Technion – Israel Institute of Technology’s annual social-technological hackathon is making a difference (see page 16). Pictured here are the 2024 winners. From left, Adan Shamma,
Wijdan Eslim, Amal Hihi, Haya Hihi, and Leena Shakour
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
ANNE-MARIE ELIAS
The title words belong to Graham Chapman, British comedian, actor and writer, best known for his role in the comedy troupe Monty Python. In psychology practice, we are often helping our patients manage negative aspects of their lives. We spend time identifying triggers and how they impact people.
UK-based psychotherapist Helen Marie has suggested that to move forward we need to start paying attention to positives. She refers to these as glimmers. The definition of trigger in a mental health setting is:
• A stimulus that elicits a reaction;
• Something that brings on or worsens symptoms, often affecting people with a history of trauma or mental illness;
• Something that affects one’s emotional state, causing one to be overwhelmed or distressed; and
• A reminder of a past trauma, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or panic.
Glimmer is defined as a faint or slight sign of something good or positive. For example, a glimmer of hope can be had even in a troubling situation.
Always look on the bright side of life
It is important to not think in terms of opposites, namely just black or white. What we are attempting to do is to find hope – the proverbial silver lining.
Let’s consider what constitutes a glimmer and reflect on how many you may have overlooked over the past 24 hours.
What has been your tiny moment of awe? What sparked joy for you? Was it a beautiful sunset? An aromatic flower, perhaps?
In the past, I have written about relishing moments of happiness. Now I am asking you to savour these micromoments that result in a mood shift.
A glimmer can evoke an inner calm. It is also a reason to engage in mindful
practices in everyday living, namely meditation and/or prayer.
Each time we acknowledge a glimmer, it has a positive effect on our mental health and general wellbeing. When we experience a glimmer, we generate an automatic response. Seeing and appreciating a beautiful flower often results in a smile and a gentle sense of relaxation. This changed physiological response sends cues of safety to our sympathetic nervous system. We are infused with feel-good hormones –endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin.
These hormones strengthen our nervous system and promote good health. It is another reason to start to
develop awareness of the glimmers in daily life.
Humans generate automatic responses, so the opposite happens when we experience a trigger. Our bodies will tense and we start to go into a flight, fight or freeze mode. Our nervous system responds accordingly and we start to generate large amounts of adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine.
Take the example of being stuck in a traffic jam. Our immediate response may be to take a tighter grip of the steering wheel, let out some expletives and to reflect on the situation negatively. Our bodies tense and the negative physiological response begins to flood our nervous system. Next time this happens to you, consciously relax your hands on the wheel, start to breathe deeply and listen to music or a podcast you enjoy. Your mind and body will thank you.
When we are relaxed, we start to have feelings of contentment. In short, we are more at ease and generate positive energy.
The last word goes to Karen Salmansohn, author and behavioural change expert: “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take that step”.
Anne-Marie Elias is a psychologist in clinical practice for 25 years.
This month we introduce a new feature that we hope will be part of The Jewish Report for a long time, namely Yoni Glatt’s famous Kosher Crossword.
We are privileged to include it because it has been published in several prestigious publications abroad.
That includes The Jerusalem Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe.
Each month, Yoni gives his Kosher Crossword a title. As you can see, this month it is Leading Ladies.
Naturally, he will give you clues and we promise not to keep you on shpilkes. We will provide answers in the same issue of the paper.
Yoni grades his puzzles from easy to challenging. We will include that reference, so you can think even more of yourself if you successfully complete a difficult one.
62. Talks, colloquially
63. Org. that might confiscate a bottle Down
1. Beatty or Kelly
2. Raise up
3. Most squiggly
4. A famous Amos
5. He ruled long before 33-Across 6. Sound you might hear after an aliyah
7. Short appearances
8. Give notice
9. It's a hint
10. Head of a Canadian province 11. Georgia airport, for short
Haifa to Efrat dir.
17. Stuff in a drum 20. Holy Land letters 21. Slangy pronoun 22. He ran from Iran
23. ___ sore spot
24. Pro-Bowl defensive end Umenyiora
25. It's home to 47-Across Sq.
27. French Open divisions
30. Subway resident
31. Calls from the flock
32. Circular cereal
34. 22-Across married into this tribe
35. Indie folk band Bon ___
36. One of the holier fruits
37. "Equal" prefix
38. Katz and Artzi
40. Dwell
41. Donkey relatives in Asia
42. Cornhusker St.
44. Like messed-up makeup
45. Carrier Lingus
48. Automatic transmission gear
49. Grace's last name, on "Will & Grace"
50. Timeline unit
52. Comic Ansari
53. Grand Casino letters
54. Winner of the Thrilla in Manila
55. Where Rav Saul Lieberman taught, for short
56. Old intro to "long" or "now"
57. Sheep meadow
52. Foe of Saul
Where you can find 22-Across's Street
Evil Queen of Israel
Crispin of "Back to the Future"
Rage
CONSIDERED OPINION
RAMONA FREEDMAN KESHER COMMUNICATIONS
Soft landing. If I had a shekel for every time I heard that phrase upon mentioning I was moving to Ra’anana, well, I could buy the whole neighbourhood a falafel or two.
I have just made Aliyah to our Holy Land, as in, I am still counting the days, so it is fresh. The emotions were running riot before I boarded the Israel-bound flight on a one-way ticket. I was anxious. I was scared. I was … all-the-feels.
Sure, anti-Semitism has skyrocketed in our Great Southern Land since October 7. Sure, suddenly there are class action lawsuits being filed countering the complex, cold campus reality of our tertiary students. Sure, there is drama playing out daily and the Jewish community has had to mobilise like never before.
And yet, when you are born in a land and you are first generation, you grow up being told and taught that you’re in the Lucky Country. When your family has experienced the depth of trauma and tragedy, as seen within my extended family as a microcosm of the harrowing Holocaust, you appreciate what you have so much more.
So it was with me. In fact, I didn’t realise how much I loved living Down Under until the topic came up for discussion to emigrate. How would that be possible?
My English level is sky high; conversely, my Hebrew level can be described as primary school-girl level, at best. On Yom Kippur afternoon, for example, did I sometimes skim sections of the Machzor when, through my hunger haze, the Hebrew text started looking a little more like hieroglyphics? Perhaps.
I view the world via a spiritual prism. I had the strong feeling G-d was guiding this. Even knowing that, I was petrified. Of change. Of war. Of it all.
Within ten weeks, between November and February, all three of my children moved to Israel. Simultaneously, my husband Oliver’s company wanted him closer to Europe, ideally in the northern hemisphere.
Long story short: permission to have a base in Israel was granted, discussions ensued, and with a change in tax laws (don’t ask me more, I honestly don’t know), it was deemed necessary to sell our house and cars, then wrap up meaningful communal work that I loved. It was all-systems go to declutter, donate and relocate.
We waved farewell at the airport, husband happy, wife teary and a whole new life chapter began – on Aliyah, to Israel.
“Welcome home” were the two words I was greeted with upon arrival by the Israeli-government appointed man from the Aliyah office. Toda Raba, but I wanted to say, actually my ‘home’ was on Clyde Street in North Bondi. My home was the local ’hood’ I knew and loved. My home was the place where I saw people from all cross-sections of my world; a gift you take for granted when you live in one city the majority of your life. My home was getting KA-certified Oakberry Acai and sitting on the grass with family and friends overlooking Bondi Beach.
And yet, when you think of it across the wide arc of time spanning Jewish history, you better understand this phrase and how apt it is. For reasons of persecution,
Aliyah, from Australia to Israel – the start of a new chapter
so many of us were flung across the Diaspora, landing in all corners of the globe. My paternal side had the majority of our family decimated during the Holocaust. Post-war, borders shut in Poland, boxing in remaining members. They finally made it to Israel in the 1950s, yet couldn’t make enough money to live. One family member had boarded a ship to Australia. Two brothers, cobblers by trade, the only survivors, settled in Sydney. And their grandchildren, including me, were born on Aussie soil. And yet, flash forward to the here and now and I knew I needed to jump. Was I as brave as that heroic brother-in-law of Aaron, Nachshon ben Aminadav, a prince of the tribe of Judah? No chance. After the Israelites fled Egypt, they were trapped between a swirling sea ahead and the enraged Egyptian army behind. Oh, he jumped alright. And here I was thousands of years later, needing to make my own jump.
Deep breath. Shema Yisrael said. And off I went.
Last year I attended a shiur with a visiting British rebbetzin who now lives in Israel. After her insightful talk I mentioned the possibility of moving to Israel. She told me the most important aspect when making Aliyah is to know exactly which community you are going to. Community is everything. I asked her if she was happy. She emphatically said “yes”.
I knew the power of community well, having chosen to work at the epicentre of it. And I loved that feeling of belonging. I quietly communicated with my husband: If you want to give me half a chance of being happy, let’s know which shul community we are going to, rather than dropping into some random and remote region. Distil it all and community equals happiness. Jewish Australians have relocated to all parts of Israel, but one city oft mentioned was Ra’anana. I had only been there a couple of times, so what did I really know? I knew what a wise rebbetzin had told me. Prioritise community. If it meant I would have fewer crazy Aliyahintegration stories around the Shabbat table, so be it. I am never one lost for words. So, Ramona arrived in Ra’anana. Nervous, jet-lagged, but grateful. Oliver wanted to join a shul called Kehilat Lev Ra’anana (KLR) and deliberately chose a rental close by – so clever, given the summer heat.
Respected Rav Elyada Goldwicht, founder of the hugely successful global Semichat Chaver program, is at the helm. KLR offers a meaningful, Torahtrue, communal experience in the heart of town, with most there having also made Aliyah. All here to help one another. Baruch Hashem for that.
On our first Friday afternoon, we had been in the Holy Land for barely two days. Reunited with our beloved
children, we were looking forward to spending Shabbat together. Deliveries began arriving at our door. First, a bright bouquet of flowers from our new shul and then other little treats from many in the area who knew how daunting Aliyah was. They included blue and white decorated cupcakes with Magen David’s on top and plants from family afar.
It was me in reverse. Normally, I was the person opening my door to guests in Sydney and now I was the new kid on the kosher block, so to speak. The irony of all this was that despite arriving during an active war, a sense of peace pervaded because I wasn’t alone. I was enveloped by this new KLR family. All in shul sang with joy for us … with us. I didn’t even know their names: we are all one mishpachah here, from the far corners of the globe. With tears in my eyes, I realised immediately that this country, this land has a neshama (a soul), like nowhere else.
Soft landing? Yes. Honestly, it was pillow soft … embraced by this new KLR shul community. Ramona in Ra’anana. I like the sound of that.
Ramona Freedman will be contributing a monthly column on all-things-Israel relating to her Aliyah journey. To contact her directly, please feel free to email: ramona@keshercommunications.com.au
Ramona Freedman, who has been a long-standing, regular and much loved contributor to The Jewish Report, has just made Aliyah. Here, she (bottom right) is pictured with her family upon arrival in Israel
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
Changing Port Phillip for the better
Dick Gross is a highly recognisable figure in the City of Port Phillip.
He has spent four terms as Mayor and is a former President of the Municipal Association of Victoria.
