Mules” who base their philosophy on the American saying “Enough money to burn a wet mule.” In other words, they’re a group of ‘meshuganers’ whose daring and adrenalin-driven attributes are not just about a thrill, but a skill. They remind us that we should never minimise the skills and talent of the intrepid adventurers of the world. They attempt the impossible – burning the wet – and make it possible.

Boldness and pioneering are not only intrinsic to the human spirit, but basic to Judaism. We are the pilgrims of the spirit and shouldn’t forget the undaunted courage of Abraham and Sarah setting off into the unknown, our ancestors casting off into the wilderness, Nachson stepping into the Red Sea waves…

Bravery was not limited to the rescuers. It was what kept these young boys alive in the caves, it was what allowed them to make the perilous journey through the dark to safety. It’s evident that it was also the courage and character of their coach, Eskapol, which sustained the boys.

Eskapol who was orphaned at the age of ten, had trained to be a Buddhist monk and left the monastery just a few years ago to care for his ailing grandmother. He continued to work at a local monastery and training the local soccer team, whom are mainly poor or from stateless ethnic minorities in the border area between Myanmar and Thailand.

In the cave, Eskapol taught the boys how to meditate and conserve their strength; he also shared or gave them his food. This speaks of the power of religion and faith as well as the potency of meditation, but perhaps, most of all, of the energy of altruism.

In a cynical world where egotism and narcissism are more common than generosity and empathy, the story of these ‘cavemen’ and their large band of rescuers including the Thai officials and military is an account of the unquenchable spirit of humanity. Biologist may speak of the selfish gene, this story speaks of the selfless gene. It is too a vindication of the almost fanatical belief of Judaism in the essential goodness that lies within us; the undying belief we have the “Tzelem Elohim” the image of God within us all. As we say

in our daily tefillot: “My God, the soul you placed in me, it’s pure, you created it, you formed it, you breathed it into me.” I love that phrase “you breathed it into me” – not only because it evokes the wondrous act of creation, but also because it reminds us of the preciousness of every breath we breathe, and that the fragile translucence of breath is the wonder of life itself. It was breath that was so cunning and so frightening in this tale of darkness: the diminishing quality and quantity of oxygen in the cave, the oxygen tanks carried so precariously through the intestinal passages to the boys, the breathing apparatus placed so strategically along their escape route, the irony and tragic paradox of the death of Saman Gunam, who lost his own air supply while laying oxygen tanks; the air-borne bugs that attacked the lungs of some of the boys.

We value most that which we have almost lost.

Abraham, suggests Jonathan Sacks, learnt this lesson from the Akedah, the binding of Isaac.

That these thirteen intrepid souls were almost lost intensified the rapturous relief we felt at their rescue. The Morning Prayer I referred to continues: “One day you will take my soul from me… but as long as the soul is within me, I will thank you, Lord my God… Lord of all souls… who restores souls to lifeless bodies.” The restoration of life and breath to this team threatened by death and loss is a story worth celebrating.

It also reminds me of another evocative phrase from Psalms: “I called out to you God from the narrow places, You answered me by opening up the wide spaces.”

This dramatic event enlarged us all these past weeks. Let’s hold on for a little while longer to its important messages of hope and faith, courage, altruism and human ingenuity; let’s breathe a little deeper and act a little gentler.

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community

JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

August 2018 JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

Woollahra Council Funds COA’s Sydney Jewish Museum Awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in Two National Tuesday Outings Museum Industry Awards

COA

COA’s weekly bus outings are a blessing to those seniors who want to engage with their friends and enjoy a short walk and lunch in company. But they are so much more. Participants get out to some of the most beautiful spots in Sydney, some of the hidden places that they never saw when they were busy working.

It provides an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and some vitamin D, instead of a coffee lounge and recycled air.

The catalyst for this program came, as many do, is from one of our volunteers.

In 2002 Rachel Lazarov was running a discussion group at the COA. An idea emerged to organise a weekly outings and the group got very excited about it. Thus began the COA’s “Tuesday Outings”. Rachel organised the bus and co-ordinated the group, but after a few weeks she had an accident which left her unable to continue.

Now over a decade later the Tuesday

Outing remains one of the most popular activities at COA, and the only program with a waiting list. However many of our members who would love to participate are not fit enough to keep up with the current group.

So we thought it would be excellent to start a second outing for those less mobile.

We approached Woollahra Council for funding to this project. The council understood the importance of the program for the community and generously granted us funds to cover the expenses for the first year.

Julia Golding OAM and Zelda Feigen OAM were invited to the ceremony at Woollahra Council on 16th July where they were presented the money.

Our team is working on launching this program and we will make the details available very soon.

Do you know anyone who will benefit from this program please contact us at 9389 0035 or email: operations@coasydney.org

SYDNEY JEWISH MUSEUM

The Sydney Jewish Museum was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in two coveted industry awards last month: Museums & Galleries National Awards (MAGNA) and Museums Australasia Multimedia & Publication Design Awards (MAPDA).

The Museum’s new permanent exhibition, The Holocaust and Human Rights, was shortlisted in the MAGNA category for Permanent Exhibition or Gallery Fitout (Level A), alongside museums including Australian War Memorial (ACT), Arts Centre Melbourne (VIC), Migration Museum (VIC), and Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (TAS).

Launched in February this year by Australian Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow, The Holocaust and Human Rights is one of the first permanent human rights exhibitions to open in a museum in Australia. Using new digital technologies and interactive media, the exhibition outlines human rights achievements and challenges, and focuses on the human rights facing groups within Australia today; refugees and asylum seekers, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, and the LGBTIQ+ community.

Shortlisted in the MAPDA category for Major Exhibition Catalogue (Level 3) was the Museum’s catalogue entitled Closer: Portraits of Survival, which supported last year’s temporary exhibition by the same name. The

shortlisted publication was in the company of major exhibition catalogues by Heide Museum of Modern Art (VIC), Maitland Regional Art Gallery (NSW), Monash University Museum of Art (VIC), Art Gallery of Ballarat (VIC), and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwheti (New Zealand).

Beautifully designed by Alphabet Studio with photography by Katherine Griffiths, the catalogue entitled Closer: Stories of Survival features the portraits of 44 Holocaust survivors with an object and their story. This exhibition catalogue shows that whilst the spoken word has unimaginable power, it is the tangible relics of time that are anchors to the past and have their own stories to tell. Copies of the exhibition catalogue can be purchased at the Museum’s online shop, here.

For both the MAGNA and MAPDA awards, the Sydney Jewish Museum was among only a handful of finalists in its respective categories, and was selected for shortlisting from more than one hundred entries.

“To receive the accolade of ‘Highly Commended’ in each of the award categories that we were entered in is a prestigious achievement. These awards reflect the immense amount of research, design and expertise that went into the final products of both The Holocaust and Human Rights and Closer: Portraits of Survival.” – Rosyln Sugarman, Head Curator, Sydney Jewish Museum

An inspiring look at the challenges facing modern Israel NEW ISRAEL FUND

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In July, five Australians joined fellow young activists in their 20s and 30s from the US, Canada and the UK for an in depth and intense trip exploring some of the most pressing issues in Israeli society today.

The Naomi Chazan Fellowship is a chance for young professionals to participate in a study tour by the New Israel Fund (NIF), during which they meet local Israeli activists and learnt more about the NIF’s strategic issue areas, including religious freedom, human rights and democracy, social and economic justice, shared society and ending racism, and the impact of the Occupation.

Fellows met with a variety of grantees funded by NIF and participated in localised tours to better understand the complexities of the region. The group was mainly in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Yerucham and Hebron.

They heard directly from Israeli activists and lawyers involved in battling against the recently passed Nation-State Law and the Surrogacy Law which excludes single men and gay couples. They even had a chance to participate in a demonstration in central Tel Aviv against the passage of the new NationState Basic Law, alongside thousands of Israelis.

One of the speakers they heard from was former Knesset Deputy Speaker Naomi Chazan about the “democratic slippage” that is happening in Israel.

“It was really interesting to hear from someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Naomi Chazan about the state of democracy in Israel today and some of the challenges in terms of Zionism and democracy and the intersection of these two,” said Ryan Kaplan, a

Naomi Chazan fellow from Sydney.

One of the group’s tours included visiting Kiryat Arba and Hebron with Breaking the Silence, former IDF soldiers who speak out about their military service and the problems arising from the 51 year occupation of the West Bank.

Their guide was subjected to ongoing harassment by settlers who attempted to drown out her tour by blasting music, loud whistling and and invade her personal space. Later in the tour Jewish children from Hebron threw water at the group and even small pebbles.

The visit was very confronting but showed the extreme elements in the settler community of Hebron who, despite heavy police and army presence, are able to act almost without impunity. Just a few days later the same guide had paint poured on her by extremists in Hebron during a similar tour.

Once the fellows return to Australia they will be creating local programming to share some of their experiences with their peers and local communities in Sydney and Melbourne and work to broaden the conversation around Israel.

“As the Naomi Chazan Fellowship becomes increasingly international with participants from four countries it gives the group a unique opportunity not only to learn from local Israeli activists but also from their peers across North America and the UK,” said NIF Australia Executive Director Liam Getreu.

Getreu continued: “This is the next generation of communal leadership increasingly aware and keen to engage with the dangers to Israel’s liberal democratic foundations, but equally committed to also maintaining its founding vision as a homeland for the Jewish people.”

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international

August 2018

The one kind of intermarriage that is simply unacceptable JEWISH NEWS SYNDICATE JONATHAN S. TOBIN Religion used to be the line that wasn’t crossed. Now it’s politics, and more importantly, views about Donald Trump that may determine who we’ll date or marry.

When The Forward’s Jenny Singer wrote this week about a tryst she shared with someone who failed to vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016, it was certainly a case of her sharing way too much information with her readers. But her conclusion that dating or sharing a bed with someone whose politics you don’t like is something reasonable people should avoid is hardly unusual. As numerous articles in other publications have reported, growing numbers of profiles of singles on online dating sites contain admonitions warning those of different political persuasions not even to think about contacting them.

That’s interesting not just because it reflects the bifurcated nature of our society in the age of U.S. President Donald Trump, but because it also demonstrates that while some people may have thought that the era of drawing lines between groups with respect to dating and marriage was over, that isn’t true. The only thing that has changed is the characteristics that define the lines that we will no longer cross.

As recently as the early 1990s, American Jews were still deeply divided about whether the rising rates of intermarriage were a threat to Jewish continuity in this

Have Jewish concerns moved from intermarriage to partisan politics? Credit: Jeff Belmonte/Wikimedia Commons. country. But by the time the 2013 Pew Research Survey of Jewish Americans was published, the debate was over. Outside of the Orthodox world, virtually no one in the Jewish community is still prepared to address the issue—let alone champion the cause of endogamy or in-marriage.

That’s understandable since with the rate of intermarriage among non-Orthodox Jews getting hitched approaching or now probably exceeding 80 percent, doing so offends the vast majority of the community.

This year, the level of acceptance for intermarriage among non-Orthodox religious institutions was highlighted by the

The myth of Israeli ‘deterrence’ JEWISH NEWS SYNDICATE MARTIN SHERMAN

After the end of each round of fighting, Hamas has managed, within a relatively short space of time, to enhance its offensive military capabilities dramatically.

For more than a decade, Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hamas. It has, however, never really managed to deter it in the real sense of the word—i.e., of breaking its will to continue the fight.

True, it has regularly forced it into several inter-bellum ceasefire, which it has always exploited to regroup, rearm and redeploy, but has never really eliminated its readiness to engage at some future opportunity, usually of its choosing—whenever it feels able to do so or unable not to. Thus, Israel has never succeeded in eliminating the tangible threat of continued conflict and combat.

Quite the opposite! Despite the losses it suffered, Hamas has emerged from each round of fighting ever defiant, still spoiling for a fight. Indeed, not only has it never surrendered, it has even declared victory—not entirely without justification from its perspective.

Moreover, after the end of each round of fighting, Hamas has managed, within a relatively short space of time, to enhance its offensive military capabilities dramatically.

In this regard, Hamas has demonstrated impressive ingenuity in developing its martial prowess.

Indeed, in 2005, the most formidable weapon it had at its disposal was a primitive rocket with a half-kilogram explosive charge and a range of 5 kilometers. Today the Islamist terror group has missiles with a range of up to 100 kilometers and warheads of up to 100 kilograms. In addition, Hamas has burrowed a vast array of underground terror tunnels, developed naval capabilities and is reportedly engaged in producing drones for use against the Jewish state.

Clearly then, if Israel cannot dissuade the Palestinian terror groups from persisting with their murderous aggression, then it must cripple their ability to launch such aggression.

