This September, captivity survivor Eli Sharabi will visit Sydney, Melbourne and Perth as the keynote speaker for JNF Australia’s 2025 annual campaign, Together, We Rise With Israel.
In the face of adversity, the people of Israel continue to rise. From the tragedy of October 7 to the most recent missile attacks from Iran, Israel has endured one of the most challenging chapters in its modern history. Yet amid the devastation, the strength, courage and unity of its people have shone brightly.
It is this spirit that inspired the 2025 JNF Australia Annual Campaign. At the heart of the campaign are calls upon the Australian Jewish community to stand with Israel as it rebuilds.
The campaign is being headlined by a man who has touched hearts all over the world. Held in Hamas captivity for 491 days, Sharabi’s story is not only one of survival, but of a profound resilience that now fuels a broader message of hope and renewal.
Despite enduring unthinkable trauma, including the loss of his wife, Lianne, and two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, Sharabi, who is a Kibbutz Be’eri resident, has emerged as a voice of dignity and courage. “Surviving captivity has shown me the power of resilience, the necessity of hope and the unbreakable spirit of the Israeli people,” Sharabi says.
Sharabi will share his personal story with Australians. His presence is expected to further galvanise the community and their deep commitment to supporting Israel. His words promise to leave the community inspired and uplifted, in what will be a series of truly memorable events.
“This journey is not mine alone – it belongs to all of us who believe in a stronger future for Israel,” says Sharabi. “JNF Australia’s mission to rebuild lives and communities echoes that same spirit – turning pain into purpose and devastation into strength.”
The opportunity to hear directly from Eli will offer a profound experience to all who attend JNF Australia events. His story reminds us that behind every headline are real people, families and communities striving to heal.
Since his release from captivity in February this year, Sharabi has spoken widely, met with world leaders and shared his message with communities around the world. His journey is one of personal tragedy, but also of communal strength, echoing what Israel itself continues to demonstrate daily.
The 2025 JNF Australia campaign is more than a fundraising initiative; it is a declaration of shared purpose. It is about rising together with the people of Israel, with the memory of those lost and strengthening those rebuilding for the future.
“Together, We Rise With Israel is both a statement of solidarity and a call to action,” says Doron Lazarus, JNF Australia CEO. “We’ve seen the pain, but we’ve also seen the extraordinary resilience of Israelis. Our mission now is to match their strength with our support.” With thousands of Israeli families still displaced and communities in the north and south under constant threat, the campaign will fund urgent projects aimed at rebuilding communities, restoring wellbeing and reigniting hope.
Together we rise with Israel: Eli Sharabi headlines JNF Australia campaign
As with every JNF funded project, the organisation is led by those people on the ground in Israel to ensure that they address the most urgent needs and priorities. With careful consideration, projects are funded to ensure Israel can rebuild, renew, grow and heal.
The projects that form part of the 2025 Annual Campaign include:
• The Water Reservoir Restoration Project at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, which is essential to reviving the kibbutz’s agricultural foundation after the devastating events of October 7.
With the main reservoir destroyed and fields damaged, restoring this critical infrastructure is key to the
community’s recovery, resilience and long-term sustainability.
• The ImagineBox Learning & Treatment Space at Kibbutz Nir Oz is an immersive, therapeutic environment designed to support emotional recovery in the aftermath of October 7. It will serve as a vital resource for traumatised residents by fostering emotional resilience and healing through innovative, experiential learning.
• Therapeutic green space in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, providing naturebased trauma recovery for residents coping with extreme emotional distress.
• The Community Stress Prevention Centre in Kiryat Shmona, which is a vital initiative addressing the growing mental health crisis following October 7. As a national leader in trauma care and resilience building, the centre will deliver innovative programs that equip northern Israeli communities with long-term tools for emotional recovery and strength.
• The Replant for Growth & Regaining Resilience project at Kibbutz Misgav Am focuses on restoring the natural landscape and communal spaces after extensive war-related damage. Through reforestation, community gardens and outdoor recreational areas, the initiative aims to create a healing environment that supports the emotional and physical recovery of residents returning to rebuild their lives on the Lebanon border.
These projects are just a glimpse into the breadth of work JNF Australia is undertaking – building playgrounds, trauma centres, shelters, educational hubs and more. Other vital projects will be supported based on the evolving needs of its partner communities. Since October 7, JNF Australia has supported more than 60 strategic projects through the generosity of the Australian Jewish community.
“Rebuilding Israel is not only about infrastructure – it’s about healing lives and restoring hope,” says newly elected National President, Pam Krail. “Our goal is not just to return people to what they had before, but to help them build something even stronger … even more vibrant.”
This year’s campaign comes at a pivotal time. With continued threats across Israel’s northern and southern borders, Israel’s frontline communities are under immense pressure. The partnership between the diaspora and Israel has never been more essential.
“What October 7 has taught us is that more than ever, we in the diaspora need Israel and Israel needs us,” says Krail. “Our response must go beyond words. It’s the action we now take that matters most.”
As we are fast coming up to two years since October 7, 2023, the work ahead remains significant, yet the strength of the Israeli people, as embodied by Eli Sharabi, continues to be a guiding light. For many years, JNF Australia has supported various projects in Kibbutz Be’eri, and now, together with Sharabi’s vision and determination, it will continue to undertake life-changing projects for the community.
“The missiles may have shattered homes, but not hope,” says Lazarus. “We are committed to ensuring that the people of Israel not only recover, but thrive. Now is the time to turn our compassion into action. Together, we rise with Israel.”
Eli Sharabi will be visiting Sydney on 2nd September, Melbourne on 4th September and Perth on 7th September. To secure your tickets, which are $80 each and are on sale now, visit www.jnf. org.au or call 1300 563 563. Additional guests will be announced closer to the events.
Ein Hashlosha green resilience space
Eli Sharabi (photo by Sharon Dery)
CONSIDERED OPINION
DR DVIR ABRAMOVICH
For too long, antisemitism in this country was treated like an echo from elsewhere.
Ugly, yes, but distant. A borrowed malice. But since October 7, 2023, it has sounded more like a drumbeat. A steady, accelerating rhythm of threats, flames and fear.
Now, the government has responded.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, together with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Special Envoy Jillian Segal, unveiled a national strategy to confront antisemitism. It is not a symbolic gesture. It is an operational plan, detailed, ambitious and long overdue.
And while no plan can fix what has already been broken, like childhoods shaken by slurs, Holocaust survivors retraumatised by slogans, artists silenced, students isolated, this one matters. Because it finally treats antisemitism as what it has become: a national emergency.
It is, in part, a mirror. The plan calls on institutions to look at themselves honestly.
It calls on our universities to confront what they have permitted at home. Not just neglect, but a permissiveness that has allowed Jewish students to be targeted, mocked and pushed to the margins under the guise of activism.
The era of silence must end.
It calls on the media, especially publicly funded broadcasters, to reflect on how narratives are shaped and who gets flattened in the telling.
It calls on cultural institutions to draw firmer lines, not between art and politics, but between platforming and propaganda.
But more than anything, this plan turns its gaze toward education.
Because antisemitism, like any hatred, is learned. And it is learned young on TikTok and Instagram. In group chats and DMs.
At schoolyards, where ancient conspiracies are recycled with Gen Z flair. If we do not intervene now, with honesty, context and empathy, we will raise a generation that doesn’t even realise it has crossed a line.
That’s why this plan doesn’t just aim to punish. It aims to educate. To root out hate before it becomes habitual. To define what antisemitism is, not in vague terms, but with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition and national standards that every school, university and workplace must recognise.
It also signals something else: that our moral ecosystem needs repair.
We have become far too comfortable with moral murkiness. We shrug at slogans that would have made our grandparents tremble.
We explain away violence because we agree with the cause. We pretend neutrality in the face of fire.
This plan is a challenge to that posture. It says: you cannot torch synagogues and claim justice. You cannot storm a restaurant and call it a protest. You cannot terrify children and call yourself principled.
You can’t burn a synagogue and call it justice
And it states: if your institution cannot distinguish itself, it should not receive public funds.
Jillian Segal’s report also makes a quieter point, one that may be the most important. It speaks of fear. The kind that makes families wonder if this is still their country. The kind that makes people who have always felt proud to be Australian quietly imagine life somewhere else.
That is not hypothetical. That is happening. And when a nation’s Jewish citizens begin drawing up exit strategies, it is not just a crisis for the Jewish community. It is a crisis for the country.
Because antisemitism is not just the world’s oldest hatred. It is a test. It reveals how a society responds to fear. To otherness. To complexity. And right now, Australia is being tested.
Will we be a country where Jewish students can wear their identity without fear? Will be a nation where Jewish artists aren’t told to keep quiet unless they condemn Israel? Will we be a place where a mezuzah on a doorframe is not an invitation for arson?
This plan, if fully implemented, can help us get there.
But plans are not enough.
We need follow-through. We need enforcement. We need the courage to speak when it is inconvenient and to act before it is too late. And we need to remember that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. It is a societal sickness that corrodes everything it touches, such as trust, cohesion and democracy itself.
If Australia is to remain a place where people of all backgrounds can live without fear, we must treat this moment
with the gravity it deserves. This is not the end of the conversation. But it is a line in the sand.