His desire to help the local community remains and so he is intending to stand for Council again at the upcoming October election.
The Melbourne Jewish Report spoke with Dick.
You’ve spent a lot of years in local government, serving your community, so why the desire to stand again? What is the attraction?
I am driven to stand again as I love service in local government. It is a tier of government where, unlike the divorce factories of parliament, one can work in the sector and still have a regular life. Local government is special because it gives you the best of both worlds.
Being part of a Council is an uplifting experience. There are challenges, problems to solve, conundrums to address and help to give. My service at Port Phillip, whilst lengthy, has been intermittent. I haven’t been on the current Council and not only have I missed it personally, I have been devastated to see the dysfunction and incompetence that exists. That is something I am keen to address.
The failures have been manifest and manifold: rubbish bin gate with its hopeless provision of a basic service stands out. This council is divided and acrimonious. It led to the loss of the much-loved home care service because the Council was totally unprepared. The streets are tatty and street cleaning flawed. Australia’s biggest urban renewal project in Fisherman’s Bend has been stuffed up by both the Council and the State Government. The is much scope for an experienced Councillor to make a tangible difference. I want to step up and do that.
What makes Dick Gross tick? What are the values you hold dearest to your heart? What is it that you stand for?
I am a person primarily driven by family and community. I have three great kids, a vibrant marriage and two delightful granddaughters. Their welfare and the viability of the family business are, not surprisingly, dear to me. I am getting a lot of nachos from my mishpocha.
After family comes career and community. I have a deep regard for the needs of the diverse and vivacious community in Port Phillip. From our art scene to community sport and entertainment and our religious communities, we live in a special place. I love to play a hand in seeing that prosper and grow. But I also believe in fiscal responsibility. So, I have, in the past, to my political cost, been a fearless opponent of waste on stupid or flawed ideas. I still have the courage to oppose those ideas that may sound “cool”, but are irrational and uneconomical. I stand for financially prudent innovation. I stand for tolerance and diversity. And I stand
for the growth of open green spaces in a crowded city craving more room to move.
How would you describe the situation in Port Phillip municipality today? Is it in good shape? What needs to change or improve? What would you like to see done?
At the moment, the Council in Port Phillip is totally dysfunctional. A Councillor has found the place so toxic, he has had to flee. 7,000 bins went uncollected last year. Dog management has so angered the community that 3,000 ratepayers have taken to signing petitions to overturn Council mismanagement on the issue. Street cleaners were discovered by Channel 9 to be parked doing nothing for hours! The home care business was lost by nothing short of incompetence. The place is a shemozzle. I haven’t been there for four years and I grieve to see the chaos and acrimony.
The Jewish community faces unprecedented levels of antisemitism. How would you address that?
The antisemitism is appalling. I see it every day, in every way. It is totally unacceptable. As the only declared Jewish candidate, I will promote tolerance and Jewish safety and inclusion. In the past, I have been a guard for CSG in front of schools and synagogues. I know that more has to be done. Also, the local government sector across Melbourne has not been our friend. Several Councils now have anti-Israel policies. Councils have no expertise, no role and no effect on the Middle East and should shut up and stay out of this divisive issue. But locally, Council needs to make Jews feel safe.
How important is your Jewish heritage to you and how involved are you in the Jewish community?
My Jewish identity is at the core of my life. I am a proud, secular Jew and I know what Jews need. My grandfather was an influential supporter of Israel. He strongly backed “Doc” Evatt, the Australian President of the UN in 1948/49, who was critical in the creation of the
State of Israel. My other grandfather was born in Tzfat.
I will support free upgrades to large bins for the larger Jewish (and non-Jewish) families. I will engage with community heroes in opposing antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination. To live in a free and fair society, you need to be able to go about your daily business without fear of recrimination.
To finish then, here is the $64,000 question, Dick. Why should ratepayers in Port Phillip vote for you?
Experience. My unparalleled experience will help me to sort out the current chaos at Town Hall. Four-time Mayor and former President of the Municipal Association of Victoria means that I have been the leading Councillor in the State. My Jewish background will help me pave the way to address the current wave of repugnant antisemitism. It is a calling and a duty that I will discharge with passion and vigour.
DICK GROSS
Dick Gross is standing as a candidate for Council in Port Phillip
CONSIDERED OPINION
YVETTE ALT MILLER COURTESY AISH.COM
The renowned sex therapist was a Holocaust survivor, former Israeli soldier, and a proud Jew.
“Dr Ruth” Westheimer, the Jewish woman who helped countless of people in their intimate lives, has died at the age of 96. In over 40 books, on television and through her popular syndicated radio show, Dr Ruth educated millions of people, providing accurate, clear information about sexuality at a time when the topic was taboo. Dr Ruth reassured people that sex was a normal part of life.
Few of her many fans realized that Dr Ruth – a diminutive, motherly figure with a thick German accent – was a decorated military hero in Israel and that her life was marked both by the Holocaust and by her intense devotion to Jewish life.
Orthodox Jewish childhood
Dr Ruth’s parents met in a way that is fittingly romantic for their daughter’s later career in romance: her mother Irma took a job as a housekeeper for the Seigel family in the German town of Weisenfeld. She and Julius Seigel, her employer’s son, fell in love, married and moved to Frankfurt, where Dr Ruth was born in 1928. Irma and Julius were Orthodox Jews and raised their daughter – named Karola Ruth Siegel –in a warm Jewish home. She was their only child and later fondly recalled going to synagogue regularly with her father.
Upheaval during the Holocaust
The last time Dr Ruth saw her beloved father, during Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass” (November 9-10, 1938), she was ten years old. Nazi members and ordinary citizens took to the streets in towns throughout Germany, Austria and in parts of Czechoslovakia. Over 1,500 synagogues were destroyed; 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses were burned down and ransacked; hundreds of Jews were beaten, raped and murdered. Over 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Among them was Julius Segal, Dr Ruth’s father. She later recalled watching as he was bundled away outside their apartment window.
Her mother and grandmother realised that no Jew was safe in Germany and secured a place for young Ruth in a group of 300 Jewish children who were being sent to Switzerland as part of a Kindertransport. The Kindertransport missions brought about 10,000 Jewish children to safety in countries including Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland. These children were saved, but at the cost of losing their families: no adults were allowed on the transports. Dr Ruth never saw her family again. After the war, she believed her parents were both murdered in Auschwitz.
In Switzerland, Dr Ruth lived in an orphanage. She later recalled that she and the other Jewish children were treated badly, forced to do housework and take care of the younger children. Girls were not allowed to attend regular high school. By day, Dr Ruth learned how to do housework in an all-girls school. At night, she would steal her way to one of the orphanage’s stairwells, where the lights remained on, and study from the
The indomitable Dr Ruth
books of a Jewish orphan who would share his textbooks with her.
Heroism in Israel
After the Holocaust, at the age of 16, Dr Ruth – along with her friend from the orphanage – moved to Britishruled Mandatory Palestine, in presentday Israel. She began going by her middle name, Ruth and lived in various kibbutzim.
At that time, the Jewish community in Mandatory Palestine was besieged: beset by violent attacks from hostile Arab forces and forbidden by the British from accepting the tens of thousands of ragged Holocaust survivors who were begging to move to the Holy Land. Dr Ruth later described how she joined the precursor to the modern day IDF (Israeli Army): “At the age of 16, I immigrated to Palestine from Europe, where I became a member of the Haganah, the main underground army of the Jews. I learned to assemble a rifle in the dark and was trained as a sniper so that I could hit the centre of the target, time after time. As it happened, I never did get into actual combat, but that didn’t prevent me being severely wounded. I almost lost both my feet as a result of a bombing attack on Jerusalem” (on her 20th birthday).
In the same article, Dr Ruth also explained why she felt, as a female Jewish combat veteran, that it is so important for all Jews to defend the Jewish state: “Now were it up to me, I would abolish all warfare. But having lost my family at the hands of the Nazis, I know that we need our armed forces in order to protect our freedoms. And there is no reason why our troops have to be composed only of one sex.”
Finding love and building a career
Dr Ruth married three times; she later said “the third one was the real marriage”, lasting from 1961 to her
to create a role for her to help her fellow citizens. Dr Ruth’s tenacity paid off: at the end of 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Dr Ruth as New York State’s – and the USA’s first – “Loneliness Ambassador”, charging her with helping combat the growing scourge of loneliness. Dr Ruth told The New York Times “The first thing to do is have the courage to admit you’re lonely. Then you can do something about it.”
She opened up about her own experiences with loneliness: “I’ve known loneliness, even extreme loneliness, during my 95 years. When I was ten years old, I was separated from my family and never saw them again. When I was 20, I was caught in a bomb blast and almost died and wondered what would happen to me. Also, I lost my husband of 35 years to a stroke in 1997. And I’ve been lonely at other times too. So, when I read about the loneliness epidemic, given my history and my experiences as a therapist, I knew I had to join the fight against loneliness.” She encouraged people to go out, when possible, and to forge connections with others. Sadly, Dr Ruth suffered a stroke soon after being appointed Loneliness Ambassador and had to curtail much of her public work.
“Am Yisrael Chai”
husband Fred Westheimer’s death in 1997. After teaching kindergarten for a time in Israel, Dr Ruth moved with her first husband to Paris, where she earned a degree in psychology at the prestigious Sorbonne university. She later moved to the United States and in 1970 received a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University.
She worked in a variety of jobs related to public health and trained as a sex therapist, working part time while her children were in school. Her career took off seemingly overnight in 1980, after she agreed to host a 15-minute show that aired at midnight on a New York radio station. Her short show was called “Sexually Speaking”, and her amusing, fact-based and direct style of conveying information quickly gained listeners. The New York Times noted in 1984 that her show boosted her “from obscurity to almost instant stardom”. The radio station quickly expanded her show, first to a one-hour long slot, then to two hours, capitalising on their new star’s ever-expanding popularity.
In 1984 Dr Ruth began hosting her own television show in the US. In the 1990s she appeared on a similar program about sexuality and sexual health in Israel. She provided lucid, accurate answers to listeners’ and viewers’ questions, and helped remove many of the taboos against discussing sexual health. Dr Ruth was warm and relatable, and was funny, while treating questions about sexuality with the respect they deserved. She used to teach her audiences that sex was a healthy part of life; sometimes she explained that the goal of a loving, respectful relationship was “shalom bayit”, a Hebrew expression meaning peace in the home.
New York’s "Loneliness Ambassador" Dr Ruth worked until her final months. Observing the rise in loneliness in recent years, she lobbied the state of New York
Despite the fame and wealth her career brought her, Dr Ruth always lived in the same three-bedroom apartment in Washington Heights, an Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood of New York where she’d raised her family. She attended several synagogues regularly and was active in a range of Jewish causes. A patron of The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City, Dr Ruth urged people to visit the institution, explaining: “It’s like a grave for my family who don’t have graves.” In 2021, she established the Dr Ruth Westheimer Scholarship in Psychology at Ben-Gurion University in Israel.
She enjoyed a busy social life. On Shabbat, she often visited friends. She was fond of quoting the end of the poem Aishet Chayil, A Woman of Valor, which is traditionally sung on Friday evenings before Shabbat dinner. She believed the song’s line “many women have excelled, but you outshine them all” is the most romantic in all of literature. This is how all men ought to regard their wives, she would tell guests at Shabbat dinners.
