customs and values with students from regional Victoria
page 15)
Rabbi Yaakov Glasman AM at St Kilda Shule, sharing Jewish
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ANNE-MARIE ELIAS CONSIDERED OPINION
In psychology, attachment is defined as a deep and enduring emotional bond between people.
Attachment theory suggests that the early bonds established between infant and caregiver set the foundation for later relationships and continue to affect attachments throughout life. The way we relate to other people and form emotional bonds in our relationships are known as attachment styles. This concept was developed by psychologist John Bowlby and expanded further by Mary Ainsworth.
These styles are classified into four primary categories: secure, anxious, avoidant and disorganised. Each influences how people perceive and respond to intimacy, trust and conflict in their relationships, significantly impacting their interpersonal dynamics.
1. Individuals with a secure attachment style generally have a positive view of themselves and others. They are comfortable with intimacy and can build healthy, trusting relationships. They tend to communicate openly, express their feelings and seek support when needed. As a result, their relationships are often characterised by mutual respect, empathy and effective conflict resolution. Securely
KOSHER CROSSWORD
Fostering and furthering attachment
attached individuals are also more likely to engage in healthy relationship behaviours, such as compromising during disagreements and providing emotional support to their partners.
2. In contrast, those with an anxious attachment style often experience fear of abandonment and seek constant reassurance from their partners. They may become overly preoccupied with the relationship, interpreting their partner’s actions through a lens of insecurity. This can lead to behaviours such as clinginess or jealousy, which can strain the relationship. Anxiously attached individuals may struggle with communication, often feeling misunderstood or unappreciated. Their need for reassurance can create a cycle of anxiety that affects not only their well-being, but also their partner’s emotional state.
Rebels
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There are sheva of them
"Jaws" star Scheider 20. Sink or swim, e.g. 21. How to sing, ideally
Antonio or Jose lead-in 41. Old word meaning "before" 42. John ___-Davies of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy
43. Well known tefilla (Var.) 44. Biblical rebel (Numbers)
Biblical rebel (Melachim II)
Bereishit big three
Jewish teen org.
of anxious and avoidant behaviours, leading to confusion and unpredictability in relationships. Individuals may desire closeness, but simultaneously fear it, creating a push-pull dynamic that can be exhausting for both partners. This ambivalence can lead to chaotic and unstable relationships, where trust is hard to establish.
Understanding these attachment styles is crucial to fostering healthier, more fulfilling and resilient relationships, enhancing emotional well-being and connection.
3. People with an avoidant attachment style typically value independence and may feel uncomfortable with closeness. They often suppress their emotions and avoid intimate relationships, fearing vulnerability and dependence. This can manifest itself in a reluctance to communicate feelings or engage in deep emotional connections. As a result, avoidantly attached individuals may come across as distant or uninterested, which can create frustration and confusion for their partners. The avoidance of emotional intimacy often leads to superficial relationships, where deeper connections are never fully realised.
4. The disorganised attachment style is characterised by a lack of clear attachment behaviour, often the result of trauma or inconsistent caregiving in childhood. Manifestations include a mix
Awareness of one’s own attachment style can lead to personal growth and improved relational dynamics. For instance, an anxiously attached individual may benefit from developing self-soothing techniques and practicing open communication, while an avoidant person might work on embracing vulnerability and emotional expression. Attachment styles play a significant role in shaping how individuals relate to one another. By recognising these styles, people can navigate their relationships more effectively, addressing potential issues before they escalate.
As British psychiatrist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby said: “Building secure attachments requires creating a safe and nurturing environment, where trust can flourish.”
Anne-Marie Elias is a psychologist in clinical practice for 25 years.
5. Montana capital
6. May parsha (this year)
7. Disney lion
8. Har where Yaakov saw angels
9. Rap megastar
10. Bomb
11. Canal of note
12. Disney rat
17. Jewish season
22. City of Kings, for short
24. Financial chan.
25. Israeli child
26. Bonus
27. Turn the trip meter to 000
28. Sister of Elizabeth I
30. Big name in Torah commentary
31. First name in terrorism
32. Entertaining Shore
35. Tabula ___ (clean slate)
38. One way Jews might defend themselves
39. "Alas!"
43. Cunning
45. Bar or Pearl
47. Southern Arizona city
48. Do, in the Torah
50. Teased (with "with")
52. Locale
53. Back muscles, briefly
54. Start of an incantation
56. Part of a U.S. commonwealth
57. Bibi's wife
58. Baby food choice
59. Range in "The Sound of Music"
62. Range abbr.
Chili heat unit
Killer mammal
Pampering spot
Midrash ___
Biblical rebel (Yirmiyahu)
One of 34-Across
Natural opening?
Links hazard
Beginning of a fast day 67. Rickles of comedy
Chutzpah Down
Maccabiah or Saba
Har where Moshe saw Israel
Requiring little effort
YONI GLATT
MAUREEN BARTEN PRESIDENT PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM VICTORIA AROUND THE COMMUNITY
This article is based on a recent conversation with Lesley Sachs, incoming chair of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ).
What happens in Israel doesn’t stay in Israel. It influences global Jewish policy, funding and leadership.
In recent years, Israel has found itself at a crossroads. The country’s democratic foundations, once considered unshakable, are now under increasing strain. For many Australians, especially those who care deeply about Jewish values, this may feel distant. But what’s happening in Israel today has profound implications for the future of Judaism, both there and here.
The Reform movement in Israel, a beacon of liberal, egalitarian Judaism, is facing unprecedented challenges:
• Legal battles over land rights for synagogues and schools;
• Online harassment of girls celebrating their bat mitzvahs; and
• Physical attacks on congregations and community spaces.
These are not isolated incidents, rather part of a broader campaign marginalising a movement that stands for inclusion, equality and democracy. At the same time, the Israeli government
World Zionist Congress elections – your voice matters
has resumed efforts to weaken judicial oversight by:
• Bypassing Supreme Court rulings;
• Delaying key judicial appointments; and
• Undermining the institutions that protect civil rights and religious freedom.