And the strength of a nation is measured not by how quickly it celebrates that line, but how fiercely it defends it.
What Segal’s plan exposes is not only the peril facing the Jewish community.
It’s the deeper ailment in the nation’s soul. Because when hatred seeps into our schools and universities, when it festers on our newsfeeds and stages, it doesn’t stay contained. It metastasises. It teaches our young that truth is relative, justice is tribal and morality is optional.
This report unmasks a simple truth: we are losing our grip on the civic foundations that once held us together. And it’s not just a matter of decency. It’s a matter of survival. Societies that abandon the rule of law do not sustain innovation. They do not nurture genius. They do not thrive. A culture where children are jeered at for wearing a Star of David, where conspiracy theories go unchallenged in classrooms and mosques, where mob chants drown out civil discourse is not a healthy society. It is a society losing its cognitive clarity.
What’s astonishing is that this unravelling has occurred not at the hands of violent extremists alone, but within the very institutions designed to prevent it – our schools, our courts and our universities. When antisemitism becomes "ingrained and normalised" within academic and artistic spaces, we are no longer dealing with fringe sentiment. We are watching prejudice go mainstream.
Segal’s recommendation to screen prospective immigrants for extremist views has sparked predictable resistance. But ask yourself: what nation thrives by importing people who reject its democratic principles? To oppose bigotry is not to oppose immigration – it is to defend the soul of multiculturalism.
The harshest truth may be this: antisemitism has flourished here not because of hatred alone, but because of our passivity. Apathy has made the chants louder. Apathy has made the firebombs easier.
Apathy has made it possible for wellmeaning people to look away.
Australians need to say out loud that we still believe in something better.
At its heart, this is not a Jewish issue. It’s an Australian one. Because the measure of our democracy is not how we treat the majority – it’s how we protect the vulnerable. If we fail this test, we will not just lose Jewish Australians. We will lose ourselves.
So let us meet this moment – not with delay, not with excuses, but with resolve. Let us build the nation we thought we were. The one we still hope to be. Because if there’s one lesson from history, it’s this: antisemitism is never the end. It is always the beginning.
And whether we confront it or indulge it will define who we are. For generations.
Dr Dvir Abramovich is Chair of the AntiDefamation Commission and the author of eight books.
Dr Dvir Abramovich
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
Rav Shua profile
Q. What inspired you to pursue a path in Torah leadership and education?
I grew up in a family that was dedicated to community service. My parents and grandparents were and continue to be extremely involved in the Perth Jewish community, where I was born and grew up.
With a family like that, I guess the only question was whether my involvement would be on a professional or volunteer basis. I am very fortunate to be able to do both through my different roles here in Sydney.
Q. ho were some of your key mentors or influences along the way?
I have many, but I think if I had to pick one, it would be my grandfather, Joe Berinson z"l: a former member and minister in state and federal politics in Australia who was also completely committed to his community. He was a model of how you could be a hugely influential and contributing member of society at large, as well as being a proud and committed Jew.
Q. What was your vision when you first joined SAJE and has that vision evolved?
Our main aim was to make sure that people going through conversion felt loved, cared for and supported. It is such a huge decision and people
who choose this journey should feel welcomed and loved. The vision has really come to life and I think so many more people are not just going through a conversion, but doing so with a feeling of purpose, meaning and love for what they are doing.
Q. Can you share a moment or story from your time at SAJE that made you realise its importance?
It is special for me every time I see the glow on someone's face after finishing their conversion or standing under the chuppah with a couple that has just gone through SAJE and completed the conversion process. I feel extremely privileged to be a part of this incredibly special moment in their lives
Q. What unique role does SAJE play within the community?
My goal is that someone going through SAJE should see it as part of a journey, which doesn't stop when they come out of the mikvah. It gives them the tools to lead a rich and fulfilling Jewish life, a community that embraces them and a feeling that they want to keep growing in their Judaism and, thereby, learning more.
Q. How do you think SAJE has shifted or influenced conversations around conversion?
I think SAJE has helped the community at large to view those that want to become part of the Jewish people in an incredibly positive light. It has helped others see the challenges they might be going through, as well as making them feel more responsible for welcoming these people into our community.
Rav Shua is the rabbinic representative of SAJE, rabbi of Mizrachi Synagogue and president of the Rabbinic council of NSW. The Jewish Report spoke with him.
SAJE
Rav Shua
CONSIDERED OPINION
RAMONA FREEDMAN
ALIYAH ADVENTURES
Ask any Australian what the term ‘salvo’ means and the odds are you will quickly get a reference to a person linked to a certain national social welfare organisation.
But that is not our focus. By definition, the word ‘salvo’ refers to artillery: guns in action or fired in sequence as a salute. It can also refer to the release of bombs and/or projectiles or rockets from an aeroplane. Long story short: it is wholly and solely referencing the military. Now, hold that thought.
Living in Israel, the news cycle spins scarily fast. It is hard to stay abreast of the daily drama, even giving it your full, undivided attention. Yet, given I have seen so many moons come and go Down Under, I also quickly review Aussie headlines amidst the madness.
Here in Israel, we have recently experienced another war. Was it a war within a war? A separate, tangential war? Or honestly, a war within a war within, why yes, another war? Debate the definitions if you dare, but when you hear mobile phones screeching with extreme alerts around the clock for days and nights, like it or not, war is at the forefront of your consciousness and decision making. For obvious reasons. Life over death.
Across our holy land, many were taken by surprise and some families were split up. Some parts of Israel went into a COVID-esque lockdown (but far crazier). Some did a mad dash to the local corner store to buy anything and everything shelf stable. Even I threw small bags of seaweed into our apartment’s bomb shelter … and I don’t even eat seaweed on a regular day.
Nothing was ‘regular’ about this IsraelIran ‘12-day’ war. Restrictions came in with immediate effect. There was talk in supermarkets about the shortage of eggs, bottled water and toilet paper. Sound eerily familiar?
In the microcosm of my world, unusually all family members were in different locations on that first fateful Friday, including one in Belgium … and life as we knew it shifted. Simultaneously, there were two young Australian women here without their parents in need of an Aussie anchor point. I welcomed them with open arms and we became a reimagined formidable family of females.
Through our compounding sleep deprivation (and headaches), we established a comprehensive routine of what to do when sirens went off and where we each sat in the bomb shelter. One listened to music; one wanted to hear the ‘booms’. I searched for dark chocolate blocks. Yes, I admit, the illusion of control is handy and helpful.
And yet the salvos continued. And I suppose that is why when I saw that word as a headline in an article from Sydney, I paid attention. Military unrest? Army action? Pray it isn’t so near my most beloved beautiful beaches. No. It wasn’t. Sitting in the bomb shelter, with
Salvo to salve
my laptop connected to the outside world for updates, I read about a bomb and attack of a different kind. It related to Australian supermarket giants. It referred to a ‘precision strike’ on the prices of home brand goods and mentioned firing the first ‘salvo’ in a hit of comparatively epic proportions. Now I love a good metaphor, but I found this jarring. Don’t get me wrong, I am relieved this is ‘war’ in our Great Southern Land. Long may that continue. I guess, like many here in Israel, I am a little sensitive to jargon and more than a little jumpy … to phones ringing, sirens blaring and, I guess, even to frightening phraseology.
And yet, the nation here as a whole united, all helping each other. With the elderly, with children, with pets. In underground train stations. In public shelters. And this all combines with helping to manage our collective fragile mental health. What a challenge that is.
You saw it in the chalk pictures kids drew on their streets in between sirens. You saw it in the joy brought to the compromised simchas that were turned upside down by newly implemented war rules. I went to a wedding that was planned to be grand in the most gorgeous way. Seismic shift ... the beautiful bride was married at home with a hastily recalibrated, pared down guest list.
The joy, the spirit, the energy brought into that home on that blessed afternoon was the equivalent of a half-dozen typical weddings. But nothing is typical during war.
The cumulative cost is incalculable. The price we are paying for a safe Jewish
homeland is far too high – impossibly high. Hideously and heartbreakingly high.
And yet, amidst the exhaustion, the shortages and the uncertainty, we find the Jewish soul soaring, helping and hugging all who want and need it.
On about day six of the ‘12 day’ war, the government eased restrictions prematurely and allowed people to congregate in groups of ten. A friend kindly included me in an impromptu get-together for her birthday. It was at an Airbnb house around the corner that was empty – the intended occupants were stuck in Paris. No fly zone.
Suddenly ten of us hooked up our Zoom Zumba session and were dancing around that empty house like we were tweens! And then somehow my friend’s dearest friend threw together a whole kosher dinner and we sat around the table, shared war stories (literally) and smiled and laughed and drank wine out of paper cups. We toasted a l’chaim to the birthday girl.
That ‘12 day’ war ended on a Tuesday. That morning, the Iranian regime was intent on raining down a ‘last hurrah’ of rockets, if you will, just before the agreed time of cessation. There were four backto-back rounds of blaring phones and sirens in the street, followed by ballistic missiles being intercepted, with booms in the sky. By that evening, across every television channel was the banner: ‘All war restrictions lifted’.