Dr Ruth often spoke of her grandchildren, Ari and Leora, and how they are living proof that the Nazis failed to wipe out the Jewish people. “When I look at my Ari and Leora,” Dr Ruth wrote, “I know that the Nazis weren't able to accomplish their supreme goal. Yes, they destroyed my family, including my beloved parents and grandparents, but they couldn’t eradicate my will to live and pass on to my children and grandchildren my love for Judaism, Israel and the Jewish people. For me, the phrase ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ –‘The Jewish people lives’ – holds special meaning.”
DR
“Dr Ruth” Westheimer
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
JNF Annual Campaign
The JNF Annual Campaign 2024 will feature Eylon Levy, arguably the most recognisable face in Israel advocacy today. Levy embodies the spirit and resilience that the Jewish community desperately needs right now. As the former official spokesperson for the Government of Israel during some of its most challenging times, he brings invaluable insights and a profound connection to our shared heritage. His presence and perspective offer not only inspiration, but also a much-needed sense of unity and purpose, reminding us of the strength and determination that define the Jewish community.
London-born Levy has been at the forefront of the PR-war, working to combat misinformation and antisemitism through hasbara (advocacy). Garnering a reputation for his quick wit and expressive eyebrows, JNF is thrilled to welcome Levy.
At a time when we seek inspiration and strong leadership, JNF is providing our community with a voice that embodies this deep connection to Israel. Levy’s firsthand experiences and his role for the Israeli government offer us a unique perspective that can galvanise our efforts and reaffirm our collective mission.
Healing Israel’s south embodies JNF’s unwavering commitment to the future. This campaign marks the next crucial
phase in supporting those communities devastated by the atrocities perpetrated on October 7. JNF Australia has always supported the communities of Israel’s south. They have demonstrated their ability to raise and distribute funds effectively and efficiently.
JNF National President Steven Salamon said that “the tragedy of October 7 and the global rise in antisemitism has served
as an unfortunate reminder to us all of the importance of Israel as our Jewish homeland. Rebuilding our communities in the south and indeed, anywhere the war affects, is vital to ensure the continuity of our communities and their crucial roles for the nation.”
In the wake of October 7, JNF’s Emergency Response Campaign raised more than $5 million, all of which was
deployed directly to 28 communities and more than 15,000 families. As the immediate emergency transitions to a phase of urgent ongoing needs, the JNF Annual Campaign continues its commitment to support those affected.
President of JNF Victoria Ronit Fraid said “Victorian donors have been heavily invested in growing and developing the communities in the south over many years. Their recovery is our first priority and will help us all to heal. There has been no time in Israel’s history when she has needed our support more. The existential threat that she faces is the existential threat that faces our whole Jewish world. Now is the time to give our all, as our Israeli brothers and sisters are giving their all.” The focus of the JNF Annual Campaign will directly fund projects that provide essential facilities and services to address serious psychological and mental health challenges faced by our southern communities.
In addition, funds will support communal infrastructure projects that aim to rebuild and enhance these areas, making them even more vibrant than before, encouraging families to return and to attract a new generation of chalutzim (pioneers). JNF’s aim is clear: to be guided by those on the ground who know best what is needed and where. It now invites the community to join it in healing Israel’s south.
To book to see Eylon Levy at JNF’s Annual Event on September 5, go to www.jnf.org.au
THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2024
Eylon Levy, who will be the keynote speaker at JNF Annual Campaign launch
Lily, Kibbutz Magen
CONSIDERED OPINION
RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG COURTESY AISH.COM
Each and every one of us needs to take a step back and take ownership over how we interact.
When the peace and harmony of Shabbat concluded and we learned the news of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, among my many thoughts was the question: what if?
A series of anthologies titled “What If? The World's Foremost Historians Imagine What Might Have Been” examines turning points in history and what might have been if particular moments had gone differently. One moment that broke differently at Poitiers in 1356, at Gettysburg in 1863, or in Berlin in 1945, could have altered the entire tapestry of modern history.
So, what if? What if Donald Trump had not turned his head at the last moment and instead of being shot on the tip of his ear was assassinated as the shooter intended? Would a dangerous and irreparable division have resulted, with violent and grave consequences for the country? Who would have replaced Trump as the Republican presidential nominee and how would the election have been impacted?
Reflecting on his brush with death, Trump said it was “God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening’.
President Biden called on Americans to “lower the temperature” in politics and said that Americans “must stand together”. Trump said that the miracle is motivation to pivot to a message of unity. While the assassination attempt was the act of an individual, many are blaming the level of rhetoric and extremist language in politics on both sides. Comparisons to the most evil men in history, descriptions of a threat to democracy, claims that the election is a matter of life or death create an atmosphere that is not only toxic, but clearly dangerous.
While Trump may be the highest profile attempted assassination of late, there have been no shortage of shootings and attempts to kill both Republicans and Democrats. Since the United States Congress was established in 1789, 15 of
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump
its members have been killed while in office and 14 have suffered serious injuries from attacks. Of those killed, 10 were Democrats, four were Republicans and one was a Democratic-Republican. Of the four members of Congress physically attacked since 2011, Gabby Giffords (D), Steve Scalise (R), Rand Paul (R) and Angie Craig (D), two are Democrats and two Republicans.
Similar divisiveness, discord and dangerous demagoguery exist in Israel as well. Many blame the 1995 murder of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, the head of the Labor Party, on incitement from his political adversaries and their followers. Others are concerned today with the relentless inflammatory language levelled at current prime minister Bibi Netanyahu, the head of Likud. Both in Israel and America, each side points a finger at the other, blames the other and calls on the other side to improve. An objective observer will conclude that the left and right in both countries have contributed to the poisonous and perilous polemics and that neither side adequately calls out their own for what they contribute to the noxious atmosphere, even while calling for unity themselves.
Politicians and political parties profit off the industry of extreme and inflammatory
language. Anger and fear generate outrage, which translates to dollars and to votes. But it also leads to division, hate and, even, to violence.
We, the people
Ultimately, it is up to each and every one of us to turn down the temperature, to be sensitive to and regulate how we speak, what we say and the tone we take. We, the people, must recognise our own autonomy and take ownership over how we interact. We can and must model how to disagree agreeably, how to debate and discuss ideas and policies, and not repeat, promote or advance ad hominem attacks against people.
King Solomon’s insight in Proverbs (18:21): “Death and life are determined by the tongue”, feels particularly poignant.
Soon, we will begin to observe the three weeks culminating in Tisha B’Av, the most inauspicious day on our calendar, marking the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem and the countless calamities and suffering in our history. Our rabbis taught that the cause of our millennia-long exile was sinat chinam, baseless hatred that can be traced all the way back to the dispute between Joseph and his brothers.
The Torah tells us that Joseph’s brothers
hated him to the point that v’lo yachlu dabro l’shalom – and they could not speak to him peaceably (Genesis 37:4). The Ibn Ezra explains, “they could not speak to him peaceably – l’shalom, to mean that they couldn’t even greet him with “Shalom”. It wasn’t just that they couldn’t talk about the issues they disagreed about, or that they didn’t want to be close, loving brothers. The hatred and intolerance had grown so deep that they couldn’t stand to even extend greetings to one another, or to be in a room together.
Making room for others
When we disagree with people, we withdraw from them and stop speaking to them. We see them as “the other”, different and apart from us. As our communication breaks down, the dividers rise higher and we can’t find a way to break through them.
The antidote is in our hands and we remind ourselves of it three times a day when we pray. Our practice of taking three steps backward at the conclusion of the Amidah comes from the Talmud which states, “One who prays must take three steps back and only then pray for peace” (Yoma 53). Rabbi Menachem BenZion Zaks explains that we cannot pray for, nor achieve, peace if we are not willing to step back a little and make room for others and their opinions, tastes and personalities.
After literally stepping back, we ask, “Oseh shalom bimromav, God, please bring peace” and we then turn to our right and to our left. Achieving peace and harmony means bending towards those on the right of us and those on the left of us, acknowledging them, engaging them and making space for them. That is a prerequisite to the shalom, the peace we crave.
Ballot, not bullets
In America and in Israel there are so many issues that deserve legitimate, vociferous debate. From elections to army service, from gun control to abortion, from judicial reform to religious coercion, there are complicated issues with multiple perspectives. They elicit strong emotion and passionate positions, but they cannot and must not sow irreversible division. We cannot allow our differences and strong opinions to make us unable to say hello to one another, or to see someone we disagree with as “the other”.
We cannot allow the feelings of unity and togetherness that followed October 7 to vanish or fade away. We can point a finger at others for how they have returned to rhetoric, or just like when you point an actual finger, we can recognise there are three pointing back at ourselves and take responsibility for our role and contribution to conversations.
As we approach the three weeks, don’t just ask and ponder “what if” about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Ask what if we all took responsibility for how we speak, for keeping the focus on policies and issues, and not on people, for avoiding language that inflames and incites, and instead using language that persuades and influences.
What if we looked to our right and to our left religiously, politically and in every other way and brought the great blessing of peace by bowing to what we have in common, rather than what divides. What if.
THE COMMUNITY
Courageous questions for a “Community of Inquiry”
When discussing current events, have you clashed or, perhaps even, parted ways with a loved one or friend? We often find it difficult to speak and listen to those with whom we strongly disagree. We are living in a time when social, political and ethnic polarisation threaten regional, national and global security. Many seek scapegoats to blame for increasingly difficult living conditions, or elect populist leaders who promote fear of, and hatred for “difference” and offer simple “bumper-sticker” solutions. We face a crisis of trust in authority and expertise (“alternative facts”), and an alarming decline in interpersonal respect and civility. We communicate more rapidly than ever, yet our engagement with others is often superficial. And we know, perhaps from personal experience, that people of all ages – including children and adolescents – are suffering from forms of depression and anxiety when it comes to contemplating their own and the world’s future.
Within the Jewish community at home and abroad, especially in the wake of October 7, we are all too familiar with many polarising forces including those above. We are impacted by marches and demonstrations, increases in
antisemitism – particularly in schools and universities – and the ambivalence of our leaders on matters of Jewish hatred.
In the face of such doom-andgloom scenarios, there are several typically Jewish responses: a shrug of the shoulders, followed by “Let’s eat!” is one; consulting and listening to experts is another, but a third is sitting together and engaging in meaningful dialogue. A community of inquiry is a space for thoughtful, reasonable and mutually respectful deliberation on topics close to Jewish minds, hearts and souls. This kind of collaborative inquiry is called “dialogue”.
In the lead-up to the High Holydays, which we celebrate with family and friends, PJV will sponsor workshops guided by Dr Laurance Splitter, titled “Courageous Questions for a Community of Inquiry". With a distinguished background in philosophy and mathematics, Laurance recently returned from a 20-week “Next Horizons” program at Oxford University. He will share his experience and insights with our community, offering a golden opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue on important matters.