The Reform movement is one of the few religious voices consistently standing up for democracy, organising protests, submitting legal opinions and advocating for justice in the Knesset. But this isn’t just about politics. It’s about
people. Reform rabbis and congregants across Israel continue to serve with resilience and compassion. For example:
• Many are still displaced from their homes in the north and south, yet remain deeply committed to their communities;
• Weekly Havdalah services calling for the return of hostages still in captivity are held in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv;
• Victims of racism receive legal support through the movement’s Racism Crisis Center; and
• Shared society initiatives bring together Jews and Arabs in acts of solidarity and cooperation.
These are not just programs. They are expressions of Jewish values in action.
Looking ahead, the Reform movement has a bold and inclusive five-year vision, namely to:
• Broaden its influence by developing lay, rabbinical and young leadership;
• Strengthen congregations; and
• Serve as a spiritual and educational anchor for Israeli society.
The upcoming World Zionist Congress elections are crucial. They determine who controls the leadership and budgets of major Zionist institutions, directly impacting how millions are
allocated. For Australian Jews, this shapes Progressive Jewish life especially across education and shlichim. This isn’t just about Israel; it’s a global partnership, including our community here.
A growing campaign is working to reverse the progress made by Liberal Jewish movements. These efforts challenge gender equality, inclusive education and access to essential services. If successful, they could divert critical funding away from communities that promote a pluralistic and democratic vision for Israel.
This is not just about Israel. It’s about the soul of Judaism and standing together, across oceans, to ensure that our shared values endure.
Progressive Judaism needs your vote to help shape a Jewish future that reflects our shared values and vision. Every Progressive Jew in Australia over 18 can vote. Every synagogue member, every parent of a child in a Progressive Jewish school, every person who believes in a Judaism that welcomes all, your voice matters.
To register and vote between July 1st and 27th, go to: https://arza.org.au/wzcelections/
THE COMMUNITY
DAVID SCHULBERG AROUND
I interviewed three international presenters from Israel who attended the festival of Jewish ideas, Limmud Oz 2025, in Melbourne. Below are summaries of these interviews, which can be listened to in full by downloading ‘The Israel Connexion’ podcasts from the J-AIR (88 FM) website or from OmnyStudio (https:// omny.fm/shows/israel-connexion).
Alex Sinclair is an expert in Israel education and Israel-diaspora relations. Sinclair focuses on exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how to engage with Israel in an honest and open-minded way. He emphasises the importance of Israel education over advocacy and creating spaces for diverse perspectives and opinions within the Jewish community.
Sinclair's sessions at Limmud Oz covered topics related to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, trauma in Israeli society, and how to discuss Israel in the context of more extremist political elements. His goal is to provide honest, open and clear-eyed education about Israel, rather than advocacy for a particular political position. Sinclair strongly distinguishes between Israel education and Israel advocacy, arguing that education should be a broad spectrum that allows for the expression of diverse opinions and critiques. He believes that narrowing Israel education to advocacy can exclude people who want to learn and engage with Israel, but don't want to be "all in" with a particular political stance.
Sinclair acknowledges that there are often multiple, sometimes contradictory "truths" when it comes to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. He argues that it's important to be able to hold different truths simultaneously, rather than trying to fit everything into a binary "all okay" or "none of it's okay" perspective.
Sinclair affirms the strong historical, biblical and archaeological connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, which he sees as a compelling and legitimate basis for Zionism and Jewish self-determination. However, he also recognises that the Palestinians have a legitimate claim to the land and that both peoples have a right to self-determination in the region, even if their claims are not equal in historical depth. He believes the only feasible solution is for both peoples to find a way to live with each other, despite the challenges and hatreds that have built up over decades.
Linda Gradstein is a journalist with more than 30 years’ experience. My discussion with her covered various topics related to the ongoing war in Gaza, including:
• Gradstein's views on the current situation in Gaza and her criticism of Israel's military strategy;
• The potential for a political solution to the conflict and the challenges involved;
• The impact of the conflict on Israel's international reputation and diplomatic standing; and
• The role of the media in reporting on the conflict and the issue of bias in coverage.
Diverse voices from Limmud Oz 2025
Gradstein believes that Israel's goal of eliminating Hamas is a mistake and unlikely to succeed. She suggests that Israel had a chance to reach a deal in March that could have ended the war and led to an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, but instead chose to renew the conflict.
Gradstein questions what Israel is trying to achieve in Gaza, as Hamas is now significantly weakened and no longer has the ability to attack Israel as it did before. She argues that Israel should have as little involvement in Gaza as possible, as the area is now largely destroyed and reconstruction will take years, if not decades.
Gradstein believes that the lack of a clear political solution or endgame for Gaza is a major problem, as chaos in the region is not desirable. She suggests that there were opportunities for a deal before the latest round of fighting in March, but Israel has refused to discuss any political solution. Gradstein sees the current situation as an opportunity to "completely redo the Middle East" if the war in Gaza can be resolved, with the potential for a moderate Arab-Sunni coalition to emerge with Israel.
Gradstein expresses concern that Israel is becoming an "international pariah" due to the diplomatic damage caused by the conflict, with Israeli academics and others facing difficulties in the international arena. She believes that Israel needs to do more in terms of "Hasbara" (public diplomacy) to explain its position and provide context for its actions, rather than simply complaining about biased media coverage. She disagrees with Israel's decision to ban Al Jazeera, as she believes it is important for Israeli voices to be heard on the network.
Gradstein acknowledges the challenges in reporting on the conflict due to the restrictions on foreign
journalists in Gaza, but she does not agree with the notion that media coverage is inherently biased against Israel. She argues that journalists should strive for balance and context in their reporting, rather than objectivity and that Israel should be more proactive in engaging with the media, to provide information and explanations. She is wary of the use of AI in journalism, as she believes it can be unreliable and prone to errors, and that human judgment and expertise are still essential.
Israel correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Dina Kraft discussed the issues facing the Arab community in Israel, particularly the rise in violence and organised crime. She provided insights into the factors contributing to this crisis, including systemic discrimination, lack of government investment and the influence of far-right political figures.
She also touched on the perspectives of Arab citizens towards the ongoing conflict with Gaza and their representation in the Israeli government.
Kraft says Arab community in Israel has seen a significant increase in violence and gang-related murders in recent years, with 244 Arab community members killed in 2023, more than double the previous year.
The breakdown of law and order in Arab society is attributed to systemic discrimination, lack of government funding and resources, and the influence of crime families and black markets.