However, to do this, it must extricate itself from the constricting bonds of the two-state formula and the failed land-forpeace dogma on which it is based. It must cease relating to the Palestinian Arabs as prospective peace partners that can be cajoled into some enduring armistice and treat them as irreconcilable enemies that must be defeated in battle.

Only then will Israel be able to deal effectively with the endemic Judeocidal impulses of its sworn adversaries Martin Sherman is the founder and executive director of the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies.

commencement speech of novelist Michael Chabon at the Reform movement’s Hebrew Union College, in which he lambasted the very idea of boundaries between Jews and non-Jews, as well as Israel and its foes. In his view, the restrictive beliefs of Judaism had “lost its hold on the moral imagination” of Jews.

Though I think these views are terrible— and integral to the demographic and ideological trends that threaten to destroy liberal Judaism in the United States—there’s no denying that the population numbers and the declining figures for Jewish affiliation show that his ideas are more accepted than

some of us would like to believe.

Yet as Singer’s article and a host of others detailing the shunning of conservatives on dating sites, in addition to the justifications for the public harassment of Trumpadministration figures, that drawing of lines is alive and well. It’s just no longer about religion.

The reasons for this are twofold: a rising tide of extreme partisanship and a decline in religious observance among most Americans.

Americans of differing political persuasions no longer read, listen or watch the same media, and have lost the ability to tolerate opposing views or to credit political foes with good intentions. We have become two warring tribes, and our views on just about any issue, especially those about Trump, break down along partisan lines.

This development has been building with each succeeding president, starting with Bill Clinton, engendering a derangement syndrome among his opponents. But the advent of Trump—with his outrageous political stunts, boorish behavior and statements that break all the norms—has exacerbated this trend. Among Jews, this is aggravated by wild accusations that he is an anti-Semite or would-be dictator who is likely to destroy American liberty, if not a Nazi.

CONTINUE PAGE 11

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international

August 2018

U.S. President Trump: A balance sheet ISI LIEBLER U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin served to increase the paranoia about him to an all-time high.

He was accused of “failing America,” acting “shamefully” and “disgracefully,” and even committing “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Former CIA chief John Brennan went so far as to call his performance “treasonous.”

Trump certainly blundered when commenting on the similarity in behavior of the current Russian and American intelligence sources. This followed his outbursts at an earlier meeting with the Europeans in relation to NATO. Even Republican supporters rubbed their eyes in incredulity at some of his remarks to Putin. Yet, even following this barrage of criticism, Trump announced last week that he had invited Putin to Washington.

Nobody can deny that Trump behaves like a buffoon and has a penchant for vulgarity. He shoots from the hip, says what he thinks, often contradicts himself and incessantly posts juvenile tweets.

The facts are that he has made many errors and impulsively introduced new regulations with total disregard for the details, such as the restrictions on immigration, thus creating considerable chaos which could have been averted.

On the other hand, he has – by and large – neutralized the disastrous impact of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who, in his prime objective to achieve peace, discarded some of America’s long-standing allies, groveled to the Iranian terror state, and in the process diminished America’s global influence.

Trump started his presidency with a call for “America first” that enraged his opponents who linked it to pre-World War ll fascism.

A review of the facts will help evaluate his overall performance.

THE ECONOMY Trump has introduced a series of economic measures – decried by his opponents – but the outcome of which are significant positive indicators in the economy and a sharp upturn in the stock market.

IMMIGRATION In his determination not to follow the disastrous example in Europe, he imposed strict limitations, refusing to permit the country to be flooded by Islamic migrants. Although introduced clumsily, Trump’s immigration policy will historically be recognized as a wise decision.

CHINA After demanding a more balanced trade relationship with China and warning against

ongoing theft of American technology, he stunned the world by imposing tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese government-subsidized goods that were undercutting U.S. products. He threatened to extend this to vehicles. The Chinese responded by imposing tariffs on American goods, accusing Trump of starting a trade war and breaching the terms of the World Trade Organization. Time will tell, but many believe that Trump will be vindicated and that China will compromise on a fairer export policy and America’s disastrous negative trade balance will be reversed.

EUROPE AND NATO Trump shocked the Europeans and horrified their leaders by questioning the value of NATO and its members’ dependence on American largesse. He warned that the U.S would go it alone and would no longer pour U.S. taxpayers’ money into subsidizing the Europeans unless they shouldered the burden of their defense, raising their military spending from 2% to 4% of gross domestic product. He noted that Germany, the most powerful European nation, currently spends a mere 1.25% of its GDP on defense.

This created an upheaval. But the bottom line is that they will deliver, and Trump will be vindicated.

IRAN Trump has clearly intensified the war against terror. He has broken with the Iranians and is in the process of imposing powerful sanctions, which could lead to the collapse of the regime.

NORTH KOREA Trump personally initiated direct top-level negotiations with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, in an attempt to persuade him to

denuclearize. Although the outcome is far from assured, these negotiations are themselves an unprecedented achievement.

RUSSIA Putin’s Russian Federation is an authoritarian state but a far cry from the totalitarian Soviet Union.

Whether there is any truth in the allegations that Russia meddled in the U.S. elections, few genuinely believe that such actions may have altered the outcome.

Despite their major differences, in particular in their attitudes toward Iran, both Putin and Trump pledged to cooperate and work jointly to combat terrorism.

Trump was bitterly castigated in the U.S. for adopting this approach with the Russians, but if he succeeds in easing tensions, avoiding a new Cold War and cooperating even to a limited degree, this too will be recognized as a significant positive achievement.

ISRAEL As far as most Israelis are concerned, Trump’s election has proved to be God’s gift to them.

Trump is the first American president to formally announce the alliance of the U.S. with Israel and assure the Israelis that the United States would back them if they were embroiled in conflict.

He brought an end to Obama’s biased policy of moral equivocation between Israel’s defensive measures with Palestinian terrorism and refused to maintain the façade that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was a moderate man of peace. He also drastically cut back on U.S. aid

to the Palestinians.

He has made it very clear that the U.S. would not tolerate the Palestinian diversion of millions of aid dollars annually to reward terrorists and provide pensions to their families.

The administration placed full blame on Hamas for the Gaza escalation of terror, accusing them of “pushing Israel to engage in increasingly significant acts of defense.”

Trump’s U.N. representative, Nikki Haley, aggressively defends Israel and condemns its biased critics. The U.S. also withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council, an organization dominated by tyrants and rogue states, which the Trump administration accused of hypocrisy and bias against Israel.

Despite howls of global protest and unlike his predecessors, Trump has fulfilled his electoral promise to move the U.S Embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel’s capital, Jerusalem.

In another unprecedented turn of events, following their recent meeting, Trump and Putin issued an astonishing joint press statement in which they explicitly proclaimed their commitment to “work together to ensure the security of Israel.”

Trump said, “I think that working with Israel is a great thing, and creating safety for Israel is something that both President Putin and I would like to see very much.”

To sum up, Trump is clearly calling the shots and rearranging the existing global order.

From an Israeli viewpoint, Trump has – to date – been like manna from heaven. That does not mean that we endorse all his actions and we continue to squirm at his cruder outbursts.

But despite the great schism in American politics since his election, Trump has gone a long way toward reversing the damage inflicted by Obama. He is disliked by most global leaders, but he is feared and has demonstrated his ability to deal positively with many international issues that have, until now, been ignored. His supporters can only hope that despite his erratic temperament, he stays the course.

While the Democrats are likely to win seats in the upcoming congressional elections, there are strong chances that Trump will be re-elected in 2020, especially if the current radicalization of the Democratic candidates is not reversed.

This column was originally published in the Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom

Why I stay Orthodox SHOSHANNA KEATS JASKOLL I believe in God and Torah and I know the difference between Jewish law and cultural distortion “Why do you stay Orthodox?”

That was the question posed to me the other day when I wrote an emotional Facebook post. I had spent the day hearing painful stories of Jewish women who suffered solely because they did what their rabbis told them to do. Even when the rabbis’ decrees went beyond the strict letter of the law, the women never thought to question their decisions. Because in Orthodoxy Jewish law touches on the most personal of matters, including the messy arrangements of divorce, the intimate rituals of family purity, and even deciding the fate of an unviable pregnancy. And we are taught to listen.

Hearing these stories, it struck me that we Orthodox Jewish women often go through a lot, even when we do everything right.

Maybe especially when we do everything “right.”

This was part of my post: From growing up and learning the reasons behind our need for “modesty,” the pressure to marry, marriage with little preparation, the trials of pregnancy, birth control, family

purity laws ( the pain of not be allowed physical comforted at the worst times), keeping Jewish law, and more often cultural law, keeping secrets and pain silent, the taboo of abuse, the taboo of divorce. Birth control? Often times not. And child after child in so few years. The expectations. The pressure. ….right now I’m just thinking about all that women go through in Orthodox Judaism and no not every woman, but many, and many in different times and different ways.

And so often we are expected to suffer in silence that we don’t even realize what we went through until years later. What we endured and what we could not say.

Women trapped in marriage? Sigh, it’s such a shame, but that’s the way it is. Years and years go by and most men – yes rabbis – shrug their shoulders. “Kacha zeh” (that’s how it is) And someone asked me, like so many in the past: “Why do you stay Orthodox?”

And, I get it. I do. Why do I stay in a system that I feel can breed such pain, such discomfort, a constant need to fight?

Why stay in a system where marriage according to Jewish law means I and my daughters relinquish our freedom, trusting our future to the man we marry and the men of a religious court?

Why stay in a system where the ideal of modesty — that I believe in and uphold — is twisted, and taken to such extremes that women’s –girls’!– faces are blurred, left out, and torn down?

Why stay where I have little to no say in the policies that dictate my life? Where women are left out of the decision making process, and barred from being judges and rabbis where we have no chance of making change in policy?

The answer is simple if not easy.

I believe in God and Torah and know that most of the issues we face are cultural, not halachic (an issue of Jewish law). Knowing that difference makes all the difference to me.

It is not halacha to erase women.

It is not halacha to turn modesty into an extreme where women cannot discuss their body parts and the diseases that threaten them.

It is not halacha to allow a woman to be extorted in exchange for a divorce, to send her back to an abusive husband.

And it is not halacha to keep women from discussions and positions of influence in areas that affect their lives.

Some said I wasn’t being fair, that many women are happy in Orthodox Judaism.

I am one of those women who are happy

in Orthodox Judaism! Orthodox Judaism gives us our values, our community, our holy days, our perspective and our way of life. No, not exclusively, but it connects us to our generations and makes some sense of life — even when it slams against our modern sensibilities.

And that — exactly that — is why I stay.

And why I, and many others, work towards change. In fact, it’s pretty much all I do. I connect with others who love Orthodoxy and we work together to make it better. We fight against the encroaching extremism.

We show the difference between halacha and culture. We push back when women are marginalized, ignored, shunned, and erased. We work to make it better.

We don’t fight Torah. We fight FOR Torah.

We fight for a healthy Jewish community, one where women are heard — and seen.

People are hearing us. They are seeing the difference. They are speaking out and speaking up and making real change in their communities.

WATCH our video and see the difference it makes in a community when women are heard. And join us — please contribute to our campaign!

August 2018

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international

Candidly Speaking: The perils facing Anglo Jewry

BY ISI LEIBLER

While most British Jews remain committed to Israel, in most cases, the leadership fails to publicly confront and dissociate itself from antiIsrael Jews.

Over 10 years ago, I warned that the passivity of the Anglo-Jewish leadership would likely lead to disastrous political consequences and negatively impact the younger generation, which was being inadequately educated to face its challenges.

I described Anglo-Jewish leaders as “trembling Israelites, whose uppermost objective was to lie low and, above all, avoid rocking the boat.” The policy for confronting anti-Israel or antisemitic adversaries was summed up by then-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Henry Grunwald as the “softly softly” approach, generally opposing demonstrations and urging “not to shout when a whisper can be heard.” It was a classic case of shtadlanut – avoiding any public display and attempting to resolve problems by silent intercession.

Despite dissent from Jews at a grassroots level, the prevailing tendency of the leadership was also to ignore the fierce waves of antisemitism and hostility rising from both Muslim immigrants and the Left.

At the time, Ken Livingstone, a 21st-century Oswald Mosley, was the mayor of London, ranting his anti-Israel and antisemitic utterances.

The Jewish leadership sought to ignore him.

When the Muslim leadership called for the abolition of Holocaust Memorial Day, the cowardly Board of Deputies leaders responded with an apologetic press campaign claiming that Holocaust Memorial Day was no longer restricted to Jews but also “covers Cambodia, Rwanda, the Balkans and elsewhere.”