Dialogues are not about winning or losing debates, nor are they just exchanges of opinion or shouting matches. By its nature, dialogue is a conversation, which aims to reach new levels of understanding about life’s puzzling issues – “The Big Questions”. It is characterised by “agreeable disagreement”. We may disagree on topics and ideas, but we do so with care and respect for all participants.
Tentative topics for our sessions:
• What do the concepts wokism and identity politics mean? Do they pose a threat to our society?
• Is (our) society becoming less “civil”?
• What constitutes your identity (as a person, a Jew, LGBTQIA+, Right wing, Left wing, black, white?
• Are the concepts of democracy, nationalism and religion compatible (as in the idea of a democratic religious state)?
• Are historical narratives helpful when it comes to resolving contemporary conflicts and moral and ethical questions?
Dr Laurance Splitter, B.A Hons (Monash), B. Phil. D. Phil. (Oxford) is a Rhodes Scholar, philosopher and mathematician. He pioneered Philosophy for Children in Australian schools, has held academic positions in Australia, the US, Hong Kong, and Japan and is a volunteer tutor at the University of the Third Age. His latest book, "Identity, Reasonableness and Being One among Others: Dialogue, Community, Education," was published by Springer last year.
We invite your expression of interest by scanning this QR code.
MAUREEN BARTEN PJV PRESIDENT AROUND
Dr Laurance Splitter
CONSIDERED OPINION
NOMI KALTMANN COURTESY TABLET MAGAZINE
Australian Jews are targeted by boycotts, harassment and intimidation. Is this the end of a golden age, or just a blip in a long and overwhelmingly positive history?
Throughout its history, Australia has been overwhelmingly good to its Jewish community. From an original group of eight Jews who arrived on the First Fleet in 1788, the community has grown to more than 100,000 today.
Significantly, the country welcomed thousands of Holocaust survivors after WWII. Among them was Berysz Aurbach, who sought refuge in Australia in 1947 after witnessing the tragic loss of nearly all his family. Aurbach, now 103, is one of the last remaining survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. And he told me he has never experienced any antisemitism in Australia. “There are good people in Australia,” he said. “They always want you to be a good citizen. If you are bringing good things to Australia, they leave you alone.”
A quick look at Australia’s Jewish communities shows that they are exceedingly vibrant, with dozens of Jewish schools, cultural organisations, synagogues and kosher restaurants. Being Jewish in Australia has never been seen as a bar to success, with Australian Jews occupying senior positions in government, including treasurer, attorney general and governor general.
Since October 7, however, Aussie Jews have been shocked by an explosion of antisemitism, including doxing, boycotts of Jewish businesses and violent attacks. One of the most troubling incidents occurred when a WhatsApp group dedicated to combating antisemitism in the arts had its information leaked and compiled into a “Jew List”. This spreadsheet was created with the intention of boycotting and harassing Jewish artists.
Although isolated antisemitic incidents are not new here, when Melbourne’s Mount Scopus Memorial College, one of Australia’s largest Jewish day schools, had the graffiti “Jew Die” scrawled on its fence in late May, the incident was so shocking that prime minister Anthony Albanese weighed in with a statement on X, noting: “No place for this in Australia or anywhere else.”
“Is this something new?” Aron asked about the new wave of antisemitism in Australia. “Or is this something that was under the covers the whole time? That’s a very difficult question to answer.”
Jeremy Leibler, the president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, believes that Australian Jews are experiencing a seismic shift. “I believe that the golden age for global Jewry has likely come to an end,” he said. “In Australia, we have seen a dramatic rise in antisemitism in almost every part of society.”
Leibler, who doubles as a partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler, one of Australia’s most prestigious law firms, recently helped draft a submission to Australia’s government that weighed in on a parliamentary review.
His focus? The urgent necessity to overhaul laws about doxing – the intentional online exposure of an individual’s identity, private information or personal details without their consent – especially considering the disproportionate impact on Jewish individuals in Australia post-October 7.
Antisemitism on the rise Down Under
“I believe that the government announced the review in good faith and intends to make necessary changes so that this sort of behaviour is clearly unlawful and real action can be taken to protect the individuals impacted,” Leibler said. “However, at this stage the consultation period is still underway so it is too soon to know where it will land. But I remain optimistic.”
Josh Moshe, the 33-year-old grandson of Holocaust survivors, was born in South Africa, grew up in New Zealand and moved to Australia in 2010. He is currently an acclaimed Jewish saxophonist living in Melbourne. Alongside his wife, Maggie, he operated a well-known gift shop in Thornbury, a trendy enclave in the city’s northern suburbs.
“For most of the time I’ve lived here, I’ve felt like [Australia] is peaceful, quiet and relaxed,” he said. “As for being a Jew, its fine. No one cares if you’re Jewish or not.”
However, all of this rapidly changed for Moshe after October 7, after he was added to the WhatsApp group that was doxed. The backlash against him and his family was swift. “We were sworn at, the shop was graffitied with ‘Glory to Hamas’ and we were told to ‘F off – we don’t want Zionists in Thornbury,’” he said.
Thornbury doesn’t have a large population of observant Jews, so Moshe, bewildered by the hostility directed at him and his family, believes that his family was unwittingly thrust onto the front lines of the conflict. “We were the only more or less observant Jews in the northern suburbs with a public profile,” he said. “Those factors meant we were heavily exposed and vulnerable to this sort of attack. It’s a very anti-Zionist area. I always knew that and I always felt that. I was more or less happy living there for a while. But I also think that’s why we were the most exposed.”
As the doxing campaign against him gained traction, Moshe found out that the worst was yet to come.
“People were attacking my [online] music profile. Then attacking my business and then Maggie’s personal profile, even though she wasn’t in the [WhatsApp] group,” he said. As part of this harassment, their five-year-old son received death
appear to be limited in scope and there are no widespread reports of other Jewish owned shops closing, mass emigration or schools shutting.
“I see a lot of rising anti-Israel and antiZionist sentiment, but I don’t see that as antisemitism. I don’t think it is the same thing. I’m not seeing the conventional tropes, such as spilling over into public and explicit accusations of Jews controlling this and that,” said a Jewish Australian academic who asked to remain anonymous, concerned that speaking out publicly like this may lead to backlash or even doxing. “There are many families in Melbourne who have been directly impacted by the Holocaust – either as survivors or as their descendants – and the Jewish community is particularly sensitive about antisemitism. But in their anxiety, people are perhaps not recognising what a government or political machine that is against Jews actually looks like. It would look completely different from what we have in Australia today. But I have learned that people don’t want to hear this view. My opinions or historical perspectives can trigger them, so often I find it safer to keep my views to myself.”
threats. “Then people started tagging the band I was in [on social media]. Instead of coming to speak to me, [the band] publicly fired me via an Instagram post.” Moshe is now suing his former bandmates for defamation related to that post.
After months of sustained abuse, Moshe and his wife decided to close their shop and move it to a suburb close to Melbourne’s Jewish heartland.
“A few of our suppliers have been supportive, but, yeah, the vast majority of our customers and other shops in the strip [in Thornbury] were very quiet and some of them even joined in on the pileon,” Moshe said. “It was shocking to see how quickly; … seven years of being neighbours and being business associates counts for nothing.”
The antisemitism faced by the family has garnered significant attention in Australia. It was even highlighted in a documentary, hosted by former treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
“I know [participating in the documentary] it has every chance of further damaging my music career, but on the other hand, I have to speak about what’s going on,” said Moshe. “We wouldn’t tolerate this with any other ethnicity. In honouring the memory of my grandparents and their families, I am compelled to speak about this rising hatred, despite the further backlash I will receive.”
There’s no consensus what the growing feeling of unease among Australia’s Jewish community represents. Is it the end of the golden era for Jewish people in a country that has historically been welcoming? Or is it a minor blip in relations?
“In 1945, the Jewish demographer Joseph Gentilli had predicted that by the 21st century, there would be almost no Jews living in Australia,” said Suzanne Rutland, a professor emerita at the University of Sydney. “This prediction has proved to be totally false because of the influx of immigrants, particularly after the end of the Second World War with the Jewish Holocaust survivor migration. Hence, as an historian, I do not believe in making predictions.”
While stories, like what happened to Moshe and his family are horrific, they
David Slucki, associate professor at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University, tends to agree. “We are understandably hyper-vigilant” in Australia, he said. “So, when the situation globally is heightened, the way it is, it’s not surprising that people might see it as an existential crisis.”
However, Slucki, who is a Jewish and a Holocaust historian, questioned whether this current feeling of heightened stress for the community represents the existential crisis that some see it as. “There needs to be more nuance around the conversation,” he said. “Our governments at the local, state and federal level come out regularly in support of Jews and against antisemitism, which is something we have rarely seen throughout history. They don’t always get it right, but they are clearly seeking ways to address rising antisemitism. And yet I routinely hear people talk how similar the current situation is to 1930s Germany. As a historian of the Holocaust, I [find] that sentiment very troubling.”
While Australian universities have had pro-Palestine encampments, Slucki, who works on campus every day, does not feel that they have the same sting as their American counterparts. “I can’t speak for all universities, but I know that Monash has worked really hard to maintain a safe environment,” he said. “The university administration takes antisemitism and discrimination very seriously and has been consultative with me and leaders within the Jewish community. In my own work as a director of ACJC, I have felt colleagues on campus to be very collegial. I’ve seen a willingness from my colleagues who have sharp disagreements to talk and engage. In some ways I’ve seen the best of the academy [since October 7.] There is unquestionably antisemitism in Australia, but I still feel like, on balance, things will settle and it will still feel like a pretty good place to be Jewish.”
Despite the hardships that are currently facing the Jewish community, when I asked 103-year-old Aurbach if he wanted his children and grandchildren to leave, he responded quickly and without hesitation: “I want them to stay in Australia.”
UIA AROUND THE COMMUNITY
The commitment of UIA donors to supporting the People of Israel knows no bounds. Despite the ongoing turbulent and stressful situation that Israel is facing, UIA supporters feel more compelled than ever to show their unwavering support for our brothers and sisters in Israel at a time when they most need it – now.
Melbourne-based Susie Langley understands the importance of providing fellow Jews with a place to not only survive, but to live and flourish. This is why Susie, aged 69, is a dedicated supporter of UIA. "Israel has a deep meaning for me – I know it’s a deep heart connection, an unconditional loyalty, so connecting with people who feel the same way is extremely comforting.
In 1967 mum and dad went to Israel for a holiday. They wondered why it was so quiet and when they returned home the Six-Day War broke out. One morning I was sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast and dad came in crying, as he’d been listening to the news on the radio.
This incident left me with a very deep visceral memory that has lasted until today. Their love of Israel was injected into my veins.”
Susie first went to Israel in her early 20s and lived on an ulpan in Givatayim for six months with her then husband. She came back to Melbourne and decades passed before she returned.
An enduring gift
In 2020 she began learning Hebrew again and rediscovered her love of Israel. When asked about her decision to include the UIA in her Will, Susie said that she “felt very satisfied and happy to have made this decision. UIA gives me complete peace of mind, knowing that after I die, my family’s hard-earned money will be safe and will be used for a very good cause. I completely trust UIA and what they do with donations. I feel incredibly blessed to have UIA in my life.”
Proper names and hyphenated words are not allowed. Score 1 point for each answer and 3 points for a Jewish-related word that uses all 7 letters.