She says policing in Arab communities has been inadequate, with less investment and a lack of cooperation from the community due to fear of retaliation from crime organisations. The appointment of far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir as the national security minister has further exacerbated the issue, as
he has been accused of neglecting the needs of the Arab community and having an anti-Arab bias.
Formally, Arab citizens have the same legal rights as Jewish Israelis, but they face structural discrimination in areas such as education, economic opportunities and access to public services.
Arab citizens are often viewed as a "fifth column" or potential threat to the State, leading to increased scrutiny and crackdowns on dissent, especially in the aftermath of October 7.
However, there have been efforts to promote a "shared society" and greater integration of Arab citizens, such as the inclusion of the Islamist Ra'am Party in the previous government coalition.
According to Kraft, Arab citizens in Israel have been less vocal in their criticism of the war in Gaza, partly due to fear of repercussions and the lack of coverage of the situation in Gaza in the Israeli media.
There has been an increase in support for Hamas among some Arab citizens, driven by the emotional impact of the violence and destruction in Gaza, though the majority still do not support Hamas. The different narratives and information sources available to Arab and Jewish Israelis contribute to the divergent perspectives on the conflict.
David Schulberg is a presenter on J-AIR 88FM. ‘The Israel Connexion’ is broadcast live on Wednesdays between 4 and 5pm, and repeated each Friday between 1 and 2pm.
In Sydney, his program can be heard on 2TripleO at 10am on Mondays.
One of the Limmud Oz sessions, with Josh Burns MP front and centre
JENNA UNGAR & TRACY ESSERS UIA AROUND THE COMMUNITY
The United Israel Appeal is proud to be raising vital funds to enable more therapeutic sessions for children and their families in need of healing post October 7 at the Keren Hayesod-UIAsupported ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran Rehabilitation Centre.
Located 20 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, the centre was established in 2005 by Didi and Major General (res.) Doron Almog – Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, in response to the need for a quality rehabilitative solution for their son, Eran, who was born with complex intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Help more children and their families heal through specialised therapy this EOFY
Following October 7, hundreds of children and families living in the Western Negev are in serious need of support to help overcome their unimaginable trauma. ADI NegevNahalat Eran is committed to meeting this need by utilising its existing resources, framework, professional staff and operational expertise. Funds raised through our end of financial year campaign will be used to expand the scope of services and ultimately support more children and their families through this resilience program. The program offers an emotional and therapeutic framework designed to help overcome posttrauma issues, including anxiety, behavioural challenges, feelings of
isolation, loss of control and more. Each patient is supported by their parents, educational staff and psychology services.
The needs to access this program have increased significantly since October 7. We are inviting you to partner with us to expand the specialised services to include more therapies and support more families through puppet therapy/theatre, equine therapy, music therapy, bibliotherapy and phototherapy.
Oshrit Kurs, mother of two children in the Resilience Program said: “Two of my children started canine therapy sessions at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran’s emotional therapy resilience program due to trauma they experienced from the events of the Swords of Iron War in the city of Ofakim and the general security situation in the south. Since they started, the improvement in their behaviour and sense of personal security is so clear. My daughter has begun to open up more and share her feelings. She feels a bit more secure and less afraid. My young son’s behaviour has begun to improve.
He is displaying a bit more maturity and sharing some of his feelings. And as a bonus, they are less afraid of dogs now!” UIA Victoria CEO Peter Horovitz said: “Being given the opportunity of supporting the children of Israel at this crucial time is a true privilege. UIA is immensely proud to be supporting the ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran Rehabilitation Centre, which will enable more children to access much needed therapy. I ask you to please give generously to this meaningful cause.”
For every wounded heart, there is a healing hand. This EOFY, we implore you to give that hand, to ensure that every child in Israel’s south can overcome trauma following October 7 with the support they need.
This program has been established in conjunction with the Israel Trauma Coalition and in coordination with the Merhavim Regional Council and other government authorities in the region.
Donate now at uiaaustralia.org.au or contact UIA on (03) 9272 5533 or email info@uiavic.org.au
How many common words of five or more letters can you spell using the letters in the hive?
Every answer must use the centre letter at least once. Letters may be reused in a word. There is a Jewish phrase that will use all seven letters.
Proper names and hyphenated words are not allowed. Score one point for each answer and three points for a Jewish related word that uses all seven letters.
Rating: 4 = Good; 6 = Excellent; 8 = Genius
ANSWERS PAGE 18
Tali and her bunny, Thumper, who provides emotional support as she recovers from trauma
Yoni Glatt has published more than 1,000 crossword puzzles worldwide, from the LA Times and Boston Globe to The Jerusalem Post. He has also published two Jewish puzzle books: "Kosher Crosswords" and the sequel "More Kosher Crosswords and Word Games".
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
THE KING DAVID SCHOOL
The King David School’s Year 8 students have celebrated their unique family histories and journeys through the Kabbalat Dorot (Generations) project.
Students thoroughly researched their family stories, interviewed family members and presented their findings to delighted parents and grandparents.
Principal Marc Light said, “the goal of this exercise was that our students should know where they have come from, be able to locate themselves in the chain of their family’s story and take agency as keeper of family lore and tradition”.
Director of Jewish Life and Learning, Ilan Bloch, conveyed this to the students through Kohelet Rabbah (a midrash on Ecclesiastes): “The words of the wise are … like a kid’s ball. Just as they pass the ball with their hands and it does not fall, so too Moses received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua and Joshua to the elders, and the elders to the prophets, and the prophets transmitted it to the members of the Great Assembly.” Bloch challenged students not to drop the ball of Jewish identity that had been passed along through the generations.
Ryder, a student, described his greatgrandfather’s journey as a Dunera Boy, fleeing the Holocaust to the haven of Australia on the ship The Dunera. Following what was characterised as a brutal journey, rather than being welcomed as refugees, the Dunera Boys were imprisoned as enemy aliens. Ryder described his pride in learning of his greatgrandfather pushing through adversity in the hope of freedom and going on to become a valuable contributor to Australian society.
Connecting students to their past, present and future
World leading academic receives King’s Birthday honour
PROFESSOR DAVID SHILBURY
The director of the Deakin Sport Network and the foundation chair of Sport Management at Deakin University, Professor David Shilbury, has been awarded an AM for significant service to sport management.