The next morning, school children were back on the streets unaccompanied, parents were off to work and there were
queues at the bakeries. Gardeners were mowing lawns and ulpan students were heading to their Hebrew classes. Every element of society kick-started in a fast and frenetic way.
How do you go from sitting in a bomb shelter scared to leave the room (let alone the building) to sitting in a classroom learning Hebrew verb conjugations? I don’t have an answer, but that is what I did. That is what all of Israel did. I was back in my car, not thinking about what I would do if the sound of a siren interrupted the Israeli radio station I listen to. I was back in my car reflecting on the fact that grabbing a few groceries was taking far too long. I was back in my car in traffic (quintessentially Israel) and at a red light there was a van stopped in front of me. It was dusty and dirty. On the back windscreen, someone had taken a moment to draw three words in Hebrew: Am Yisrael Chai, the People of Israel live. Yes. They live because of our heroic soldiers. They live because they appreciate the little things. They live because they want peace, not war. They live because they understand how precious life really is.
The nation’s collective dream is that these military salvos fending off enraged enemies won’t be needed. One thing I have learnt here, as I celebrate my first ‘Aliyahversary’, is that we also need a salve, a healing balm for all this, rather than endless salvos.
The salve is simply to stay united as Am Echad be Lev Echad, One People with One Heart. For now, it is over-and-out from Ramona in Ra’anana.
SENIORS’ LIVING FEATURE
From left: Sheila Benjamin, Miriam Wulff, Jody Somogy and Ruth Livingstone at COA’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations
Continuing to build community
In a world that can sometimes feel disconnected, COA continues to prove that the strongest communities are built through collaboration, compassion and creativity.
COA has deepened its ties with a range of groups across Sydney, as it is evident that Jewish seniors are linked to many Jewish organisations, whether as founders, volunteers, benefactors or advisors.
This Shavuot, in a heart-warming intergenerational exchange, we partnered with BJE to create beautiful flower bouquets, handmade by students at a non-Jewish school. Research has shown that seniors and primary school aged children form strong bonds when they come together with shared interests. Accordingly, in another move, COA will host an intergenerational chess tournament in collaboration with Moadon.
Our ongoing relationship with JCA continues to thrive, most recently through a fun Shavuot celebration. Cheesecake and classic games like Kalooki and Rummikub set the scene for a memorable morning. The success of this event has led to weekly, social Kalooki games. In partnership with B’nai B’rith, COA co-presented Art Tikva, an
exhibition that brought together local Jewish artists aged from nine to 92 to present and sell their artworks. Held at the B’nai B’rith Centre in Kensington, guests and artists participated in a hands-on workshop, making pinch pots and metal art. We’ve also recently teamed up with JNF for
a monthly Tuesday seniors’ morning tea, involving speakers and fresh perspectives. Recently, we welcomed dynamic, young Christian activist and proud pro-Jewish voice Freya Leach, who, with her father, started Never Again Is Now, which creates a presence on university campuses to combat
antisemitism. She reminded us that allies can come from unexpected corners and that courage is not about age. The next two morning teas will cover Jewish genealogy and theatre plays about Jewish life.
One of COA’s most important and ongoing partnerships is with our dedicated kosher caterers: Pita Mix, Mendy’s and Soul Gourmet. Delivering kosher meals has long been the heartbeat of COA and with chagim specials we’re offering more than just food. Our tireless volunteers are sometimes the only human contact recipients have all week.
Each of these collaborations reflects COA’s refreshed identity: purposeful volunteering, enriching events and nourishing kosher meals. Whether it’s with a piece of cake, a painting or a kind word, these initiatives are a reminder that care comes in many forms.
As we look ahead, COA is excited to continue forging bonds with both new and familiar faces. After all, when community organisations come together, we don’t just create programs, we create connection, dignity and joy for our most treasured generation.
COA has a range of weekly activities and events coming up for seniors. Check them out. Go to https://www.coasydney. org or follow the Instagram or Facebook page @coasydney
MICHELLE FALK COA SYDNEY
From left: Maggie Adams and Ruby Daws at the COA knitting group receiving flower arrangements created by BJE students
Life enriching outings for Montefiore’s residents
For residents of Montefiore Aged Care staying engaged with the world outside their homes is essential for psychological, emotional and physical wellbeing. As part of Montefiore’s Allied Health department, the dedicated Leisure and Lifestyle team curate a diverse and enriching schedule of weekly outings (totalling close to 500 each year), ensuring that everyone can participate in activities that bring them social connection and a renewed sense of engagement with the world.
For residents with an interest in the arts and history, cultural excursions provide an opportunity to engage with creativity and heritage. Whether through a guided tour of a historical museum or a talk from an artist on their latest works, these experiences offer cognitive stimulation, foster a sense of nostalgia and encourage meaningful discussions among residents.
“Outings and excursions are vital for our residents, as these meaningful interactions remind them that they are still part of a vibrant, active community,” says Janine Grossman, Montefiore’s Director of Professional Services. “These experiences promote psychological stimulation, enhance emotional wellbeing and form an integral part of
our program of activities.” Nature has an incredible way of uplifting the spirit. Visits to beaches, the harbour foreshore, parks and botanical gardens offer residents a chance to get out about in the fresh air and experience the calming effects of nature. Gentle walks along the waterfront, at beaches from Coogee to Balmoral, or just sitting in
one of the city’s parks can reduce stress and promote better health. Another activity on the weekly schedule is shopping. Maintaining independence is incredibly important for aged care residents and shopping outings allow them to browse their favourite stores, pick up personal items and experience the pleasure of choosing gifts for loved
ones. These trips encourage autonomy and provide opportunity for sensory engagement – a little retail therapy is a mood booster at any age. Each of these varied trips is facilitated by the dedicated collaboration of Montefiore’s various teams, including Leisure and Lifestyle and Volunteers. The excursions form an important part of the wider weekly program of activities available for all residents at Hunters Hill, Randwick and Woollahra. That also includes Tai Chi, manicure appointments, reading groups, trivia afternoons, bingo and much more.
The Leisure and Lifestyle team plans excursions that cater to diverse interests, ensuring that each resident finds joy in their chosen activities. Through these carefully curated outings, residents continue to experience the richness of life, forming new memories, strengthening friendships and embracing the world beyond their facility.
“I love them,” says Woollahra resident Del Tomchin. “I worked all my life in my business and now I have the opportunity to see something different and open my mind to different things, which is just fabulous. I am using my time to enjoy life and these wonderful adventures.”
For more information about Montefiore, visit www.montefiore.org.au or call 1800 978 711.
MONTEFIORE
From left: Beth, Del and Helen P. at Montefiore
Sol Spa at Vaucluse: Australia's premier holistic wellness sanctuary
In a landmark celebration of Australian wellness innovation, Sol Spa at Vaucluse, part of Mark Moran Vaucluse, received the award for Innovation of the Year –Health & Wellness Program at the 13th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards in April 2025.
While the accolade recognised Sol Spa’s groundbreaking holistic ageing program, the facility is far more than an eldercare amenity. It is better known as one of Australia’s leading community spas. With its world-class treatments and serene, healing environment, it attracts guests of all ages.
Unlike conventional spa models, Sol Spa is celebrated nationally and globally for integrating multi-generational wellness services. In 2024, it was crowned Leading Australian & Asian Spa at the Spa & Wellness Awards, edging out Qantas’ First-Class Lounge Spa.
It also claimed the Guinot Award in Paris for Australia’s Most Innovative Spa Concept. Such recognition affirms Sol Spa’s broader impact on the spa and wellness industry, reaching into mainstream community health and rejuvenation.
Sol Spa offers a tailored approach to wellbeing that incorporates ancient healing traditions, luxury treatments and sensory therapies. It is a rare blend of clinical-grade technology and natural therapies in a setting designed by Evette Moran to embody tranquillity, healing and aesthetic beauty.
Holistic therapies
Sol Spa is designed to engage all the senses. Guests are enveloped in a rich, tranquil environment where koi and turtle ponds, a rose quartz fountain, ancient Buddha statues, lush greenery and healing crystals form a natural sanctuary.
The spa team, led by Zoe Leonard, and comprising therapists and wellness practitioners, draws upon global healing modalities from Ayurvedic rituals and Japanese reiki to traditional Thai massage and modern dermal therapies.
The spa’s philosophy of "holistic wellness for mind, body and soul" is reflected in treatments that nourish the individual and the community. Products, sourced from Australia and Paris, are selected for their ethical, eco-conscious
origins, supporting the spa’s commitment to sustainability.
Adjacent to the spa is a state-of-theart gym and wellness centre. It is open to resident members and designed with a special focus on best practice in ageing. Personalised fitness programs, functional movement training and allied health services create a safe and empowering environment for those wanting to maintain strength and vitality.
One of Sol Spa’s innovative offerings is the Emsella chair, a revolutionary, noninvasive treatment for pelvic health and urinary incontinence.
Powered by high intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology, Emsella sessions deliver more than 11,000 pelvic contractions in 28 minutes, dramatically improving muscle tone,
confidence and quality of life. Sol Spa also features its new Emsculpt Neo treatment, another non-invasive, nextgeneration therapy that simultaneously reduces fat and builds muscle using a unique combination of radiofrequency and HIFEM+ energy. Particularly effective for the abdomen, buttocks, arms and thighs, Emsculpt Neo delivers visible aesthetic and strength outcomes across all body types and ages.