Rating: 15 = Good; 21= Excellent; 26 = Genius
The challenges of life post October 7 and the resulting war have inflicted significant financial and psychological hardship on those living in Israel. The situation is particularly acute for the elderly, especially Holocaust survivors
difficulties faced by many elderly Israelis who do not own their homes.
In response to this critical need, UIA supports Amigour, Israel’s leading operator of public and sheltered housing facilities. Today, more than 7,000 low-income seniors across the country benefit from affordable housing and independent living in 57 Amigour homes throughout the country. Amigour residents enjoy a variety of programs and classes, while a devoted staff ensures that all their needs are met.
Currently, 2,700 Amigour residents live in Israel's south. They are fortunate to reside in sheltered housing units, which allow them to remain in their homes during rocket attacks from Gaza, as they cannot move to bomb shelters. Amigour has also been providing necessities, such as groceries and other household items, to its residents, as it is too dangerous for them to leave their homes. Thanks to supporters like Susie Langley, Amigour residents will continue to have a safe and supportive environment in which to live out their final years in the place we call home – Israel.
Susie said: “Security and safety for the People of Israel – whoever needs it – gives me such an enormous sense of gratitude and comfort to be able to give like this in memory of my dad, Russell, and my mother, Jacqui.”
Susie Langley (centre) with IDF soldiers
Yoni Glatt has
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
ROBERT GREGORY AJA
Since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, a profound shift in Australian politics has occurred.
The Australian Greens have fundamentally changed from the environment-focused party they once were. The new campaign from Advance Australia describes this best with the slogan, ‘The Greens – not what they used to be.’
Following the largest massacre of Jews post-Holocaust, the four federal Greens’ MPs were the only ones that rejected a motion condemning Hamas’s barbarism.
A litany of offensive stunts followed, which suggested the Greens never really graduated from university student politics.
The entire Greens delegation stormed out of the Senate, claiming Labor was too supportive of Israel.
Federal deputy leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi was forced to delete a picture she posted of the Israeli flag placed in a garbage bin, along with the words “Keep the world clean”. ‘Dirty Jews’ is an old antisemitic trope. The following day, members of the Jewish community held an unprecedented protest outside her office.
The party’s foreign affairs spokesman Jordon Steele-John was one of several Greens to erroneously blame Israel for a misfired Palestinian rocket hitting Gaza’s Al-Ahli hospital.
The Greens – not who they used to be
Astoundingly, the Greens have refused to condemn vandalism of Australian war memorials.
Although foreign policy is ostensibly a federal issue, the Green’s antipathy to the Jewish State permeates all levels of politics.
The NSW Greens promoted the rally at Sydney’s Opera House that degenerated into antisemitic chants, while one of their state Greens MPs, Jenny Leong, was embroiled in controversy after referring to the ‘tentacles’ of the ‘Jewish lobby’.
Inclusiveness always
The Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) celebrated NAIDOC Week with the endorsement of its Reconciliation Action Plan by Reconciliation Australia. AUJS is the first Jewish organisation in Australia to be endorsed.
AUJS’ Reconciliation Action Plan is a roadmap to strengthen AUJS’ relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It outlines specific actions and commitments AUJS will take to support reconciliation and foster mutual respect and understanding.
The plan was developed by a working group of AUJS student leaders from across the country.
After the failed Voice to Parliament referendum, AUJS decided to develop and implement the plan as a stepping stone for meaningful action towards reconciliation.
Jewish and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have endured shared experiences of persecution, dispossession and intergenerational trauma. These experiences have forged a profound bond between our communities, providing a strong foundation for mutual understanding and collaboration in the journey towards reconciliation.
The connection between the Australian Jewish community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
The Green’s Brisbane mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan declared that Nazis and Zionists were unwelcome at a rally opposing the Gabba Olympics. Almost all Australian Jews are Zionists. Besides the crude inappropriateness of grouping Jewish people in with those who murdered their families, it’s unclear why he connected Jews with this issue.
Across Australia, from Randwick to Dandenong, Greens councillors injected the Middle East conflict into local government by proposing anti-Israel motions.
Historically, Jews have been politically diverse. The twin shocks of the October 7 massacre and surging local antisemitism have unnerved the community.
It will be interesting to watch now how the community reacts to the Greens at the ballot box. The first opportunity will be the upcoming local council elections in NSW and Victoria.
It will also be worth keeping an eye on the next federal election, which could be as soon as later this year. The most likely impact from the Jewish vote will be in the two electorates with the largest Jewish population, namely Wentworth and Macnamara.
In Wentworth, Teal MP Allegra Spender is facing criticism over perceived lacklustre support for Israel, but she won’t have to worry about the Greens as they have never come close to winning.
A closer contest is Labor MP Josh Burn’s seat of Macnamara. Lately, a clash between Labor and the Greens, the latter may have sabotaged their chances. Labor, too, has lost Jewish support. With popular, Pro-Israel Indigenous candidate Benson Saulo, the Coalition may have its best chance of flipping Macnamara in years.
Whatever the results, the continued stunts from Greens MPs reinforces the message that they are not who they used to be.
communities exemplifies the power of solidarity in the face of adversity. Specific actions include participation in National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, cultural competency learning for student leaders and increasing economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
AUJS will continue to collaborate on initiatives such as Derech Eretz, codelivered by AUJS and Australia’s leading Jewish social justice organisation, Stand
Up. Derech Eretz, which translates to “the way of the land” provides an opportunity to foster a relationship between Jewish young adults and the predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Toomelah and Boggabilla in Northern NSW.
Post-referendum, the Reconciliation Action Plan supports the calls for treaty making and a process of truth-telling as essential to achieve reconciliation,
as expressed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. AUJS welcomes the opportunity to work with interfaith groups and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to achieve the objectives of its Reconciliation Action Plan.
As AUJS continues to grow and evolve, its dedication to social justice remains a guiding principle, inspiring future generations of students to champion a fairer and more inclusive Australian society.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi posed next to a student protestor holding up a “keep the world clean from Jews” poster at a pro-Palestinian rally last November
RACHEL PALMER AUJS
A participant of the AUJS x Stand Up Derech Eretz' program talking to a community Elder in Bogabilla, July 2024 (photo by Stand Up)
AROUND
THE COMMUNITY
JDC's Superheroes' Camp
For the third time, a quiet valley in western Ukraine was transformed into a den of superheroes. JDC's Superheroes' Camp offers Ukrainian families – including many who have fled their homes and all of whom are living through a third summer of conflict – a chance to tap into their hidden superpowers, powers that build resilience and allow them to survive the ongoing crisis. And for the third summer, Sasha Kyrychenko was there as a counsellor. "Each summer, I return home full of inspiration and ready to share this warmth," Sasha said. For Sasha, one of the camp's superpowers is the way it builds and embodies community. Indeed, it was after his first summer as a counsellor that Sasha learned he was Jewish. Before the conflict, Sasha was not particularly interested in exploring his roots. But when the crisis occurred, Sasha began volunteering with Ukrainians who had been internally displaced (IDPs). Most of the other volunteers were members of the Jewish community and they quickly became friends. Given Sasha's experience working with IDPs, these new friends recruited him to join them as a
counsellor at JDC's first Superheroes' Camp, which catered specifically for displaced Jews. At camp, Sasha spent the summer immersed in Jewish culture. When the counsellors met up for a post-camp debriefing, one of them heard Sasha mention his grandmother's name and urged him
it on. "We can all be superheroes," he said. "When, despite the cruel reality, we can still see beauty, we are superheroes." The camp’s impact extends beyond the summer, as the bonds formed and the resilience built there acts as support for participants throughout the year. It is a testament
Each day at Superheroes' Camp is filled with activities designed to empower and inspire.
to investigate his background. To his surprise, he discovered he was Jewish. Now actively involved in Jewish life in his hometown of Kyiv, Sasha keeps returning to the Superheroes Camp. Sasha feels the community of Superheroes' helps build his resilience. "I think every Jew – in Ukraine and around the world – should understand they can't overcome darkness on their own. We need the light and warmth of community to get through." Sasha gets this light at camp and passes
to the strength of community and the hidden potential within each individual.
Each day at Superheroes' Camp is filled with activities designed to empower and inspire. From teambuilding exercises to creative workshops, every moment is crafted to help participants discover their inner strength. The camp also offers psychological support, helping families cope with the traumas they have faced. The counsellors,
many of whom have experienced displacement themselves, serve as role models, showing that it is possible to overcome adversity and find joy again. The impact of Superheroes' Camp is profound, creating ripples of positivity that extend far beyond the camp itself.
Parents report that their children return home with newfound confidence and optimism. In turn, they inspire their communities, spreading the message that resilience and hope are possible even in the darkest of times.
In addition to the direct benefits for campers, the Superheroes' Camp also fortifies the broader Jewish community in Ukraine. By fostering connections and a sense of belonging, the camp helps to preserve Jewish culture and traditions. This is especially important in times of crisis, when cultural identity can be a source of strength and resilience.
The camp’s emphasis on Jewish values and heritage ensures that these traditions are passed down to future generations, keeping the community vibrant and united.
To learn more about the impactful work of JDC (The Joint) globally, visit https://thejoint.org.au/
STEPH HAUSMAN
JDC (THE JOINT) AUSTRALIA
SENIORS’ LIVING
Residential aged care
JEWISH CARE
The Jewish Report spoke with Jewish Care’s Residential Aged Care Admissions and Engagement Manager
Simone Illarietti to find out more about the residential aged care services that the organisation offers.
Who is eligible for residential aged care (RAC)?
You may be eligible for governmentfunded aged care services if you are 65 years of age or older (50 years or older if you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person) and need help to do the things you used to.
You may be eligible if you have:
• Noticed a change in what you can do or remember;
• Been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility; to the aged care home. The amount of call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request an assessment of your care
What assurances are given to family members that their loved ones are being looked after in the best possible way?
Jewish Care’s three residential care homes are fully accredited against the eight Aged Care Quality Standards. Jewish Care takes a personalised care plan approach and values a collaborative partnership between residents, their families and Jewish Care staff.
Who provides them with care and attention?
Jewish Care has qualified registered nurses, enrolled nurses and personal care staff across all three residential homes. Registered nurses are onsite 24/7 to provide and supervise the highest level of quality clinical care to all its residents.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
What can you tell me about the Jewish Care model? How easy is it to “get in”
Everyone is welcome at Jewish Care and our admissions team works tirelessly to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition into our homes. Members of the team are always ready to take a call and assist with admissions in a planned, systematic fashion. Rest assured, they
Simone and Benita from the Jewish Care admissions team are always happy to lend a hand or listening ear. The aged care journey can be daunting, confusing and stressful and they are available to lighten the load.
You can contact them on 8517-5504 or via email: sillarietti@jewishcare.org.au
Please contact the ladies if you would like to book a tour of Gary Smorgon House in Caulfield or Residential Home Windsor or Carnegie.
From left, Michael Diamond, with his parents Jill and Leon, who recently moved to Residential Home Windsor
AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW
Caution: The material in this article is of a sensitive nature and may trigger certain readers. Please carefully consider that before reading on.