Born in Perth, Professor Shilbury moved to Melbourne in 1990 to take up an appointment as the first senior lecturer in Sport Management at Deakin University.
Subsequently, he became Head of School and Associate Dean.
Among the many accolades he has received in his distinguished career at the university, which spans 35 years, include the following:
• The inaugural Sport Management Association of Australia & New Zealand Distinguished Service Award;
• The Dr Earle F. Zeigler award from the North American Society for Sport Management;
• The Eunice Gill Award for Sport Management from the Victorian Sports Federation; and
• The Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence at Deakin University.
Professor Shilbury has been president of Golf Victoria since 2022. He was formerly a member of the AFL Tribunal.
He is also chair of the Scientific Committee for the UNESCO Chair in Sport Governance and Sustainability and a former member of the National Sport
Research Advisory Board of the Australian Sports Commission. He was a former advisor to Cricket Australia, Basketball Victoria and the Australian Touch Football Association.
Many leading lights in Australia’s top tier sports, including AFL, cricket, tennis and golf, have received their academic qualifications through Deakin University’s Sport Management programs, which have been guided by Professor Shilbury.
He said he was honoured to be recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia. “Deakin University has led the way in its contribution and commitment to sport education in this country,” Professor Shilbury said.
“The institution has enabled my colleagues and I to engage with and shape the next generation of sport leaders, a responsibility we are privileged to have.”
From left: Emily Ovadia, Sascha and Rebekah Barson-Boon, and Sue Gonn
From left: Mae Arvatz and Sarah Varker
From left: Olivia Khakham and India Landsberg
From left: Zara, Levi and Joel Cooper
Professor David Shilbury
AROUND THE
COMMUNITY
MAGEN DAVID ADOM
Magen David Adom mourns the death of IDF soldier Staff Sergeant Omer Van Gelder, z"l, an MDA volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), who was killed earlier this month in an explosion in a minefield in Jabaliya. Omer, a resident of Ma’ale Adumim, started in MDA as a youth volunteer in 2018, working at the MDA station in his hometown. While studying at AMIT Eitan High School, he successfully completed MDA's First Aid Instructor course in 2020, training and mentoring new youth volunteers in the organisation. After high school, while studying at the Elisha pre-military academy, he continued his training in MDA and completed the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course, serving as a first responder.
Omer Van Gelder was 22 at the time of his death.
He is survived by his parents, two brothers, a sister – also an MDA volunteer – and his partner. He was laid to rest at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery. His fellow MDA volunteers described Omer as a standout volunteer, beloved and dedicated, who touched, influenced and saved many lives during
ISRAEL
his years of volunteering in MDA. In his eulogy, Arbel Cohen, EMT and a member of the MDA National Youth Council, said: "It’s hard for me to speak of Omer in the past tense. I met him at the beginning of our volunteering in MDA and we quickly became close friends.
He was always the first to help and always with a smile on his face. He had a great sense of humor and even used it in the medical care he provided, always professionally. He was deeply dedicated to everything he did — both in MDA and during his military service.
Omer always looked for ways to lead, command and guide the next generation. He will be sorely missed at the Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim MDA stations and across the entire organisation. May his memory be a blessing."
MDA Director General Eli Bin said: "The State of Israel has lost a first-class fighter and commander, and the Magen David Adom family has lost a talented and exceptional volunteer whose mission in life was saving lives and helping others. We mourn his passing and send our condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
He will be missed by all of us. May his memory be a blessing."
Omer Van Gelder z"l
The Australian Friends of the Hebrew University will celebrate a historic milestone this August: 100 years since the opening of the Hebrew University’s first campus on Mount Scopus. The centenary event will honour the university’s global contributions to knowledge, innovation and Jewish life.
The guest of honour will be Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson, Chancellor and former President of the Hebrew University. A respected academic and public figure, Professor Ben-Sasson has led in both higher education and Israeli public life, including serving in the Knesset and as Chairperson of its Constitutional Committee.
The event will also feature a panel discussion, moderated by Alon Cassuto, CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia, titled “Diversity & Freedom of Speech at Universities”. Cassuto is a lawyer and community advocate who brings a personal connection (his parents met there as students) to the university. The panel will include Professor Ben-Sasson, Dr Inbar Levy and Galya Haim, offering perspectives on academic freedom and inclusion in higher education.
A special highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Scopus Award to journalist and author Sharri Markson.
Celebrating a century of excellence and innovation
Markson will be the first Australian recipient of this prestigious honour, which recognises individuals who demonstrate outstanding support for education, Israel and the Jewish community.
The idea for a Hebrew University was first proposed by Hermann Zvi Shapira at the First World Zionist Congress in 1897. The cornerstone was laid in 1918 and the university officially opened in 1925. Its founders included some of the most influential Jewish thinkers of the 20th century – Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Martin Buber and Chaim Weizmann.
Today, the Hebrew University is Israel’s premier academic and research institution, ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide. With six campuses and achievements across fields such as medicine, agriculture, computer science and the humanities, the university has made an enduring global impact. Its alumni include Nobel Laureates, Supreme Court Justices and world-renowned scientists.
The university is also home to the Einstein Archives, the centrepiece of its intellectual heritage, and continues to pioneer research that benefits society everywhere.
The Hebrew University is raising funds to establish a world-leading Centre for Computational Medicine, aiming to transform healthcare through datadriven, personalised treatment. By combining artificial intelligence with vast patient datasets, the Centre will
enable earlier disease detection and more effective therapies for conditions such as cancer, metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration. Building on successes such as a breakthrough blood test to detect cancer by analysing DNA fragments, developed by Professors Yuval Dor and Ruth Shemer, the new facility will house advanced research labs, smart teaching spaces and the Tzameret Military Medicine Program.
CEO of the Australian Friends, Rob Schneider, said the centenary is “a celebration not only of the Hebrew University’s extraordinary past, but of its enduring importance to Israel, the Jewish people and the world. It’s an opportunity to honour a century of achievement and recommit to its next hundred years.”
Bringing together academics, alumni, supporters and community leaders, the event promises to be a meaningful tribute to one of the Jewish world’s greatest institutions and to the enduring values of education, excellence, and progress that the Hebrew University represents.
