Volume 89 Number 2 December 2012/5773 Chanukah Issue P.O. Box 2220 Caulfield Junction VIC 3161 email:[email protected] www.ncjwa.org.au

A Great Miracle Happened There

the individualism of the Jews and impose a in the victory. However the story of Yehudit, common religion and culture throughout the the daughter of the High Priest Yochanan region. was recorded at the time. One of Antiochus’s At the same time, internal dispute between generals, Holofernes, set siege to the town Jewish Hellenist and traditional Jews of Bethulia in the land of Judea. Just when, resulted in a minor civil war. The Hellenists hungry and dying of thirst the townspeople had been placed in power by Antiochus; so were ready to surrender, Yehudit convinced the successful rebellion against the Hellenists them of an alternative plan. Yehudit was put harshly down. Not only did he determined to leave the beleaguered town At interfaith gatherings Jews are kill thousands of Jews, he also forbade and, dressed in her finest clothes and accompanied by her maid who carried a often asked why it is that almost Jewish worship. The scrolls of the Torah basket on her head filled with rolls, cheese, every Jewish celebration involves were confiscated and burned; Sabbath, circumcision and kashrut were prohibited and several bottles of old wine, approached revisiting history. The answer, I under penalty of death. Antiochus’s men Holofernes. Yehudit enticed Holofernes suggest, is that history has shown went from town to town and from village to with her body and with her offer to act as a us time and again that, even village enforcing these rules. spy. She and her maid became trusted in against the odds and even when Holofernes’s camp. In the village of Modi’in the old priest confronted by mighty forces, it is Mattatius took a stand and killed a soldier Yehudit was called to Holofernes’s tent possible to fight back. It is even rather than offer sacrifices to the Greek gods. for a feast in anticipation of the imminent possible to survive to tell the story. Instead of supporting Mattatius, the Hellenist destruction of the Jewish population. Yehudit It is possible for individuals to Jews responded by attempting to worship brought food and wine that she said she had make a difference. It is possible the pagan gods. This led to Jew killing Jew prepared especially for the occasion. She for women to make a difference. and the victorious traditionalists sought fed him goat’s cheese, which he washed More than that, the struggle for refuge in the Judea hills, where they formed down with wine. When Holofernes collapsed drunk, Yehudit slit his throat and cut off his survival is more than Jewish history. a makeshift army led by Mattatius’s sons, head. The sight of the head convinced the Israel is yet again under attack the Maccabees. Antiochus sent his General Apolonius to wipe them out, but though male army to attack the unprepared Syrian and antisemitism is ever present. smaller in number and less well equipped, the army at dawn. The Syrian army fled and this And Jewish history is more than Maccabees won the day. When Antiochus victory was crucial to the ultimate success of the struggle for survival. It is about sent out another expedition which was also the Jewish rebellion. Tikkun Olam, healing the world defeated, he sent an army of more than The miracle? The oil, the unlikely victory of for all of humanity. We must work 40,000 men. The people rallied behind the the Maccabees, and the survival of Judaism wherever there is injustice or Maccabees who engaged in guerrilla war as a distinctive religion against the odds. oppression, for we were slaves in against Antiochus. Beyond this, recognition of the importance of the land of Egypt. After an unlikely victory, the Maccabees at least one woman could itself be seen as a miracle. The story of Chanukah began more than returned to Jerusalem to liberate the Temple 2000 years ago when the land of Israel was and clear it of the idols placed there by the Today, we must also celebrate the miracle part of the Syrian-Greek Empire. Antiochus Syrians. A new altar was built and the Menora of the survival of Judaism despite the III, the King of Syria, had successfully lit. Despite the fact that the only Kosher oil Shoah. We must celebrate the miracle waged war against King Ptolemy of Egypt available was enough to keep the Menorah that is Erez Yisrael, particularly during the and Israel became part of his empire. At alight for one day, it burnt for the 8 days it threat and response of Operation Pillar of first he was favourably disposed toward took until more Kosher oil became available Defence. Equally, we must celebrate the role the Jews, but once he was compelled to on the 25th Kislev 3622. This was not an women have played, and continue to play, pay heavy taxes to Rome, the burden fell overnight victory but the beginning of the in Judaism, in the Galut and in the state of upon the various peoples of his empire. reclamation of the land Israel by Torah Jews. Israel even in times of war. Antiochus’s sons revelled in the persecution As so often happens, women have been Chag Seme’ach. of the Jews. Antiochus IV tried to root out seen, historically, to have had a lesser role Melinda Jones

Inside

Israel Under News from Human Holocaust Fire Hungary Trafficking Remembrance Day The ICJW adds its voice and words the miracle of the survival of the Jewish of support to the people of Israel people, we revisit the growing antisemitism Editorial and to Israel’s inviolate right to self- in Hungary and look at the work of Jewish defence. The thousands of rockets women in response. launched from Gaza by the terrorist The status of women is never far from our group Hamas are threatening Israel’s mind. The issue of sexual abuse both here territory and citizens, reaching far and in Israel is an ongoing issue, as is the into the country. Israel’s obligation to trafficking of women & children. December defend herself and her people has led 2nd was International Day for the Abolition to a military build up and a conflict in of Slavery, so we move from fair trade to response to these attacks. Air strikes slavery in this Bulletin. are causing loss of life on both sides. As the threat of a ground war looms, Thanks again go to the editorial team of the women of ICJW join all who hope Andrea Cooper, Judy Krape and Di Hirsh. and pray that efforts will continue Thanks too, go to Georges and Currency towards peace and not war. Print. But mostly thanks go to you for Editorial Committee your continued effort on behalf of Jewish NCJWA is an affiliate of ICJW and we women, for your hard work and for your Our thoughts are with all of Israel at this wholeheartedly endorse this statement. care. time. From afar we watch the existential threat to Israel and the cost that this has This issue of the Bulletin looks at two On behalf of the editorial team, I wish you had, and continues to have. current manifestations of miracles of good reading, a Chanukah sema’ach and Chanukah. On the miracle of the State of a happy 2013. Sharon Gustafson, President of ICJW, Israel, we have a young Australian woman’s issued the following statement: response to being in Israel at this time. On Melinda Jones

Join NCJWA at the Herczeg Jerusalem Seminar for Contact us Jewish Education May 5-8. 2013. The forthcoming NCJWA trip to Israel is timed to allow [email protected] participation in the Herczeg Jerusalem Seminar, which is held every 4 years. The seminar’s theme is Judaism as a Universal Language; Jewish Perspectives on Contemporary Issues. The subjects for discussion include: Deadline • The Eternal Relevance of Judaism • Individual and Communal Responsibilities to Others • Jewish Communities - Unique Yet United Deadline for Pesach Bulletin • The Rights of Women and Children -18th February 2013 • Interfaith Perspectives on Contemporary Issues • Jewish Sources as Tools for Women’s Leadership Theme: Breaking the Bonds • Social Media Agents of Social Change Reserve your place on the Israel Tour now: contact Di Hirsh [email protected]

NCJWA P&B Law and Lindsay Kotzman wishes NCJWA National President Honorary Council Secretary continued success in their wonderful work. Di Hirsh OAM Shirley Glance We are proud to be a sponsor of NCJWA. Immediate Past President Honorary Treasurer Rysia Rozen OAM Emma Lindell At P&B Law we deal in all areas of Property and Vice President NCJWA NATIONAL OFFICE Business Law including: Susie Ivany Secretary: Dorith Kranz • Property Conveyancing • Partnership Agreements and Joint Ventures Vice President Founder Angela Davis OAM Dr Fanny Reading MBE • Business Transfers • Wills and Estates. Vice President Contact us: Please feel free to call Lindsay Kotzman at any time 9692 9888 Dalia Ayalon Sinclair [email protected] 03 9523 0537 Website: www.propertylaw.com.au Vice President Barbara Stewart-Kann OAM

2BMI Investments proudly supports NCJWA President’s A Letter from Israel from Message an Olah Hadasha