The therapy is increasingly embraced by younger and older clients alike. Whether recovering core strength postpregnancy, regaining muscle tone after surgery, or simply enhancing vitality in later life, Emsculpt Neo is empowering families to pursue wellness together, reinforcing Sol Spa’s philosophy of holistic health and multi-generational care.
A new blueprint for community wellness
By seamlessly merging clinical-grade technology with spa luxury and inviting the broader public into a space often reserved for high-end health retreats, Sol Spa sets a new benchmark for community-integrated wellness. Its model demonstrates that services can and should co-exist with dynamic, intergenerational health offerings, creating inclusive wellbeing ecosystems that benefit everyone.
The recent Asia Pacific award for innovation reaffirms Sol Spa’s leadership in the wellness industry. Its commitment to physical vitality, emotional resilience and spiritual balance shows the way forward for health-conscious communities the world over.
MARK MORAN MARK MORAN GROUP
Sol Spa at Mark Moran Vaucluse
Relaxing and rehydrating after a treatment at Sol Spa
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
AB BOSKANY
The narrative that US foreign policy towards Israel is driven primarily by the Israeli lobby oversimplifies a complex and deeply rooted relationship. While lobbying efforts certainly exist and are, at times, highly visible, the bond between the United States and Israel is far more deeply etched – shaped by history, strategic necessity and a shared moral vision.
From the beginning, this alliance was not merely political, but also emotional. Driven by post-Holocaust sympathy and a desire to support a fledgling democracy in a region still shaking off colonial legacies, America was one of the first countries to recognise Israel in 1948. This foundation of support was further solidified through key military and political crises, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In each instance, Israel faced existential threats and US support, whether material or diplomatic, was framed as a response rooted in strategic calculus and historical alignment, not solely the result of domestic lobbying.
Rethinking the power narrative: the Israeli lobby and US foreign policy
and other influential organisations as evidence that US support for Israel is manufactured or manipulated. While these groups undoubtedly work to maintain strong ties, they are not alone in shaping the discourse.
Evangelical Christian groups, Cold War strategic frameworks and shared military-industrial interests all play pivotal roles.
A single-thread narrative casting the lobby as the puppet master misses the intricate weave of policy, ideology and history that truly sustains the alliance.
Recognising this complexity is not a dismissal of criticism, but an invitation to elevate the conversation. If the goal is to understand the motives behind America’s enduring support for Israel, then we must examine the fuller picture: a tapestry woven of strategy, identity, trauma and faith.
Moreover, the alliance is undergirded by shared democratic values. The US sees Israel as not only a military partner, but a mirror of its own identity – pluralistic, fiercely independent and founded on the rule of law.
The countries are bound by common security concerns, including counterterrorism, intelligence-sharing
and the deterrence of hostile regional powers. Such ties are not easily swayed by lobbyists. Rather, they are embedded within the core architecture of both nations’ foreign policy establishments.
Critics often point to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Only through nuance can we move beyond slogans and begin to engage honestly with the realities that bind nations – sometimes tightly, sometimes tenuously, but rarely simply.
Ab Boskany is an Australian poet and writer from a Kurdish/Jewish background.
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. At least one word will use all seven letters and have a direct Jewish connection.
Proper names and hyphenated words are not allowed. Score one point for each answer and three points for a Jewish word that uses all seven letters.
Rating: 12 = Good; 16 = Excellent; 21 = Genius
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".
ANSWERS PAGE 23
Ab Boskany
THE COMMUNITY
YOASH DVIR CEO TECHNION AUSTRALIA AROUND
I recently returned from Israel, where I spent the first four days attending the Technion’s annual Board of Governors meeting in Haifa. What began as an inspiring celebration of innovation, education and resilience quickly turned into a visceral reminder of why all those things matter.
During the Board of Governors event, I had the privilege of meeting some of Israel’s most remarkable minds – professors and researchers whose work is not only shaping the future of Israel, but also the future of humanity. Among them was Brigadier General (res.) Amnon Harari, whose work on the fundamentals of highspeed flight could open doors to new frontiers in defence and aerospace. I was equally moved by Professor Marcelle Machluf and Associate Professor Maya Davidovich-Pinhas who are harnessing cutting-edge bioengineering to help secure Israel’s food independence in an increasingly uncertain world and curing cancer with the same technology at the same time.
Then there were moments that reached far beyond the labs and lecture halls. One was watching Nova Peris OAM – Olympian, former Senator and a proud Indigenous Australian – receive a standing ovation
The quiet heroes of Israel’s survival
justice knows no borders. But just two days after the closing ceremony, a war broke out. When Iran launched a coordinated missile attack on Israel, I was still there. As I sat in a Tel Aviv hotel, I heard the piercing sounds of sirens and watched the sky light up as Israel’s air defence systems went to work. Missiles carrying 500-kilogram warheads – many of them aimed at major population centres – were intercepted in real time. It was terrifying … and it was clarifying.
Because as I stood in a stairwell shelter with strangers – now comrades – I realised that the research and innovation I had celebrated days earlier was not abstract. It was the reason we were still standing. Much of the technology behind Israel’s defence systems, including the Arrow and other cutting-edge capabilities, has its roots at the Technion. Graduates and faculty members of the university have built the tools that now protect millions of lives.
In those moments of crisis, it became clear that Israel’s survival depends not on luck, but on the quiet work of those that have spent years preparing for the worst. The quiet brilliance of a researcher in a lab today could save lives tomorrow. And while it’s easy to celebrate Israel’s technological achievements from afar, being there during a moment of national crisis made it real.
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In recognition of her unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish community, Australian journalist and author Sharri Markson will be honoured with the Scopus Award at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s centenary celebration in Melbourne on July 31st. Markson will be the first Australian to receive the university’s highest honour.
Named after Mount Scopus, where the university laid its cornerstones in 1918, the Scopus Award symbolises excellence in leadership, public service and philanthropic engagement. It is bestowed upon individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to education, the State of Israel and humanitarian causes.
Markson, Investigations Editor at The Australian and host of the Sky News program Sharri, has long been a prominent voice in Australian media. Her fearless reporting and commentary have brought critical attention to issues affecting Israel and the Jewish diaspora. During times of conflict, she has reported from Israel, offering firsthand accounts and demonstrating solidarity — even in the face of personal threats.
The award will be presented at a special event hosted by the Australian Friends of the Hebrew University, as part of a global series of centenary celebrations, marking 100 years since the university’s opening by luminaries including Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud and Chaim Weizmann. The
Sharri Markson to receive Hebrew University’s greatest honour
Melbourne event will feature guests from Israel and Australia, including Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson, Chancellor of the Hebrew University.
Previous Scopus Award recipients include Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, entertainer Frank Sinatra, broadcaster Larry King and economist Milton Friedman. Their legacy of humanitarian work and support for Israel sets a powerful precedent and puts Markson in distinguished company.
This honour underscores the impact of Markson’s work and her alignment with the values championed by the Hebrew
University. At a time when antisemitism is rising globally and Israel faces mounting challenges, her voice has been a consistent advocate for truth, clarity and justice. The award recognises not only her journalistic achievements, but her broader influence in shaping public understanding and defending Jewish communities worldwide.
Ms Markson said: “This award is so special because I care deeply and passionately about the State of Israel and the future of our Jewish community, both in Australia and internationally. While I have campaigned for Israel my entire working life, this has
become a daily battle since October 7. Combatting the misinformation, the untruths, the slander and the propaganda against Israel is a deep, personal mission for me.”
The centenary event will also shine a spotlight on the future of the Hebrew University, including its plans to establish a state-of-the-art Centre for Computational Medicine – a project that embodies the institution’s legacy of innovation and forward-looking science.
Rob Schneider, CEO of the Australian Friends of the Hebrew University, said the decision to honour Markson was both timely and significant.
"Sharri has shown immense courage in using her platform to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people – often when it wasn’t easy to do so.
Her voice has made a real impact and it is a privilege to recognise her with the Scopus Award during this milestone year for the university," he said.
Markson’s recognition is also a proud moment for the Australian Jewish community. Her principled journalism and unwavering commitment to Israel make her a worthy recipient of this high honour.
For more information on the centenary events and to book tickets, please visit www.austfhu.org.au.
Sharri Markson
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
DAVID SOLOMON, CEO AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
This year the Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) marks a golden milestone – 50 years of supporting one of Israel’s most dynamic and impactful institutions. Since 1975, AFTAU has stood side by side with Tel Aviv University (TAU), helping to shape a university that is not only a centre of academic excellence and world-impacting research, but also a cornerstone of Israeli society. Australian donors have consistently ranked among the most generous and engaged of TAU's global Friends groups, with contributions seen and felt across every corner of the university’s vibrant campus. This anniversary is more than a moment of reflection. It is a chance to recognise the enduring partnership between Australia and Israel, and to look ahead with renewed purpose and optimism. As part of the celebrations, TAU President Professor Ariel Porat will visit Australia in October 2025 to meet with supporters, partners and alumni, and to help commemorate this special occasion.