The event will take place in Melbourne on Thursday 31st July. For booking details, go to https://austfhu.org.au
Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson (photo by Bruno Charbit)
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
DAVID SOLOMON, CEO AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
A groundbreaking study from Tel Aviv University has revealed an alarming new chapter in the global plastic pollution crisis, one that’s happening out of sight, deep within the marine food web. According to the research, marine animals aren’t just ingesting microplastics, they’re transforming them into stealth pollutants that silently disrupt entire ecosystems.
Led by PhD candidate Eden Harel, alongside Professors Noa Shenkar and Ines Zucker, the Tel Aviv University team has shown that microplastics pass through the digestive systems of filterfeeding marine animals and emerge cloaked in faecal matter. This coating masks the plastic’s identity, making it virtually undetectable by scientists and other marine organisms.
“Many marine animals feed on faeces,” explains Harel. “If plastic particles are disguised as organic material, they may be consumed again and again, spreading further through the food web. What’s worse, the plastic can act as a magnet for bacteria, heavy metals and drug residues, turning it into a toxic delivery system.”
How invisible plastic is quietly wrecking our oceans
The study focused on ascidians –small, filter-feeding animals found throughout the world’s oceans – and their interaction with two common types of plastic: conventional polystyrene
and a so-called “green” alternative, polylactic acid (PLA). After just two hours of filtration, the ascidians had removed 90 per cent of the microplastics from the water. But within 48 hours, those same particles re-entered the water, this time inside faeces.
Professor Shenkar, a marine biologist at TAU’s Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, says this finding changes the conversation around plastic pollution.
“We’ve long focused on where microplastics go. Now, we’re learning how plastic changes as it travels through marine life and how those changes make it even more dangerous.”
Perhaps most concerning is that plastics marketed as biodegradable may not live up to their promise in realworld marine conditions. “Unless these bioplastics fully degrade, they become just another form of particle pollution,” says Professor Zucker of the Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at TAU. “And like traditional plastics, they too can change form and function as they move through the food chain.”
The study also found that faeces containing microplastics sink much faster
Tel Aviv University Optimism at work
A healing solution
Countless TAU students have lost loved ones or endured unimaginable trauma, and many now suffer from PTSD. To address this crisis TAU established Israel’s most advanced post-trauma clinic, providing cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments developed by our globally-renowned researchers over the last 30 years. The clinic has become a critical resource for Israel, treating many TAU students struggling to rebuild their futures.
than normal faeces, denying mid-water marine creatures a key food source and leading to harmful accumulations of waste and plastic on the seafloor. This build-up may boost levels of carbon and nitrogen, fuelling algal blooms that further upset marine balance.
Published in the journal Chemosphere, the Tel Aviv University research exposes how microplastic pollution isn’t just widespread – it’s also shape-shifting and increasingly invisible.
“Our work shows this problem is more complex and insidious than we thought,” says Professor Harel. “We can’t afford to treat plastic pollution as a surface issue anymore. It's happening in ways we can’t always see, but marine life feels the impact every day.”
However, the study also shines a light on what is ahead. By understanding how plastic behaves in the real marine world – not just in lab settings – scientists are laying the groundwork for smarter solutions. “To solve a problem, we first have to see it clearly,” says Harel. “With each new discovery, we’re getting closer to outsmarting plastic and giving the ocean a fighting chance.”
A researcher analysing the secretions of marine animals
The Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
JDC (THE JOINT) AUSTRALIA
When Eva Fischl OAM took a late night call from New York last month, she assumed it was simply another update from colleagues at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) – the organisation she brought to Australia in 2012 and has championed ever since. Instead, JDC International president Annie Sandler was ringing with exciting news: the board had voted to present Fischl with its Ma’asim Tovim (Good Deeds) Award, a distinction bestowed only once before in the organisation’s 110 year history.
Fischl’s life story sits at the heart of her connection to the JDC. Born in a Nazi holding camp in Hungary in 1944, she survived the war in hiding, thanks to a courageous gentile woman who posed as her aunt. In 1950, the JDC arranged safe passage for Eva to Australia. She became one of 35,000 Holocaust survivors the organisation resettled here.
That experience has impacted her life’s work. She was the former president of Jewish Care NSW (now its life patron), a long time governor of the Jewish Communal Appeal and has also served on the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, National WIZO and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Recognition for a lifetime of selfless work
A decade ago, Fischl noticed that despite JDC’s historic role in Australia, the organisation itself had vanished from local memory.
Securing tax deductible status took five years of lobbying, including meetings with two prime ministers. Today, The Joint Australia is an established presence in Sydney and Melbourne. Its annual functions attract leading philanthropists,
raising millions for global Jewish welfare, elderly care and crisis relief. It has organised missions to countries around the world – most recently to Georgia and Azerbaijan – for Australians to witness The Joint’s work in vulnerable Jewish communities.
For Fischl, the Ma’asim Tovim Award is not a finale, but a fresh calling card for action, fuelling her determination
Israel’s pre-emptive strike
When true danger knocks, it does not shout. It comes quietly, like a shadow across the sun, and only those who have tasted fire know when to reach for water. There are moments in history when hesitation becomes surrender and silence a grave. When danger is real, wisdom is measured by the courage to act before the storm has spoken. In recent days, global attention has turned once more to the Middle East as an Israeli strike targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. To grasp the significance of this event, one must understand the nature of the Iranian regime, which has long imposed harsh restrictions on women, minorities and political dissent. While Persians form a majority, Iran is a diverse nation and the regime’s use of Shiite religious authority has long served to consolidate power and silence potential challenges from within.
From the earliest days of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini declared: “We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry ‘There is no god but Allah resounds over the whole world, there will be struggle.” This vision shaped Iran’s strategy across the region, especially in Iraq, where the Shiite majority posed a threat to Saddam Hussein’s Sunni rule. The result was the Iran-Iraq War, a brutal eight-year conflict, driven by the fear of revolutionary spread. This same impulse, exporting the revolution, remains central to Iran’s
foreign policy. To expand its reach, Iran aligned itself with the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israel. Through ideological and material support for groups in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria, Iran positioned itself as a regional power. This approach helped build a web of alliances, often rooted in religious or political grievance, that aimed to project Iranian influence while isolating Israel.