Di Hirsh OAM The past few weeks have been very difficult for all of us. We have been constantly reading and listening to the latest news on social and more conventional media. We have talked to family and friends who have been living under the very real threat of actual missile attacks, day and night. Israel under fire This is a situation not seen in Israel for decades. It has brought home to us the to study and learn about the torah. It centrality of Israel in our lives. We pray that [email protected] the ceasefire holds, children and families will was a fantastic experience and I ended no longer have to run to bomb shelters at a up extending my time from 3 weeks moment’s notice. May Israel find true partners to 6 weeks. Taking public transport in peace among the Palestinian people one day in Israel was something I was a little soon. apprehensive about. After a few days I As I write this we are currently in the 16 Days gathered up the courage to get on my of Activism against Gender Violence. We first bus full of children, women and are urged not to remain silent about men’s elderly alike. I remember asking myself violence against women. Learn more about ‘why would someone try to hurt these this insidious crime that is all too prevalent innocent people?’ In no time I was in our society, and about how you can help travelling throughout Jerusalem using stop the violence. I am heartened by the By Jade Kestenberg public transport and the occasional Australian Government’s establishment of a bus announcement of a potential I travelled to Israel about two years ago Royal Commission into Child Abuse, another bomb on board became something abhorrent crime perpetrated against our most now. Looking back to the day where I that surprisingly unfazed me. Everyone vulnerable and precious members of society, decided to pack my bags and go it’s would get off the bus no screams could that has debilitating lifelong effects on the hard to believe that I am fully integrated be heard, almost routine. victims. We at NCJWA are ever mindful of into Israeli society! I didn’t know much the need to speak out in support of all those about Israel, besides of course daily After an inspiring 6 weeks of learning affected by domestic violence and child reports of rockets being fired, another Torah in one of the holiest places in abuse. Israeli soldier being injured, or world the world I decided to explore Tel Please consider joining us next year when condemnation of some sort. I had Aviv. I found a volunteer program for we visit our projects in Israel. We are putting decided to study a Midrasha program 5 months where I lived in the poorest together an exciting 10 day program for you, in Jerusalem that I found online. In neighborhood in South Tel Aviv, Kiryat starting in Tel Aviv on 24 April with a cocktail Australia I often attended Shabbat Shalom. During my time I volunteered party hosted by the Australian Ambassador to with the blind and taught English Israel. On Anzac Day we will be dedicating our dinners with religious families and was to Arab and Jewish children. It was most recent JNF project in Golda Park, which intrigued as to the special bond that definitely not the best neighborhood is part of the Anzac Trail. Make a personal was shared on Shabbat. There was no connection to ILAN, the Haifa Rape Crisis television in sight, no Internet or music to live in as poverty was everywhere Centre and Ethiopian women students at could be heard, just the pleasant sound but the people were very warm. After a Haifa University. Take part in interfaith dialogue of people sharing their stories. I was short time of living in Southern Tel Aviv I with women in Jerusalem. Don’t miss out on inquisitive to learn more about Judaism. became content with the fact that there this unforgettable experience. Contact me were no announcements of bomb alerts I travelled to Jerusalem on December today to find out more details. on buses or trains in this area, and 16 I arrived in the very pleasant, quiet I wish you all Chanukah Same’ach. aside from the occasional rocket being and somewhat religious community May the lights of Chanukah shine on you and fired to the Southern cities of Ashkelon, of Ramat Eshkol. The Jewish learning your families and bring you inner peace as Sderot and Eshkol region it seemed program ran for three weeks with well as peace to Israel and all humankind. pretty tame. Continued women coming from all over the world Di Hirsh OAM Council Bulletin 3 A Letter from Israel from an Olah Hadasha

I remembered speaking to an Israeli security threat, I unknowingly felt safe The escalation of rockets and violence soldier one day during my volunteer in central Tel Aviv, after all no rockets left Israelis feeling very tense and placement with the blind she must would ever come here. Since living scared to go outside or drive on the have been 18 years old. She too was in Tel Aviv I had never witnessed a highway. I remember calling my friends volunteering her time outside of her successful bomb attempt on a bus. and family to confirm that they were army service. I asked her about her I guess I was lucky. From October okay, many needed moral support and views on the security situation in Israel 22nd- until November 21st this all assurances that war would not reign. and what it was like to be in the army. changed. There was an escalation of My friend Hen living in the South of She told me in a very sweet voice ‘It rockets fired toward Israel. The Hamas Tel Aviv shared her thoughts with me is very sad, the situation here. Most terror organization had fired a total of during the situation she stated; ‘After of my friends have friends that have 1,500 rockets at Israel. I remember a week of war anxiety, I did not go been killed or if they don’t have friends my first experience of running to the outside but stayed protected under my that have been killed, they have family bomb shelter. I had arrived at work one house (bomb shelter). I did not eat and that have, or they know of someone morning in Tel Aviv and all of a sudden I I took my mother and I decided to take that was killed.’ She continued ‘the heard the eerie sound of danger, a code the car and drive armoured. It is such a world doesn’t seem to care about us.’ red siren. I ran as fast as I could to the difficult period. We must remember our I empathized with this young girl and bomb shelter knowing that I only had pain of the never-ending agonizing war young adults like her that has to fight one minute and thirty seconds to get on terrorism, it doesn’t matter whether wars to protect this country at such there. Throughout the next couple of North, South or central.’ a tender age. I remembered when days this became routine procedure. I A ceasefire was declared on November watching the news that seldom is it felt that Israel was in a state of war and 21st, at 9pm sadly twelve rockets mentioned how young the soldiers who even though I had the opportunity to were fired into Southern Israeli cities died were. come back to Australia, I resisted with shortly after the ceasefire was declared. the hope that things would improve. When the volunteer program finished Currently the escalation of rocket into most of the participants went back to Israeli cities has stopped and again the their home countries. I decided to stay. cafes and the streets of Tel Aviv are full I felt a strong connection to the land of people. However many Israelis are and the people of Israel that I had never skeptical as to how long the ceasefire felt anywhere else in the world. There is will last. It is the hope of most Israelis something very special about Israel. that one day there will be peace and that children will be free to play outside After moving into my new apartment in Southern Israeli cities without the fear in Central Tel Aviv I promptly bought of rockets being fired. We must never a gas mask and was prepared for the give up hope that this can be achieved. possibility of a nuclear attack from Iran at any point. Apart from the Iranian By Jade Kestenberg

Thank You Hana Laor

Hana Laor has Hana has played a major role in Ilan At 88 years young, Hana is the been an active and has always been at Ilan’s front heart and soul of all our fundraising volunteer since line. She has been responsible for campaigns and events. She continues her youth. Her establishing schools, kindergartens and in top form - she is involved and volunteer work other institutions needed to support contributes to every decision. began as a young children with special needs, including We wish Hana continuing health: may nurse during the the Onn Kindergarten, Onn School and you be with us, involved and engaged polio epidemic in Venezuela Kalisher School. as you are, for many years to come. 1952. Those were Today, Hana Loar is the Chairman hard days in Israel, of Ilan in Tel Aviv, one of the most but Hana acted important and biggest branches of Ilan Silvina Freund without hesitation. in Israel. She is also an active member Director Ilan Tel Aviv She helped children in rehabilitation of Ilan’s volunteers board and special programs, with vaccination and committees. equipment and at summer camps. She also helped with fundraising. It was Hana’s vision that Tel Aviv should have a Day Care Center for A number of years after later, Hana Handicapped Adults. The Day Centre was asked to donate flowers from her project is one of Ilan, Tel Aviv’s biggest garden to raise money for Ilan. That ever projects. We are all very excited that was the beginning of Hana’s long we are now approaching completion involvement of in Ilan – an involvement of the building and the beginning of the spanning decades. fulfillment of Hana’s dream. Hungary: Jewish Women standing up & being counted