A university rising to meet the moment TAU sits at the heart of Tel Aviv and at the heart of Israel’s national identity. Its researchers, educators and students play a vital role in shaping the country’s future. In the wake of the tragic events of October 7 and the war that followed, the university has responded with courage, compassion and innovation. Thousands of TAU students
Fifty years of friendship and a future of hope
were called up for military reserve duty. Many have returned carrying emotional and psychological scars. A number of students were killed in service, many more were injured. In response, TAU opened Israel’s most advanced post-trauma clinic, developed by its own mental health researchers and clinicians. Launched in January 2024, the centre has already treated nearly 1,000 patients, including soldiers, Nova music festival survivors and university students. Many other forms of support for the TAU community have been
The Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University Optimism at work
A healing solution
provided, from direct financial assistance and scholarships, to mentoring, coaching and other academic support. This is not just care – it is a declaration of optimism. TAU’s “Optimism at Work” campaign embodies the belief that, even in times of crisis, the pursuit of knowledge and healing must continue.
Shaping Israel’s tomorrow TAU’s mission extends well beyond trauma recovery. The university is a vital force in rebuilding Israel’s society and
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.
support can change lives With your help, we can ensure that every TAU student receives the care and healing they deserve so that they can pursue their future with optimism!
economy. It educates the professionals that will lead the country forward: scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, policy makers and entrepreneurs. In many ways, Israel’s future will be shaped in TAU’s classrooms and labs. Challenges for students remain considerable, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those affected by war. Many juggle military service, work commitments and study. TAU’s commitment to equity and opportunity ensures that education remains accessible and empowering for all.
A future of hope
AFTAU was founded by Australians who believed in the power of education and in Israel’s potential as a beacon of democracy, innovation and Jewish identity. Today, in a time of continued grief and uncertainty, we are called to believe again. The forthcoming visit of President Porat will be a powerful symbol of the enduring bond between AFTAU and TAU, between Australia and Israel, and a chance to celebrate all that has been achieved together.
In this moment of acknowledgement, we are reminded that Tel Aviv University is not only a place of learning and growth, it is also a place of healing, resilience and hope. And hope, as Israel’s national anthem reminds us, is at the very heart of who we are.
Professor Ariel Porat, President of Tel Aviv University, who will visit Australia in October
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
Australia's doctors and specialists now have an unprecedented opportunity to make a meaningful impact on healthcare, while fulfilling their Zionist dreams. The International Medical Aliyah Program (IMAP) is bringing its first-ever events to Australia, offering physicians and medical students a streamlined path to practice medicine in Israel during a time of critical need.
Addressing Israel's physician shortage crisis
Israel is facing a significant physician shortage. In fact, it has now reached crisis levels. With an ageing population of physicians approaching retirement and a concerning low rate of new doctors entering the field – just 6.8 per 100,000 residents annually, compared to the OECD average of 14.2 – the country urgently needs to boost its number of doctors and specialists to ensure accessible healthcare throughout all regions of Israel.
A comprehensive government initiative
In an effort to resolve its physician shortage, several government agencies and non-profit organisations Nefesh B’Nefesh and The Jewish Agency for Israel have come together to create an international program to streamline the Aliyah process for medical professionals. The government agencies include Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, through its new dedicated Physicians Olim Directorate, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience. By recognising the country’s critical need for physicians, IMAP focuses on employment, medical licensing assistance and integration into Israeli society.
Comprehensive support services
IMAP offers a robust suite of services designed to eliminate the traditional barriers that have historically complicated medical immigration to Israel. A dedicated staff of multilingual advisors provides comprehensive support throughout the complex licensing transfer process. These advisors maintain strong relationships with officials at the Ministry of Health and the Israeli Medical Association, enabling them to efficiently track applications and resolve issues as they arise.
Australia's first events
The cornerstone of IMAP's support system is the event series, held periodically around the world. These events offer doctors and specialists a unique opportunity to receive face-to-face support that streamlines bureaucracy, provides access to invaluable career resources and supports those currently navigating the process.
Australia is set to host its first event, a set of IMAP information sessions, in Melbourne on 27th July and Sydney on 29th July. These evenings will provide an intimate setting where Australian doctors and specialists can learn about the medical licensing process, specialty recognition procedures and employment opportunities within Israel's health system. In addition, they will have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of life in Israel as a doctor from Aussie Olah, Dr. Debra Gershov-West.
The International Medical Aliyah Program is coming to Australia
A pioneer's journey: Dr. Debra Gershov-West
Dr. Gershov-West, who moved to Israel with her husband, was always a Zionist as she always had the goal of making Aliyah. After completing her medical training in Australia, she boarded a flight to Israel, ensuring her dream was turned into a reality. Though she initially worked in internal medicine, she was passionate about emergency medicine and shifted her specialty once that became a viable option in Israel.
Dr. Gershov-West soon established herself as a pioneer in the world of emergency medicine. When the CEO of Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital, Professor Haim Bitterman, reached out to discuss creating the hospital’s first emergency medicine department in 2017, she agreed, but only on the following proviso. The department had to be built in alignment with the Anglo-American model of emergency medicine specialists staffing the department full time. Dr. Gershov-West has managed the department ever since.
Leadership during crisis
Dr. Gershov-West's expertise proved invaluable during Israel's most challenging times. Due to Assuta Ashdod's proximity to the Gaza Envelope, it was one of the first hospitals to receive wounded civilians and soldiers on 7 October, 2023. On that fateful day, she demonstrated extraordinary leadership, overseeing the treatment of hundreds of trauma patients from the attacks, while simultaneously managing the regular caseload of emergency patients. She remained on call at the hospital until 10 October.
Recognising an urgent need for enhanced medical training in crisis
situations, Dr. Gershov-West established the Frontline Emergency Medicine (FEM) mobile simulation unit, under the Health Research and Science NPO. With a team of more than 50 international specialists in trauma, emergency and tactical medicine, FEM has conducted more than 100 workshops, training in excess of 3,000 frontline medical professionals in critical lifesaving skills.
She was recently awarded the prestigious Sylvan Adams Nefesh B'Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize in the field of Science and Medicine for her extraordinary contributions to developing the emergency medicine field in Israel.
A call to action for Australian doctors and specialists
Israel's physician shortage represents both a challenge and an opportunity. For Australians in the medical field who have always dreamed of making Aliyah, IMAP provides the support, resources and guidance necessary to ensure it happens, while contributing to a critical national need.
The program recognises that successful medical Aliyah requires more than just licensing; it necessitates comprehensive support for professional integration, cultural adaptation and career development. By providing multilingual advisors, professional networking opportunities and ongoing support services, IMAP ensures that doctor Olim can successfully integrate into Israel's medical workforce and thrive in their new environment.
The journey of doctors like Dr. Debra Gershov-West demonstrates that Australian medical professionals can not only successfully integrate into Israeli healthcare, but they can become
pioneers and leaders who improve the system. As Israel continues to face healthcare challenges, the expertise, training and perspective that Australian physicians bring becomes increasingly valuable.
If you're a physician interested in making Aliyah and would like to learn more about IMAP and how its team can assist you in making Aliyah, the upcoming IMAP information sessions represent an invaluable opportunity to begin this journey.
For those unable to attend the events or seeking additional information, the IMAP team is available year-round to provide personalised consultation and support. The program's commitment to supporting medical professionals through their Aliyah journey ensures that no physician interested in contributing to Israeli healthcare will navigate this process alone.
The time has never been more opportune for Australian medical professionals to consider making Aliyah. With Israel's critical need for physicians and IMAP's comprehensive support system, the barriers that once made medical immigration challenging have been significantly reduced. The question is no longer whether it's possible to successfully practice medicine in Israel after making Aliyah, but rather how quickly qualified physicians can begin contributing to this vital mission.
To sign up for upcoming events in Sydney or Melbourne, visit https://www. imap.org.il/australia-sessions/ To learn more about the International Medical Aliyah Program and to start your journey, contact medpro@nbn.org.il
IMAP
Dr. Debra Gershov-West
Are you a doctor or medical student thinking of Aliyah?
Join us for dinner and to discover what your professional life in Israel could look like!
• Learn about the licensing and specialty recognition process in Israel
• Hear firsthand from Australian Olah Dr. Debra West on her experience as a doctor in Israel
• Meet with an IMAP representative to get your questions answered
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
Gil Hoffman is the Executive Director of Israeli media advocacy group Honest Reporting. He is an Israeli-American journalist who was previously chief political correspondent for the Jerusalem Post. We went through a number of especially egregious examples of the distorted coverage of Israel's wars by the media.
We examined several examples of how the media has portrayed Israel in a biased or misleading way and discussed the challenges Israel faces in getting its story across. The discussion covered topics such as the reporting on bomb shelters in Palestinian towns, the questionable story of a Palestinian doctor losing her children in an airstrike, the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and the incident involving Greta Thunberg's attempt to reach Gaza by boat.
Reporting on bomb shelters in Palestinian towns
The CNN report suggested that Jews have bomb shelters while Arabs do not, which is inaccurate. The requirement for bomb shelters
Honest reporting exposes media bias
in buildings is based on when the buildings were constructed, not on discrimination against Arabs. Both Jewish and Arab towns can lack sufficient bomb shelters.