Iran’s backing of the Assad regime in Syria, the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon further advanced this vision Each alliance was not merely tactical but ideological, reinforcing
Iran’s aim to reshape the region in its own image. These relationships have left lasting scars across the Middle East, including civil wars, state collapse and entrenched militias.
For decades, Israel remained largely observant, relying on intelligence and strategic patience. From 1979 onward, it monitored Iran’s expansion but refrained from direct action, even as hostile forces encircled it.
In 1981, Israel broke that silence with Operation Opera, targeting Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor. Though widely condemned at the time, the strike was later vindicated, when Saddam Hussein
to deepen The Joint Australia’s partnership with the global JDC network and safeguard vulnerable Jewish communities wherever they are. Guided by a lifelong belief in collective responsibility, she remains committed to building a future where care knows no borders and every Jew feels the strength of a united people.
invaded Kuwait. The move, rooted in pre-emptive defence, demonstrated Israel’s readiness to act decisively when faced with existential threats.
The pattern repeated in recent years, as Iran armed Hezbollah and Hamas, both stationed on Israel’s borders. These groups, funded and trained by Tehran, launched coordinated rocket attacks and suicide bombings. Iran’s influence extended beyond Shiite groups, showing its strategic flexibility and determination to encircle Israel.
Today, with the Houthis joining Hamas and Hezbollah in striking Israel, the strategy is clear. Tehran’s aim is pressure through entrapment, strategic suffocation by proxy. But the danger now grows larger. An emerging alliance between Iran, Russia, China and North Korea threatens to create a bloc that could offer political and military guarantees to regimes under pressure. If allowed to crystallise, such an alliance risks igniting a broader global conflict. Israel’s recent strike must therefore be seen not as a mere retaliation, but as a calculated step to disrupt a path that could otherwise lead the world into a far darker era.
When true danger knocks, it does not shout. It comes quietly, like a shadow across the sun, and only those who have tasted fire know when to reach for water. That is what the Jewish state did.
Ab Boskany is an Australian poet and writer from a Kurdish/Jewish background.
Eva Fischl OAM (left) being presented with The JDC Ma'Asim Tovim Award by Annie Sandler (International President of JDC)
From left: Hadassah and US Senator Joe Lieberman (international patron of JDC (The Joint) Australia) with Eva Fischl in September 2017
AB BOSKANY
Ab Boskany
ADVENTURES CONSIDERED OPINION
RAMONA FREEDMAN
ALIYAH
When you think of Israel, many iconic images come to mind. Yet I would bet more than a few shekels that your Israeli reverie doesn’t include skipping through a vision of violet flowers above your head and below your feet. Over the last few weeks this has been a delight in my wistful world.
I would say it is akin to being transported into the midst of a lavish period drama, except all too frequently alerts blare from our maddening modern phones and we are catapulted back to the meta reality of the here and now. War. And there’s nothing floral and fragrant about that.
And yet, there are lavender lanes here in Ra’anana. How did this come to be?
Many years ago, at some unchronicled point post-World War II, there was a botanist or horticulturalist who planted sweet seedlings around Ra’anana and well beyond – each of which has grown into a gigantic jacaranda tree. These trees are not native to Israel, like the national olive tree, yet they thrive within this middle eastern ecosystem and environment – as seamlessly as pairing fresh falafel and hummus with perfect pita.
South Africans in Ra’anana claim the jacaranda as their own. Australians do the same. Both admire these jacaranda blooms and know that spring has sprung when they see these first flowers. Here in Ra’anana they are abundant right now and remind me of balmy spring days in my beloved Great Southern Land.
Apparently, jacaranda trees are originally native to South America. I can’t help thinking that those seedlings once upon a time brought to Ra’anana and Rose Bay alike were immigrants in a foreign land. In a way, aren’t we all? When I have my own little garden, I can’t wait to add to the lavender landscape all around me.
Well, from lanes to cranes, the transition couldn’t be starker. Let me introduce you to a bloom of a different variety. I am not referring to the tall wading birds of the same name, rather about construction cranes. In some areas of Ra’anana, without exaggeration, there is so much development of new buildings and the refurbishment of older structures that one genuinely wonders if Israel’s supply has the capacity to keep up with the rising demand.
Just how many cranes can Israel sustain? Turns out … an impressive number. This is a young and growing country on ancient land and Ra’anana development is but one example of what is witnessed across the length and breadth of it.
We are all indebted to the brilliant minds behind the creation and implementation of Israel’s Iron Dome, the miraculous mobile all-weather air defence system. It feels like it has been around for such a long time, but it was only first utilised in 2011. The gratitude for this protection is indescribable. It has meant that all these building projects,
Lavender lanes
one by one, have been completed and secured … as much as humanly possible, despite the best efforts of our enemies to destroy them. In between the jacarandas, at ‘crane central’, what else do we find? Blue and white Israeli flags. Almost every second property displays one year round in various sizes, each with the strength of our Star of David emanating from its core. There is a patriotism and nationalism that unites all, despite the presenters’ gesticulating histrionics on Israeli news channels featuring evening panel ‘discussions’ about the current state of our state.
Many days and nights far above the jacarandas, far above the construction sites, there is often a rolling rumble heard in the sky. Each time I can’t help but look up. Military aeroplanes that usually can’t be seen fly by. They are headed … elsewhere, once again with a clear-cut mission, part of which is to help defend our right to just live.
One morning recently, as I was sitting in my ulpan class, all around me were a little bleary-eyed as there had been a rocket launched from Yemen the night before at a rather ungodly hour. We were learning new Hebrew vocabulary and verbs. Nouns and phrases were deemed necessary.
These included: to launch a missile, to escape, unprecedented security, bodyguard, bullet proof, allies and sniper. And that was all before morning tea.
Just to add a little levity to the mix, if your name is Alan and you come to visit Israel, you may find it fascinating and more than slightly disconcerting that everywhere you go you hear your moniker. And that would be more than a
little surprising, given that the name Alan peaked in popularity back in 1951!