At football matches, on public monuments and memorials and even in the Parliament the ugly face of deep seated antisemitism has again been on the rise, crescendo-ing in recent months. In the forefront of the response to antisemitism in Hungary is a small group of women who come together in the Esther’s’ House Association for Jewish Culture and Feminist Values. On 26 November 2012, this group, which deals with many causes concerning Jewish women, placed the following announcement on their Facebook Page. Here and now we have reached the point when antisemitism which has always been part of this society and which a good year ago was social hierarchy and women’s place second, Beyond the Glass House, transferred into political antisemitism in it - whether she be a secular and involves interviews with Hungarian (that is at home in politics) now was feminist community leader, a teller of Zionist Women in Israel. elevated into state antisemitism. tales, an artist, a film maker, a Jewish The Editor’s Forward to Untold Stories studies student, or a modern orthodox This afternoon a member of the by Jewish Women writes: / progressive woman struggling for Hungarian Parliament suggested, religious status in a postmodern Jewish For too long the Holocaust has been in Parliament, that it is high time to world. seen in male terms, obscuring the search out all Jews in government nature of the specific roles, work, and in the Parliament as they They consider that there is an urgency and suffering of women. Today it represent a national security risk. in dealing with these issues after more seems doubly difficult to grasp what NO OTHER MP or the SPEAKER than six decades of silence about the Jewish women endured, both as OBJECTED or SAID ANYTHING special conditions and aims of Jewish Jews and women, because we don’t AT ALL, apart from Zsolt Nemet a women. have many memoirs or personal government foreign policy secretary Katalin Pécsi-Pollner, the founder records written by women to draw who said that he can’t support and chair of Esther’s’ House, writes: upon… such ‘research’ because the issue “We attempt to heighten the feminist of the number of Jewish people in A painful void exists to today: not consciousness of Jews, particularly government is not really connected knowing the stories of the mothers, Jewish women. The position of our to the weighty Middle-East conflict. the grandmothers, the friendships group is precisely that Jewish women in the camps, the connections, the Andor Schmuck of the Social ought to strive to define themselves survivors’ difficult journeys home, Democratic Party said, and I agree, rather than passively accept the an absence of literature and other this is the beginning of the end and expectations of others.” pictorial representations, and the every decent person should go to the As predominantly a group of missing endeavors of the “second parliament building wearing a yellow professionals, academics and university generation”, the children of survivors. star. I agree. I am organising. Who will students, Esther’s House engages in help, who is coming. Get in touch with Dr Katalin Pécsi-Pollner describes this research, hosts and participates in me please. Now. project: conferences, and holds seminars and The planned flash mob, a little over 24 roundtable discussions. In 1944-1945 members of several hours later, on November 27, 2012 Zionist groups – from the left wing turned into a greater show of solidarity Hashomer Hatzair to the religious than could have been hoped for. Held Mizrachi – lived and rescued Jews in front of the Parliament in Budapest, in Budapest, mostly staying and thousands of Hungarians were working illegally in the so called reported to have packed the square, Glass House (Üvegház), in Vadász many sporting yellow stars. Speakers street 29. These teenagers printed from every political party condemned and distributed forged Swiss antisemitism generally and the call for passports (Schutspasses) for a ‘Jewish list’ in particular. The story of several thousands Hungarian Jews, a yellow star protest even made it to helping them escaping from the the Australian news. But involvement in deportation. Some other Zionist political protest is only a small part of young people collected orphan children left alone in the streets the work of Esther’s House. Of their many projects, two stand out. of Budapest, and they took care Esther’s House is attempting to The first is Untold Stories, which has of them in buildings turned into effect fundamental change in Jewish helped break the silence of female society: to modify the current Jewish Hungarian Holocaust survivors. The Council Bulletin 5 Hungary: Jewish Women Standing Up & Being Counted Continued

instead ‘cowards’, as they did not effects of some heroic actions fight with guns like partisans in the accomplished by men - mostly woods. So they spent almost all by men in the leadership of their their lives in a ‘shadow’, keeping groups. silent, because nobody actually This work of Esther’s House is was really interested in their noteworthy. Just as the work of personal stories. responding to antisemitism aims to root While the historical and political out that problem at a fundamental level, facts of the Zionist movement in so too does this work seek to redress Hungary are not a taboo topic any the imbalance of voice and presence Children homes. After the liberation more, we know almost nothing between the genders. ‘Feminism’ may the accomplishment – the heroic about the personal side of the be seen in many circles as a dirty word, acts – of these Zionist teenagers story. These several hundred, but experience teaches that without a was not honoured at all. By 1949 all brave Zionists were mostly in their feminist informed research agenda, half the Zionist groups were considered teens, working independently, left the voices are simply not heard. as ‘imperialist’ and were forced alone by the adult leadership and Esher’s House is our counterpart, the to leave Hungary. These young their parents. Half the members Hungarian member organisation of the people, arriving in different kibbutz’s of the different Zionist groups, International Council of Jewish Women in Israel, did not received a warm participating in rescuing and other (ICJW). NCJWA extends its solidarity to welcome there either, because - actions, were women. In the and commends Esther’s House in all its comparing them with the heroic ideology of Zionism the equality work. survivors of the Lodz or of the of the women was an important Warsaw Gettho Uprising - their acts starting point. Nevertheless, Information supplied by Dr Katalin were not considered as a kind of ‘mainstream history’ speaks Pécsi-Pollner ‘resistance’. They were considered only about the facts motives and

Dr Geulah Solomon OAM – Leading by Example

It is a great honour and Geulah experienced great tragedy at Jewish community in Melbourne, taking on to be asked to various times, including the untimely loss of leadership roles, both at NCJWA as well as speak at the her son, Ron. the JCCV and ECAJ. There is a full list of the launch of the One of the things that struck me in reading roles she held at the end of the memoir, and together with memoir written this memoir is how far the reach of one it is extensive. have much pleasure inviting you to the launch of by Dr Geulah person can extend. The range of people Solomon of Geulah also represented the interest of the latest book in the Makor Write Your Story series attending this afternoon’s launch is an blessed memory. the Jewish community to the broader indication of Geulah’s influence and activities My Life, My History, My Legacy The work is community. An example of this is when she within the community. I know many of the entitled My Life, represented NCJWA at the UN Conference A Jewish Australian Journey names mentioned in the memoir, and as My History, My against racism in 2000. Geulah would often remind me, there is a Legacy: A Jewish- family connection as Geulah’s cousin Vic I first met Geulah in the early 1990’s, when ז״ל by Dr Geulah Solomon OAM Australian Journey. to be launched by Spitzer married my Grandmother’s cousin, I was a young mother, looking for a way to There are many Fleur. get more involved in the Jewish community. Jennifer Huppert here who knew At the time we met, NCJWA Victoria was What comes through the pages of her Geulah for longer planning a third Seder, a women’s Seder, to on Sunday 28 October 2012, 3.00 PM memoir is that Geulah was a woman of than I did, and for explore the role of women within Judaism Special guests: Moshe Trebish & Shmuel Rosenkranz great strength of character, determined to many more years against the background of the Seder’s theme at NCJWA (Vic) 131-133 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield. give the best to her family. And the love she than I did – family of freedom. engendered in her family is evident from the Afternoon Tea will be served. Enquiries ph. 9272 5611 members, close tributes of her grandchildren, which appear Which brings me to another area where friends and colleagues. But I thought I would at the end of the memoir. Geulah was active – in the fight to bring about say a few words about the importance of reform in the status of women within Judaism, this memoir, and the small but important role The memoir is more than a personal story. In particularly in the area of gett and Agunah. Geulah played in my life. this, Geulah’s academic training is evident. She places her life in context. In describing Geulah’s sphere of influence wasn’t limited When reading the memoir I felt as though I how both sides of her family came to be to the Jewish community. As an educator, was listening to Geulah speak. She was a in Australia, and some of the details of the Geulah was instrumental in establishing great teller of tales – whether sitting in her lives of her relatives outside Australia, we courses in Women’s Studies, multicultural lounge room planning a NCJWA event, or are given a snapshot of the 20th century education and programs for gifted and sitting in my car as I drove her to one of the Jewish experience – pre-war life in Europe, talented students. Her memoir tells the story many community events she participated the horrors of the Shoah, the establishment of the years she and Keith spent in Samoa, in, Geulah told stories of her life and her of the state of Israel, and at the same time and the difference she made to students community, and it is these stories which are the development of the Melbourne Jewish there. recorded in this memoir. community from the heyday of Yiddish I would have to agree that it is by her The memoir tells the story of Geulah’s life - culture in Carlton, to the movement of the actions, as described in this memoir, that from the early days in Carlton, to her years in centre of the community to Caulfield. Geulah’s legacy lives on. regional Victoria, as a student at Melbourne Geulah has been described as “a doer, not University, and following her marriage Jennifer Huppert a talker”. In fact, I think she was both, as to Keith, as a young wife and mother in she knew the importance of communicating My Life, My History, My Legacy: A Jewish- Caulfield, and her experiences in Israel and with others about her passions in life, and Australian Journey can be purchased from as a proud parent, grandparent and great recording her history. But she did do more NCJWA Victoria office, [email protected] grandparent. It wasn’t always an easy life, 6 than talk – she played an active role in the $30 incl postage and packaging. The Best Way to Protect Your Children is By Giving them a Voice

