BIBLE QUIZ WINNER

AROUND THE

COMMUNITY Australian student leads the way

EMILY GIAN COURTESY: JWIRE.COM.AU

Yoni Moss from Leibler Yavneh College in Melbourne has been named the equal winner of the Diaspora Bible Quiz in Israel.

Yoni won the National Bible Quiz in Australia and he, along with runner up, Yohanatan Shroot, also from Leilber Yavneh College, travelled to Israel to participate in a training camp and to fight for a spot in the final. 12 students from around the world advanced to the Diaspora Bible Quiz.

Among other countries represented were Argentina, Germany, Brazil, France, Panama and South Africa.

Yoni was declared the winner alongside Canada’s Liela Silbiger.

The nail-biting event took place in the Jerusalem Theatre on Yom Ha’atzmaut and was broadcast live on the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page.

The bible camp is a fun, intensive and unique experience attended by representatives from Jewish communities globally.

It is an educational and social camp where participants learn about the bible and then have the opportunity to explore and tour Israel. The Zionist Federation of Australia’s education chair Miriam Munz said: “There is something incredibly special about the training camp … being able to see firsthand the places and landmarks that they studied.

The combination of learning about the ancient story of Israel and celebrating it on the modern day of Independence is always wonderful for our Australian participants.”

“I send a hearty Mazal Tov to Yoni Moss on winning the competition and also commend Yehonatan Shroot for his efforts.

Both young men were worthy participants representing the Australian Jewish community in Israel and have brought a tremendous amount of pride to their school, community and families.”

Still riding the high after winning the Diaspora competition, Yoni Moss said: “Participating in the Bible Quiz was an amazing, a once in a lifetime experience. I really enjoyed making friends with like-minded kids from around the world. It was extra special to be able to do this while travelling around Israel for the first time.”

Yoni Moss with President Isaac Herzog

From left: Yehonatan Shroot and Yoni Moss at Ben Gurion Airport

Top Israeli series returns

CHAIFLICKS

Season 2 of the hit show The New Black is now streaming exclusively on ChaiFlicks.

Created by Eliran Malka and the late Daniel Paran, The New Black (titled

Shababnikim in Hebrew) won four Israeli Television Awards (best series, actor, writing and director) for its first season.

Set at a prestigious Yeshiva in Jerusalem, The New Black follows four rebellious students as they try to reconcile their desire for modern life with their Orthodox upbringing.

The first season was the most watched program on Israel’s largest cable channel, HOT. The second season was the most viewed series on HOT since season 1 aired.

Both seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on ChaiFlicks.

ChaiFlicks offers access to hundreds of movies, TV shows and documentaries focused on Jewish and Israeli culture, heritage and experience.

All foreign language films are available with English subtitles.

In Australia and New Zealand, ChaiFlicks is presented by the Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF).

To subscribe to ChaiFlicks, go to www.ChaiFlicks.com

The mental health challenge

From page 3

suffering from mental illnesses. In this area too there has been a shift in a positive direction, with many hospitals now investing significant resources to provide staff with the support they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The above examples should inspire us to realise and recognise that mental health and wellbeing are of utmost importance and can affect each of us. As a Jewish community we must provide a supportive environment for those who need it.

People who need support should feel comfortable asking for it. Those seeking assistance should not be judged, spoken about or treated as if they have committed a crime. Numerous factors – including biological disorders, illness, financial loss, domestic violence, molestation, peer pressure, stress at school or work – contribute to mental health problems. No-one is immune, so it could be you or a family member who requires the help and having a supportive community can make it easier for people to get the help they need.

Mental Health Australia ran a campaign a few years ago titled “Do You See What I See?” It encouraged us to think about mental illness in a more positive light and to reduce stigma.

My community and I are grateful for Nadav's talk and for the work Maaglei Nefesh does. Acknowledging that rabbis and other mental health workers are susceptible to the same risks helps normalise the subject.

It allows us all to see mental illness in a more positive light. Through this, we hope to continue breaking the stigma of mental illness, encourage more people to seek professional support and assist them in their journey through

Spelling bee answers

Jewish Answer: GEMATRIA. Here is a list of some common words (we know there are more words in the dictionary that can work, but these words are common in today’s vernacular) – AGGREGATE, AGITATE, AGREE, EAGER, EGGIER, EGRET, EMERGE, EMIGRATE, GAMIER, GARAGE, GRAMMAR, GRATE, GRATER, GREAT, GREATER, GREET, GREETER, GRIME, GRIMIER, GRITTIER, IMMERGE, IMMIGRATE, IRRIGATE, MAGMA, MARGARITA, MARRIAGE, MEAGER, MERGE, MERGER, MIGRATE, MIRAGE, MITIGATE, RAGER, REGGAE, REGRET, RETAG, RETARGET, TARGET, TETRAGRAM, TIGER, TRIAGE, TRIGGER