To enhance their social acceptability and approval ratings in the anti-Israel media, some Jewish leaders also publicly condemned Israel.

Tycoon Mick Davis, then chairman of Anglo Jewry’s United Jewish Israel Appeal, made comments at the time unprecedented for a mainstream Jewish leader. Davis proclaimed that Israel was in danger of becoming an “apartheid” state and warned the Israeli government that its “bad” actions directly impinged on him in London.

The Jewish leadership failed to condemn Davis for his remarks or request him to withdraw them.

In 2006, Melanie Phillips wrote Londonistan, a book predicting the growth of Islam in the UK and the consequent dangers facing society. She was immediately assailed by the Jewish leadership, which publicly condemned her as a mad extremist. Yet less than a decade later, the reality proved to be even worse than her nightmarish prophecies had predicted.

The community was stunned when the Labour Party elected as its leader Jeremy Corbyn, who would qualify as a modern Trotskyist. He was a staunch supporter of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and made no secret of his hatred of Zionism. On various occasions, he associated with a variety of antisemites and even Holocaust deniers. He also

Britain’s Theresa May speaks during a Board of Deputies of British Jews event in London in 2015. (photo credit: STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS) supported terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah, which he maintained were committed to peace.

British Jews, the majority of whom were longtime Labour supporters, were shocked. More so after many Labour MPs uttered antisemitic remarks, leading to a pseudo-investigation by the party, after which a few of the most extreme were suspended but the majority were considered kosher on the tenuous basis that their comments were anti-Zionist rather than antisemitic. More recently, the party diluted the internationally accepted definition of antisemitism by removing references such as accusing Jews of being more loyal to Israel than to their own country; claiming that Israel’s existence is a racist endeavor; applying a double standard to Israel; and comparing contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. As a consequence, Jews have defected from Labour in droves, and in the last election the clear majority voted for the Conservative Party, whose leaders, especially David Cameron, were all highly supportive of the Jewish community.

In 2015, Jonathan Arkush was elected president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

After a series of cowardly leaders, who refused to speak out or protest against those promoting antisemitism, Arkush proved to be a courageous leader and boldly confronted antisemites, especially Corbyn. Since his assuming the position, the Board of Deputies has emerged as a true representative of the community. This, hopefully, will be maintained by his recently elected successor, Marie van der Zyl. But the current situation is seriously worrying.

Anglo Jewry faces grave threats. If an election were held today, there is every possibility that the next prime minister would be an outright antisemite.

However, aside from that, an additional serious peril facing the community is the atmosphere from within. I refer to fringe groups like Yachad that publicly criticize Israel. Over 500 Jews signed

a petition condemning the Board of Deputies for chastising Hamas and failing to deplore the Israeli killings of those attempting to penetrate Israel’s borders and engage in terrorist attacks.

But the most worrisome development is the status of the younger generation, whose members have been influenced by leaders over the years to accept their fate and remain silent.

Antisemitism at the universities has risen to record levels, and many, if not most, Jewish students simply lie low and try to avoid confrontations with anti-Israel Muslims and radicals. Moreover, even many committed Jews seeking social acceptability feel the need to be publicly critical of Israel.

Last month, there was an extreme display of this when a group of over 50 youngsters protested Israeli policy outside Parliament and then, emulating their American counterparts, named the individual Hamas terrorists killed trying to breach Israel’s border and recited kaddish for them. They also chided the Jewish community for not condemning “the Israeli occupation and the disproportionate force of the Israeli regime,” and expressed anger at Jewish leaders “for refusing to speak about the Nakba and refusing to listen to Palestinian initiatives.”

Their behavior, which received national and even global exposure, shocked and embarrassed most Jews, but what occurred subsequently was even worse. Most of the youngsters involved were members of the Reform youth group Netzer, which purports to be Zionist. One of them, Nina Morris-Evans, had been appointed as a leader of a youth tour of Israel, but she was informed that her actions made her ineligible for this position.

This led to a petition addressed to the Jewish leadership from over 100 signatories describing themselves as “past and present leaders from a range of Zionist youth movements.” They conveyed outrage at being “abused, harassed and bullied online – particularly in a violent,

misogynistic manner extending even to death threats.” They pledged not to bow to intimidation and, as “Zionists,” would insist on supporting a plurality of narratives, including those critical of Israel.

What was significant about this petition was that all the participants were either former or current Zionist activists, including a small number from Habonim, the Labor Zionist youth movement, who were apparently unaware that their own party in Israel would have condemned them. But the majority were from Netzer, who obviously had the imprimatur of their rabbis, which accounted for the large number who signed such a hostile anti-Israel petition.

For the record, Reform Rabbi Laura JannerKlausner and Geoffrey Marks, the chairman of Reform Jewry, described the abuse of MorrisEvans as “misogynistic and violent,” condemning the critics as “bullies,” stressing that Reform Judaism would encourage young people to express their views publicly.

The reality is that today, most Reform rabbis are non-Zionist, and though paying lip service to love of Israel, they are in many cases outrightly critical and even anti-Israel.

These elements are supported by Davis, now chief executive of the Conservative Party, who condemned those “seeking to hound kaddish participants from their jobs.” He added that there was an absence of Zionist leadership for which one turns “to Israel but finds little to inspire.”

The response from the leadership was muted, and there is yet to be heard a reprimand by the Zionist Federation pointing out that such behavior is incompatible with purporting to be a Zionist.

The Jewish Chronicle editorial adopted a neutral position, conceding that most Jews would consider the kaddish for Hamas warped, but claimed that the open letter reflected “a potentially seismic change in the community” and called for “goodwill on all sides.”

Anglo Jewry is confronting painful challenges.

The fact that “Zionist” youth can publicly express such hostility toward Israel reflects a breakdown in education.

While most British Jews remain committed to Israel, in most cases, the leadership fails to publicly confront and dissociate itself from antiIsrael Jews. It legitimizes them when applying the policy that the community must tolerate the presence of extremists within the “big tent.”

There will be disastrous long-term consequences if demented fanatics like the Jewish deviants reciting kaddish for Hamas or those who, in the name of pluralism, demand toleration of such views are enabled to remain within the Jewish or Zionist mainstream.

In this climate of overt antisemitism in the Labour Party, coupled with the inadequate education of its Zionist youth, the Jewish leadership faces its greatest challenge. If it fails, all that will ultimately remain of Anglo Jewry will be clusters of haredi communities. www.wordfromjerusalem.com; ileibler@leibler. com

The one kind of intermarriage that is simply unacceptable FROM PAGE 9 Trump can be difficult, if not impossible, to defend at times. However, the willingness not merely to oppose him, but to treat the 63 million Americans who voted for him as “deplorables” (to use Hillary Clinton’s unfortunate phrase) who are willing accomplices to a mythical advent of fascism with whom decent people may not associate—let alone date or mate—is escalating political warfare to a previously unknown level in this country.

This has been accompanied by a decline of religious faith among many Americans.

That is especially true among non-Orthodox Jews, whose embrace of liberal secular values has led many to believe that defining

ourselves principally by faith is outdated.

Many Jewish youth think that supporting a country like Israel, which is sectarian in nature and avowedly the nation state of the Jews rather than one that embraces purely universal values, is unacceptable.

So, too, is the notion of restricting one’s romantic choices to fellow Jews. Since nonJews feel the same—intermarriage rates wouldn’t be high without the freedom that led to a breakdown of religious barriers— intermarriage is now the norm, rather than the exception.

It’s perfectly normal to seek out someone who shares your politics rather than your faith if you are, like most Americans, not religious. Relationships are difficult enough without them being complicated by political

arguments, especially in an era when opinions about Trump—and the differences between liberals and conservatives—remain so extreme.

Yet if the majority of American Jews who share Singer’s liberal views agree that politics, as opposed to faith, is the line that one shouldn’t cross, then the consequences are enormous.

A country in which our political beliefs are regarded the way we used to think about religion—as revealed truth in which absolute faith is required, rather than something that friends and neighbors can agree to disagree about—is moving towards a very dangerous place.

The essence of democracy is not just a willingness to compete in elections, but to

accept their results and behave as a loyal opposition when you lose. A knee-jerk response should not be to “resist” the other side. Trump may not be a normal president, but most of his policies are normal, and supporting them doesn’t automatically make someone a fascist. If we’ve arrived at the point where we no longer regard our fellow citizens of the opposing party as not just mistaken, but evil—and a member of different warring tribe that must be eradicated, as opposed to debated—then a real line has been crossed, one that might mean no turning back.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS — Jewish News Syndicate. Follow him on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin.

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schools / shuls

August 2018

Building a Community of Families NORTH SHORE TEMPLE EMANUEL North Shore Temple Emanuel’s new Bagels & Brachas Family Shabbat is an enchanting, unique, and innovative program that is helping to build a “community of young families” within our larger Temple family.

Rather than holding separate children’s services, once a month toddlers and young children are encouraged to attend the main worship service in the sanctuary for the first 35-40 minutes, during which they are actively engaged, participating, and learning the basics of congregational prayer. After the first aliyah, they head to our courtyard (or classrooms in winter) with their parents, where kids enjoy a fully staffed activity, while parents enjoy a relaxed bagel breakfast and a schmooze.

During the service, the children stand alongside the Rabbi, grasping onto the fringes of her tallit as the congregation chants the Shema. During the nisim b’chol yom (blessing for daily miracles) or hoda’ah (blessing of gratitude), children are asked to share what they are grateful for, and the congregation affirms their heart-warming—sometimes hilarious— expressions with “Amens” and warm laughter. At times the children sit on the floor at the feet of the clergy, or join them on the bimah, bowing during the Barchu and Amidah. They carry the Torah’s silver crowns during the hakafah, and receive a

special blessing along with their parents during the 1st aliyah.

Once families depart the sanctuary, the service continues for the congregation, complete with Torah and haftarah readings, d’rash, Aleinu, mourner’s kaddish, and Kiddush.

Meanwhile, children enjoy activities run by one of our fantastic partners: Kids Circle (a popular after school and holiday program held

Part-Time (0.8) to Full Time - negotiable The Position

The Communications and Public Relations Officer is responsible for the communications and public relations at the College. S/he will establish and develop opportunities to promote the College from both an enrolment and donor perspective. It is envisaged that the successful applicant will acquire an excellent understanding of the College and its unique offering in order to help promote it as the “school of choice” for students seeking an authentic Jewish education with an excellent General Studies programme.

The successful candidate will: ▪

Have well-developed skills in design software such as InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator

▪

Have experience in social media coordination

▪

Have high level communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to deal with staff, donors, parents, media, volunteer and the community at all levels

▪

Have a demonstrated understanding of the Sydney Jewish Community

▪

Have excellent written and administrative skills

▪

Be creative, accurate and meticulous

▪

Have proficient organisational skills and the ability to multi-task Be a team player: responsive; flexible and approachable

▪

Be proficient in both Microsoft and Apple operating software

Applications should submit a coverletter, resumé, and the contact information for two professional referees to: Virginia Wynne-Markham Executive Assistant 68 Blake Street, Dover Heights NSW 2030 Email: Virginia.Markham@ktc.nsw.edu.au

Kesser Torah College

Science Teacher (Revision B)

To find out more, call 9419 7011 or visit www.nste.org.au/youngfamilyshabbat

Kesser Torah’s Alumni Event

Communications and Public Relations Officer

▪

at NSTE); Apples & Honey Pre-School (a long day care held on our campus); or the magnificent PJ Library. Parents enjoy breakfast fully catered by the Temple and are encouraged to experience Shabbat rest and conversation with one another.

Senior Rabbi Nicole Roberts says of the new initiative: “Bagels & Brachas is built on feedback from parents, who wanted to have a Shabbat experience with their

family but found our regular morning shacharit too challenging for their kids to sit through. Our Friday afternoon (Young Family Shabbat) program was hard for whole families to attend, and because the activities were not fully staffed, parents couldn’t chat with each other and develop that sense of community. With Bagels & Brachas, we have whole families— including some grandparents—attending, and we are building a ‘community of families.’”

At the most recent Bagels & Brachas service, the children received their blessing whilst holding onto the congregation’s Czech Torah scroll that had survived the Holocaust.

Am Yisrael Chai was sung as the children followed the Torah through the hakafah. “It was profoundly meaningful for the whole congregation,” says Rabbi Roberts.

Soon, one child will receive her Hebrew name in a Bagels & Brachas service, which she has attended since its inception.

“Bagels & Brachas has added a very special dimension to our congregation,” says Rabbi Roberts. “It is inspiring to watch how the program evolves to take on new meaning for our families and all who attend.”