Sexual violence is not a modern day be sexually abused during their lifetime, the with us their successes and their difficulties. phenomenon. It is not a reaction to a change majority during their childhood. In order to One of the biggest problems is that once a in sexual mores and it is not a backlash protect their children, parents typically tell child has been abused, they will often not against feminism. The Torah recounts then to be wary of strangers. But in the tell and they are thereby at risk for ongoing numerous examples of sexual abuse and case of sexual abuse, it is not strangers abuse. Children (and adults) don’t tell forbidden sexual relationships. In Genesis, that primarily need to be feared. The media because they may not understand what has Parashat Vayishlach, the Torah relates to us frequently reinforces the myth the majority happened, they may believe they are at fault the story of Dina, the only daughter of Jacob of sexual abuse is perpetrated by strangers. and will be blamed, they may believe that and Leah. The first line of the story recounts However 80%-90%of all cases of sexual parents will get angry at them if they tell, or for us that Dina “went out...to look upon the abuse is committed by people we know: that no one will believe them and sometimes daughters of the land”. From then on we are family members, boyfriends, neighbors, they have been threatened by violence if told only what is done to her: she is raped by teachers, youth leaders, sport coaches they should tell. When they come home from Prince Shechem and her brothers Shimon etc. People who have day to day access to kindergarten, school, a friend’s house, ask and Levi took vengeance by slaying every children. them how their day went. If all is well, be male of the city. Some Rabbinical sources happy with them and for them. If there was Frequently, in order to bring up well behaved, subtly (and not so subtly) blame Dina for some problem, ask what happened, how disciplined children, we teach them from a what subsequently befalls her because she they feel about it, if they wished they had young age to do what they are told, not to freely chose to leave the camp. Some say done something differently and if they would argue with their elders or people in place that Shechem’s violation of Dina was a form like you to intervene. of authority, including us, their parents. of punishment for the transgressions of However, in order to empower them to know No matter what your children have done, Jacob. What is most obvious is that in the that when something doesn’t feel right they praise them for having shared their story Dina has no voice. We never learn why can say NO!, we have the responsibility to experience with you and let them know she left the camp, how she felt about being teach that sometimes it is appropriate to say that you are always available to talk and to abducted and raped, whether or not she no, even to us. help. This gives your children the message wanted to marry Shechem, and how she felt that they can talk about anything with you, about her brothers’ outrage and revenge. From age three or so (each parent needs to that you will listen and believe them and will We are told nothing about her relationship be aware to the developmental abilities and provide support and guidance if they need it. with her father, her mother, her brothers needs of his own child), children can learn to As your children developmentally progress, and the other women of the camp. This soap themselves up in the bath/shower while the nature of you discussions with them deafening “silence”, the lack of supportive learning that their body is their own and that will change, but the message is always the familial relationship and victim blaming is there are private parts (the parts we cover same: it is their body, they don’t have to do what characterizes families whose children up with clothes) that no one has a right to anything with it that they don’t want to and are at risk for myriad calamitous experiences, touch or ask them to touch. Of course it can that you as parents are always interested in including sexual abuse. be explained that sometimes a doctor may hearing about what is going on in their life need to examine them etc. It is important to When people I meet learn that I am the and are always there for them. teach our children about good touch (touch resource coordinator of the Haifa Rape Crisis that makes us feel protected and loved) Parents play a fundamental role in bringing Center, their first question is how they, as and bad touch (touch that makes us feel up empowered, assertive and interpersonally parents, can best protect their children from uncomfortable or confused). This includes respectful children and youth. Parents should being sexually abused. And my answer is not forcing our children to kiss or hug visiting never underestimate their ability to make the always the same: a good relationship with grandparents and family members if they world a healthier and violence free place for your children, one in which there is healthy don’t want to. They need to know that it is their children and others. communication, trust and support is the best OK to say no. way to protect them - not only from sexual Dr. Shira Sanders, Resource Coordinator abuse, but also from many of the world’s It is of utmost importance to encourage at the Haifa Rape Crisis Center. dangers. meaningful conversation with our children, This article was originally published in the to ask questions, take interest in their day- The statistics are frightening: one out of Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. to-day lives and to encourage them to share four women and one out of eight men will

Photo of HRCC Staff Council Bulletin 7 Book Club – The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance

“The Hare with Amber some European cities but also his own to country, from continent to continent. Eyes”? What can that growing awareness of Jewish history The author’s personal journey made an possibly be about, I over the last 150 years, the period of impact on me. He came to understand asked myself when Jewish emancipation in Europe. And the meaning of being Jewish in Europe I first heard the title. de Waal writes well. in those days. With many around me referring to the book in I found this family saga fascinating Two issues disturbed me. Firstly, I excited tones and friends on many levels. The artist in de Waal found the attempt by Jews, in this case telling me I should read presents the art collections of his German and Austrian Jews, to enter the it, I finally did. What a ancestor in fin de siecle Paris with salons of society very sad as it always rewarding experience. It meticulous and well researched detail. ended in cruel rejection and loss of is one of those books As de Waal follows the migration of identity. Secondly I was irritated by the you don’t want to put the netsuke and the fortunes of the Baroness Emmy Ephrussi - and that down; you look for a free hour to read Jewish banking family Ephrussi, their was before I read what her daughter on. ascent into society and descent into said about her. I think I don’t like the near annihilation, he confronts all genre of woman who lives so much The author, a potter of fame and those issues which face us Jews: with the external. Her toilette absorbs sensitivity, yet neither a writer nor a Jew, anti-Semitism, Jewish integration her completely and she so desperately sets out on a mission to reconstruct into general society, the attraction wants to be accepted by ‘high society’! the history of a collection he has of the open world to Jews and their just inherited from his great-uncle in assimilation, the attempts many Jewish Do read the book and let me know what Japan. The collection consists of 264 families made after the war to recover I missed out on, where I misunderstood Japanese figurines, known as netsuke. lost and stolen assets, property and art and why I reacted as I did! And the journey of discovery which treasures. Danielle Charak OAM Edmund de Waal embarks on brings to life, not only his Jewish ancestors, And the book is well constructed *Written by Edmund de Waal; Published not only the role which Jews played in moving from city to city, from country by Chatto & Windus, Great Britain, 2010 Preserving Material Heritage – Not Just for Posterity

Community archives and material In 2011 Arts Victoria supported a heritage play an unquestionable role in project entitled an Initial Scoping Study its community identity formation and of Victoria’s Multicultural Collections, construction. One of reasons why the Including a Pilot For Scoping of material should remain the property Collection Material, Stories and of the community itself is because of Access. Stage 1 created a database the nexus of heritage and community of 55 organizations likely to hold memory and identity. This material collections; assessed the professional loses its potency if it is separated assistance community groups might from its communal context. Further, need to document and preserve this there are concerns about handing precious material - by working with over the material to other public 3 pilot groups from the Vietnamese, institutions including fear of tokenism, Turkish and Ukranian communities; When I was Director of the Jewish fear of appropriation, assimilation and and also established an appropriate Museum of Australia many ethno- misrepresentation. methodology for the documentation of these collections. specific communities approached Nonetheless, there are practical me seeking advice regarding the and theoretical arguments against The purpose of Stage 2 is to obtain a establishment of a museum to tell their the establishment of a multitude of clear and full picture of the extent, the own story in their own words with their ethno-specific museums in Victoria, condition and the significance of all the own material heritage. The need of these the population of which includes an immigration and settlement collections communities to preserve and present estimated 230 different ethnicities held by ethno-specific groups in their specific cultural material arises from among its residents and at the same Victoria. It is also to provide professional their appreciation of the value of their time is already home to some 740 support to these groups to enable particular material heritage in maintaining museums. them to preserve and document their a sense of community pride and identity collections for their descendents and within their cultural group. At the same On a practical level, there is the for all those who appreciate Victoria’s time, their material also reflects the challenge of ongoing sustainability. immigration and settlement history. particular journey that their community While it seems that mounting a undertook to leave their country of origin successful initial capital campaign Currently I am employed as a and settle in Australia and to become to buy a building is not too difficult, consultant by Museums Australia (Vic) Australians, to be an integral part of this finding the necessary annual funding to offers Ethnic Groups free training pluralist, multicultural country. to support the operations of the in documentation, cataloguing, story Museum and to find the right people collection and preservation storage. The desire for specific ethnic groups to to replace aging volunteers and to This project offers a unique opportunity establish their own museums is born provide an increasingly sophisticated to ethnic groups to provide assistance of their need to tell their own story, to understanding of today’s technology for with the maintenance of their own own their own story. The documents, the documentation and digitisation of history and heritage. photographs, archives and objects that collections is a great challenge. There is DR HELEN LIGHT they hold, only tell their own story if also a serious theoretical consideration interpreted by them, appreciating their - a concern about the ghettoization of Based on a paper delivered to the contextual meanings, their nuances, the different cultural groups that make Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria and their particular cultural references. up our pluralist state. Conference 20th November 2012