Dear Alan, turns out you aren’t losing your mind, you do hear something similar to your name readily bandied about around town. The word pronounced at every street corner in Israel is actually ‘ah-lan’ and was borrowed from Arabic. It is not a name per se, but rather a common greeting that is informal and friendly. So, Alan, when you hear ‘Ahlan’, you will now know precisely what is going on.
Navigating a new country is a marathon, not a sprint. We belong to a health insurance company called Maccabi. One day, after Hebrew classes, I decided I needed a break and wanted to speak in my mother tongue. I wanted to clarify a couple of medical things in English and didn’t think that was too much to ask.
So, I called the designated number and when language choice was an option, I knew if any language was selected other than Hebrew the wait would be several times longer. I didn’t care.
English please, thank you very much. I was surprised that English was the fourth language offered by the system. First came Hebrew (naturally), then Arabic (fair enough) and then Russian. Only then English, marginally ahead of French, as the fifth and final option. The French would be furious. Without doubt. I persevered, spoke English and booked what I needed. Eventually. By default, Israelis are loud. To verify this, you need not go any further than your local supermarket. There are so many comedic characters within. There is a funny mockumentary-style sitcom
here that is based on supermarket experiences and is widely loved. It is called Cash Register (this title sounds better in Hebrew). It is a mad meshuga microcosm of life here.
There are no English subtitles, but we pause this show every so often and get the gist of most of the humour. Of course, it is even funnier having shopped here over the past few months, all-the-while being made to feel like employees within are doing you a massive favour when all you are valiantly trying to do is give them money.
One mustn’t generalise, but cashiers here have this extraordinary ability to offer zero eye contact with customers while swiping items and chatting on their phones with their friends, like there is no tomorrow. Israel. Somehow it continues to defy the odds. But for all the fancy flowers, all the development and all the kosher Cornetto ice creams, sometimes it all just sits a little too heavily on my chest.
After all, everyone here knows that the price for this freedom. Th price for living in our homeland comes at such a high cost. At times it is hideously and heartbreakingly high. Our brave soldiers have my infinite respect. I pray fervently for our remaining hostages to be released. I pray for all working so hard across the entire Jewish world. I pray for all in the IDF and, whether or not these lovely local lavender flowers are in season, I pray at my shul, Kehillat Lev Ra’anana. I continue to pray daily. Right now, there is just so much and so many to pray for.
For now, it is over and out from Ramona in Ra'anana.
THOUGHT
RABBI DANIEL RABIN RABBINIC
There are moments in life when you’re holding more than a book – you’re holding a story, a soul, a symbol. That’s how I felt standing next to Liz Hirsh Naftali, as I held her book Saving Abigail. The image of Abigail Mor Edan on the cover, her curly hair and sweet innocent smile, seems almost too gentle to carry the weight of what the little girl endured. And yet, somehow, she does.
Abigail is the youngest Israeli American hostage taken on October 7. Her story is, in many ways, the story of this chapter in Jewish history – raw, painful, defiant and filled with unexpected resilience. Just three years old, Abigail saw her mother shot before her eyes. She was in her father’s arms when he was killed. She ran, covered in her father’s blood, not back home, but to a neighbour’s house, seeking safety and unknowingly walking into the hands of her captors.
For 51 days, she was held in Gaza alongside her young friend, Uriah Brodutch, and his siblings, cared for by their captive mother Hagar. Hagar became a guardian angel in hell.
Saving Abigail
She protected Abigail, embraced her as her own child and somehow preserved a flicker of love in the pit of darkness.
Liz Hirsh Naftali, Abigail’s great-aunt, thought Abigail had been murdered. She returned to the United States grieving, heartbroken, but determined
Building bridges
Recently, a group of 170 Year 11 students from regional Victoria visited St Kilda Shule. What made their visit particularly moving was the dedication it took for them to be here. They awoke at 4:00am and travelled more than three hours by bus from Wangaratta to Melbourne. Why? To learn. To connect. And for many of them, to meet Jewish people for the very first time in their lives.
The group came from Galen Catholic College, a school with a strong commitment to broadening its students’ horizons and fostering mutual understanding across cultures. The visit was part of an initiative to help students engage meaningfully with people of different faiths and backgrounds. It was a privilege for my synagogue to be part of that journey.
During their time at St Kilda Shule, the students learned about Judaism – our traditions, beliefs, holidays and values. They heard about the contribution of the Jewish community to Australian society and explored some of the common values we all share, such as the importance of education, community, kindness and respect for others.
Although the shule hosts many school groups – from a range of religious and cultural backgrounds – each year, this visit felt different. It was more than just a tour or an educational session. It was a genuine encounter between
that October 7 would not be erased. Then came the news that Abigail was alive. And with that, Liz became a woman on a mission – a new person, as she writes in her book. Her role expanded overnight from relative to advocate, from mourner to fighter.
She met with senators, journalists and presidents. She carried Abigail’s photo everywhere, planting it in the hearts of those she encountered. What’s remarkable is not just her fierce advocacy, but her belief in the goodness of people. That despite everything, hope, not hate, was her guiding light.
This is what struck me most during my conversation with Liz. That, in the face of horror, she doubled down on humanity. She wasn’t just fighting for one child. She was reminding the world that stories, personal and human stories, can break through political noise and ideological fog. Abigail was not a headline. She was a little girl with curls and courage. And she needed to come home.
And she did, but the work is far from over.
There are still hostages whose families wake up each morning wondering where their loved ones are. The Jewish world cannot “move on”.
The pain isn’t in the past. It is ongoing. And Liz knows this. She continues to campaign, speak, write and remind us that one person, armed with purpose, can shake the heavens and stir the world into action.
When I held Saving Abigail, I wasn’t just thinking of her. I was thinking of every child in harm’s way. Every parent afraid to send their kids to school. Every community wondering what kind of world we are passing on to the next generation.
Liz said it best: “This is a moral moment. It’s not about one religion. It’s about all people.” The fight for Abigail was not just to bring her home, but to bring back a sense of moral clarity, to ask ourselves what kind of world we want to live in and what we are willing to do to create it.
As we look at that little girl and her story of survival, we are reminded that hope isn’t abstract. It is fierce. It is urgent. It is stubborn. And it lives in the hearts of those who refuse to give up.
May we be those people. May we carry their stories. And may we never stop fighting until every child is safe, every hostage is free and every innocent life is cherished.
communities that may never have crossed paths otherwise. The students came with open hearts and curious minds, and the energy in the room was uplifting.