19 September 2017

KESSER TORAH COLLEGE Kesser Torah College will be hosting it’s first alumni event on Sunday, 19 August 2018. The cocktail evening will provide an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with classmates, teachers and staff members from Kesser Torah College and Yeshiva College.

“KTC alumni are proud and active members of both the Sydney Jewish community and Jewish communities around the world,” says Chana Chaiton (nee Lederman ) of the

Kesser Torah alumni committee.

“We are looking forward to catching up with hundreds of students and teachers, sharing fond memories, and celebrating the extraordinary personal and professional achievements of our alumni community.”

If you are a former student or staff member of either Kesser Torah College or Yeshiva College please RSVP by emailing rachelle.smith@ktc.nsw.edu.au

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August 2018

JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

High Potential Learners at Masada College MASADA COLLEGE

“Our High Potential Learner (HPL) classes give students the opportunity to shine in a way that others classes do not always offer,” says Mrs. Danielle Blumberg, Acting Head of Junior School, Head of Academic Care and Teacher of Stage 3 High Potential Learners at Masada College, St Ives. “I have always believed that, as a teacher, you cannot expect everyone to do the same work at the same time; you have to acknowledge that everyone has different strengths. Our students’ needs at the ‘high-end’ of the spectrum are just as important - yet we tend to give a lot of support at the lower end only. But that is where the Masada difference comes inwe do our best to help students access the “genius” inside them, no matter how or where that manifests.”

At the moment, Masada College offers HPL classes to Year 5 and 6 students in English, Maths and Jewish Studies. “Our HPL Maths classes look at how Maths works; we examine the theory in a realworld context instead of simply covering the syllabus. For example, in Term One, we looked at Kandinsky artwork and explored how the 2-D and 3-D shapes fit into Maths. We also looked at charts, data and gaming such as Connect 4 to see if there are algebraic rules we can

apply. It is not your regular kind of class but it is all mathematical thinking and I love it,” says Mrs. Blumberg who has a Certificate in Gifted Education. “Students in our HPL classes thrive amongst likeminded peers,” says Mrs. Blumberg.

“They can comfortably engage in subjects in a complex way without feeling bored, having to wait for others or worse, embarrassed for always knowing the answer.” HPL in Jewish Studies, taught by College Rabbi, Rabbi Paul Lewin, offer a more philosophical approach to Judaism, while HPL classes in English are all about delving into complex ideas and making connections to the real world. “We recently looked at Nanberry: Black Brother White, which we used as an introduction to other topics like modern slavery, adoption, minimum wage and privilege.” But Mrs. Blumberg stresses that the HPL classes are not only performance based and have a cognitive-ability component as well.

“When I see a student who can recognise complex patterns but cannot do threedigit multiplication, I know I can help them reach their potential. Because that is what the High Potential Learner classes are all about: Focusing on our individual strengths while at the same time allowing students to develop in areas where they may be weaker.”

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL Masada College (Sydney, Australia) Masada College bases its ethos on three things; being Jewish, on being Australian and being nurturing. Every year our graduates emerge with the highest academic achievements and move into various fields of tertiary study.

The College Principal:

• Early Learning Centre to Year 12 • Provides educational vision, strategy and direction, whilst ensuring the College is managed and organised to meet outcomes on an ongoing basis.

Role Responsibility

• Reports and is accountable to the Board of Management and reports directly to the President of the Board of Management (the President).

• Establishes a culture that promotes educational excellence in a nurturing environment, adhering to the values and principles of the Modern Orthodox Jewish tradition.

• Establishes high quality education through effective management of teaching and learning.

• Working with the College Executive and other staff, is responsible for evaluating the College’s performance, identifying areas for improvement, raising standards, developing and implementing policies and procedures, and allocating resources so that the College achieves its current and longer-term objectives.

Attributes

• High energy levels • Strong communication skills • Experience in leadership roles • Flexible, proactive team player • Strong organisational skills • Willingness to adopt new approaches and develop new initiatives • A strength in technology is an advantage

Special Requirements

Variable Duties/Hours. The nature of the position is such that this role requires the successful candidate to be available outside the “normal” School hours.

2019 Year 5 and 6 High Potential Learners Scholarship Exam 4 September, Masada College Our High Potential Learner Classes offer: • Single-subject opportunities in Maths and English • Smaller classes for greater attention • Highly-specialised teachers H appiness I nclusion V alues E dge

Email applications or for more information: jmiddleton@staff.masada.nsw.edu.au At interview, potential candidates will be required to make a presentation on a designated topic.

Closing date for applications: Friday 17th August 2018.

17h00 Australian Eastern Standard time.

hiveofpotential.com.au

Offer your children an exceptional education today which will give them the EDGE they need for tomorrow.

Go to masada.nsw.edu.au/enrolment to apply or call 9449 3744 for more.

hiveofpotential.com.au

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August 2018

JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

Mount Sinai College named Apple Distinguished School 2018-2020

MOUNT SINAI COLLEGE

Mount Sinai College is pleased to announce that for a third designation, we’ve been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for 2018–2020. The selection of Mount Sinai College as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our success as an innovative and compelling learning environment, that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment.

Mount Sinai College has embraced technology as both a teaching tool as well as developing skills where students use technology to solve problems. This is not just about learning coding and robotics but learning a new way of thinking.

The College has adopted Apple’s Challenge Based Learning approach, which allows students to leverage technology to answer their own questions about a scientific phenomenon or social action they want to change. It helps them learn in a way that is meaningful to them. For example, during a Science class students are able to get much more engaged with their journals by heading off to the park, taking pictures, annotating and re-presenting these back using a host of multimedia resources.

Photo credit: Ofer Levy ‘When you watch a child’s eyes light up because they’ve built something using technology, that’s just irreplaceable – it’s more impactful than just regurgitating facts,’ says Phil Roberts, Principal at MSC. Being an Apple Distinguished School also means we use technology to modernise the way we educate. One- to- one iPads are provided to our K-6 students at no extra

cost. Like a pencil or notebook, the iPad is an essential learning tool in the Mount Sinai College classroom.

Our children are often required to present back their schoolwork using video from their iPads. For example, students record themselves reading their classwork, using and describing what they’ve made, how it works and their own analysis of

the outcomes. Or during P.E class while students are participating in high jump, they’re recording the motion of jumping and replaying it for themselves on their individual iPad to analyse their form and style and identify where improvements need to be made. Parents can also have much richer engagement in their child’s school experiences by viewing, discussing and interacting with their child’s work using a free app.

Technology allows us to redefine what learning looks like and embed the core skills of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) into our classrooms on a daily basis.

Embracing STEM at a Primary school age transforms the learning experience into a real-world context at a much earlier stage of life, broadening our students’ perspectives and opportunities as they enter high school.

Mount Sinai College are leaders in the technology space and want to equip your children to be leaders in the world of tomorrow.

Enrolling now for 2019: www.mountsinai. nsw.edu.au

JCA - STRONGER TOGETHER

Fiddler’s Coming Home!

MORIAH COLLEGE Moriah College presents Fiddler on the Roof October 2018 Moriah College, Sydney’s oldest and largest Jewish school, presents the definitive production of the classic Broadway musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF from 21 October to 1 November – and with an all-singing, all-dancing cast of more than 150. It’s a Tradition!

Fiddler is one of the greatest and most loved musicals of all time, capturing the hearts and imagination of audiences around the world. It centres on village milkman Tevye, husband to Golde and father of five daughters, attempting to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions as outside influences in turn-of-thecentury Russia encroach upon the lives of the family and the entire village. Full of humour, warmth, great characters and spectacular, show-stopping numbers like “Tradition”, “If I Were a Rich Man”, “Matchmaker”, “Sunrise, Sunset” and “To Life!”, its premiere (which featured Zero Mostel, Bette Middler, Julia Migenes and Beatrice Arthur among others!) ran to 3000 shows on Broadway. It won nine Tony Awards and has since been performed in almost every country on earth. The Hollywood adaptation starring Topol won 3 Oscars.

Moriah’s production of Fiddler on the Roof promises to be a breathtaking theatrical experience and the perfect event to crown the school’s 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Renowned for spectacular musicals that

showcase its talented musicians, vocalists and actors, the school last staged the iconic show in 1994. Then, as now, it was helmed by indefatigable Director of Music and Cocurricular, Roberta Goot OAM. “Fiddler is the perfect choice,” Goot explains. “It is a beautifully crafted musical.

Every song is memorable and it is full of great music and timeless wisdom. It is steeped in ‘traditions’ as we are at Moriah and, more than anything, is a story of family: it speaks to the challenges we all still face in some way – and highlights the need for balance, just like the fiddler!”

This historic production features current students as young as 9 as well alumni, current parents, parents of alumni, staff members, even grandparents! Rehearsals have been taking place over many months and the level of professionalism, attention to detail, effort and resources employed point to a definitive production.

And – like the show itself – the cast is full of wonderful characters with amazing stories: an Australian Olympic silver medallist performing with his son; a mother performing alongside her four children; a father who performed in 1994, acting alongside his son who assumes the role

he played back then; two parents with two daughters all onstage together… and many more delightful ‘angles’. It is indeed a village… and a tradition!

Fiddler on the Roof at Moriah College, Queens Park Sun 21 Oct 5pm | Mon 22 Oct 7.30pm | Wed 24 Oct 7.30pm | Thur 25 Oct 7.30pm | Sun 28 Oct 5pm Wed Oct 31 7.30pm | Thur 1 Nov (New performances added as each sells out!)

All tickets $65 | Bookings www.moriah.nsw.edu.au

August 2018

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simcha

Add a Touch of UIA to Your Simcha UNITED ISRAEL APPEAL Are you visiting Israel soon for a simcha - a wedding, birthday, bar/bar mitzvah, anniversary?

If it’s a yes, why not consider adding a UIA Israel experience to your journey?

We can coordinate various experiences for you and your guests - whether it’s your family or friends, including our ‘UIA For a Day’ program and Israel missions.

On UIA for a Day, you will have the opportunity to see and experience directly the various projects that UIA supports throughout Israel. Spend time at our Youth Villages interacting with at-risk children who receive help from mentors serving as role models and confidants; to bridge educational, social and cultural gaps.

Meet the new Olim who are being integrated into their new home and society, or the Masa program participants learning about permaculture and sustainable living on an eco-educational farm. UIA for a Day is a rare and rewarding opportunity that regular tourists to Israel aren’t able to experience!

We can also arrange a tailored mission for you and your guests. UIA’s missions give you a first-hand look at Israel in an unprecedented way, provide unique insights into its complex political and security situation; and provide the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites. Highlights of the tours include: • First-class accommodation, transport and most meals

• Discussions with prominent Israelis representing a range of opinions including parliamentarians, journalists and highranking military and security advisors • Tours of historical sites such as the Old City of Jerusalem, Masada and many more with superb guides • Visits to various UIA projects such

as Net@ and Youth Futures, where participants can gain an understanding of the significance of the funds raised in Australia This year, UIA will continue to celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary with our regular missions being held in October and December.

For more information about UIA For a Day or UIA’s Israel missions, contact us at missions@uiansw.org.au, (02) 9361 4273.

For

updates

on

UIA’s

upcoming

Israel Missions, follow UIA Australia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uiaaus

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August 2018

When art, like love, is timeless TODAY TOMMORROW FOREVER RYAN ABRAMOWITZ, ARTIST Today Tomorrow Forever is a story of love, art, a love of art, a love of love, and painting art which honours this love. It has been a way of marrying my Jewish identity and Yiddishkeit with my artistic passion.

One of my favourite philosophers / poets, Henry David Thoreau proclaimed “the world is but a canvas to our imagination”.

This has resonated throughout all my art and the grand expanse of the world I try to capture, from the stars to the sea.

Indeed my Ketubot harvest motifs drawn and derived from the canvas of life that surrounds us, and the stories the couples I meet share about their becoming and being.

The Jewish proverb “Only love gives us a taste of eternity” is the underlying legacy of Today Tomorrow Forever and its aspirations of creating and crafting an artwork, which analogous to the couples’ love, transcends time.

Today Tomorrow Forever started in 2015 when one of my closest lifelong friends asked me to paint the Ketubah for her upcoming wedding. Whilst I had prior to this received commissions to paint art for residential and commercial contexts, painting Ketubot was a completely unexplored and unconsidered space.

My Ketubot services can be divided into two streams; Bespoke and Predesigned.

Amongst the bespoke oeuvre, each Ketubah is individually customised and

designed in dialogue with the couple to include symbols or colours that have special meaning to their relationship, thus developing a generative metaphor for the Ketubah. Here, I listen to the couples talk about who they are and what is important to them. Together we charter a philosophical and artistic endeavour that seeks to arrive at an outcome that is the most poetic and personal expression for each love story. In this way the couple feels that the Ketubah is a personalised visualisation of their relationship and narrative.