8 International Holocaust Memorial day

there have been a number of moves While I remain sceptical about the to compose special liturgy for Yom UN and about International Days, HaShoah. The Reform movement perhaps there is something in this. published Six Days of Destruction, Except in Australia, where our almost co-authored by Elie Wiesel and Rabbi simultaneous national celebrations Albert Friedlander, to be used as a text at the beach will always take priority, in services. The Conservative movement the International Day may provide a has produced Megillat Hashoah, which focus for Holocaust remembrance and The International Day of contains personal recollections of genocide prevention. To my mind it Commemoration in Memory of the Holocaust survivors written in biblical would have been more apt if this day Victims of the Holocaust style. A modern Orthodox rabbi, Rabbi was generalised to remember victims of Avraham (Avi) Weiss, has written a other genocides – Cambodia, Rwanda, The Jewish World has long special Haggadah for a Yom HaShoah Yugoslavia. And in Australia to consider commemorated the Holocaust on seder, to retell the story of the Holocaust. how close the assimilation policies and Yom HaShoah. On the 27th Nisan, Many have suggested observance actions leading to the Stolen Generation the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto should include fasting. were to acts of genocide. uprising, the sound of a siren (at sundown and 11am) stops traffic and So, given the importance of Yom However, if the International Day of pedestrians throughout Israel for two HaShoah to Jews worldwide, why Commemoration in Memory of the minutes of silent devotion. Throughout has the United Nations established Victims of the Holocaust is an occasion the Galut, memorial services and January 27 as International Day of for non-Jews to gain some insight into commemorative educational programs Commemoration in Memory of the the Jewish experience, perhaps even of are commonplace. This is a day to Victims of the Holocaust? The Memorial the relationship between antisemitism, remember and to ponder the big Day is intended to remember Jewish hatred and genocide, then it may be questions such as: how can one be victims of Nazism – not the Roma, worthwhile. Even more importantly, if a believing Jew after the Holocaust; the homosexuals or the people with the Day provides an opportunity to look where was God, anyway; can one ever disabilities who were also killed in vast dispassionately at Holocaust denial again have faith in humanity again. numbers by the Nazis. Do we need and what is now being discussed as another day to remember? Is this just ‘Holocaust obsession’ and to act to Although there is no universal the UN making a symbolic gesture? combat it, then the Day is worthy of our agreement about the way in which After all, Yom HaShoah has been support. Yom HaShoah should be observed, observed since the 1950s! Melinda Jones Israelis Standing up for Their Beliefs

Relatively recently, I had their beliefs and commitment to acting in of the women’s’ the privilege to meet both line with their convictions, no matter the group. Anat Hoffman and Naomi difficulty of the situation. But, on October Chazan in Israel. These Following the release of the Goldstone 16 2012, while two inspirational women are conducting a shedding the light of their Report, the Im Tirtzu movement accused the NIF of being responsible for funding service for over integrity and sharing their 250 women, values to drive change in our groups that provided 92% of negative references to the IDF. Attacks on the NIF Anat was Naomi Chazan world. President followed. The Jerusalem Post Anat Hoffman handcuffed, I met with Anat, having arranged notified Chazan that it would no longer arrested, strip- to interview her for the last NCJWA publish her column and an ugly campaign searched and left in a police cell overnight. Quadrennial Conference. was launched attacking Chazan through She was not permitted to contact her lawyer. Following this devastating experience Anat’s Anat is the Executive Director of the billboard posters and advertisements of her response was, like Naomi’s, to focus on Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), the with a horn protruding from her forehead. the values of women’s equity for which she public and religious advocacy arm of the Israel and the world reeled in horror. struggles. Reform Movement in Israel, which defends Chazan responded by noting: “They’re freedoms of conscience, faith and religion. using me to attack in the most blatant way One does not need to agree with the politics The organisation is the preeminent civil and the basic principles of democracy and the of either Anat Hoffman or Naomi Chazan to human rights movement in Israel today values of the Declaration of Independence: recognise their commitment and offer them focusing on issues of religion and state. values of equality, tolerance, social justice respect for their integrity. The strength and character that both women have exemplified Naomi Chazan is the former Deputy and freedom of speech”. Chazan was have driven their purpose and shown them Speaker of the Israeli Knesset and currently discomforted by the campaign, but stoic in as outstanding leaders among our Jewish the Dean of the School of Government her commitment to the meaningful values women. Both Anat and Naomi serve as and Society at the Academic College of that serve all of Israeli society. exemplary models to us all. They sustain Tel Aviv. More pertinent is the capacity Anat Hoffman has been leading a their internal values, share them with us all in which I met her. Naomi serves as the campaign for women’s equity in religious and thus fashion society as they lead by President of the New Israel Fund (NIF). NIF access at The Western Wall. The group, example. principles include a dedication to a vision of Women of the Wall, seek to empower Israel as a democracy dedicated to the full women to raise their voices in prayer, wear Marcia Pinskier equality of all its citizens and communities. a Tallit and read from the Torah at The More Information http://www.huffingtonpost. NIF advances the values of human dignity Western Wall. The ultra-Orthodox, ie those com/anat-hoffman/arrested-for-praying-at- as outlined in Israel’s Declaration of in charge of the area, will not allow women western-wall_b_1987099.html Independence, which it views as key to to do so. The Rabbis in charge regularly the long term security and survival of the direct that the police target Anat and her country. group. While they have been assaulted, The road has not been easy for either of spat on and cursed by the Orthodox, no these women who have been targeted for charge has ever stood against a member Council Bulletin 9 Council Bulletin 9 NCJWA is good for your Health

If you believe the processed food diet. (I’m firmly in this camp). 3 Suggestions: Give up artificial sweeteners rumours, there are Think avocados, grass-fed animal fats, high (Stevia is better); Lessen your intake of lots of doctors in burning-point rice bran oil (keep olive oil for soft drinks, esp the ‘diet’ variety (sorry to all our families (and salads, NOT cooking), small quantities dark be a nudnik, but these leach calcium from lawyers too, yes, I chocolate, fatty fish, olives, nuts and free- your bones); and eat good quality fats in have some of each, range livers and chicken with some skin on, appropriate quantities for your health. inreasonable quantities (less if you are trying and I ask the doctors, L’chaim! and in particular the to lose weight). Yum. Ease off the potatoes heart surgeon, to read and root (starchy) vegetables (and remember, Esther Oliver, NCJWA Health my articles before the junk food you crave is your enemy). Correspondent publication). So this is Do not ingest transfat. Do not repeatedly Health Correspondent not a beat-up on the re-heat to high temperature, any cooking oils. tribe of Hippocrates, Check for transfat on food labels. Limit your Brings Home Gold I promise you. It is intake of full fat animal products, but if they Bulletin health about information and are your thing (luscious steaks, free range correspondent choices and responsibilities for ‘house’ (ie eggs cooked in a bissel butter and rice bran Esther Oliver, ‘body’) maintenance. oil together), have them from organic and recently won Gold, So here’s a house-body analogy: You have grass-fed animals. Cut down the carbs and when she competed a falling-down old Queenslander house, and eat a little fat, and you won’t feel hungry so in the Pan Pacific bring in a Master Builder. ‘Please, you have soon after eating, as fat has more calories Masters Games that the skills, just fix it!’, you say. ‘But I can’t’, and takes longer to process. Fat can be were held on the says the building Master, ‘I don’t know the 20-35% of your kj intake, with less than 10% Gold Coast in early November. original materials and how good they were, saturated fat. But you must lessen the carbs. Esther competed in her long time sporting love, I need help from specialists in things I don’t Ask your doctor, then try it! rowing. Her success was with four Golds and a do, I don’t have the time as I’m busy and No, we can’t eat Latkes Unlimited (high Bronze. The rowing was at Coomera Waters. In committed to working on so many other carb potatoes), and I’m not advising some one of her other events, a double scull rowing projects. And really, building a new house is weird diet plan that you can’t stick to, just fitness time trial, Esther managed a 1st in a breeze compared to this.’ Anyhow, you get suggesting that your body is an amazing Australia and 4th for the current World Rankings. the idea. responsive machine, and it is worth trying The Games are held biannually and Your doctor’s job is to ‘process’ your claim to dietary changes (and research shows they affectionately known as the ‘Oldies Olympics’, his time (your symptoms) as fast as he can, will always help you) by giving ‘clean’ eating where participants compete in their age because he is trying to earn a living, and like a chance (less than 5 ingredients listed group (from 30 years plus). This year’s event everybody, doing the best he can with limited on the label), and giving up most ‘low fat’ brought 11,000 PanPac competitors from 16 time and resources. Here’s an idea to help anything, as it invariably has less taste, more countries. your body fix itself, and to have our candles sugar, or worse, artificial sweeteners. Some burning brightly for many years to come. It is low-fat flavoured yoghurts have more sugar Esther is much more than our NCJWA Bulletin NEVER too late! than icecream! My favourite: Jalna Natural Health and Fitness writer. She leads and lives or Greek Yoghourt, with a tablespoon frozen by example, living a healthy and active life OILS FOR CHANNUKAH: raspberries (allowed to thaw, they make it including regular exercise. Her pre-games Some oils and fats are good for you. pink and syrupy, frozen they are like pebbles) regime of water training at 5am three days a There are 4 types: monounsaturates, and half a passionfruit on top. Good protein, week certainly paid off. polyunsaturates, saturated and transfats. In good taste. some circles, higher ‘good’ fats consumption Kol hakavod, Esther! is seen as preferable to a high sugar/