Questionable story of Palestinian doctor losing her children
The story of a Palestinian doctor losing all nine of her children in an Israeli
airstrike appears to be fabricated or exaggerated. There are concerns about the authenticity of the pictures and details provided, which seem designed to make Israel look bad.
The lack of independent journalists in Gaza makes it difficult to verify such stories, as the information often comes from sources loyal to Hamas.
Humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza
There have been reports of Palestinians being killed while trying to receive aid, for which Israel has been blamed, but the details are unclear. An independent aid agency, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has now set up four aid stations in Gaza, which are helping to address the issue of aid distribution that was handled previously by UN affiliated organisations like UNRWA. The previous problems with aid being looted or diverted by Hamas have been a major challenge.
Greta Thunberg's attempt to reach Gaza by boat
Greta Thunberg and a group of "vagabonds" attempted to reach Gaza by sea, claiming they were being "illegally attacked and kidnapped" by Israel.
JIMENA and the Jews of Iran
Of Iranian heritage, Matthew Nouriel is the Community Engagement Director at JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa).
We discussed a range of topics related to the situation in Israel and the experiences of different Jewish communities. Our conversation touched on the bombardment from Iran, the challenges faced by Iranian Jews, the importance of preserving Mizrahi and Sephardic Jewish history and media coverage and perception of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With the onslaught of antisemitism that's hitting the West from the top and from academia, Matthew insisted that with greater knowledge imbued in young Jews, they would be better equipped to fight back.
Coping with the bombardment from Iran
At the time of the interview Nouriel was stuck in Israel because of the Iranian onslaught. He described the experience as "jarring”.
Some Australians who had been in Israel on BirthRight (Taglit) were able to leave Israel via a cruise ship to Cyprus.
Nouriel did not feel it would be safe to try and leave Israel via a neighbouring Arab country because of his Jewish identity and LGBTQIA+ status.
The experiences of Iranian Jews
Nouriel provided historical context on the Jewish community in Iran, tracing its presence back to the Babylonian
However, Israel offered to have the aid on the boat transported through normal humanitarian channels. Greta was flown out of Israel on an El Al flight to France, en route to Sweden after being detained by Israeli forces. The exercise was seen as a publicity stunt, rather than a genuine humanitarian effort.
Conclusions and decisions
Honest Reporting aims to combat the biased or misleading reporting of Israel. The lack of independent journalists in Gaza makes it difficult to verify information, as much of it comes from sources loyal to Hamas.
Israel has faced challenges in distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza due to the risk of it being looted or diverted by Hamas.
Honest Reporting encourages ordinary people to get involved in sharing accurate information and supporting Israel's narrative on social media and other channels.
My interview with Gil Hoffman can be heard at https://omny.fm/shows/ israel-connexion/honest-reporting
David Schulberg is a presenter on J-AIR 88FM and can also be heard on 2TripleO.
exile and the rule of Cyrus the Great. Under the Islamic Republic, the situation for Iranian Jews deteriorated, with many fleeing the country.
Those remaining faced persecution and restrictions.
Iranian Jews must navigate a delicate balance between keeping a low profile, appeasing the regime and avoiding accusations of being "Zionist spies."
While some Iranian Jews can visit Israel discreetly, it remains a risky endeavour and a total impossibility at the moment.
Preserving Mizrahi and
Sephardic
Jewish history
JIMENA aims to achieve recognition for the history and stories of Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews, who are often marginalised in Jewish educational spaces. If only all Jews had that history in their back pocket, but, unfortunately, they don't.
This knowledge is important for combating the misconception that Jews in Israel are "white Ashkenazis" who have allegedly colonised the region. JIMENA helps to pop the bubble of the myth that Jews are white colonisers and usurpers who come came from Europe.
Media coverage and perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The discussion with Nouriel examined several examples of media coverage that the interviewee believes reveal bias and inaccuracies in the way the conflict is portrayed.
Matthew criticised the lack of impartial, on-the-ground reporting in Gaza and the tendency for information to come from sources loyal to Hamas.
Nouriel also addressed the issue of the alleged "famine" in Gaza, arguing that the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is working to provide aid effectively, countering Hamas' attempts to control and profit from the distribution of aid.
The interview with Matthew provided a nuanced and informed perspective on the experiences of different Jewish communities, the challenges they face and the importance of accurate and balanced media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To listen to the interview, go to https://omny. fm/shows/israel-connexion/jimenahonest-reporting
DAVID SCHULBERG
DAVID SCHULBERG
Gil Hoffman, Executive Director of Honest Reporting (photo by Marc Israel Selem)
Matthew Nouriel
SLOVIE JUNGREIS-WOLFF
We fear missiles and mobs, but overlook the silent crisis threatening our future. Apathy is claiming more Jews than any external foe. The antidote? Three timeless keys from our forefather Jacob.
I do not fear Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and the rings of evil that surround the Jewish nation.
Nor am I afraid of the openly antisemitic protestors who march with venom on their lips. God has promised that the people of Israel will live forever. This is a sacred vow. Our survival defies human logic, as we have just witnessed with the incredible miracles before our eyes.
There is a different threat that I fear jeopardises our future, a danger that lies within.
Today we are losing more Jews from apathy than from persecution. This is the generation of the “drop out Jew”. Born into the faith of Abraham, but ignorant about the meaning of Judaism, largely through no fault of their own, many Jews are abandoning their Jewish identity. Some are even channelling their drive for meaning through dedicating their formidable talents to causes that harm the Jewish people.
To turn the tide, every Jew needs to be exposed to the three foundations that our forefather Jacob transmitted to his children as they entered the exile of Egypt. These three keys enable Jews to
The real threat to Jewish survival isn’t Iran
survive the harsh vicissitudes throughout history. The Jewish People have been scattered throughout the four corners of the earth, dispersed throughout every nation, and yet we have remained a unique people, holding on to the legacy of those who walked before us, despite persecution, crusades, inquisition and the Holocaust.
Jacob’s three keys give us the secret to our survival through the many exiles we have faced.
1. Strong Jewish schools
Jacob sent his son Judah to Egypt before his arrival. His sole mission was to establish places of learning so that the children would remain strong, despite their surroundings. Education is the key to Jewish survival. Hebrew schools have failed our generation. One cannot discover the richness of their heritage as a sidebar, a forced extracurricular activity that no one enjoys. Jewish education requires time and consistency.
Knowledge is power. Schools that inspire transmit Jewish values, wisdom and understanding. Our children connect to the whys of being Jewish. A strong next generation of Jews requires strong, effective education.
2. Strong Jewish homes
The Torah tells us that Jacob came to Egypt, “each man and his ‘bayit’
(home).” A home is a place where family thrives. Home is the greatest classroom. It is the place where children see passion come alive. They watch the light of Shabbat candles dance, traditions flourish and hope for our nation blossom. Strong Jewish homes teach beyond the four walls that encompass us. A mezuzah adorns the doorpost, whispering welcome to each who enters. We bless our children Friday nights. We know that the world can be going crazy, but at home we find peace. We create a space for God in our lives and connect to the sacredness of living higher with Jewish wisdom.
I have spoken to too many parents who are shaking their heads, wondering how their children have lost their bearings. We can’t wake up after 15 or 20 years of absentee Judaism and be shocked that our children are dispirited Jews. How does one combat a lifetime of indifference?
Begin to live your Judaism now.
3. Strong Jewish Identity
The Torah lists the names of Jacob’s sons, telling us that our names are crucial to our survival. Jewish pride, love for our people and our land, begins with Jewish identity. Our names remind us that the greats who struggled and forged a path for us all held onto their Jewish names. Your name tells you who you are. The
first moments in Auschwitz found Jews being stripped of their names and given numbers, so that they would hang their heads low. You are nothing. You do not even have a name.
To triumph we must never put our heads down in self-pity or shame. Losing our identity does not cure the haters who scream “Globalise the intifada”. It is our responsibility to pass the torch to the next generation. We can only accomplish this mission as proud Jews who understand that we are each a link in a chain back to Sinai, carrying our vision to fill the world with goodness and light. No apologies. Now is the time to contemplate how you will transmit these three keys to the next generation. Your nation is counting on you.
Slovie Jungreis Wolff is a noted teacher, author and relationships and parenting lecturer. She is the leader of Hineni Couples and daughter of Rebbetzen Esther Jungreis. Slovie is the author of the parenting handbook Raising A Child With Soul. She gives weekly classes and has lectured throughout the United States.,Canada, Mexico, Panama and South Africa. You can reach Slovie at sloviehineni@gmail.com Her most recent book is The Soul of Parenting, published by Mosaica Press.
ANNE-MARIE ELIAS CONSIDERED OPINION
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into daily life is reshaping not only how we interact with technology, but also the psychological landscape of society. As AI systems become more prevalent, understanding their psychological impacts is crucial to fostering a healthy relationship between humans and machines.
One of the most significant psychological effects of AI is the evolution of human identity and selfperception. With AI systems performing tasks traditionally associated with human intelligence, such as decisionmaking, creativity and emotional support, people may begin to question their own capabilities and worth. This phenomenon, often referred to as "existential anxiety", arises from the fear of obsolescence in an increasingly automated world. As AI continues to evolve and improve, those who feel threatened by its capabilities may experience diminished self-esteem or a sense of purposelessness.