Being sensitive to the expense of weddings I am passionate about making my work accessible to all budgets by also offering a range of ever expanding creations in which the text is personalised and placed on predesigned artwork. These Ketubot

are just as beautiful, and blossom from the inspiration gleaned from the world around us in all its magnificent glory. In response to what I see, feel and think, these Ketubot flow from my imagination and spill into landscapes, dreamscapes and skyscapes that backdrop the words of the Ketubot.

These can be all embellished with hand painted initials and other details for a personalized touch.

My artwork traverse a wide range of aesthetic styles and employ different approaches, media and technology depending on the design. Whilst some couples prefer Ketubot that have motifs or imagery that can include landscapes, flowers, and animals, others desire pieces that are more neutral and contemporary, with abstracted undertones. What I’ve noted as being extremely popular are watercolour washed backgrounds that ambiguously gesture the sky, the earth or the ripples dappling through water in an oceanic veil. I have also done various Ketubot with laser cut frames which create interesting intersections through the way the frame silhouettes the artwork with organic or geometric shapes. I am always innovating and expanding, and earlier this year designed a Ketubah which featured hand embroidered embellishments onto linen.

The essence of my business is creating artwork for all Simcha’s and momentous life occasions (including births, Bar/Bat Mitzvot, wedding anniversaries etc). 2018 (2k chai as I call it) has also graced me

with new canvases of opportunities – from painting Prayers for the State of Israel (to be installed in Synagogues) to contributing an artwork for the month of Adar to the Mesaviv Calender (a Hebrew calendar configured as a circle where different international artists paint artwork inspired by the chaggim of each month). The artwork for the Ketubot can also be creatively and imaginatively extended into other aspects of the wedding.

Here some couples have requested Birkat Habayits which match their Ketubot as wedding presents, whilst others have used the artwork in benchers, Thank You cards, invitations and other wedding collateral.

One bride even loved the flower from her ketubah so much it was printed on editable cookies at the wedding and on the dance floor – allowing the entire wedding to cohere together through the same floral motif.

Seeing the pollination of my art into these other ‘canvases’ is so exciting.

As an artist, it is still the most unbelievable honour for a couple to trust me with the opportunity to make their Ketubah, a document charged with such immense halachic significance. With every order, I feel incredible gratitude and appreciation.

Whilst this document is painted and witnessed on earth, to me it is residency floats on the clouds of heaven where it is vaulted by Hashem, for eternity. Like love which is timeless, for every occasion I strive to create something that is cherished and celebrated, today, tomorrow and forever.

No Function Too Big or Too Small www.amazeintaste.com.au info@amazeintaste.com.au

Design and artwork:Today tomorrow forever

Celebrate at Maroubra Synagogue MAROUBRA SYNAGOGUE Maroubra Synagogue is the perfect community and venue to celebrate your Simcha! Known for its warm and welcoming approach, you will instantly feel as if you belong and this will greatly enhance your state of mind when arranging and celebrating an important life moment.

We hold over twenty Bar and Bat Mitzvot a year, more than ten weddings, numerous baby naming’s, social events, parties and other gatherings.

Our Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs are incredibly popular. We offer an eight-session course, in which boys, girls and their parents come together to study some of Judaism’s most important topics and hear from guest speakers of note. We also introduce our participants to various charitable organisations where they volunteer and give back to their community.

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Many engaged couples come seeking out our Rabbi who takes them on an enlightening spiritual journey as they prepare for the most important day of their lives together.

The Synagogue premises features a modern hall, which is available to hire, both to members and non-members. In 2015 the hall was rebuilt, improving its capacity and flexibility.

Recently, an AV system and projector were installed to enhance the hall’s capacity.

A beautiful, secure outdoor area is also available that adds a new dimension to our venue setting.

Make Maroubra Synagogue the choice for your next function. Outside of Shabbat there is plenty of access to street parking and transport. For weddings, we have beautiful parks and beaches only a couple of minutes away for your photos.

We look forward to the opportunity of assisting you with your next Simcha!

Help Israel’s Injured Soldiers In Honour Of Your Simcha ZDVO

Mazal tov on the occasion of your simcha! In honour of your special day, please consider donations to ZDVO Beit Halochem Australia, a charity devoted to supporting the rehabilitation of Israel’s 51,000 brave injured soldiers and innocent victims of terror. Every time a soldier is wounded, ZDVO is with them on their road to recovery, helping them come to terms with traumatic injuries and psychological trauma. ZDVO’s state of the art Beit Halochem Centres located in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Be’er Sheva boast an array of exceptional rehabilitative services and activities including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, sports programs and competitions, specialized equipment, family-oriented programs, and cultural activities.

Construction of a much needed fifth Beit Halochem commenced in Ashdod in February 2018.

Beit Halochem, which translates as House of Warriors, is a “home away from home” for the injured and their families who gain the physical and emotional strength to rebuild their shattered lives.

With an emphasis on sport as a method of rehabilitation, many members go on to become elite sportsmen and sportswomen representing Israel in international events and competitions such as wheelchair

Toby Smorgon receives a certificate of appreciation from Ora Seidner, Director of Project Development at Beit Halochem, Tel Aviv basketball, wheelchair tennis, swimming and wheelchair dancing. ZDVO can offer a choice of specific projects or items in honour of your simcha and donations over $2 to ZDVO are fully tax deductible.

For more information, please call ZDVO on 0416173622 or email zdvo@zdvo.com.

“I chose to donate to ZDVO because I was very inspired by two wounded soldiers talk about how much they benefited from this organization. When I visited the Beit Halochem facility in Israe,l I saw firsthand what great work they do.”

Toby Smorgon, Melbourne.

MAZEL TOV ON YOUR SIMCHA!

FEATURING Free parking Large Hall New audio visual system Beautiful secure outdoor area Close to beaches and parks for photos

ZDVO supports the rehabilitation of Israel’s 51,000 injured soldiers and victims of terror through its four Beit Halochem rehabilitation centres located in Israel.

Please think of our brave, amazing heroes at this special time in your life.

For info and how to donate please contact 0416 179 622 or email zdvo@zdvo.com

18

simcha More and more we are seeing special food stations set up in event spaces.

Get some mouthwatering inspiration for interesting and creative food stations that will wow your guest from June Edelmuth Catering.

Follow June on Instagram: JunEdelmuthCatering

August 2018

simcha

August 2018

Kadimah - JLC Batmitzvah program

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KEHILLAT KADIMAH Kehillat Kadimah in conjunction with JLC, ran a highly successful program this year for their upcoming Bat Mitzva girls, under the devoted, enthusiastic and nurturing guidance of Bat Mitzva teacher, Devorah Tockar, together with Deborah Blackman and Nissa Niasoff.

The program is creative and interactive, aimed at engaging the Bat Mitzva girls in an experiential atmosphere, where they are not just taught about the Mitzvot, but learn to appreciate what it means to become a young Jewish woman.

The girls learn about who they are, what it means to be Jewish, and to take pride in their Jewish heritage.

They are encouraged to explore their inner strengths and unique talents, and form positive self-images that will carry them through their teenage years into adulthood.

The Bat Mitzva girls have been introduced to a variety of inspirational and talented role models in the community.

Each guest has brought the girls a unique perspective on being Jewish, and living a fulfilling and meaningful Jewish life.

The specially designed sessions are aimed at highlighting the Mitzvot, by targeting and harnessing the girls’ creative talents, through a variety of different crafts, excursions, cooking, baking, song and dance.

The girls have also been given an

opportunity to reach out to those less fortunate, and have each learned the true meaning of giving as well as growing into sensitive and productive future community members.

The mothers of the Bat Mitzva girls have been invited to participate in specific sessions, encouraging the Bat Mitzva girls to take positive steps towards

Kehillat Kadimah, a modern, orthodox synagogue in the heart of Rose Bay invites you to book your upcoming Simcha for 2018 and beyond.

Weddings, Barmitzvahs, Batmitzvahs In-house catering and large hall available for Simcha meals

Register for our 2019 Barmitzvah and Batmitzvah courses

666 Old South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 9371 7300 admin@kadimahsydney.org www.kehillatkadimah.org.au

bringing their learning home and incorporating it into their personal lives.

The culmination of the program is a unique and meaningful Shabbat dinner, where the girls have a chance to showcase what they have learned, and how far they have grown as young women.

Each girl is also given the opportunity to give a Dvar Torah, if she chooses to

do so, when reaching the milestone of becoming Bat Mitzva.

Looking forward to 2019, another vibrant, exciting and unique Bat Mitzva program is being planned.

Also returning in 2019, will be an equally exciting, engaging and interactive Bar Mitzva program for the boys becoming Bar Mitzva during the 2019 calendar year.

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Amaze in taste – a kosher cullinary experience AMAZE IN TASTE Amaze in Taste has a long history of providing wholesome and innovative food for generations of families at their weddings, brisses, bar and bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, Shabbat dinners, dinner parties, communal events and more.

No function is too big or too small – Stanley and Felicia have created bespoke functions for gatherings of six to functions of a thousand and more. Each one has been carefully created to bring to life each client’s vision of their special day.

Stanley and Felicia are supported by a team of Chefs who have worked with them for many years, delivering innovation, quality and consistency time after time.

Highlights for Stanley and Felicia, over the years, have included seamlessly catering a function for two thousand guests for a capital appeal for one of our Jewish organisations, as well as many “fine dining” weddings and functions.

Amaze in Taste is welcomed at venues across Sydney and beyond, from hotels to function centres. They have catered local and interstate destination weddings, international tour groups, as well as Pesach at the Gold Coast.

Amaze in Taste is dedicated to supporting our community by enabling everyone to have a kosher function if they would like one and ensuring that

they work with clients to their respective budgets to achieve this.

In addition to functions, Amaze in Taste also provides a full “catering at home service,” through their online food drop menu. Here clients can go online and create the menu of their choice for use at home for occasions including Shabbat dinners, family dinners and birthday parties.

The team have recently created a new concept, aimed at making everyday life easier for busy families with the introduction of a large range of frozen meals that can be bought in bulk, kept in the freezer and used as required.

The range includes soups, pies, pizzas, lasagnes and casseroles, in addition to the regular items of platters, salads, traditional items, cakes and sweets.

Another innovation has been the introduction of a vegetarian category with a large range of items.

Amaze in Taste has long provided fresh plated corporate meals to customers eating in fine dining restaurants and boardrooms, delivered to the City and surrounds daily, enabling Kosher clients to participate in corporate meetings, breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Enjoy the confidence that comes with peace of mind when using Amaze in Taste to serve your every kosher need.

August 2018

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S

hades of White was inspired as Rachelle and her team saw an opportunity in Sydney to offer beautifully designed Chuppahs, Decorations & Furnishings. Our chuppahs are designed to be partnered with complimentary pieces which impress and create a feeling of elegance and luxury that can feature in your next event.

To view our collection please visit our website: www.shadesofwhite.com.au

CELEBRATES

ISRAEL’S

Meet people who have shaped Israel’s history

See first-hand the work of the UIA

Visit Israel’s main attractions

Experience Israel like never before

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August 2018

2018 I N V I TAT I O N S

Simcha HIRE

Everything you need for your next simcha!

4 Glasses 4 Ice Tubs 4 Table Clothes 4 Decorations

Price guaranteed. If you find it cheaper, we’ll hire it to you for FREE

SMS 0423 766 658

lifestyle

August 2018

23

Popcorn Joy MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (PG) ALEX FIRST

Both a prequel and a sequel to 2008’s Mamma Mia!, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a lightweight, fun-filled romp and a chick flick.

In 1979, high-spirited Donna Sheridan (Lily James), Tanya and Rosie – aka Donna and The Dynamos – graduate from Oxford University.

Donna joyfully embarks on her adventures through Europe to fulfil her destiny on the Greek island of Kalokairi.

On her journey, in quick succession she makes the acquaintance of and sleeps with three attractive young men, Harry, Bill and Sam. Donna’s happiness is palpable and infectious. She sets her mind on making this magical island her new home, finds a singing job in the local taverna and shelter in a ramshackle farmhouse.

However, when she discovers Sam – the man of her dreams – is engaged to another woman, that breaks Donna’s heart.

Tanya and Rosie swoop in to save their friend, but it turns out she doesn’t need rescuing.

As she waves them goodbye, Donna’s optimism is restored knowing she is expecting a child.