ICJW

Two ICJW Executive members represented abuse of children and people-trafficking continues to be a major aim of ICJW and NCJWA at the recent ICJW meeting in continue beneath the polished veneer of its affiliates, but few had heard a first- Toronto, Canada mid- November – Eva everyday life, even in Australia. hand report from a survivor, nor had we Robey, Asia Pacific Regional Chair and recognised the elaborate lengths to which At dinner, ICJW women met with Timea myself. This was the customary half-yearly perpetrators will go to procure their prey. Nagy, a 35 year-old Canadian woman who Executive meeting where the work of the We were also appalled to learn that many told her unvarnished story of enticement international organisation is reviewed. But of our countries, as with Canada, have no from Hungary as a 19 year-old expecting this time there was a difference: the second specialist organisations to rescue, support to become a nanny to a Canadian family. day was wholly devoted to a professionally- and rehabilitate victims of trafficking. As well The job description had even included run workshopping of the future development as making personal donations to support photographs of the children she was to of International Council of Jewish Women Timea’s work in Canada, ICJW Executive care for. Upon arrival in Canada she was which has celebrated its one hundredth determined to increase our commitment collected by the men who had plotted to birthday this year. to eradicating people- trafficking and to get her there and kept for three months as supporting victims of this horrific abuse. There is no doubt that ICJW women in a sexual prisoner before she managed to attendance were seeking answers to escape. The follow up to this shocking story May 5-8 2013 ICJW will host the Herczeg problems of relevance and shrinking is an extraordinary example of the power Jerusalem Seminar for Jewish Education membership in their own affiliates as well of one person who has experienced such – the topic is ‘Judaism as a Universal as in ICJW affiliation- we are all aware that trauma to turn her life around and assist Language: Jewish Perspectives on the interests and lifestyles of C21 women others. Singlehandedly, with her own money, Contemporary Issues.’ A group of NCJWA are immensely different to those of our great Timea set up an organisation ‘Walk with Me’ members will attend this seminar which grandmothers. The challenge to us all is to which she believes is the only such group in follows the April NCJWA Israel Projects Tour. open new channels within our organisations Canada, rescuing the victims of trafficking, Please decide to join us! Contact me or Di and attract more women to work with us in maintaining and housing them while Hirsh for details. our contribution to our communities. We also assisting them to restart their lives. Robyn Lenn OAM need to recognise that in the last century The shock of hearing such a story was ICJW Vice President, Australia overwhelming social problems such as the 10 palpable – working against trafficking Defining Human Trafficking The following formula captures the full scope of exploitation.

ACTIVITY RECRUITMENT TRANSPORT HARBOURING RECEIPT + MEANS DECEIT/FRAUD THREAT VIOLENCE/FORCE ABUSE OF POWER/AUTHORITY + PURPOSE FORCED LABOUR/SEXUAL EXPLOITATION ORGAN REMOVAL SLAVES/SEWRVITUDE/DEBT BONDAGE

END GOAL = EXPLOITATION Adults: If one condition from each of the three categories is met, then it can be considered human trafficking. Children Only Means and Purpose need to be met Means + Exploitation = Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking, Jewish Historical Writings and Beliefs

Extract from ICJW Human Trafficking anointed me to preach good news to the of our slavery in Egypt. We retell the tale of our Manual, 2012 poor; God has sent me to bind up the release to freedom with the ability to develop broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for self identity. Where better to start than with the Tanach! the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Many countries have slavery as part of their Most translations of Hebrew text have history. Traditional slavery is still rampant in translations in the male domain, providing Ecclesiastes 4:1 “Again I looked and saw the ‘less developed’ nations of the world. It is little support for gender equality. In the most all the oppression that was taking place also important to acknowledge that modern part females are described with lesser roles under the sun: and I saw the tears of the day slavery is also exceedingly common in or values. It is important to look at the words oppressed-and they had no comforter; the developed countries. It just has taken on with a feminist light. Suddenly the old stories power was on the side of their oppressors- a different appearance, but is most defintely take on a new view. and they have no comforter.” present. Gender inequality Moses Maimonides (the Rambam) was born in If it is meaningful to remember our flight Genesis 1:27 “So God created the human 1135 CE. In addition to being a physician, he from Egypt and renewal at Chanukah. Now beings, creating (them) in the divine image of was Jewish theologian and philosopher. His consider the rights and freedoms entrenched God (B’tselem Elohim), creating them male commentary Mishneh Torah carries significant in the laws of our lands. Contrast this with the and female.” authority. In the ‘Mishna Laws of Gifts to the real conditions and situations of men, women Poor 8:10/11 he speaks of Pidyon Sh’vuyim and children who are merely viewed and used The word ‘adam’ is not describing an - Redemption of the Captives. We are told as commodities. It is quite apparent when individual, but a new class of beings, a new that this takes precedence over supporting we look around and see what is happening in classification of life. the poor or even clothing them. There is no the world; children trafficked into being child greater mitzvah than Pidyon Sh’vuyim, for soldiers, for example- violence and oppression According to Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, editor the problems of the captives include hunger, go hand to hand. Victims of trafficking are of The Torah, A Women’s Commentary, thirst, nakedness, and mortal danger. One who denied their dignity as persons. humanity was established first, preceding ignores the need to redeem captives is seen our division into sexual categories. In to have transgressed. It is not only a physical Today, there is an estimate of 27 million Deuteronomy 29:9, the Torah clearly requirement to address the situation of the people who are victims of modern day establishes that the covenant given to Moses captives, it is a moral obligation. As a response slavery. is accepted and shared by all Jewish people to this moral obligation, the ethical path of - men and women. STOP PRESS On 4th December 2012, action through positive living was anticipated. three women Nomi Levenkron, a lawyer who We have a long history of male interpretation Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) specializes in human trafficking; Shoshana of the Bible. This has led to laws, practices, states that “in a free society only some are Strauss, a lawyer at the Ministry of Industry, codes and patterns in which women have guilty but all are responsible.”. Rabbi Heschel Trade and Labor; and Tamar Schwartz, with been assigned to be of lesser value. This is the Polish born American theologian, has the advocacy organization Mesilah, were . true, too, of the midrashric (loosely translated been considered one of the leading Jewish bestowed awards for advocating against as interpretation of the Torah) tradition of the philosophers of the twentieth century, He human trafficking crimes Israeli President rabbinic era. marched, in Selma, Alabama USA, with black Shimon Peres & Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Peres is quoted Prostitution arose when women, in early civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King. In his as saying said. ““Human trafficking is the societies, were not perceived as human book ‘The Insecurity of Freedom’, he discusses modern day slavery. These people are forced beings made in the image of God. his concept of freedom. Paraphrased it is his belief that in a free society each one of us has into ‘slavery’ due to economic or personal Slavery the right and capacity to be free. “Man, every problems; They are seen as objects and not man is too good to be a slave of another man”. as humans. Israel has many achievements There are many sources throughout our in the fight against human trafficking that liturgy and texts that direct us to take action Even more telling Ffreedom is a gift that can be taken away from us”. are important and is marked one of the top against slavery. The biblical references are countries in the world fighting against this type usually associated with a message of human Pidyon Sh’vuyim, is our obligation to do of organized crime.” liberation. Torah policies and regulations deal everything in our power to release people who Source http://www.jspace.com/ with enslavement by captivity, sale of children are trapped and suffering in some way. Human and self-sale to pay off debt. trafficking is modern day slavery, whether it is Isaiah 61:1 “The spirit of the Sovereign debt bondage, sex trade, or forced labour. At Passover we remember and recount the story Lord is on me, because the Lord has Council Bulletin 11 News from the Sections