Moreover, the reliance on AI can lead to an erosion of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When individuals frequently turn to AI for answers or assistance, they may become less
Psychological impacts of AI
inclined to engage in independent thought processes. This dependency can foster a passive approach to learning and decision-making, resulting in cognitive stagnation. It is crucial to strike a balance between embracing AI as a tool and maintaining the cognitive skills that define human intelligence.
The introduction of AI into personal relationships also poses psychological challenges. AI companions, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, can provide emotional support and companionship. While these interactions can alleviate feelings of loneliness for some, they may lead others to form attachments to non-human entities, potentially diminishing their motivation to establish real-world connections. The phenomenon of "social displacement" occurs when individuals prioritise AI interactions over human relationships,
which can increase feelings of isolation and affect overall mental health.
Not surprisingly, AI's role in shaping social interactions extends to the workplace. Automation and AI-driven technologies are transforming job landscapes, leading to grave fears of job losses and economic instability. This uncertainty can generate significant stress and anxiety. On the flip side, AI also offers opportunities for enhancing productivity and creativity. Those who adapt to AI tools may find themselves empowered, leading to a sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction. The challenge lies in ensuring that people can navigate this transition without succumbing to fear.
Additionally, the ethical implications of AI can contribute to psychological distress. Issues surrounding privacy, surveillance and data security can
Kosher animals
helmets 19. Drinks with burgers, often
Teams alternative
22. Button on 20-Across, for short 23. Oilers, now 25. *Brady or Jordan, to many
Barcelona's country, to natives 29. "Bali ___" ("South Pacific" song) 31. Cat or mouse, e.g.
Penultimate word of Warner Bros. cartoons 46. What some Irish speak
Grp. that controlled the Iranian skies in June
Charge, as with a fine
*"Look out!"
Bite consequences
provoke feelings of vulnerability and loss of control. As individuals become more aware of how AI systems collect and use their data, they may experience increased anxiety. This concern can manifest in a general distrust of technology, complicating the relationship between users and AI.
Finally, the portrayal of AI in media and popular culture can further influence public perception, which, in turn, has psychological impacts. Often depicted as either utopian or dystopian, these narratives can shape societal attitudes toward AI, fostering fear or excitement. The disconnect between fiction and reality may lead to unrealistic expectations.
So, the psychological impacts of AI are multifaceted and encompass identity, cognitive skills, social relationships, workplace dynamics, ethical concerns and cultural narratives. As society continues to navigate the complexities of AI, it is essential to promote awareness and understanding of these psychological effects, ensuring that technology serves to enhance rather than diminish the human experience. Balancing the benefits of AI with mindful engagement can help individuals harness its potential, while safeguarding their mental well-being.
Anne-Marie Elias is a psychologist in clinical practice for 25 years.
8. Beginning at
9. Something to sit on
10. What a baby may be in
11. Asian land in two pieces
12. Establish, as a statute
17. Game with a Seafarers expansion
21. ___ kosh, WI
24. Tostada kin
25. Apt name for 8 and 65- Across, and 27 and 37-Down
55. Old stomping grounds of The Ari and The Mechaber
56. Bugs often caught
Non-PC people buy them?
8, in 26-Across
Media or search
Warmly welcomes, perhaps
What Stanley Lieber changed his last name to
Actor not mentioned in the song "Tiny Dancer"
Burning desire?
58. Direction 90 degrees from norte
60. Leg up
61. RH month, perhaps
62. Big times
64. Some MIT grads
66. Black or red tree
RABBINIC THOUGHT
DR BENJI LEVY
There are always two ways to approach life – from the top down or the bottom up. One focuses on ideals, the other on reality. But which leads us in the right direction?
A well-known story from the Talmud captures this tension. A prospective convert approaches the sage Shammai and asks to be taught the entire Torah while standing on one foot. Shammai, insulted by the apparent flippancy, sends him away. But when the man turns to Hillel, he receives a different response: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary – go and learn.”
It’s a powerful idea – that the entirety of Jewish wisdom can be condensed into a single moral directive. But the brilliance of Hillel’s answer lies not only in its simplicity, but in the invitation that follows: “Go and learn.” Understanding what it truly means to treat others with compassion and dignity is a process –a lifelong journey of learning, reflection and action.
Interestingly, this ancient tension between the spiritual and the practical appears in other traditions too. In Raphael’s famous Renaissance fresco The School of Athens, two central figures
Hillel and Aristotle, Shammai and Plato
dominate the scene: Plato and Aristotle. Plato points to the heavens, symbolising abstract ideals. Aristotle gestures forward, toward the physical world and lived experience. In their opposing stances, we see two contrasting worldviews – one striving upward toward perfection, the other reaching outward toward reality.
Hillel and Shammai, too, embodied these differing paradigms. Their debates weren’t only legal; they reflected deep
philosophical approaches to life. One such disagreement centred on what was created first, the heavens or the Earth. Shammai's followers argued for the heavens, the spiritual realm. Hillel’s followers said the Earth, the physical world. At its core, this debate was about what should take precedence: lofty ideals or grounded, everyday concerns. Jewish tradition often associates Shammai with gevurah (strength, discipline, boundaries) and Hillel with
chesed (kindness, generosity, openness). Their rulings followed suit. Shammai leaned toward strict judgment; Hillel prioritised compassion.
And while both paths hold wisdom, Jewish law overwhelmingly follows Hillel. Not because Shammai was wrong, but because kindness is what makes life livable. If people were judged solely through gevurah, few could endure it. But without gevurah, kindness can lack direction. Real compassion requires boundaries. Real love must be anchored in truth. Which brings us back to Hillel’s guiding principle: treat others as you wish to be treated. But that question invites serious reflection. What do we actually want – unconditional leniency? Or respectful accountability? And more importantly, do we extend the same care and honesty to ourselves?
Maybe the whole Torah is about how we relate to others, but to live that truth, we have to begin within. With compassion, with courage and with a commitment to keep growing.
For more reflections on how timeless Jewish wisdom can guide meaningful, modern lives, follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @rabbibenji, or visit rabbibenji.com. Because, as Hillel said, the rest is commentary and we’re all still learning it, one step at a time.
From mourning to triumph: the eternal promise of the Jewish people
RABBI MOSHE GUTNICK
RABBINIC ADMINISTRATOR THE KASHRUT AUTHORITY
As the Jewish world enters the solemn period of the Three Weeks – a time marked by fasting, mourning and reflection on the destruction of the First and Second Temples – we are reminded of the deep scars etched into our collective memory. These weeks commemorate the tragedies that befell our people, culminating in Tisha B’Av, the day both Temples were destroyed and our exile began. It is a time when we remember the vulnerability of our nation, the loss of sovereignty and the pain of dispersion. We remember not just tragedies from a bygone era, but also those in our times, including October 7 and the most painful of all, the Holocaust. Yet today, in 2025, we stand in a dramatically different reality than when the Temples were demolished. The Jewish people have returned to their ancestral homeland and the State of Israel has emerged not only as a beacon of Jewish resilience, but as a formidable force in the region – indeed, in the world. Recent military victories in Lebanon, Syria and Iran and advances in Gaza have reshaped the geopolitical landscape.
Israel’s Operation Rising Lion dealt a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, while strategic campaigns in Lebanon and Syria neutralised threats from Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies. These victories have not only secured
Israel’s borders but have also opened the door to potential peace accords with former adversaries.
This transformation from destruction to dominance is not merely a military or political shift – it is a spiritual affirmation of G-d’s eternal promise to the Jewish people. The prophets foretold that though we would be scattered and suffer, we would one day return, rebuild and flourish. That day is now. The rebirth of Israel and its growing strength are living testimony to divine providence and the unbreakable covenant between G-d and His people.
The contrast is striking. Where once we mourned the burning of Jerusalem,
today we witness its rebuilding and flourishing like never before. Where once we wept by the rivers of Babylon, today we celebrate victories that ensure our survival and sovereignty. The Jewish people, once stateless and persecuted, now stand proud and protected, with a homeland defended by one of the most advanced militaries in the world.
But this moment calls not only for pride; it calls for faith. Faith that our journey, though long and painful, is guided by a higher purpose. Faith that the trials of exile were not in vain, but part of a divine plan leading to redemption. And faith that the strength we now possess must be wielded with wisdom, humility
and a commitment to justice, preparing us for the messianic age.
As we move through the Three Weeks, let us not only mourn what was lost, but also celebrate what has been regained. Let us draw strength from our past and hope from our present. And let us look to the future with confidence, knowing that G-d’s promise endures – that the Jewish people will never be forsaken and that Jerusalem will forever be the heart of our nation, until ultimately the time will come when all the nations will see “that I will bring them to my Holy Mountain and I will cause them to rejoice in my House of Prayer … for my House will be a House of prayer for all the Nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)
RABBI
Rabbi Benji celebrating his daughter Shayna’s Bat Mitzvah
THOUGHT
RABBI ARON MOSS RABBINIC
Question:
I am pretty sure there’s no way to categorically prove that G-d exists. Equally, there is no way to absolutely prove that He doesn’t exist. That being the case, what argument would you offer for believing in Him?