In the present day on Kalokairi, Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried), Donna’s daughter has dedicated herself to fulfilling her mother’s dream of renovating the taverna she owned, which Sophie plans to transform into the Hotel Bella Donna.

Mum Donna (Meryl Streep) passed away a year earlier, but she has the total support of her stepfather, Sam (Pierce Brosnan), one of her three possible biological fathers,

along with Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) and Harry (Colin Firth).

Sophie’s boyfriend, Sky (Dominic Cooper), has accepted a hospitality job in New York.

Donna’s best friends, Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) arrive on the island for the lavish grand opening.

Sophie’s hotel manager, Señor Cienfuegos (Andy Garcia), warns that a terrible storm is approaching.

Sophie is distraught as the wind and rain pound the island and her opening party plans are left in tatters.

But fear not for all will shine again.

I really liked the way the filmmakers handled the twin stories, cutting back and forth between the two.

Without putting a stopwatch to it, each appeared to receive all but even treatment ... and they worked individually and collectively.

Direction and screenplay is by Ol Parker,

who also wrote The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Lily James brings loads of energy and sass to the role of the recently graduated Donna, who is out to experience life.

As Sophie, Amanda Seyfried goes from mournful to reflective to joyous as she channels her mum.

In fact all the women in the family have particularly strong and melodic voices.

That includes Meryl Streep, who only appears briefly as the more mature Donna, along with Cher as Sophie’s self-centred grandmother, who comes into play late in the piece with her healthy ego intact.

Cher’s arrival was met with applause in the preview screening I attended. Her rendition of Fernando is wonderful.

And naturally there is more of that infectious ABBA music to build the twin tales around.

The best lines in the piece go to two of

the supporting cast, first and foremost a passport officer, played by British Iranian standup comic and actor Omid Djalili, who passes comment on the appearance of those that come before him. He’s quite a hoot.

And then there is the female bar owner, a role filled by Maria Vacratsis, who invites Sophie to stay on the island. She is driven by her instincts to speak her mind.

Finally, look out for a couple of cameos from the dynamic male duo that formed half of ABBA. You don’t have to have seen the original to appreciate this sequel, but it would probably make more sense if you did.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a popcorn charmer with a deliberate female friendly skew.

Rated PG, it scores a 7 out of 10.

discriminate on the basis of sex.

RBG’s brilliant legal strategy resulted in five ground breaking rulings that made great strides towards putting women on an equal footing with men before the law.

Ginsberg married a fellow legal eagle – a man with a delightful sense of humour and her biggest champion.

With his push and her turn of phrase, into her 60s she became only the second woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court.

Her dynamism and remarkable work ethic are showcased magnificently in this moving,

extremely well-made documentary.

We see snippets of her life in bygone days and now as we build a picture of a formidable force who stands up for and champions equality.

The doco casts a bright light on her through interviews with her, her two children, granddaughter, friends, colleagues and even the former US President that anointed her.

As can only be expected, they sing her praises, but it is how they do so that helps separate her from so many other distinguished minds.

And the documentary makes a point of highlighting her growing appeal late in life – and how she particularly resonates with young people.

She approaches everything with a ferocity of spirit and intent that would be the envy of most.

She cares. She is passionate.

Her oratory and judgments are inevitably compelling.

Always considered, she doesn’t waste a word.

Just watching RBG, the doco makes you stand tall proudly ... or at least sit up in your seat and pay the utmost attention.

What a life Ruth Bader Ginsberg has led and continues to lead. What a special human being.

Rated PG, RBG scores an 8½ out of 10.

Legal Star RBG (PG) ALEX FIRST

Softly spoken, diminutive and a real titan, an intellectual giant with a rap artist following.

That in a nutshell is Ruth Bader Ginsberg, otherwise and more recently known as Notorious RBG. Hero. Icon. Dissenter. At the age of 85, the U.S. Supreme Court Associate has built an impressive legal legacy as a pioneer in gender equality.

RBG explores the inspiring and unique personal journey of this warrior’s rise to America’s highest court – and her impact along the way – changing the rules, shaping the laws and becoming an unexpected pop culture icon.

It was in January 2015, that directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen first had the idea of making a feature documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

They had each, separately, interviewed the Justice for projects in the past and had both admired her trailblazing work for women’s rights.

But that was before she had broken out as the octogenarian rock star, with millennials extolling her virtues on Twitter and Tumblr, stocking up on RBG t-shirts and tote bags and, in extreme cases, getting tattoos of her face.

Talking about the RBG phenomenon one day, they turned to each other and said: “we

need to make a documentary about Justice Ginsburg right now.”

Working with a team of women in the top creative and executive roles, they began filming in June 2016, doing their best to keep up with the Justice’s hectic schedule.

They filmed her in her office, on holidays with her family and working out with her personal trainer.

They also started tracking down the dramatic stories of the clients she represented as a young lawyer, arguing before the Supreme Court in the 1970s.

At that time, it was perfectly legal to

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August 2018

GREAT WINTER SOUPS The Sydney Jewish Report brings you some of our favourite soup recipes to keep you warm during these cold days BUTTERNUT

There are hundreds of butternut soup recipes around but I guarantee this is the only one youll ever turn to as it is both simple to prepare and delicious.

PS: THIS IS MY BEST SOUP RECIPE EVER!!!

Starting from Scratch - Sharon Glass

Serves 8-10 2 Leeks (white only) sliced thinly 30ml (2T) butter or margarine 1 large butternut 2 large carrots 2 potatoes 2.5l (10 cups) water 80ml (1/2 cup) vegetable or chicken stock powder 250ml (1 cup) cream - optional • Peel and cube butternut, peel and coarsely dice the carrots and potatoes. In a large pot saute the sliced leeks in butter until soft. Add the butternut, carrots, potatoes, water and stock cubes to the leeks in the pot.

• Bring to the boil then simmer on low heat for about 1½ hours. Liquidize the mixture and add cream CHEF’S TIP: Reheat on low heat if necessary. Can be frozen in smaller quantities.

I add cream to smooth the texture of the soup. For a lighter option, I add a little extra stock and only 1/2 cup of yoghurt or cream to the soup

ZUCCHINI, PEA AND MINT

MINESTRONE

Serves 8-10

Serves 5-7

2-3 leeks (350g/12oz), white only, sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 8-10 zucchinis (1kg/4oz), sliced 3 cups (500g/1 LB 2 oz) peas 1.5 litres (6 cups) chicken or vegetable 1 bunch mint, leaves only Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

stock

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, fry the leek in the olive oil until soft, then add the zucchini and continue to cook until wilted and soft.

• Add the peas and enough stock to cover, then simmer until all the vegetables are cooked through, about 30 minutes.

• Take off the heat and allow to cool slightly, then add the mint leaves and blend. Season generously with salt and pepper.

This is a recipe from The Feast Goes On by the Monday Morning Cooking Club, available available now RRP$39.99

2 med onions - chopped 3 large sticks celery 2 med potatoes 1 medium sweet potato 1/4 green pepper 2 large zucchini 1 Tin (489g) diced/crushed tomato Oil / italian spice / pepper to taste 5 Heaped tps of chicken stock 1 Kg frozen mixed veg - carrots/cauliflower/ broccoli/green beans or snow peas Small tin of kidney beans • Saute onions until golden. Add celery • Add can of tomato • When boiling, add spice/pepper/stockpowder • Add cut up potato/zucchini/sweet pot/pepper • Add water to cover veg • Add frozen veg and add water to cover • When boiling allow to simmer for an hour • Use blender to blend some of the soup for thickness

Spreading the mitzvot of Sukkot

B&H SUKKOT

We often joke that Jewish events start at JMT or “Jewish Mean Time”, implying that as Jews we follow our own clock where time is not a valuable commodity.

Yet we are a religion that is obsessed with time, where each day, month and yearly cycle follows a well-defined and specifically timed system. A system, where no event is designated by chance or without meaning.

It is well known, based on the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer in Masechet Sukkah (11b), that Sukkot commemorates the miraculous clouds of glory that encircled and protected Bnei Yisroel during their 40-year journey through the wilderness, bathing them with the radiance of the Divine presence. Indeed, Rashi in his commentary adapts this interpretation as the “simple meaning” of the verse.

However, this raises an immediate question.

Why is this commemoration held in the month of Tishrei (Sept/Oct), rather than six months earlier in Nissan (April), the month in which Bnei Yisroel left Egypt and first received the clouds of glory?

The Vilna Gaon explains that Sukkot is actually a commemoration of Hashem’s forgiveness of Bnei Yisroel following the sin of the golden calf, as symbolised by the clouds of glory.

Hashem had removed the miraculous “clouds of glory” on the 17th of Tammuz following the sin of the golden calf leaving the Bnei Yisroel exposed and vulnerable. The nation repented and prayed, and Hashem finally proclaimed His forgiveness of the nation on Yom Kippur, however, the clouds did not return.

Hashem then commanded Bnei Yisroel to donate materials and construct the Mishkan so that He could dwell among His people.

After three days of donations, construction began on the 15th of Tishrei, and Hashem reinstated the “clouds of glory” symbolising His complete forgiveness of Bnei Yisroel.

The Vilna Gaon concludes that Sukkot is thus specifically celebrated on the 15th of Tishrei to commemorate the return of the clouds of glory and Hashem’s complete forgiveness of Bnei Yisroel.

As a result of the pivotal role played by the donations to the Mishkan in achieving complete forgiveness, it has become customary specifically before Sukkot to distribute charity to those in need.

B&H Sukkot was started with the goal of making the mitzvos of Sukkot accessible to as many Jews as possible by reducing the price but not the quality thus enabling the community to fulfil the mitzvah of Arba’as HaMinim with beautiful, high quality sets.

Inspired by the theme of Tzedakah that resonates throughout the festival, B&H Sukkot has partnered with Jewish House (Sydney), Melbourne Jewish Charity Fund and Yad Eliezer (Israel) to offer a unique opportunity for the community to donate a set of Arba’as HaMinim or money to assist those in-need this Yom Tov. Whether you call it an etrog or esrog, B&H Sukkot wishes everyone in the community to be inscribed in the book of life for a happy, healthy and blessed year, a year of giving and solidarity.

To purchase or donate a set to those in-need visit www.lulav.com.au or www.facebook.com/BHSukkot.

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lifestyle

August 2018

Mozart on the Move AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC (ANAM) The Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) will soon welcome international, award-winning oboist, Dudu Carmel, to Australia for a jam-packed schedule of performances across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Famed for his dazzling brilliance and musical daring, Carmel initially didn’t like the oboe and almost quit after a year of training. Director of his conservatory Smadar Shazar persuaded him to continue when she asked him to listen to a number of vinyl records that she hoped would encourage him to pursue the oboe it worked. Carmel is now Principal Oboist of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and he embraces any opportunity to travel for music.

“I like to tour quite a lot,” he said. “I not only tour with the Orchestra, but I also by myself… I prefer to travel for work but I always have some time to see sights and to see the country I’m going to. I really like it this way, it’s the right recipe for me.”

Carmel has chosen one of his favourite Mozart works to perform in all three states on his ANAM tour, theQuintet in C minor.

This work is best known as the String

Quintet no. 2, K406, adapted by Mozart from his earlier Serenade for wind octet, K388. Returning the first violin line to the oboe makes perfect sense, to create a quintet for oboe and strings. “This piece is very nice, it’s incredible,” he said. “Mozart really knew how to write for the oboe. Of course it’s not the same oboe now but it

still works incredibly well.”

Melbourne audiences will also hear Mozart’s Divertimento for oboe, 2 horns & strings. “The Divertimento is an earlier piece, a lighter piece,” Carmel describes.

He first got to know it when he was a musician in the army and later had the opportunity to perform it with the Israel

Philharmonic Orchestra. “After I got into the Orchestra, Zubin Mehta had an idea to do it. Then before the first rehearsal, he told me “you know Dudu, actually I don’t know the piece so I have an idea, I will not conduct it so you will lead the Orchestra”.

So it was nice, I was new to the orchestra, [it was] maybe four or five years after I joined… we played this piece without a conductor, it was really fun.”

Carmel’s main Melbourne performance is on Saturday 4 August at ANAM in the South Melbourne Town Hall and he will also perform with ANAM musicians for the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Mostly Mozart concert on Friday 3 August. He will then travel north with the musicians for a concert at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 5 August and at the Queensland Conservatorium on Tuesday 7 August.

In addition to performing on tour, Carmel will also be hosting a public Masterclass at ANAM on Wednesday 1 August. As a faculty member at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music (Tel Aviv University), Carmel finds the process of teaching very rewarding. For audiences, this is the perfect opportunity to experience such a mercurial personality at work.