Questions/comments – email Yoni at koshercroswords@gmail.com

CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES

Friday, May 27, 2022 Shabbat ends, May 28, 2022 Friday, Jun 3, 2022 Shabbat ends, Jun 4, 2022 Friday, Jun 10, 2022 Shabbat ends, Jun 11, 2022 Friday, Jun 17, 2022 Shabbat ends, Jun 18, 2022 Friday, Jun 24, 2022 Shabbat ends, Jun 25, 2022 Friday, Jul 1, 2022 Shabbat ends, Jul 2, 2022 Friday, Jul 8, 2022 Shabbat ends, Jul 9, 2022 Friday, Jul 15, 2022 Shabbat ends, Jul 16, 2022

4:54 pm 5:53 pm 4:51 pm 5:51 pm 4:49 pm 5:50 pm 4:49 pm 5:51 pm 4:51 pm 5:52 pm 4:53 pm 5:55 pm 4:57 pm 5:59 pm 5:02 pm 6:03 pm

MOVIE REVIEWS

TOP GUN: MAVERICK (M) BY ALEX FIRST

Top Gun: Maverick is everything I wanted and more from a sequel 36 years on.

It is tense, action-packed, antiestablishment and cheeky, with romance thrown in for good measure.

After three decades, one of the Navy’s top aviators is still doing things his way, breaking rules and getting into trouble.

I speak of Pete Mitchell, aka Maverick (Tom Cruise), whose “antics” see him unable to rise in rank beyond that of captain.

After another such episode, apart from being chewed out (which is par for the course), he is unexpectedly summoned back to his previous base.

That is at the behest of his former rival, now the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer).

Maverick is pumped, until he is told in no uncertain terms that he won’t be taking to the skies as a fighter pilot, rather becoming an instructor.

And the man reading him the riot act, Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm), further makes it clear this will be his final assignment.

His task and that of his charges will be the toughest of their careers.

An unnamed enemy has developed a uranium plant, which is heavily fortified, and poses a threat to allies in the region.

The adversary has the benefit of advanced aviation technology and Maverick has three weeks in which to train the new crop of the best of the best fighter pilots.

Worth the wait

A precarious pursuit

They must seize the smallest window of opportunity before the plant becomes operational.

The target is minuscule, surrounded by high mountains. If truth be told, what is being asked of these brave aerialists amounts to a suicide mission.

Among their number is the son of Maverick’s former best buddy, Goose, who died in his arms.

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller) blames Maverick for not protecting his father and for shanghaiing his (Rooster’s) career by four years.

Then there’s the cock sure Jake “Hangman” Seresin (Glen Powell), who keeps telling his cohort just how good he is.

In fact, there are a dozen gun performers put up for the mission, only six of whom will be given the nod, the rest remaining as backup.

From day one, Maverick leads them a merry dance and, naturally, it is not all blue skies and sunshine.

The Top Gun: Maverick script by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie is a beauty.

It is one that will appeal to both fans of the original and those without that history.

Director Joseph Kosinski, who worked with Cruise on Oblivion, has done a fine job integrating the backstory into the present, enabling the characters to move forward.

Even after all these years, Cruise is totally at ease wearing the hero’s bomber jacket and, dare I say, it still fits comfortably.

Around him the new fighter pilots also stand tall.

Among the most noteworthy is the aggrieved Rooster. Miles Teller puts on a good show, while Glen Powell channels arrogance with distinction as Hangman.

I also liked Bashir Salahuddin as Maverick’s right hand man, Bernie “Hondo” Coleman.

Hondo knows all too well just how far Maverick is willing to push and is loyal to a fault. Salahuddin brings warmth to the role.

As Admiral Solomon “Warlock” Bates, Charles Parnell traverses the fine line of trying to keep Maverick in line, while admiring his moxie.

Jennifer Connelly more than holds her own as Maverick’s love interest, Penny Benjamin. She is a strong willed and independent woman, who Maverick has hurt before, but remains attracted to his charm and attitude.

Visually, Top Gun: Maverick is stunning – the aerial manoeuvres in particular are, indeed, the stuff of dare devils.

But that is not to undersell the sea shots and those on land. It is an exercise in accentuating the best out of each scene, the work of Claudio Miranda (Oblivion).

There is also a throwback to footage from the Top Gun (1986), which is well worked into the story arc and a pleasant trip down memory lane.