Answer:
Forget arguments. Let me share an experience. Last month, I had the privilege of witnessing the birth of my first granddaughter. Well, maybe not witnessing. I was at a safe distance in the waiting room. But soon after the birth, I did witness something beautiful and unforgettable.
My son-in-law was holding his newborn daughter, experiencing his first moments of fatherhood. He stared at her tiny face and radiated a love that was endless and unconditional. I watched him and was transported back over two decades, to the feeling I felt when I first held my daughter, the mother of this baby. It’s like a new corridor of boundless love just opened up in your heart. There’s nothing like it.
As these thoughts filled my mind, a midwife rushed into the next room to deliver another baby. My son-in-law
A miracle or another day at work?
looked up and said, “For them, this happens all the time. They’ve seen it hundreds of times. It’s just normal.”
I nodded in agreement. For us, it was a miracle. For them, it was another delivery, another day at work. Still special, but not breathtaking. Because it’s not their child.
That’s the difference between living as a believer and living as a non-believer. To the non-believer, our existence just happens. Life simply is. We’re another blip in a random universe. Just another baby born.
But to the believer, we are no accident. We are not born into anonymity. Our existence is intentional. Our life is a mission. We were born in love. Because we are not just another baby born – we are His.
The Baal Shem Tov taught: G-d looks at each of us with the same endless, unconditional love that a parent feels for their newborn baby. Only infinitely more.
Thank G-d I can see myself as His cherished and beloved child. Thank G-d I can see every person as born in love. And thank G-d I can thank G-d, for the miracle of my granddaughter. So, there’s a case for faith. If there were no other reason to believe, I think that would be enough.
The Jewish Agency is doing more than you think
The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) is the largest Jewish NGO in the world, yet its diverse programs and the thousands of volunteers working tirelessly around the clock usually remain behind the scenes.
In Australia, JAFI has a long history of working closely with Jewish local councils and the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) to facilitate aliyah, deepen Jewish engagement and strengthen the connection between Israeli and Australian Jewry.
Earlier this year, JAFI coordinated “Running in their Memory” events in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, commemorating Israel’s fallen through a powerful act of community solidarity. These were complemented by Yom Hazikaron events, followed by Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations and collaborations with Zionism Victoria’s HaBayit, a cultural hub for Hebrew speakers and Israel lovers.
At the heart of these events is a broader goal: to foster a living sense of peoplehood, bridging the gap between Israelis and the global Jewish diaspora. The aim isn’t just to export culture or tradition, but to build real, reciprocal relationships, ones that foster shared identity, responsibility and understanding.
One of the most impactful vehicles for this mission is JAFI’s shlichut program, which includes both short-term and long-term missions to diaspora communities around the world. These shlichim (emissaries) are not just symbolic
representatives of Israel. They’re embedded educators, youth leaders and community builders.
While the COVID pandemic brought much of this work to a halt, the program is steadily rebuilding. In Australia, this resurgence is already being felt, with renewed momentum to support university students, schools, youth movements and wider community institutions.
Today, JAFI has 10 long-term shlichim working across the country, partnering with local synagogues, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) and youth movements including Habonim Dror, Netzer, Bnei Akiva, Betar and Hatzofim. These shlichim are helping
to reinvigorate Zionist education, leadership development and grassroots activism.
Another growing element of the program is the shinshinim initiative, namely Israeli high school graduates who defer military service to volunteer in Jewish communities abroad. These 18-year-olds bring contagious energy and a fresh perspective, offering young Australian Jews a chance to connect with their Israeli peers in deeply personal ways.
With the current cohort of shinshinim –two in Sydney and two in Melbourne – set to wrap up their placements soon, plans are already underway for expansion. In August, two more are expected to
arrive, bringing the total to six. The team of shlichim and shinshinim in Australia is expected to grow to 15 by year’s end.
The Zionist seminaries’ delegation is one of the oldest in the Jewish Agency's Shlichut unit and while it’s one of the shorter programs JAFI offers (over two months), its impact can’t be overstated. The program has run for more than 30 years and is exclusive to Australia and South Africa. Each delegation is divided into six teams of three to five shlichim, who join the Jewish education teams in six day schools across Melbourne, Sydney and South Africa.
“What’s interesting about JAFI’s shlichut programs is that they give you the opportunity to be part of so many elements within the broader Jewish community,” said JAFI’s representative in Australia and New Zealand, Sara RibnerGrabin, who was a Zionist Seminary shlicha in Perth in 2011.
“And this reflects the Jewish Agency’s main goal, which is to foster a two-way bridge between the Jewish Diaspora and Israel.”
As always, all of this work happens in close partnership with State Zionist councils and Australian Zionist Youth Councils. It’s a model that values collaboration by amplifying local strengths with global resources and experience.
So, JAFI is doing more than you think and in Australia, its presence is not only growing, but evolving, becoming a thread in the fabric of contemporary Jewish life.
JAFI Chair Doron Almog (fourth from left) alongside JAFI shlichim during his visit to Sydney in March last year
FOODIE CORNER
ALAN BENDER SOUL GOURMET
It is very easy to make and very forgiving, even if you don’t show it love when making it. This is a big recipe, so either cut it by half or make it and freeze what you don’t eat.
Ingredients:
2 slabs pareve alpha chocolate
1 tub kosher Nuttelex
1 heaped tablespoon cocoa powder
1 kg dark sugar (or any sugar works)
10 eggs broken and lightly beaten 500 grams self-raising flour
For gluten free: 500 grams White Wings gluten free self-raising flour
Method:
1: Place the chocolate, Nuttelex, cocoa and sugar into a large metal bowl. Put a pot of water on the stove on medium heat and place the bowl on top of the now simmering pot of water. Keep an eye on the chocolate mixture, stirring occasionally, until it is fully melted. Remove from the heat.
2: Add the eggs to the chocolate mix and stir with a whisk, until it has been fully incorporated. Then do the
Chocolate fudge brownie
same with the flour, until there are no lumps.
3: Pre heat the oven to 160C.
4: I use two of the rectangular foil roasters from Bunnings, lined with baking paper. A chef’s trick involves spraying the tray with a little oil, so when you line the tray, the baking
CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
paper sticks to the sides of the tray and won’t get in the way when you fill the tray.
5: Split the mixture between the two trays and place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Test after that time with a cake tester. If it comes out wet, keep baking and check
Spelling bee answers
after every 10 minutes, until it comes out just dry.
6. Allow to cool & then cut into bite size pieces.
Alan Bender is head chef at Soul Gourmet. To find out more, go to https://soulgourmet.com.au
MEDABERET. Here is a list of some common words (“yes, we know there are more words in the dictionary that can work, but these words are common to today’s vernacular): ABATE, ABATED, ABERRATE, ABERRATED, ABETTED, AMBER, BARBER, BARBED, BARER, BARRED, BARTER, BARTERED, BARTERER, BATTED, BATTER, BEAMED, BEARD, BEARDED, BEATER, BERATE, BERATED, BERET, BERETTA, BETTER, BRADE, BRADED, BREAD, BREADED, BREED, BREEDED, BREEDER, DABBED, DABER, DEBAR, DEBARRED, DEBATE, DEBATED, DEBATER, DEBTED, EMBER, MAMBA, MEDABER, MEMBER, REBATE, REBATED, REBBE, REMEMBER and REMEMBERED. Questions/comments/compliments: email Yoni at koshercrosswords@gmail.com
Crossword answers
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For so many of us, Israel isn’t just a destination – it’s a longing. Our homeland. A place we’ve dreamt of standing in, not just for ourselves, but for something greater.
A trip we've told ourselves we’d take one day. This September, let that one day become a reality.
UIA invites you to join our September Solidarity Mission to Israel on 2-10 September. It promises to be a deeply immersive, powerful journey that will connect you to the heart of our people, land and collective resilience.
UIA can run unique Missions in even the most complex times, offering an opportunity not just to witness history, but to contribute to it. Shoulder to shoulder with Israelis, side by side with people from our community who truly care.
You will meet frontline leaders, visit communities of strength and spirit, and experience the power of Jewish unity up close. All that and the guarantees that come with a UIA Mission – professional guides, access to restricted places and, of course, the incredible food Israel has to offer.
2025 Yom Ha’atzmaut Mission participant Helen Goodman said: “Definitely eight days of a lifetime. My first Mission. Why did I wait so long? An
Stand with Israel on the ground this September
Method:
Peel and slice thinly the granny smith apples.
exhaustive program, but an itinerary with so much information, so much to see and hear.”
Yom Ha’atzmaut Mission participants
Ingredients: 4-5 Granny Smith apples
5 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plain flour
1 cup white sugar (which can
Asher and Marlene Abitz were also full of praise. “Despite many visits to Israel, this experience has been faultless and emotional and exceptional. Each and every speaker and guide has enriched (our lives) and given us a perspective on taken part.” This Mission will be moving
Place them in two 9 x 9 inch baking dishes, or one 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Mix all other ingredients in a bowl. When combined, pour over apples in the baking dish.
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 50-55 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
and meaningful, and will matter. It won’t be a regular trip – it will be a statement. Together, let’s show the People of Israel
For enquiries and bookings, contact Philippa on (02) 9361 4273, email