Jewish International Film Kabbalah Art Festival returns in 2018

JIFF

The Jewish International Film Festival returns to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra this November for another spectacular year of outstanding Jewish cinema from all over the world, building on 29 years of Jewish film festivals in Australia.

The Festival will also visit two new venues in 2018: Roseville Cinemas in Sydney, and Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave in Melbourne.

Each year, the Jewish International Film Festival presents a truly diverse selection of films from Australia and around the world. In 2017, the Festival screened 65 films from 26 countries including Israel, Australia, Argentina, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, UK and USA. “2018 is already shaping up to be another fantastic year for the Jewish International Film Festival. With a program packed with world-class cinematic gems offering fascinating insights into global Jewish culture, we can’t wait to announce this vibrant selection of films,” said Jewish International Film Festival Artistic Director, Eddie Tamir.

Stay tuned for further announcements on the full program and international guests attending the Festival.

2018 Jewish International Film Festival screening dates: MELBOURNE 24 October – 21 November: Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick 25 October – 21 November: Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn 8 November – 18 November: Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave SYDNEY 23 October – 21 November: Event Cinemas Bondi Junction 10 November – 21 November: Roseville Cinemas, Roseville BRISBANE 8 November – 18 November: New Farm Cinemas, New Farm CANBERRA 1 November – 11 November: Dendy Cinemas, Canberra PERTH 7 November – 18 November: Greater Union Cinemas, Morley Stay up to date with JIFF: Website: www.jiff.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/JewishIFF Twitter: www.twitter.com/jewishiff Instagram: www.instagram.com/ jiff_oz/ Tickets go on sale Monday 24 September.

Visiting from Tsfat, Israel, David Friedman, Kabbalah artist and meditation teacher together with Rabbi Dr. Orna Triguboff will be presenting two unique seminars on the 19 August at the Emanuel Synagogue.

David Friedman’s trip is sponsored

by Neshama Life and the Jewish National Fund.

10.30am - 12.30pm: Kabbalah 101 – Jewish Meditation Throughout the Ages This workshop will give participants a ‘taste’ of the different kinds of Jewish Meditation that can be found in the Bible, the Siddur and the many books of the Kabbalah from ancient times to the present. The focus will be to experience the variety of practices that have been a hidden part of Judaism for centuries and are now being rediscovered.

1pm - 3pm: Kabbalah - The Book of Creation in Theory and Practice Participants will first be given an overview of the ancient foundational text of the Kabbalah, exploring the 32 Paths of Mystical Wisdom that are its content - the 10 Sefirot (numbers) and the 22 Hebrew letters. Using the Book of Creation as a source for each individuals creativity, participants will create art inspired by what they have learned.

Tickets for each session: $25, Emanuel members $10 To express your interest visit: info@ neshamalife.org

Tree of Life © David Friedman

David Friedman, born in the United States, moved to Israel in 1977 to study the Torah and to focus on his art. Settling in Tzfat in 1979, he developed a way to represent Kabbalah in art - using Hebrew letters, numbers, geometric shapes, and colour theory. He presents to groups from around the world about Kabbalah and Jewish Meditation.

Orna Triguboff is a Kabbalah scholar specialising in Jewish meditation, Orna received doctorate from Sydney University in 2003 and her rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Renewal movement in 2010; she is a Hatha Yoga teacher trained by Acharya Upendra Roy. Orna teaches Kabbalah meditation in Australia and internationally. She serves at Emanuel Synagogue Sydney, and is the Spiritual Director of Neshama Life, an organization that fosters spiritual development through Kabbalah.

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lifestyle

The ideal sleep coaching windows for your baby THE SLEEP COACH CHERYL FINGLESON

August 2018 news

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WHY JERUSALEM IS community

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munity By the com munity m for the co Speak now

see out to up to another the Sydney Jewish community As you will to build, of interest for we have set we hope that on, and helps the multi-faceted report on issues to Israel, experiences, will be there to encourage edition, we The aim, that both reports their Sydney information, Community. a deep attachment Identity Jewish Report for news, those with and to witness our Jewish voice of the whose Jewish the us as a • Be a forum endevours is to be the as for those that through We have their quite simply, opinions affecting to strengthen . We hope well as well we in other areas. ideas and on a local as and by so doing, how achievements will attend events that finds expression community thinking and Jewish community - both issues from of us about; stimulate spectrum of a year more level. have known covered a connections, dedicated to to become and global Dalia We are not otherwise Lemkus issues and social as national is being slated new ideas. will debate Legislative organized might South Israel cultural, religious encourage and friends fresh, fascinating through • Enrich the that–isMurder A personal y hub to a getaway that families of us might to a community that each reform have given carrying content diverse of it becomes the features. cyber-securit We hope matter; and Peace – opened life of our report of Circle. We a father different, simply who that reviews and and entertaining. by the Friendship 8 fascinating conversion out to someone Shallow Because articles, interviews, Jewish household teenagers and allow members the to rabbis, Har their story. Water of the reach Nof staple of every platform to leafed through within voice by the response factsbecause on we now know • Create aprocess upon arrival, is about.

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to: CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

As parents, we always want sleep coaching to go as well as possible, right from the start.

That’s why we make sure to wait until our babies are old enough for sleep training (4 months or older), why we carefully select sleep training methods that fit our parenting styles and our babies’ temperaments, why we don’t sleep train during big transitions such as, moving house, milestone, growth spurt or illness, and why we prepare for sleep coaching before we start.

One of the ways to ensure that sleep coaching goes as smoothly as possible is to do it during a window of time in which it will be easier. That’s right — there are times during your baby’s growth and development when she is better prepared for sleep training (and, conversely, times when sleep training may be bit harder).

What are these ‘ideal sleep coaching windows’? We’re glad you asked!

Your Baby’s Ideal Sleep Coaching Windows You can sleep train your baby (or toddler!) any time, of course. But it may be a bit easier if you do it during one of these windows:

The 4-7 month window This is the earliest that parents should start any kind of formal sleep training; it’s also the best time to start, for many families (although not all). Why? Because at this point, your baby is past the 4 month sleep regression, so she’s starting to develop more “adult” sleep patterns. Your baby is also much less mobile at this stage than she’ll be in a few more months, and that lack of mobility makes sleep training a bit easier. Finally, because your baby is still quite young at this point, any sleep associations she may have formed won’t have had time to turn into strong habits.

That means they’ll be easier to change.

The 11-16 month window This isn’t as ideal a time to sleep coach as the 4-7 month window, but if you skip that one, this is the next one to try. Why? Because you’re baby is past the sleep regression that happens at 8/9/10 months, and her sleep patterns should be back to normal. (Although if your baby has never been a great sleeper, her “normal” sleep patterns may be fairly crazy!) Remember,

president Egypt’s new - what it means for Israel

2

it’s best to sleep coach when things are as normal as possible, so waiting until a sleep regression has passed can be a good idea.

Less Ideal Times For Sleep Coaching In general, it’s best to avoid sleep training during a sleep regression. And, if possible, try to sleep coach before your little one is 18 months old; after 18 months, your toddler’s growing sense of independence and will fullness might make sleep training tougher.

Although there are more ‘ideal’ times to sleep train than others such as before your baby can pull up and stand at the side of the cot, if you and your family are ready to make big changes, I wouldn’t wait just because of your baby or toddler’s age.

Every baby is different and you know your baby best. It may take a bit more time and patience, but it can work! There is always a reason to put off making positive changes in your life whether it’s delaying a diet, because the holidays are near or work is too busy or you put off budgeting because you have too many bills, you can always find a reason to avoid the hard work that sleep training sometimes entails. The first step is the hardest, but I find families are happily surprised when their child adapts to the new routines faster than they anticipated.

Take that step!

Pleasant dream Cheryl ZZZ For more sleep tips and advice, please visit www.cherylthesleepcoach.com.au Or why not like our facebook page? www.facebook.com/thesleepcoach

Cheryl Fingleson is a paediatric sleep consultant. As a mother of two, she very well knows the feelings of agony and desperation when you have a child that struggles to settle and sleep. She doesn’t believe in leaving babies or children to cry it out, nor in the practices of controlled crying. Her approach is to empower parents with the right tools and techniques to teach their babies and children to go to sleep calmly, happily and independently.

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at any one of the following outlets: COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS B’nai B’rith - Rose Bay The Burger Centre COA Sydney JCA JEM’S Jewishcare Kashrut Authority KM Cares NSW Jewish War Memorial Centre NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Our Big Kitchen Print 35 Shop Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish House House United Israel Appeal WIZO Wolper Hospital Ku Ring Gai council

Romeos Supa IGA - St Ives Savion Savta – Bondi Junction Stanley St Cafe Eden Café Stanley Street Butcher Plaster Master Fun

RETAIL OUTLETS Bianca’s Grub Store Coles Eastgate Coles - Lindfield Coles- Rose Bay Coles - Westfield, Bondi Junction Cruises and honeymoons – Bondi Junction Gaslight Pharmacy- Rose Bay Glicks - Rose Bay Golds Bookshop Krinskys Kosher supermarket Lewis Continental Kitchen Medani Bakery Pita Mix

SYNAGOGUES Central Synagogue Chabad House of the North Shore Cremorne Synagogue Dover Heights Synagogue Jewish Learning Centre (JLC) Kehillat Kadimah Kehillat Masada Synagogue Maroubra Synagogue Mizrachi Synagogue North Shore Synagogue North Shore Temple Emanuel Ohr Hatzafon Sephardi Synagogue

SCHOOLS Clyde Street Day Care Coogee Preschool Emanuel School Ganeinu Long Day Care & Preschool Hug-A-Bub - Bondi Hug-A-Bub - Rose Bay Kesser Torah College Masada College Mount Sinai College Moriah College

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CANDLES Friday, August 3, 2018

4:59pm

5:56pm

Friday, August 10, 2018

5:04pm

6:01pm

Friday, August 17, 2018

5:09pm

6:05pm

Friday,August 24, 2018

5:13pm

6:10pm

Friday, August 31, 2018 5:18pm Candle lighting times have been taken from www.chabad.org

The intermarriage

Pick up a

community

SO EXPLOSIVE

AARON DAVID MILLER

is above all a matter of faith, of belief and of religion. The notion that the three Abrahamic faiths -- Islam, Christianity and Judaism -share common values concerning peace, Even back in the days when you could still social justice and humanity may well be use the term “peace process” true. But that has never with a straight been the case when face, the odds of solving the Jerusalem issue it comes to this city.

History is filled with were already pretty long.

Then, I would have claims, conquests, crusades, occupations, put those odds a bit north massacres and violence of impossible and in the name of a little south ofI 14, 5774 Things hopeless. possessing Jerusalem, are even 2014 / Adar not sharing it. worse now.

Friday, 14 February And nowhere has the religious complexity FREE VOL. 1 I remember day eight of the Jerusalem issue of the Camp David been clearer than summit in July 2000, when on the question of who discussion turned controls and what to Jerusalem. That day, will happen to the Haram it was clear to me al-Sharif (Noble that as far Camp David Enclosure) and Har was concerned, it Habayit (Temple was game over. There Mount). That platform, were some intriguing situated within the moves on Israel’s part, walls of Jerusalem’s Old but nothing that could City, is in essence a have settled the issue. physical manifestation Indeed, Ehud Barak, of overlapping sacred but globally, too; and as Yasser Arafat and Bill the last few months space.

Clinton could have but not always a result suggest, it is also fallen into the yawning of the perception a matter of security Atop activities gaps that separated sits the goldened Dome among Palestinians Tu B’Shevat of the Rock, fraught and framed now Israelis and Palestinians that including Israel is trying aNSW by an intimacy of Boardcentury Islamic seventh on this issue and to change the activities, shrine built by by the killing reflected in the never have been heard status of some slayings of Israeli and aspect of the Caliph Abd al-Malik from again. a project initiated Jerusalem. The and that houses the Palestinian teens this Fast forward a decade reason for this latest past summer and of round foundation and a half, and stone, a massive rock that figures of tensions, violence of Deputies. last week’s savage Palestinian being a part not much has changed. and ourselves on Jerusalem is still attack on a a perfect is prominently in Jewish and Islamic pride bloodletting report but synagogue in west Jerusalem. tradition. storm of We weAnd insoluble we it now seems factors that include on which news’ butand nearby there’s a site of the more explosive sense of isolationtheand communities even greater news is good then ever.inSoa what don’t pretend frustration on theandsignificance is it about Jerusalem/ that They say ‘no -- the al-Aqsa mosque part of the Palestinians be everywhere We believe PROXIMITY CAN BE started Yerushalayim/al-Quds we can’t of East Jerusalem by Caliph Abd lot DEADLY. that makes it so think differently. there is a al-Malik in the seventh who don’t have the know everything.