Professor Gila Kahila Bar-Gal is an exceptional academic whose diverse and fascinating research crosses veterinary medicine, archaeology, paleontology, anthropology, animal domestication, evolution and conservation of cultural heritage and wildlife forensics. After October 7, BarGal’s unique talents were called to help in identifying bodies.
In the months following the horrific attacks, Gila volunteered at the National Center of Forensic Medicine (Abu Kabir). She undertook an assignment she could never have imagined. Gila, whose research focuses on interpreting DNA from archaeological samples and on wildlife forensics, lent her specialised expertise to assist in identifying the
The role of ancient DNA forensics in identifying October 7 victims
samples, the quality and quantity of DNA in the specimen is very low,” BarGal said.
In the case of the October 7 victims, the age of the bones was not the challenge. It was the fact that the terrorists set homes and bodies on fire, often using accelerants, resulting in severely burned remains. “The remains of the victims varied, including burned samples. The problem was the lack of presence of DNA in samples that were exposed to high temperatures like that,” Bar-Gal explained.
Bar-Gal’s skill at extracting and amplifying DNA to arrive at a profile for comparison for police and other databases added value to the efforts at Abu Kabir. Her experience in forensics and preparing evidence for use in court was also critical to identification that could be accurately relied upon.
In addition, she brought to the table her knowledge from her position as
as specimens. To do anything else would make it impossible to undertake the work. She found this especially so when dealing with bones that she knew to have belonged to juveniles. Having personally known many of the victims from when she lived in one of the kibbutzim that was attacked, Bar-Gal had many challenging moments. “The first week I got remains to sample, they were labelled with names and locations. It was very difficult,” Bar-Gal recalled. After that, she asked for all specimens to be de-identified, which helped to distance herself from the victims and focus on the work.
Bar-Gal is currently on sabbatical from the Hebrew University and is working with the University of Sydney. She will be participating in events in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, where she will recount her harrowing experience and
Executive Director of Zionism Victoria, Former National Editor of Australian Jewish News
Director of the Ancient Israel Program at Australian Catholic University
Professor Gila Kahila Bar-Gal assisting with DNA extraction and amplification at the National Center of Forensic Medicine (Abu Kabir) in November 2023 (photo by Tomer Neuberg – Flash90)
AROUND
TECHNION AUSTRALIA
In the world of technology and innovation, a "hackathon" has become a powerful tool for problem-solving. It’s an intense, collaborative event that brings together diverse groups of people – often programmers, designers and subject matter experts – to work on specific challenges within a limited timeframe, usually 24 to 48 hours. Hackathons foster creativity, encourage out-of-the-box thinking and often result in prototype solutions that can be further developed into real-world applications.
The Technion's Taub Faculty of Computer Science has taken a significant step to addressing mental health challenges. Its annual social-technological hackathon, "CS Hack – Doing Good" recently focused on developing innovative solutions to improve mental resilience in the wake of October 7 and the Swords of Iron War (the war against Hamas declared by the State of Israel in response to the surprise attack).
For 24 intense hours, 140 computer science students from various degree streams worked tirelessly on their inventions. What set this hackathon apart was its unique collaboration between tech-savvy students and mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. This interdisciplinary approach ensured that the technological solutions were grounded in real-world therapeutic needs.
Innovating for resilience at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
The winning team showcased the event's innovative spirit by developing a virtual reality (VR) treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) centred around cooking. This creative approach combines VR technology with therapeutic techniques, allowing users to engage in virtual cooking experiences enhanced by nature scenes and personalised music selections. The idea was inspired by a poignant personal story of loss and healing through cooking, highlighting the potential of everyday activities in trauma recovery.
Other notable projects included an AI tool for personalising PTSD treatment, a system for cancelling triggering sounds for PTSD sufferers and a platform simplifying access to rights and benefits for army reservists. These diverse projects demonstrate the wide-ranging applications of technology in addressing various aspects of mental health and support.
The hackathon's focus on PTSD and mental resilience is particularly timely. Since October 7, tens of thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians in Israel have begun
rehabilitation, with many facing not only physical challenges but mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and PTSD.
Expert insights from professionals like Colonel (Reserve) Professor Eyal Fruchter highlighted the evolving understanding of PTSD and the crucial role technology can play in its diagnosis and treatment. The event also benefited from partnerships with organisations like Restart NGO, which works to improve the lives of wounded soldiers, bringing real-world perspective to the technological innovations.
The hackathon's success lies not only in the innovative solutions developed, but also in raising awareness about mental health issues, particularly PTSD. By involving students in this challenge, the event is fostering a new generation of technologists who are conscious of, and committed to, addressing mental health concerns.
As we navigate an increasingly complex world, initiatives like this hackathon at Technion offer hope. They show that by combining technological expertise with mental health knowledge, we can develop practical, innovative solutions to support mental resilience and improve lives. This event serves as an inspiring model for future collaborations between technology and healthcare, paving the way for more effective, accessible mental health support.
For 100 years, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has strengthened the State and people of Israel. No institution holds more promise for its future.
It educates global entrepreneurs, develops pioneering technologies, expands our scientific frontiers and betters life around the world.
2024 hackathon participants
DAVID SOLOMON AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
The new Exploration, Leadership and Innovation (ELI) program created by Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a groundbreaking leadership, gap-year and university preparation initiative aimed at empowering Jewish youth.
It is the first gap-year program in Israel to offer Jewish youth from around the world an opportunity to enrich their identity and leadership skills through an immersive college-preparatory approach. This process facilitates engagement with Judaism, Jewish and Israeli culture, and the Startup Nation, alongside world-class academic training, extracurricular activities and mentorship opportunities with key Israeli public figures.
Spearheaded by diplomat, entrepreneur and academic Dr. Ronen Hoffman, ELI revolutionises the traditional gap-year experience and will help strengthen relations between Israel and Jewish communities globally.
How does ELI work?
Run in English and offered through The Lowy International School at TAU, ELI draws on Israel’s and TAU’s leadership across a diversity of sectors. Students
TAU’s ELI transforms the gap-year concept
can participate in the program for either five or ten months, and will choose academic for-credit classes from across five study areas, namely:
• Israel and the Middle East;
• Jewish Peoplehood;
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation;
• Environment and Sustainability; and
• The Best of Science and Human Thought.
ELI combines classroom instruction with immersive experiences, including visits to significant sites and workshops on cutting-edge topics such as cyber security and artificial intelligence. Students also benefit from mentorship with Israeli public figures, service-learning projects, Hebrew language instruction and extracurricular activities.
When does it run?
The inaugural cohort of ELI students will start their journey at TAU in September 2024. There will be two intakes each year, which works well for Australian school leavers who can join the program in Israel’s Spring semester (January).
Comments by TAU leadership
TAU President, Professor Ariel Porat underscores the program's role in strengthening ties between Israel and global Jewish communities. “Ensuring this continued legacy has never been more critical, the ELI program is an
Exploration. Leadership. Innovation. ELI Academic Gap Program
ELI is the first gap-year program in Israel to offer Jewish youth from around the world an opportunity to enrich their identity and build leadership skills through an ambitious and immersive college-preparatory approach.
Offered through The Lowy International School at TAU, the program runs in English and draws on TAU’s global reputation in entrepreneurship, research, and leadership, and on Israel’s rich Jewish history and present.
Choose for-credit classes from across five areas of study:
• Israel and the Middle East
• Jewish Peoplehood
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Environment and Sustainability
• The Best of Science and Human Thought Program duration: 5 or 10 months
exciting new way to strengthen the connections between Israel and young Jewish people everywhere.”
TAU Vice President International, Professor Millette Shamir stressed the immersive learning environment and mentorship opportunities. “Youth from around the world will be given the opportunity to not only develop lifelong purpose, but to immerse themselves, in preparation for their higher-education journey, in an environment of academic excellence and mentorship with some of the best in academia and Israel.”
Head of the ELI Program, Dr. Ronen Hoffman emphasised the importance of investing in young leadership development, drawing on his extensive career cultivating the next generation of changemakers. “During much of my career as a diplomat, politician and entrepreneur, I have focused on young leadership development … by working with universities and other institutions and by founding programs like Camp Kimama.
To see a better world, we need to be supporting the next generation as much as possible.”
You can watch a short interview with Hoffman here: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=2C_Voc4GVtA
Key benefits
The ELI program allows students to:
• Equip themselves with essential leadership skills and a versatile entrepreneurial toolbox.
• Explore university life and enhance their academic skills;
• Develop their identity and interests in an inclusive and pluralistic setting, embedded in Jewish values; and
• Achieve a nuanced understanding of Israel’s rich diversity and its position in the Middle East.
ELI represents a pioneering endeavour in gap-year education, poised to shape the trajectory of Jewish youth worldwide. By blending academic rigour with cultural immersion and leadership development, TAU's ELI program offers a transformative experience, grounded in leadership, innovation and mutual understanding, that prepares students to thrive in an increasingly complex global landscape.
For more information, go to https://bit.ly/ TAU_ELI and https://international.tau.ac.il/ eli-gap-year, or contact David Solomon, Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University CEO at davidsolomon@aftau.org.au.
The Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University website is https://aftau.asn.au/
international.tau.ac.il/eli-gap-year gapintl@tauex.tau.ac.il
CONSIDERED OPINION
Since there is no avoiding that painful date – October 7 – I decided to own it by having it etched into my skin.
Two years ago, when I received my tattoo through the Healing Ink project, I viewed my gift as a talisman: a thing of beauty and meaning that would accompany me everywhere, all the time. I wanted to see it while getting dressed and made up in the mornings, to motivate me for the new day. I wanted to be able to touch it in times of threat, while sitting in my safe room a mile from the border with the Gaza Strip, waiting to hear the explosion of the rocket heralded in by the Code Red incoming rocket warning. It is a red anemone, the flower that blooms after the winter rains, on a stem of the word “Resilience”. To remind myself that I had this. A friend warned me: “Careful, tattoos can become an addiction!”
“Don’t worry,” I assured him. “This one is more than enough. I have no intentions of getting any more.”
Then October 7th exploded, invading my life, turning my world inside out, altering life as I knew it. Nothing has been the same since then. More people than I can even count are gone. These were people whom I knew personally, including a very close friend. I almost lost six close family members, as well as my own life that day. Many of those kidnapped, some imprisoned in Gaza to this day, were former colleagues, students, parents of former students, neighbours, acquaintances from the local gym, people I know. People I knew.
Since October 8th, I have been a refugee in my own land. First my kibbutz and I were evacuated to Eilat. Most of us are now residing temporarily in Beer Sheva, where I wake up in a bed that is not mine, 20 stories higher than where I am used to living.
Meeting up with people from my kibbutz takes more than just opening my front door, biking over to the kibbutz convenience store, having a cup of coffee with whomever happens to be at the community centre or dining room. Preserving community has become a major challenge.
My young granddaughters can no longer surprise me at my doorstep. They are now a 35-minute drive away from me. I can no longer inhale the Nirim air when I wake up to walk around the perimeter fence. “Eau de Nirim”, which is a combination of freshly mowed grass, ploughed earth and cow manure mixed with milk, has been replaced with windowless hallways, stuffy temperamental elevators and noxious bus fumes. Instead of hearing morningbird songs and, yes, occasional distant explosions, I hear building cranes and ambulance sirens.
