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UIA 2023 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
UIA
United Israel Appeal (UIA) will launch its 2023 Campaign at an in-person event on Thursday, 17th November with guest speaker Sam Grundwerg, the world chairman of Keren Hayesod-UIA.
From 2016 to 2018, Grundwerg served as Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles. Before that, he was director general in Israel for the World Jewish Congress and advanced the overall mission to strengthen and support Jewish communities around the world, as well as the State of Israel and the Jewish People. He was recently named in The Jerusalem Post's top 50 most influential Jews of 2022.
Chairman of the World Board of Trustees, Steven Lowy AM, will also address supporters. Steven is a principal of LFG, the private investment business and family office of the Lowy Family Group.
This event provides UIA with a unique opportunity to report back to the community on the year’s fundraising activities and showcase the impact on at least some of the beneficiaries in Israel. This year has once again highlighted the importance that aliyah still plays in UIA’s work. The organisation will hear from a Ukrainian olah who was rescued from war-torn Ukraine, as well as the significant assistance UIA has provided in other national priority areas.
At the event, Hayley Southwick is retiring as the UIA Victoria president, after serving in the role for five years. She will formally welcome incoming president Peter Horovitz.
Under Hayley’s leadership, UIA adopted new technology platforms to streamline processes, undertook a restructure, weathered a global pandemic, improved efficiency and created a robust organisation. Importantly, she rebuilt relationships and reengaged with donors.
Southwick said: “I am delighted to be handing over to Peter who has been an executive member for the past few years and already shown immense leadership, having spearheaded a number of important initiatives.”
This is not the end of the UIA chapter for Southwick, who will remain on the board and an active member of the UIA family. “I am sad to stand down, but I feel so fulfilled. I am so proud of everything that we have achieved. Every leader needs to know when it is time to step aside and let a new leader take the organisation forward with fresh eyes”.
UIA Victoria CEO Jeff Feldman said: “This year’s AGM will be particularly poignant with moving testimony by Jews rescued from mortal danger in Ukraine. As we prepare to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary next year we highlight the vital role UIA still plays in world Jewry. We also acknowledge a change in our leadership and Hayley Southwick’s enormous contribution to the organisation. It will be an important evening with our world chairman attending and an opportunity for all donors and supporters to truly understand our collective impact on the People of Israel. I sincerely hope you can join us.”
UIA 2023 Campaign launch & AGMs
World chairman of Keren Hayesod-UIA, Sam Grundwerg
Registration is essential. Click on events.uiavic.org/22AGM, call 92725533 or email info@uiavic.org.au
Indian Jewish exhibition at Leo Baeck Centre
2023 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH & AGM
BY VAL SILBERBERG
THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER Jews have thrived in India without persecution for more than 1,800 years. The original synagogues date back to A special evening paying tribute and farewell the 16th century. Although there are now only 5,000 Jews outgoing President Hayley Southwick in the country, the Jewish population reached a high of 35,000 in 1954. After Indian Independence in 1957, Jews started to migrate to Israel. The 40 surviving synagogues in India were built by five distinct Jewish communities. Leo Baeck Centre – 31-37 Harp Road, Kew – is hosting a “Synagogues of India” exhibition that celebrates the heritage and culture of Indian Jews.
It features prints of watercolours by American Professor Jay A Warner PhD.
The exhibition has been organised by the Leo Baeck Arts’ Centre in conjunction with the Indian Jewish Association of Australia and New Zealand.
The prints can be viewed after Shabbat services or from Wednesday to Friday between 10am and 2pm until 4th December.
Entry is free. Please phone the synagogue on 9819-7160 to let them know you are coming ahead of time.
SAM GRUNDWERG STEVEN LOWY AM
Keren Hayesod-UIA World Chairman, former Consul General of Israel in LA
Cocktails 6.30pm | Formalities 7.30pm Central Shule 4 Maple Street, Caulfield South Register events.uiavic.org/22AGM