Mazal tov to ACT Jewish community Brisbane Canberra President and Canberra NCJWA member Professor Kim Rubenstein on being named Beautiful Geneva in Switzerland was home in a list of ‘100 Women of Influence’ in the to Canberra Steering Committee member Public Policy category by The Australian and scientist Dr Barbara Butow in May and Financial Review and Westpac. June 2012 when she was posted to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from Food On 6 October, Pamela Rothman, our Standards Australia and New Zealand. At Section representative at the National the Canberra Section AGM on Sunday 19 Council of Women of Australia (NCWA) ACT, August she provided an overview of the represented our National President Di Hirsh work of WHO’s International Food Safety at NCWA’s national conference dinner. Authorities Network in managing health Our most recent movie night, Yiddische risks and disease outbreaks caused by food Mama on Sunday 14 October, was a good contamination. fundraiser.

MICHA co-chair person Mira Myler (far right) with Congratulations to local Jo Dixon, who Dr. Vera Korine-Shafir and Boaz Herman won the embroidered Shabbat tablecloth raffled by Brisbane Section to raise funds for The focus of much of our activity this year MICHA. has been our fundraising for MICHA. Our final fundraiser for the year was held Earlier this year we started a major in early December. This activity was run by fundraising raffle to raise money for MICHA. Pam Fein as part of a Trash and Treasure Tickets were sold by NCJWA sections day at a local market. around Australia. The 15 October was the big day with the prize winning ticket being Sylvia Deutsch drawn at a Brisbane section meeting.

Our congratulations to Jo Dixon from L- R: Canberra AGM- Karen Tatz and new steering Gold Coast Canberra who was the lucky winner. Her committee member Yael Cass (photo: Sylvia prize was the hand made embroidered Deutsch) tablecloth (130cm x 224cm), made by Mira Myler. Our 2012-2013 Steering Committee, chosen unanimously at the AGM, is: Barbara Butow, Yael Cass (a new member of the committee), Sarit Cohen, Sylvia Deutsch, Janet Frommer, Yvette Goode, Anita Shroot and Karen Tatz. In an initiative the ACT Jewish community’s Matan Batmitzvah program will this year for the first time include a new component where the girls each choose a NCJWA leader (local or beyond) to do research and to prepare a short presentation. This year’s six participants have chosen; former National President the late Vera Cohen MBE Our blokes help with the Sizzle (so instrumental in setting up and fostering L- R: Michael Schnukal, Barbara Stewart-Kann the Canberra Section) and five Canberra OAM and Gary Kann leaders, all now deceased: Ruth Dixon, Anne It’s been a busy and active time at NCJWA Hoffman, Naomi Kronenberg, Helga Leslie Gold Coast, including welcome a number of and Betty Rosenberg. We see this as a way new members to our section. Canberra’s Jo Dixon and her family show her prize of educating both the girls in the community from beautiful tablecloth prize from the MICHA and their mothers about the work of past Our two recent Sausage Sizzles have been a Raffle members of NCJWA and hopefully thereby tasty success- judging by the revenue raised! ensuring support and continuity. We were also thrilled that all our tickets for The raffle and other activities, have in recent the stage show, Calendar Girls sold out, not months, raised $1,596. This will be sent by to mention it was a great show. Brisbane section, to MICHA for one of their The Gold Coast annual Chanukah in the projects for children with hearing loss. Park festival will take place on 13 December. Our sincere thanks to all NCJWA sections for NCJWA Gold Coast will be represented by participating in the fund raising event, for this our stall. Our activity will include the giving most worthwhile organisation in Israel. away of 20 sets of Wesley Books to young Mira Myler Co-chairperson MICHA Brisbane parents in our community. These books, has recently been in Israel and visited the have been supplied by NCJWA and deal MICHA centre during her stay and will report with issues relating to Parent/Child personal back about her visit at our next meeting safety as well as bullying. We will also be providing information about NCJWA for Lorraine Jacobs L- R: Canberra AGM – Dr Barbara Butow, Sylvia prospective members and having some MICHA Co-Chairperson Brisbane Deutsch, Karen Tatz, Yvette Goode, Janet membership forms on hand. Section Frommer, Sarit Cohen (photo: Julia Wolfson)

12 News from the Sections

At our AGM in October our guest speaker was David Samson. David works in Australia for Sar El. This Israeli organisation manages and AGM speaker David coordinates hands Samson on volunteer programs for visitors to Israel. His talk was Transcultural Succoth event L-R: Julie Levine, inspirational. Some of our members have Jeannette Tsoulos, Tamar Mansberg taken the plunge to be volunteers on the Our annual PINK SUNDAY was a happy, program. Getting into the family spirit at Pink Sunday family and community event. Most of the Back L-R: Jeremy Reid, Tammi Reid, Anne Reid, As the calendar year draws to a close we are fundraising had been achieved before the Sarah Reid Front L-R: Jamie Reid, Ashley Reid, looking at where our annual donations will event with our stationary bike ride activity. Sherydan Reid go, both to the wider and Jewish community. Those who had pre-registered and collected This year beneficiaries will include: sponsorship via the My Cause website All our activities, combined with the BCNA Gold Coast Hebrew Congregation included the Deputy Mayor of Woollahra, collection tins distributed to shops a Katherine O’Regan. On the morning of our month prior to the event, jointly raised over Temple Shalom event she took her bike ride, spurred on by $12,000. Gold Coast Jewish Community Services friends and the general crowd. Our MUM FOR MUM volunteers recently Magen David Adom were hosted by the Royal Hospital For Heart Foundation Women (RHW) Social Work Department Cancer Fund and mid-wives, to meet and share their Volunteer Marine Rescue experiences. Julia Crowe, RHW social Hopewell Hospice worker spoke of the ‘invaluable grass roots Amongst others…… service’ provided by the MUM FOR MUM program and volunteers. Our hearts and prayers are with Israel. We wish everyone a happy and safe I am thrilled to welcome member Dr Chanukah, Yoke Berry to our active volunteer team as archivist and assisting our MUM FOR With Council greetings MUM co-ordinator, Nadene Alhadeff with Tammy Raanan-Ota administration. We are also pleased and grateful that we For nformation about Sar El visit have received much needed JCA grants towards our MUM FOR MUM program and www.sarelaustralia.org or Jewish Womens’ Breast Cancer Network contact David Samson david@ (JWBCN). sarelaustralia.org 0429-236160 In recent months we have all learnt much At Pink Sunday from the Jewish Board of Deputies ‘Talking L-R: David & Josephine Holland with son Tobey About Israel Course’ which we hosted. This was a fitting lead up to our ‘Celebrating New South Wales The event attracted a wide range of ages Israel, panel, Q and A evenening. from 12 to over 90, breast cancer survivors, family, friends and those eager to take part, On Tuesday 6 November we held a fully It’s been a busy period with a number of us raise awareness and fundraise. booked and successful Progressive Group representing NCJWA NSW at various Jewish Melbourne Cup Lunch. Thanks to who made and wider community functions. During the morning both Pink silhouettes this happen and everyone who joined in the and Breast Cancer Network Australia Thank you to Dalia Ayalon Sinclair, fun. (BCNA) pins were sold. A’ silent auction’ Immediate Past President, Vice President of the stationary bikes, was also held. Our We officially welcomed Miriam Levy who has Sunny Gold, Josephine Holland and Bernice Pink Pooch competition attracted a number been invited and who has accepted to serve Bachmayer, for their attendance at the Raoul of children and family participants and was on our Elected Board. Wallenberg Commemoration and the Marie judged by the Deputy Mayor and overseen Bashir Peace Presentation both held at We were all deeply saddened by the passing by Mayor Andrew Petrie. Parliament House (NSW) as well as the St of our dear Life Member, Nona Rosenbaum David’s Interfaith Day of Peace. All activities were made more enjoyable on 31October, a warm, dedicated, and thanks to the Barista Cart, generously much loved member of NCJWA NSW and Our Transcultural event co-ordinated by donated by Daniel Borenstein’s Event Group proud daughter of Gladys Slutzkin NCJWA Rob Lenn OAM was a great success. Australia Pty Ltd. The much needed morning President (Victoria) for many years. We wish Jeanette Tsoulos, President of the Jewish coffee was accompanied by fresh scones her family long life. She will be sadly missed Genealogical Society presented a fascinating made that morning by Anne and Zina in by the whole NCJWA family. talk, ‘Finding You Family’ followed by a our Pink Café. All present had plenty of research session. A beautiful lunch in the Victoria Nadel opportunity to shmooze and catch up. Succah, organised by Vice President Anne President NCJWA NSW Division Reid and Zina Conway OAM, followed.