The bottom line is: there is very little we really have control of in our lives. Since there is no avoiding that date, which has now been forever etched on my heart, my mind and my soul, I decided to own it by having it etched into my skin. At first, I thought of just tattooing
My badge of honour
the numbers on my wrist, reminiscent of those that were seared into the arms of Auschwitz survivors, since I totally felt like I had survived an attempted genocide that day. It would be an angry, in-yourface statement, marking the date when the most Jews have been slaughtered in a single day since the Holocaust. However, my daughter convinced me that putting such a reminder on my body would be permanently dispiriting.
There is no way for me to make the significance of that date disappear. We are all frozen there, all of us whose lives were so drastically impacted. I was reminded of the way the godmother fairies in “Sleeping Beauty” could not rescind the curse which the evil witch had put on Aurora, but they were able to lighten the sentence … sweeten her fate. In the same vein, I decided to find a way to germinate hope and rebirth from those ill-fated digits, making something positive grow and be rebuilt from that day when so much was stolen from me, personally, and from all of us who live on my kibbutz and were present in my region on that Saturday morning.
Healing Ink helped me make that happen. Talented, famous tattoo artists were brought over from the United States, as well as from Israel, for the event. Over the span of three days, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, 75 artists volunteered their talents to gift 129 survivors of the October 7th massacres with permanent body art that would help them process their experiences and become part of their long journey of healing. 00:00
When you live though an existential threat, such as that which we did on October 7th, you speak a different language. You look at each other and know. There are codes which you understand that others do not. Hopefully, they never will. For this reason, it was more meaningful to me to have someone who spoke my “language as a survivor” create my tool for healing. My designated artist is, herself, a survivor of
that massacre. The fact that it was done at the Healing Ink event, where I was surrounded by other survivors, made it even more meaningful.
Since I had had the honour of having met many of them a few days earlier, when I spoke to them about October 7th and took them on a tour of my kibbutz, I felt I was among friends. The tour helped opened a window for them into our experiences a little more profoundly, enabling them understand more about the people whom they were about to ink.
I am deeply grateful to all those at Healing Ink for letting me take part in this meaningful event. Thank you Craig, for bringing Healing Ink to us, again. Thank you Debby and Ben and all the others who dealt with the complicated logistics of it all. Thank you to the social workers who were there for us (Maya, for example, who was on the spot, at the right moment to help me through my tears.) Thank you to the artists, each and every one, who contributed their talents and their hearts, to help us start healing. Thank you to my dear tattoo artist, Yasmin, who once again skilfully, sensitively, made my vision into body art that will accompany me for the rest of my life. Hopefully, for the last time.
When soldiers perform bravely in the line of duty, they are honoured with a medal. Civilians do not get medals of honour, but we sure do deserve them. Each and every one of us.
My first tattoo was a talisman. This tattoo is my badge of honour.
ADELE RAEMER
Yasmin IG: @adom_tattoo
Helping survivors heal
THOUGHT
In a world filled with constant news cycles of doom and gloom, one thing never fails to lift our spirits is laughter.
Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a comedy night at Caulfield Shule with Deb Kaye, visiting from Israel, and local talent Rapha Manajem. The room echoed with laughter, reminding me just how essential humour is in our lives.
Jerry Seinfeld, who recently toured Australia, is a staunch advocate for the importance of humour. His knack for turning everyday observations into hilarious commentary underscores our universal need for chuckles. His packed shows are a testament to how much people crave a good guffaw, especially in these troubling times.
Laughter is more than just a reaction to something funny; it’s a powerful force that brings us together. At our comedy night, I saw people connect over shared mirth, highlighting that despite our differences, humour is a common thread that binds us.
Scientifically, laughter reduces stress, boosts the immune system and, even, alleviates pain. Imagine a doctor prescribing a Netflix stand-up special
Why
don’t
Laughter is the best medicine
instead of painkillers. It might sound farfetched, but there’s truth to it. Laughter truly is the best medicine and it’s one we can all afford.
Humour also helps us navigate life's challenges. When things go wrong, a sense of humour can be a lifesaver. I recall one Shabbat when our younger daughters were suspiciously quiet. We
found them covered in paint, having decided to redecorate themselves and the walls. My friend, seeing the chaos, quipped, "Looks like we’ve got two budding Picassos!" We all chuckled. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh at yourself.
In Jewish culture, humour has always held a special place. The Gemara in
my children listen to me?
This issue, The Jewish Report introduces a new, regular column, being a questionand-answer piece from esteemed rabbi Aron Moss.
Rabbi Moss is regularly questioned on a vast array of topics and is known to give helpful and practical advice, which he will now share with us.
If you have a query for the rabbi, please email him at rabbimoss@nefesh. org.au Rest assured, if we publish your question and the rabbi’s answer to it, your name will not appear in the paper.
Question
I need some tips on how to get my children to respect me. I speak nicely to them and they don’t listen. I yell at them and they don’t listen. That’s when I really lose it. Whatever happened to the Ten Commandments: Honour Your Father and Mother? Does that not apply to kids these days?
Answer
There is a deeper interpretation of that commandment. “Honour your father and mother” can be read in a way that flips the onus back on the parents. Do you want your kids to listen to you? Then honour the father and mother within you. Each of us has an inner child and an inner parent. The child is our emotional, irrational and unreasonable self. That part of us is moody, sensitive and erratic. Our inner parent is the voice of reason, calm and self-control. This is our rational
side, our deliberate, thought out and methodical self.
We need to honour the parent inside of us and give it authority. Our mature self, not our childish self, should direct our behaviour. Think before you react. Consider what you say and how it sounds. Don’t allow your impulses to rule your life. Honour the father and mother in you.
This applies to all areas of life, but even more so when parenting children. Honour your inner father and mother, and your kids will too. Allow your inner two-year-old to run the show and your real two-year-old will take the hint and do the same.
If I yell at my kids to go to bed, not out of concern for them, but because I am in a bad mood, over-tired or preoccupied with my own stuff, they know it and don’t respond well. At that moment, I am not a parent, I am just another child being bossy. I have lost my authority. Why should they listen to me?
I first need to parent my inner child. Rather than reacting from a place of emotion, I need to consider my response and remain calm, firm and deliberate. Then I am modelling to my child what it means to be a grown-up. And I am reclaiming the authority – first over myself and then over my child. They still won’t always listen to me. That’s fine. They are behaving like children. At least I am not. My job is not to control my children. My job is to control myself.
Rabbi Aron Moss is the director of the Nefesh Centre in Bondi Beach. For more information, go to: www.nefesh.org.au
Shabbat tells us that Rava began each shiur with a humorous anecdote to gladden the heart and open the mind to learning. The Chazon Ish observed that a light-hearted approach is often more beloved than a serious one. Great leaders throughout generations have recognised the importance of maintaining humour in their teachings and daily lives.
In the northern Japanese prefecture of Yamagata, authorities passed an ordinance earlier this month that citizens should giggle at least once a day for the sake of their health. I kid you not.
Of course, dark humour can also be a way of dealing with pain and anguish –a coping method if you will – even in the darkest of days.
So, let’s make a conscious effort to embrace humour in our lives. Laugh at the absurdities, share jokes with friends and don’t take ourselves too seriously. Life is too short for anything less.
As Charlie Chaplin said: “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Find something funny today and share a laugh with someone you love. In a world that can often feel overwhelming, a good laugh might be just what we need to remind us of the joy that life has to offer.
RABBI ARON MOSS
RABBI DANIEL RABIN RABBINIC
From left: Deb Kaye, Rabbi Daniel Rabin and Rapha Manajem
Rabbi Moss displaying shocking parenting skills, looking at his phone while his children try to get his attention (photo by Nadine Saacks)
RABBINIC THOUGHT
Three hundred days. I never thought that after that length of time our Jewish brothers and sisters would still be held as hostages. Held as hostages while the world does nothing to facilitate their return. I never believed that in my lifetime I would sing the crusader era song “Acheinu”, written about Jewish hostages in the Middle Ages, and feel that each word resonates so deeply and tragically.
Do you remember where you were when you heard that a war had broken out in Israel? For me, it takes me straight back to Sukkot. I feel the palpable joy of Simchat Torah. The excitement of everyone as we finished reading the Torah and we danced at our shuls. So much joy. And yet, as the news from Israel began to trickle in, I remember someone approaching me at shul.
“War has broken out in Israel,” they told me. “Hundreds of people are dead and hundreds of hostages have been taken.” I couldn’t comprehend what they said. “What?” “How?” In mind worst nightmares, I couldn’t imagine such a thing was possible. The night before the chag began, I had been listening to a podcast that was about the difficulties Israel was going through
Ten months on
with mass government protests against the overhaul of the Supreme Court’s make up.
It talked about how thousands of Israelis had spent nine months protesting weekly against the judicial reform. In all those fraught months, it felt like Israel was on the brink of a potential civil war and the prospect of tearing itself apart at the seams.
Addressing the haters
Combating antisemitism requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the systemic and societal roots of the world's oldest hatred. With a history of diverse cultural influences and a significant Jewish population, there are greater opportunities to combat this insidious hatred in Melbourne. Here are five practical strategies, including building alliances with supportive groups, to address the hatred.
1. Education and awareness
Education is critical. Implementing comprehensive educational programs in schools and community centres can help raise awareness about Jewish history, culture and contributions to society. These programs should also include lessons on the dangers of antisemitism, its historical roots and its modern manifestations. By fostering understanding and empathy, education can reduce prejudice and promote inclusivity.
2. Strengthening legal protections
Ensuring robust legal protections against hate speech, discrimination and hate crimes is essential. Collaborating with legal experts and advocacy groups to strengthen existing legislation and enforcement mechanisms can provide greater recourse for victims of antisemitism. Additionally, promoting reporting mechanisms and providing support for victims are crucial steps in ensuring justice and accountability.
And yet, there had been no talk of a real war. Not what we have been witnessing for the past 300 days. Despite the hardships, I try very hard to see the silver lining. Jewish people across the world have united behind Israel. We have sent messages of solidarity and offered support. We have sent physical and virtual hugs. We have gone on missions. We have donated. We have
Reverend
3. Interfaith and intercultural dialogue
Promoting dialogue and collaboration among different religious and cultural communities fosters mutual understanding and solidarity. Initiatives such as interfaith dialogue sessions, cultural exchange programs and joint community events help break down stereotypes and build bridges of cooperation. Specifically, engaging with leaders and members of other faith communities whose values align with ours can have a significant impact.
I've personally been involved in this space for many years and have been deeply heartened by the outpouring of support from many other faith leaders, especially from the Christian community. For example, Minister at the Church of England Christ Church in South Yarra, Reverend John Baldock, recently visited St Kilda Shule to show his support for Israel and the Jewish community. He was a breath of fresh air and thankfully there are many others too who support us.
protested. We have tried to raise the profile of the 120 innocent civilians who are still languishing in Gaza, waiting to return to the families.