The respectful questions they asked, the thoughtful discussions that followed, and the warmth with which they responded left a lasting impression on me and on all our volunteers.
Kol hakavod to these students for their enthusiasm and for embracing the opportunity to learn about a tradition
unfamiliar to them. And full kudos to the leadership of Galen Catholic College for its vision in organising the visit. It takes insight and courage to create experiences that take students out of their comfort zones and into the rich, diverse reality of modern Australian life.
I commend the school for initiating this outstanding educational experience for its Year 11 students.
The efforts of these students too should be applauded. I have no doubt their interaction with the Jewish community
will positively inform their worldview about other cultures and faiths.
May we see more of this kind of bridgebuilding in our society.
It not only helps dismantle ignorance, but also fosters mutual respect and lasting understanding between communities.
And who knows? Some of these students might go on to share what they learned with others, creating a ripple effect far beyond what we can imagine.
From left: Author Liz Hirsh Naftali with Rabbi Daniel Rabin
RABBI YAAKOV GLASMAN AM
Rabbi Yaakov Glasman AM with students from Wangaratta's Galen Catholic College at St Kilda Shule
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RABBI ARON MOSS RABBINIC
When President Bill Clinton was locked out of the kitchen
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It was 1996. Bill Clinton, the sitting President of the United States, was coming to Sydney on an official state visit. He was to stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, one of the fanciest in town, located in the beautiful suburb of Double Bay.
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there without the rabbi knowing? Did the hotel hold a second key? This could compromise the kosher status of the kitchen. This is serious.
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This was big news. In the days and weeks leading up to the President’s arrival, the local media reported widely on every detail of the visit. One story claimed that CIA agents had made a sweep of the entire hotel in advance of the President’s stay, not only checking the Presidential Suite, but every room in the building, looking for explosives or any suspicious objects.
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Melbourne Jewish Report Disclaimer:
For most, this was no more than a curious piece of news trivia, but for one person reading the story, alarm bells started ringing. Rabbi Aron Amzalak knew there was something wrong and he needed to take action.
The Ritz-Carlton had a dedicated kosher kitchen and, as far as he knew, the only person in the world who possessed a key to that kitchen was Rabbi Amzalak. He was the kosher supervisor of the kitchen and to maintain its integrity no one could gain access without him.
The rabbi did some urgent investigating and soon uncovered the truth. The Presidential security guards did, indeed, check every room in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, except for one. The kosher kitchen remained locked. Their request to open it was denied. There no man could go without the rabbi’s permission. Not even the President.
Except where expressly stated otherwise, content in The Melbourne 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.
The Jewish Report; ISSN 2204-4639
When Clinton finally arrived at the hotel, every room had a CIA-approved sticker on its door handle, but that kitchen had a different sticker, a kosherapproved seal.
This true story serves as a little reminder that no matter who you are, there is a Power above you. There is security provided by guards, but a deeper security comes from safeguarding the mitzvot.
The Secret Service can only go so far. The service of G-d can open any door.
Publisher: The Jewish Report Pty Ltd (ACN 167302981)
The news story reported that every room in the hotel was security checked, without exception. Was this in fact true? Did that include the kosher kitchen? How did Bill Clinton’s security get in
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Rabbi Aron Amzalak passed away last month, after serving the Sydney community for more than 50 years. May his memory be a blessing.
From left: Rabbi Aron Moss with Rabbi Aron Amzalak, at the celebration of the latter’s 50 years of service to the community in 2023
BY ALEX FIRST LIVING
ART REVIEW
SWINGERS:
THE ART OF MINI GOLF
Have you ever thought about playing mini golf with a tail? No, I am not off with the pixies.
Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf, a nine-hole course above Flinders Street Station, gives you that experience. I kid you not.
And, I should quickly add, it is far from easy swinging from the hips with a bushy appendage, which serves as the putter, trying to accurately direct a “soft” ball.
That is the only “hole” when players are required to down a traditional putter.
Still, the word “ball” is a misnomer on another, when the object being struck isn’t round. Instead, it is a perfectly formed cube. After all, who dictates that mini golf must be played with a sphere?
And on the ninth, you can figuratively “ride the wave” in your endeavour to ace the hole.
Swingers is a playable art exhibition, in which the holes themselves – realised by artists living across five continents –are the artwork.
Both highly creative and heaps of fun, it is the brainchild of nine adventurous female artists who tap (yes, a deliberate pun) into mini golf’s roots.
For, in case you didn’t know, it was invented by 19th century Scottish women who were banned from real courses, but refused to sit on the sidelines.
Each Swingers’ participant is given a score card, a small pencil and a coloured ball.
Then, they are directed to a board that outlines the house rules (also printed on the back of the score card), which includes a 10-stroke limit on all holes.
Next, you select one of three different sized and different coloured –red, green and black – putters, before heading to the adjacent practice “putting green”.
Then, it is into the action proper.
The first hole, named Ananyi –Travelling, by Kaylene Whiskey, features an indigenous theme.
The second, Hole for the Simion Crone, by Natasha Tontey, played over two rooms, sees you try to navigate skulls.
The third, called Facetime, by Pat Brassington, involves you rolling the
Teeing off … with a decided difference
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ball by hand into a moving face with an open mouth.
Four, Square peg, round hole. NO!, by Delaine Le Bas, I described earlier.
Five, Soda Jerk, has an animated backdrop – think rabbits, burrows and Teletubbies.
The sixth hole, by Saeborg, is where animal golf is played, sans shoes, and with your choice of a selection of tails.
Seven, Domestica, by Nabilah Nordin, features a potpourri of bread sticks.
Number eight, Swamp Flower, by Bktherula, is realised in black and white.
And on the ninth, Wave of Fortune, by Miranda July, you putt from anywhere on the shoreline, up and into “the wave”.
Having checked your scorecard, you can return to the clubhouse to enjoy a libation, if you so choose.
Swingers: What a grand idea. Mini golf, as you have never seen it, or played it … with more than the odd curve ball.
It is on, above Flinders Street Station, until 31st August.
Allow 45 minutes to navigate the course.
For more details and tickets, go to https://2025.rising.melbourne/ program/swingers
