Supper club Support the People of Israel this Rosh Hashana

fast tracking professional qualifications through Professions for Life, mentoring services and integration support.

Now, more than ever, having witnessed the horrific effect of the Ukraine war, UIA NSW is proud to stand with the People of Israel. From that war, tens of thousands of Jews – not only from Ukraine, but also from Russia, Belarus and other FSU countries – became refugees and sought safety in Israel.

These were refugees like Yurii, Svetlana and their teenage daughter Olesya, who lived under occupation in Ukraine for six months, before fleeing, leaving behind family, friends, jobs and a home.

Since arriving in Israel late last year, with thanks to the support of Keren Hayesod-UIA donors, they have begun studying in Ulpan and Olesya has been enrolled in school. “In the beginning … we thought about our relatives and friends in Ukraine. Our heads, hearts and thoughts were elsewhere, but now we are recovering step by step,” said Svetlana.

With your support, UIA can continue not only assisting Olim like Yurii, Svetlana and Olesya to make Israel their home, but also support them once in Israel through absorption services and programs provided by KH-UIA, in partnership with The Jewish Agency for Israel. This includes Ulpan Hebrew classes,

This year, Yurii and Svetlana and Olesya will celebrate their first Rosh Hashana in Israel – the first of many, secure in their knowledge of and appreciation for the resources that they, like other Olim, have been given to integrate and become productive members of Israeli society.

UIA’s strategic partner, The Jewish Agency for Israel, continues to work tirelessly on the frontlines, rescuing thousands of Jewish refugees, and the global UIA family has generously provided financial support to assist with this. Still, the need continues. As we approach Rosh Hashana, a valuable way to show your support for the People of Israel is by contributing to UIA. It is only with your support that the organisation can help those who dream of and, in some cases, must call Israel their new home.

UIA thanks you for your unwavering support for the People of Israel and wish our community a Shana Tova.

Support the People of Israel through UIA by purchasing e-cards at uiaaustralia. org.au/about-us/e-cards or contact 9361 4273. Email: info@uiansw.org.au

Everyone enjoys a little intellectual stimulation, the company of friends and tasty food, which is why the COA Supper Club is such a success. It is one of a number of ongoing activities for “younger seniors” held at the COA Centre.

Every two months COA hosts up to 70 people at a kosher supper and invites a speaker of note to spark discussion with the audience in the question-and-answer session that follows their talk.

The supper is lovingly prepared and served by COA volunteers and staff. Many regular attendees book full tables for six on the evening for themselves, their friends and relatives. There is plenty of time to catch up with other attendees before the special guest begins to speak. Many people have become reacquainted with old friends in the community at these events. Over the years, speakers have presented on a variety of subjects, including law, medicine, religion, archaeology, ancestry, theatre and the media, although the program is not always so cerebral. On occasions, a musical act or comedian takes the COA stage.

There is also a history with the Supper Club inviting local politicians and ambassadors to address the group. They have included the Hon Gabrielle Upton, the Hon Dave Sharma, Dr Kerryn Phelps and Ambassador Mark Sofer. The next COA Supper Club, to be held on the evening of Thursday 7th

September, will add to this distinguished lineup the newly elected Member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane.

She is a remarkable woman, with an interesting personal history, having spent 20 years in journalism on ABC radio and with a number of television networks. She is passionate about our environment and maintaining the Vaucluse area for her children and future generations to enjoy. Having served as the national CEO of Life Education, the largest independent provider of health education to Australian children, Ms Sloane is also deeply concerned about the mental and physical wellbeing of youngsters.

This Supper Club will provide attendees with the opportunity to raise questions about the Vaucluse electorate and its future, along with Ms Sloane’s plans for the local community. To book, contact Jackie Ryker on 8367 5051 or via email: j.ryker@ coasydney.org

DARREN HOLLANDER JEWISH HOUSE

Jewish House and MyBond have joined forces to address homelessness and assist survivors of domestic violence by introducing a unique rental bond product.

"Jewish House MyBond Support” will enable eligible individuals to access financing for a four-week rental bond, with an upfront fee of only one-week’s rent. The organisations maintain that this initiative will reduce homelessness and create safety and stability for survivors of domestic violence. Lokahi Foundation founder and CEO Rachael Natoli said: "Being able to access bond finance like this will assist so many victimsurvivors to escape the abuse and live independently in safety."

Jewish House MyBond Support will be officially launched on 14th September.

Jewish House is a not-for-profit organisation providing vital support to individuals and families in need. Its focus is on homelessness, mental health, and crisis intervention.

MyBond helps people secure rentals quickly and conveniently, by assisting with rental bonds.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has brought great suffering to its people and sparked international concern. In exploring the issue from a Jewish halachic perspective, we can gain insights into the ethics of war, the pursuit of peace and the importance of compassion and justice.

According to Jewish halacha, the principles governing the conduct of war are guided by the concept of self-defence, preservation and the pursuit of justice. In situations where innocent lives are at stake or a nation's survival is threatened, there is a moral obligation to defend oneself and seek security. However, it is essential that such actions are proportionate, minimising harm to non-combatants and avoiding unnecessary violence.

Jewish law also emphasises the principles of "pikuach nefesh" (saving a life) and "rodef" (the pursuit of a pursuer). These principles place the highest value on preserving life and acknowledging the sanctity of every human being. They require us to take all possible measures to prevent harm and strive for peaceful resolutions, whenever possible.

Peace is a cherished value in Judaism. The pursuit of peace, or "shalom", is a paramount obligation for all individuals and communities. Jewish texts repeatedly emphasise the importance of seeking reconciliation, resolving conflicts and promoting harmony.

In the case of the Ukraine war, it is crucial to explore avenues for peaceful negotiation, mediation and diplomatic efforts. Jewish law encourages us to exhaust all possibilities for non-violent conflict resolution before resorting to armed conflict. Dialogue, understanding and compromise should be prioritised to achieve a just and lasting peace, recognising the dignity and rights of all parties involved.

Compassion and justice lie at the heart of Jewish ethics. The Torah teaches us to "love your neighbour as yourself" and to pursue justice for all. In situations of war, it is essential to uphold these principles by showing compassion towards victims, providing humanitarian aid and respecting the rules of warfare.

Jewish tradition calls for careful discernment in distinguishing between combatants and non-combatants, aiming to minimise harm to civilians. Fair treatment of prisoners, protection of cultural and religious sites, and adherence to principles of non-aggression are all vital considerations, rooted in Jewish legal and ethical frameworks.

Approaching the Ukraine war from a Jewish halachic perspective urges us to reflect upon the principles of ethics, peace, compassion and justice. While self-defence may be justified in certain circumstances, it is essential to prioritise peaceful solutions and seek avenues for dialogue and reconciliation. As Jewish individuals, we have a responsibility to advocate for nonviolence, strive for a just and lasting peace and extend compassion and support to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. May our collective efforts contribute to a world of peace and harmony that aligns with our sacred Jewish values.

Darren Hollander is an observant Jew based in Johannesburg, South Africa who writes about Jewish issues.