I never thought I’d live through something so historic and so horrible. In years to come, my grandchildren will ask me what it was like to live through October 7. I know that I won’t be able to properly convey the horror and dread struck into the heart of every Jewish person, no matter where they lived, to hear that it was the greatest slaughter of Jewish people since the Holocaust. That innocent people could be taken and kidnapped and spend 300 days languishing.
But I will also tell my grandchildren that it was a time of great unity … when you really felt the sense of all Jewish people being responsible for one another … where the global Jewish family came together, after months of disagreements, to pray, protest and help Israel in its time of greatest need.
When I went to Israel this past January I was filled with hope. People were still shell shocked at what had happened, but at the same time there was a sense of optimism.
“We will rebuild” they told me. And I believe them. May all our hostages be released as soon as possible. We pray for them every day.
4.Building alliances with supportive groups
Building bridges with those that support Israel and the Jewish community is a strategic approach to combatting antisemitism. These alliances can include pro-Israel advocacy groups, human rights organisations, political leaders and community activists who share common values and promote religious freedom. By forming alliances, the Jewish community can amplify its voice and influence in advocating against antisemitism. Collaborative efforts may involve joint campaigns, lobbying for policy changes and organising solidarity events. Moreover, these links can provide a network of support during times of heightened tension.
5.Strengthening our religious observance
The single best way to respond to antisemitism is by strengthening our own yiddishkeit (Jewishness) and mitzvah observance. By deepening our connection to G-d and to our Jewish traditions, values and community, we reaffirm our identity and resilience in the face of prejudice.
Practising mitzvot not only strengthens personal faith but also fosters unity within the Jewish community. This commitment serves as a powerful example to others, dispelling stereotypes and promoting understanding. A strong yiddishkeit empowers us to confront hatred with dignity and determination, ensuring our heritage continues to thrive amid the challenges we face.
John Baldock with Rabbi Yaakov Glasman AM in front of the St Kilda Shule
RABBI YAAKOV GLASMAN AM
RABBI GABI KALTMANN
Rabbi Gabi at the Lebanese border in January
Eternity in an instant RABBINIC THOUGHT
When we appreciate that we have literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the person we will forever, then we can understand that to live a finite life, even as our souls transcend physical reality, is the greatest gift of all.
Philosophy is concerned with the big questions. At least, that’s many people’s understanding of the practice of wisdom. But in an era of professionalisation and hyper-specialisation, your neighbourhood philosophy professor is as likely to ask how many grains of sand make up a heap as they are to be pondering the good, the beautiful and the true.
Of course, some questions have been confronted by all societies at all times. Like, ‘what is the meaning of life?’ and ‘how do we face the bitter reality of death?’ And the problem is, our answer to the second question can raise some thorny issues with the first.
Take the pithy and consoling formulation of Epicurus. That ancient Greek philosopher, the founder of the school of Epicureanism, pointed out that death is nothing to us as “when we are, death is not come, and, when death is come, we are not”. In other words, when we are alive, we are clearly not dead, so what’s the problem? And when we are dead – well, there is no living, conscious to worry about it.
Contrary to popular use of the word, Epicureanism is not the philosophy of knowing what wine to pair with your brisket, but an ethos that sees the goal of life to be the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. For Epicurus, you only get one shot at life and you want to enjoy it as much as possible.
However, that approach raises some uncomfortable questions. If life is transient – “a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness”, in Vladmir Nabokov’s phrasing – then what is the point of … anything, really?
Even the most hedonistic, heedless approach to living has to recognise that ultimately there is no purpose to any of it. Alternatively, you might live a life of duty, sacrifice and kindness. But in the very long run, everyone you help will cease to exist. No amount of saintliness will prevent the heat death of the universe.
So why even bother? One traditional consolation has been religious faith. Death is not the end. There is more to life than we can comprehend with our mortal senses alone. There is a plan and purpose, even if we can’t make sense of it with our electron microscopes and deep space telescopes.
Contemporary Swedish philosopher Martin Hagglund has another approach, one seemingly at odds with a religious perspective. Far from rendering life
meaningless, he insists, transience is precisely what gives our life meaning in the first place. Life is fragile and rare, and that is why we value it so dearly. Indeed, Hagglund insists, the very “finitude of flourishing is an essential part of why we are devoted to making flourishing actual and keeping it alive.” We cherish the gift of life and we do everything we can to safeguard our lives – our own and others – and make them as full and rich and good and interesting as possible, because we know that life is an all-toobrief moment of opportunity.
It’s a provocative idea that raises questions about the meaning and purpose of a religious life.
Many religions are preoccupied by a concern for the great beyond: whether you will be saved or damned, if your ultimate destination is heaven or hell, whether your next reincarnation will be favourable, or how to escape the cycle of samsara.
But when did you last hear a rabbi give a sermon about the fate of your immortal soul? It is a fundamental principle of Jewish thought that we are not just material bodies. Yet, we don’t really spend much time talking about the fate of our Neshama. Pits of sulphur and demons with pitchforks just aren’t part of the everyday Jewish lexicon.
Even talk of the Messianic redemption, another central tenet of Jewish belief, is a kind of utopian vision of transforming the world we currently live in, to a holier, more wondrous place.
Jewishness can often feel like a strange mix. On the one hand, Orthodox Jewish practice is almost a caricature of
a religion. Ours is a faith where the rabbis have strong opinions about the correct way to tie your shoelaces. At the same time, there are plenty of people who would have no qualms about wolfing down a cheeseburger on Yom Kippur who nonetheless strongly identify as Jewish and feel deeply connected to the Jewish community at large.
And then there’s the question of how and when to fulfill Jewish law. Even –perhaps especially – the most exacting observer of the halacha, normative Jewish religious practice, would break those laws to preserve a human life.
Of course, in doing so they would be respecting the halacha, which holds that saving a life is more important than just about any other law. But why would that be? Life is temporary; halacha was given to us by the Creator of all, who transcends mere time and space. Why should we ever let worldly concerns get in the way of enacting eternal principles?
One of the classic reference points for thinking about this world and the next comes from Pirkei Avot – a collection of the sages’ ethical-spiritual reflections. In chapter 4, Rabbi Yaakov says “this world is like a waiting room before the world to come; prepare yourself in the waiting room, so that you may enter the banquet hall.” At first reading, it sounds like he’s saying that this life really is just all about the fancy gala to come. We have plenty to do while we’re waiting around for the next world, but it’s all really a prelude to the main event.
Immediately after, however, Rabbi Yaakov says the following: “More precious is one hour in repentance and
good deeds in this world than all the life of the world to come; and more precious is one hour of the tranquility of the world to come than all the life of this world.”
How do we interpret those words? Maimonides connects them to King Solomon’s observation in Ecclesiastes that “there is no action, no reasoning, no knowledge, no wisdom in the grave to where you are going." You have a short time on this earth – make every moment count!
But how do you make each moment count? By making sure you keep doing all the right things and avoid sinning so you go to heaven and bypass the fiery depths of hell? You’d surely still prefer the moment when all that do-gooding and sin avoidance is behind you and you can enjoy your hard-earned reward.
If we think of life as one of those game show contests, where you have to grab as much cash as you can get your hands on in the money booth, then you’d prefer to skip the rigamarole and receive a nice big bag of money.
But what if the doing is the point? When we recognise that each individual life is a precious, fragile jewel and we appreciate that we are given a oncea-lifetime opportunity to become the person we will forever be, then we can understand that to live, and to live a finite life, even as our souls transcend physical reality, is a unique gift.
Hagglund writes that “the prospect of our death opens the question of what we ought to do with our finite time – and thereby makes it possible to lead our lives in the first place – but it does not offer any answer to the question.”
RABBI DR BENJI LEVY
Rabbi Benji visiting Sowetto in April
THEATRE REVIEW
Star crossed lovers all right, but this isn’t the Montagues and the Capulets. In fact, far from it … and neither are we in historic Verona.
Romeo & Julie is set in contemporary Splott, a district south of Cardiff and concerns two decidedly different 18-year-olds.
Romy is a single father and school dropout who never learned to read.
He lives with his straight talking, alcoholic mother who wants him to put his daughter, Neve, up for adoption.
Julie is a hardworking and gifted brainiac, with a strong sense of self belief.
She is looking to secure entry to Cambridge University in her chosen discipline, physics. It is something she has pursued vociferously since she was 12.
She lives with her father and stepmother, after her birth mother died when she was just two.
Romy and Julie meet by chance and, in a classic case of opposites attracting, are immediately drawn to one another.
He is a pragmatist with little to no prospect of furthering himself. She dreams of doing great things.
Life has a strange way of throwing up curve balls and so it is here, when three months after they meet their relationship takes an unexpected turn. So, exactly what is the way forward for
Inspired, modern interpretation of Shakespeare
both, especially after Julie’s father takes a desperate step.
Romeo & Julie is an intense, dramatic, engaging, entertaining and thoughtprovoking work from Welsh playwright Gary Owen (Iphigenia in Splott).
Humour and pathos … joy and heartbreak go hand in glove, as it sets up the ultimate moral dilemma, with lives and futures on the line.
What stands out to me is just how instinctive and naturalistic the whole piece is. I was instantly invested in the characters and in the journey Romy and Julie take. Bravo to writer Owen.
CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
Director Kamarra Bell-Wykes has done a terrific job keeping it real and generating a surfeit of memorable performances.
Damon Baudin is compelling and likeable as Romy, a young man who grows up quickly.
Shontane Farmer is a knockout as the rational Julie, who is not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve.
Belinda McClory is a scene stealer as Romy’s mother Barb, whose exemplary delivery of piercing line after line alone is worth the price of admission.
Spelling bee answers
Justin Hosking’s oft contorted face as Julie’s angst riddled father Col speaks volumes.
Claudia Greenstone doesn’t take a backward step as Julie’s hard taskmaster stepmother Kath. She goes toe to toe with her, while still wanting the best for her.
Sophie Woodward’s staging is straightforward but effective.
A two-seater couch doubles as a table and a bed, representing different scenes in the respective families’ homes.
The two outer walls are either extended or angled to make more of a “V” shape, the latter generating a feeling of being closed in.
It may sound like a strange thing to say, but the furniture all but grows legs and appears as another character in the work, such is its impact.
A cot, pram and toy baby are important props.
There’s an intimate quality about the sound design by Small Sound.
Two hours and 40 minutes, plus interval, Romeo & Julie gives no beg pardons. It goes for the jugular and is all the better for it. I commend it for its insight and authenticity.
It is playing at Red Stich Actors’ Theatre until 18th August, 2024.
For more of Alex First’s reviews, go to https://www.itellyouwhatithink.com
TERUMAH. 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 the most common): HAMMERER, REHAMMER, MAHATMA, RETREAT, TEETHER, THEATER, URETHRA, HARMER, HAMMER, HATTER, HEATER, HUMMER, REHEAT, RATHER, TEETHE, TETHER, THREAT, EARTH, ETHER, HAREM, HATER, HEATH, HEART, REHEM, TEETH, THEME, THERE, THREE, THRUM and TRUTH. Questions/comments, please email Yoni at koshercrosswords@gmail.com
Crossword answers
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ROMEO & JULIE ALEX FIRST
Damon Baudin and Shontane Farmer feature as Romeo and Julie (photo by Jodie Hutchinson)