Ben Franklin quipped that community potentiallyitcontentious to benefit of the social century.bravery, to the will proximity breeds and deadly? thriving Jewish services and economic Quran, it is reputed a story of dedication, According children, and contempt, Three things stand out: and that sharing If there’s advantages of towhich too. In this regard, be theinspires ascension point where Israelis in the west; Israel’s of good news; even further. the Prophet achievement, Jerusalem is unique in or to effort that it is one of the Mohammed expand also leadership our community inspire others. rose to heaven on his Jewish their communities and strengthen it will only places where Israelis growing Night IT’S A PERFECT STORM OF been chances are and Palestinians Jerusalem; in East Journey. a vibrant and Below you, presence COMPLEXITY. (the you’ve the platform are the remains Sydney has connected Hamas’ efforts to know. vast majority who aren’t Similarly, if Jerusalem us are is a microcosm of almost Arab citizens the flames; forgotten Let us incite and fan of both temples, which housed or Jewish but few of or all of Israel) mix and the grim the the community issues in the Israeli-Palestinian bureaucracy, every day and have realization relationships that over by the Ark of theIf Covenant there’s and the Holy almost future seems immediate packed conflict unrestricted of Holies. know. almost walked certain to be more access to one another. beyond our into While letofus The one small place that is participate. area is so the It is a the same. With marked stunning by the system, in which we by a big to a sector of sensitive to Jews that they the Israel-Gaza testament to the pragmatism be well war sub-groups were until or enjoined not campaign a over enable us history. It combines territory (who self-interest and the next round, ourto set foot on the Mount cause, throw internet a and and will the should of control West often Israelis and Palestinians Bank relatively out of fear that they could the news we areland in the east and west, not you think we -- as quiet, it’s Jerusalem be treading on that citizens’, well as the imbalance And if you community to mention that has emergedlet know. ground. the four quarters -of power -- that the as us sacred informed ‘global Jewish, city has remained the epicenter of unrest. what is happening or want to weight behind, unaware ofMuslim, Armenian, as quiet and functional down Christian -- of the It is quite completely some advice extraordinary that despite as old it has these many few Ithouses living a city). involves have a solution, years given such passions incidents community political identity (conflicting Telling of violence -- October important an to someone OVERLAPPING to bridge!). and politics.

1990, SACRED claims to the city as a your voice over the add SPACE. September 1996, September to change capital); it is driven by Things in Jerusalem would (never mind 2000 and of But it should be no us know. course one way letenough be bad (see below) involving surprise that given if stories isreligion and children what’s and debate, transpired in recent not just Jews, those shuls the perfect each other’s year --begins storm were driven weeks politics and passions Muslims and Christians new by attend different that the themselves thatmembers As the only Jerusalem area has not been a proximity as well as nationalist Report, in the Middle East, has often become scene of this. alike are opening a bloodywhen and political and strengthen flash point, often conflict.

Sydney Jewish adults the and and But that inaugural enlighten was not to be. Jerusalemchapter of learning Continued on page In compiling of schools. create a newspaper 34 from this, our • Connect, Page 20

6:14pm

Except where expressly stated otherwise, content in The Sydney Jewish Report is provided as general informations only. The articles in this paper have been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content here are presented solely by the author, and The Jewish Report assumes no responsibility for them. It is not intended as advice and must not be relied upon as such. You should make your own inquiries and take independent advice tailored to your specific circumstances prior to making any decisions. We do not make any representation or warranty that any material in the papers will be reliable, accurate or complete, nor do we accept any responsibility arising in any way from errors or omissions. We will not be liable for loss resulting from any action or decision by you in reliance on the material in the papers. By reading the papers, you acknowledge that we are not responsible for, and accept no liability in relation to, any reader’s use of, access to or conduct in connection with the papers in any circumstance. Photographs submitted by individuals or organisations are assumed to be their property and are therefore not otherwise credited. All articles in this paper have received the expressed consent of the author to publish in this paper.

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The secret singer: free your song, let it soar!

We all have music in us; but how do we set it free?

Multi-award-winning darling of the Australian stage and screen, Genevieve Lemon and Kate Mannix star in the world premiere season of a joyful new musical play – based on a true story by Joanna Weinberg (Goddess, Pandora’s Bag, Lifeforce, The Piano Diaries).

The Secret Singer is the life-affirming story of a singing lesson that changes the life of two very different women. It might just change yours.

Jenny is a 70-something woman who wants to sing in a different community choir 7 days a week. Her one problem? She can barely produce a note. When she bursts into the studio of burntout singing teacher Emjay, the sparks fly. But then something amazing happens… and neither will ever be the same.

Genevieve Lemon’s screen credits include The Piano and The Dressmaker as well as countless iconic TV roles. Her stage appearances - which are legion - include Diplomacy, Death of a Salesman, Mousetrap and Billy Elliot, for which she won the Sydney Theatre Award, Helpmann Award and Green Room Award!

In The Secret Singer, she plays a disillusioned

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August 2018

singing teacher whose life is turned around by a very unusual pupil, played by Kate Mannix (It Shoulda Been You and The Biograph Girl - on the West End). What starts as an exasperating relationship becomes transformative for both, as hearts and minds open and they discover that sometimes you need to lose yourself to find yourself…

The world premiere of this funny, surprising piece - full of wonderful songs - plays for a limited, two week season at Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s Eternity Playhouse from 28 August.

Be charmed, be moved and release your secret singer!

The Secret Singer, written and directed by Joanna Weinberg Starring Genevieve Lemon and Kate Mannix, Musical Direction by Matt Reid 28th Aug - 9th Sep 2018, the Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street Darlinghurst Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm, Sundays 5pm, Wed 3pm matinees Produced by John Feitelson and Lawrence Jackson, in association with Darlinghurst Bookings and Information: www.darlinghursttheatre.com or call (02) 8356 9987.

The Children’s House by Alice Nelson

Introducing a brilliant new literary novel from award-winning author Alice Nelson, THE CHILDREN’S HOUSE.

Marina, ‘the gypsy scholar’, a writer and academic, and her psychoanalyst husband, Jacob, were each born on a kibbutz in Israel. They meet years later at a university in California, Marina a grad student and Jacob a successful practitioner and teacher who has a young son, Ben, from a disastrous marriage.

The family moves to a brownstone in Harlem, formerly a shelter run by elderly nuns. Outside the house one day Marina encounters Constance, a young refugee from Rwanda, and her toddler, Gabriel.

Unmoored and devastated, Constance and Gabriel quickly come to depend on Marina; and her bond with Gabriel intensifies.

Based closely on Alice Nelson’s personal experiences, including a friendship with a Rwandan refugee, The Children’s House is a study of trauma in families and societies - the primal wound of not being mothered adequately, and the ripples through generations. In this multi-faceted narrative, award-winning author Alice Nelson asks what the consequences are when you love a child that is not your own.

“Alice Nelson has written that rare kind of novel that sets off sparks in the mind long after finishing. A book of unwavering intelligence that probes the most haunted parts of the psyche, Nelson circumnavigates trauma without succumbing to the temptation to dispel it. The Children’s House is an elegant and finely tuned work that hums with condensed life. ” Stephanie Bishop

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

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sports

Ola! Atención Athletes …

MACCABI AUSTRALIA Athlete Nominations for the Pan American Maccabi Games are CLOSING ON 6TH AUGUST 2019 Be part of the Australian Team heading to Mexico City for the Pan American Maccabi Games in July, 2019. Nominations will be closing on 6th August 2018 – so don’t miss out.

General Manager for the Pan American games, Sam Gamsu, recently returned from the game’s launch and is excited by preparations. “The Mexicans are ready to deliver an exceptional games, with outstanding sporting facilities for a truly competitive event.”

Juniors, Open and Masters Athletes looking to compete in Golf, Basketball, Hockey,

August 2018 Futsal, Football, Tennis, Swimming, Beach/ Volleyball, Squash, Triathlon and Maccabi Man/Woman, should nominate at www. maccabi.com.au.

“We are proud to take a delegation to the Pan American Maccabi Games and showcase the sporting talent amongst our Jewish athletes.” says Jeff Sher, President Maccabi Australia.

An International tour, such as the Pan American Maccabi Games is sure to be one of the highlights of any athlete’s sporting career and we encourage all interested athletes to nominate now.

For further information about nominations and the Pan American Maccabi Games, please contact Laurence Miller at panams@maccabi.com.au.

Some of the Greatest Jewish Athletes of All Time WWW.HAARETZ.COM When discussing the “greatest” Jewish athletes of all time, we do not always mean the best, but rather Jews who distinguished themselves in sports in a remarkable way. Some were pioneers, breaking down barriers for other Jews or setting precedents for all athletes in their particular discipline. Others simply dominated their era. Here are some of those athletes;

HAROLD ABRAHAMS - TRACK AND FIELD

Born in Bedford, England, in the last year of the 19th century, Harold Abrahams will not only be remembered as the first Jew – and the first non-American – to win the 100-meter dash at the Olympics, he will also be known as the man who redefined the modern sport of athletics. After failing to make an impression at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Abrahams hired a private coach to prepare him for the 1924 games in Paris – the first time an amateur athlete had paid for individual training. The controversial investment paid off and he took gold in the prestigious 100-meter race and silver in the 4x100m relay. Abraham’s brief but glittering athletics career was immortalized in the movie “Chariots of Fire.”

ALI BACHER - CRICKET

Despite playing just 12 times for his

country, Ali Bacher is still considered one of the greatest cricketers in South African history. The son of Lithuanian immigrants who came to South Africa in the 1930s, Bacher’s greatest contribution to South African cricket was as administrator of the South African Cricket Board, a position he assumed in 1981. His finest moment came in 2003, when he chaired the organizing committee of the Cricket World Cup, held in South Africa for the first time since the lifting of the international sanctions imposed to protest the country’s policy of apartheid. He was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. A piece of cricket trivia: the figure on the Israel Cricket Association logo is none other than Bacher.

VICTOR GYOZO BARNA - TABLE TENNIS

Once described as “the greatest table tennis player who ever lived,” the Hungarian-born Barna is the most outstanding unsung hero of Jewish sports. In a career that spanned six years, Barna amassed a total of 32 World Championships medals: 23 gold, six silver and three bronze. Despite sustaining a broken arm in a car crash in May 1935 – an injury that effectively ended his playing career – Barna went on to win the World Doubles title with Richard Bergmann (another International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductee) in 1939. That was the year in which he moved to England, where he

lived until his death in 1972. To this day, the Victory Barna Memorial Cup is awarded to the best player at the annual world Table Tennis Championships.

ISAAC “IKE” BERGER WEIGHTLIFTING

Technically speaking, Ike Berger was Israel’s first Olympic medalist, beating judoka Yael to that title by 36 years. Born in 1936 in Jerusalem, in what was then Palestine, Berger and his family moved to New York City in 1949. In 1955, the 19-yearold Berger, still not an American citizen, won the senior U.S. weightlifting title. He repeated the feat in the next two years – after which he was granted citizenship. In the 1956 Melbourne Games, Berger won the gold medal with a lift of 776.5 pounds (352.5 kg). The next year, he returned to the country of his birth for the 5th Maccabiah – and promptly smashed the world record in the featherweight competition, becoming the first athlete to set a world record in any discipline on Israeli soil.

LILLIAN COPELAND

- TRACK AND FIELD

Unquestionably the greatest female athlete of her generation, Lillian Copeland excelled in the shot put, discus and javelin, setting a remarkable six world records in each of the disciplines between 1925 and 1932. Born in New York in 1904, she won a silver medal for the United States at the

1928 Amsterdam Olympics in the discus, and she took gold in the same event four years later in Los Angeles. There is little question that had her favorite discipline – the shot put – been an Olympic event for women in 1928 or ’32 she would have won gold. She retired from competition in 1932 to study law, but came out of retirement long enough in 1935 to win gold medals in the discus (37.38 meters), javelin (36.92 meters) and shot put (12.32 meters). She was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1994, 30 years after her death.

HANK GREENBERG - BASEBALL

The word “first” appears so many times in the various online biographies of Hank Greenberg that it is almost impossible to count them: He was the first Jewish superstar in baseball; the first Jewish ballplayer elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame; the first player to win the American League’s Most Valuable Player award at two different positions; the first major leaguer to enlist in the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor; he was even the first to stir rabbinical debate over his participation in vital end-of-season games that happened to fall on Yom Kippur. When he died in 1986 at the age of 75, Joe DiMaggio said, “He was one of the truly great hitters, and when I first saw him at bat, he made my eyes pop out.”

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