Musically too, the score by Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer and Hans Zimmer works a treat, delivering no shortage of pulsating, energetic numbers.

So, there is a great deal to appreciate about Top Gun: Maverick, which remains true to the original concept.

It captures bravado, with a capital “B” and is thoroughly entertaining throughout.

Rated M, it scores an 8½ out of 10.

THE FORGER BY ALEX FIRST

Based on a remarkable true story, The Forger concerns an eternally optimistic 21-year-old Jewish man who fends for himself in the midst of the horrors of the Holocaust. We are in Berlin in 1942.

Cioma Schönhaus’ (Lewis Hofman) parents were rounded up and taken away.

He now lives alone in their apartment, overseen by officious landlord Mrs Peters (Nina Gummich).

A regular visitor, who becomes his roommate, is his good friend Det (Jonathan Berlin).

Raided by a member of the German Criminal Investigation Department, all Cioma’s parents’ possessions become the property of the State.

Cioma works in a factory – crafting the barrel of guns for the war effort – where, due to his religion, his boss barely tolerates him.

In return, he receives food ration cards.

Behind him are a couple of years spent studying graphic design. Then, unexpectedly, an opportunity arises to forge identity cards simply by employing a fine brush, ink and a steady hand. Cioma’s modus operandi is to do his best to lead as normal a life as possible.

With a smirk all but permanently on his face, he is bold and brazen – cavalier even.

After forging the identity of a marine officer, he attracts the attention of a young Jewish woman, Greta (Luna Wedler). But there are many potholes to navigate and Cioma risks life and limb in doing so.

The Forger is a captivating look at the precarious times in which it is set.

Writer and director Maggie Peren ensures there is tension throughout (from the opening scene), with fear being the stock in trade. Hofman’s excellent characterisation is that of a man swimming hard against the tide.

Often when Cioma appears on screen jaunty music (Mario Grigorov is responsible for that) accompanies him, hardly what one would expect in a Holocaust movie.

I also appreciated the representations of the other key players.

Berlin presents Det with youthful enthusiasm.

Wedler gives Greta a pragmatic mercenary streak.

Gummich sees Mrs Peters as tightly wound.

Marc Limpach maintains pressure on Cioma as Mr Kaufmann, the person who engages him to create false documents.

The Forger is yet another example of one of the many heroic stories woven from the darkest of times.

It is playing as part of the German Film Festival, which runs until 19th June.

For more information about the festival, go to https://germanfilmfestival. com.au

The Forger scores a 7½ out of 10.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

UNITED JEWISH EDUCATION BOARD

Recently the United Jewish Education Board (UJEB) celebrated another milestone – 127 years since inception.

Created in April 1895, the not-for-profit community-based organisation has since educated more than 30,000 Jewish students in upwards of 100 Victorian public schools.

UJEB’s executive principal Itzik Sztokman said the organisation runs programs that cater to children from foundation to year 12 and beyond.

“UJEB’s mission is to provide the highest quality of formal and informal Jewish education to learners outside the Jewish day school system and to strengthen Jewish continuity, identity and involvement.

“Over time our programs have adapted to the demographics and values of the community,” Mr Sztokman said. More families are turning to public schools. In response, UJEB continues to evolve its curriculum to include a vast array of Jewish experiential, immersive programs beyond a traditional classroom setting.

These include trips to Israel, Bar and Bat Mitzvah journeys, camps and other community engagement events.

UJEB parent Simone Zmood said knowing that the organisation provides Jewish education made it easy for them to move a number of children to a nonJewish school.

“UJEB partners with families and the community to make sure that children have the opportunity to access programs and gain an understanding of what being Jewish is, which students carry with them through their schooling,” Ms Zmood said.

Recent UJEB graduate, Joseph Folwell, who is now on his gap year in Israel said he never went to a Jewish school, “so UJEB was always the place that connected me to my Jewish identity and provided me with so many unique experiences that I would not have received otherwise.”

“Nothing makes us prouder than when our UJEB alumni return as leaders to instil that same love they have for their Jewish identity in the next generation of UJEB kids,” Mr Sztokman said.

“Since starting my role at UJEB, the students’ thirst for knowledge and excitement in developing a strong Jewish identity has been truly inspiring.”

The UJEB annual appeal – which runs throughout June – is looking to raise $180,000. The money will be used to increase resources for programs in non-Jewish schools and for community engagement activities.

Donations over $2 are tax deductible and can be made at wwww.ujeb.org. au/donate

A celebration of teaching

UJEB’s Jewish life program incorporates Purim, which this year was celebrated in 18 schools, including Caulfield Junior College, where this photo was taken.

To obtain further information, go to: UJEB Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.