Council Bulletin 13 News from the Sections

are currently enthusiastically participating South Australia in the introductory training for the MUM Western Australia FOR MUM program; participants in our At our October meeting we welcomed a Empowering Single Women’s program have This year the NCJWA Women Achievers new member Jill Hall. Jill has been attending successfully completed a course in Creating night, held on Sunday 26 August, was our meetings for a while and it is now great Effective Relationships. a big success. This special evening has to welcome her a s fully fledged NCJWA been held in Perth biannually since 1993. member. We acknowledge the accomplishments of women in the wider WA community. The evening begun with the excellent Master of Ceremonies Sue Wilner, who welcomed guests and spoke about NCJWA and its main projects around Australia. The first Achiever was Police Commander Michelle Fyfe, the 2012 Australian Police Medal recipient, who was celebrated for On 14 October we hosted a wonderful being an active role model for women in the ILAN variety concert, Access Drumming Group police force.

variety concert organised by Shirley Glance, All hats for Cup Day Vice President, Ruth Krawat and friends for Instead of having a Melbourne Cup Lunch our ILAN project. we decided to have an Afternoon Tea, On 15 October, former National NCJWA which was attended by 40-50 members and president Malvina Malinek OAM gave us friends. All present enjoyed a very delicious an insight into the news behind the news spread whilst watching the race. Members with her informative presentation on ‘Israel were very generous and bought raffle tickets Kaleidoscope 2012’. and sweep tickets. All profits were donated Biennial NCJWA Women Achievers to ILAN. Fundraising functions have included our L - R: Noreen Sher, Jill Green, Ester Steingiesser, annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast held together Di Hirsh OAM, Ruth Simms, Dr Dawn Butterworth. with WIZO Victoria on 28 October. Funds were raised for the National Breast Cancer The second Achiever was Alisa Krasnostein, Foundation. water engineer by day and science fiction, Also on 28 October function held with the horror publisher by night. In 2007 she family of Dr Geulah Solomon OAM z”l founded independent publishing company and the Makor Library, launching Geulah’s Twelfth Planet Press. In 2011 she received memoirs ‘My Life, My History, My Legacy, the World Fantasy Award. a Jewish Australian Journey‘ which was Our special guest speaker was NCJWA warmly received by family, friends and the national President Di Hirsh then gave an community. Melbourne Cup Day fun overview of the purpose of NCJWA and the Our 85th anniversary Gala Lunch was held role the council plays in promoting the status Our final meeting of the year was on on 20 November. Our Guest Speaker was of Jewish women and women in the wider Wednesday 5 December and we will resume Professor Caroline Taylor AM, Foundation community. in February 2013. Wishing all members and Chair in Social Justice and Head of the The final 2012 Achiever was Susan Cromb, a friends a very happy Chanukah, and a very Social Justice Research Centre at Edith teacher who founded the “Adopt A School” happy and healthy holiday. Cowan University in Western Australia. She project in 2002 to set up sister schools spoke to a full house, on ‘A Fact is not Fate to improve communication and cultural Ruth Dunn – Creating a Meaningful Life from Childhood Hon Secretary NCJWA SA understanding between Indonesians and Abuse’. We are grateful to our volunteers Australians. who spent hours phoning members for a Victoria commitment as a benefactor, patron or Guests enjoyed a kosher supper of delicious hostess of the function. finger food and irresistible profiteroles and biscuits made by Bronia Sharp, Fay Enston In recent months we were able to provided and a group of talented ladies from Yael a 35 day placement for Fiona Zlotnik, a Group. Our thanks to the organisers of this Social Science student from RMIT. She was very successful event, Jill Green, Noreen primarily supervised by Annette Sweet, our Sher and Ester Steingiesser and for the Executive Director. Fiona was introduced great support from Joan Motta and Maggie to all aspects of our organisation and at Helfgott-Fisher. the conclusion of her placement was able to correlate our work and program areas In September Ester Steingiesser attended with governmental social policy. She also the launch of cooperation between NCWWA developed an understanding of NCJWA and the new African Women‘s Council of Malvina Malinek OAM, Ernie Malinek & Susie Balint Australia (AWCoA). The AWCoA recently at the Israel Kaleidoscope 2012 night (VIC) and contributed to and participated in activities and programs. She was an asset received a grant which has enabled them during her time with us and at the conclusion to establishment an office in Perth. They are We have had a busy few months over the of her placement addressed the Board. very welcoming and we are proud of being spectrum of all our programs. The Chagim Jewish community representative at their with our Golden Age Club participants were Vivien Brass special event. stimulating and interesting; new volunteers President NCJWA Vic Division 14 PUTTING WOMEN ON THE AGENDA

Participants in the Interfaith Event for World PeaceL - R: Jesse Sharp, Estee Todres, students from the Australian Islamic College On the 21 September to celebrate the International Peace Day, NCJWA WA in partnership with Brahma Kumaris WA and with UNAAWA organised an special Interfaith Event for World Peace. The ceremony was held at the beautiful Peace Grove in East Perth, erected in honour of Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin of Israel z”l, and President Anwar al Sadat from Egypt. Both men were Nobel Peace Prize winners who were later assassinated because of their courageous efforts for Peace. This memorial was the initiative of JNF WA, some years ago. Richard Farago, a former JNF WA President, was our guest speaker. We had prayers for Peace from the Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i, Budhist and Universal Brotherhood representatives. There were also Peace songs in Arabic, by the girls of the Australian Key Issues to Raise With discrimination. The Israeli Supreme Islamic College and in Hebrew, by Estee Israeli Officials and to Be Used Court has ruled that the practice Todres and Jesse Sharp. Communitywide. of forced gender segregation on public buses is illegal. We once again were involved with the Jewish organizations are justly proud UNAAWA Yolande Frank Art Competition. • Enforced gender segregation Congratulations to Milla Lemer and to of Israel’s strong democratic values Sarah Tucker, Carmel School students. and its legal and ethical commitment to in public spaces is inconsistent Both received a Highly Commended Prize. inclusion and equality. with Israel’s founding principles of This is the third year that the UNAA WA equality for all regardless of “race, Indeed, many of our communities is organising an award in the memory of creed, or sex” and has been ruled Yolande Frank through A Creative Expression have rallied to oppose those who illegal by Israel’s Supreme court. of the Declaration of Human Rights. This seek to demonize Israel and distort its Every person, regardless of gender, year article 26 of the Declaration was the democratic foundation and record. basis for the children’s work- ‘Everyone has deserves equal access and use of the right to education’. Judith Parker AM With these fundamental values in public services and public secular DCSJ, past President of UNAAWA and Ester mind, many of our communities have spaces Steingiesser, UNAAWA Executive member promoted enhanced Israeli government representing NCJWA were very happy to • In order to reinforce Israel’s attention to issues such as religious present them with their prizes. Kol hakavod strategic interests and international pluralism, Ethiopian absorption, Israeli girls! alliances as well as the country’s Arabs and African migrants. Kol hakavod also to our two seniors internal and external security, groups Gilad and Shalom who continue It is extremely important that Jews must it is incumbent on the Israeli to be active and creative. You are all an now convey to Israeli leaders our deep government and Israel’s supporters inspiration to us! Meanwhile Natanya group has hosted some very entertaining Musical concern at ever-increasing efforts to around the world to work Afternoons, with the final one for the year impose gender segregation in public vigorously to maintain, enhance in December. Our Yael Group has also held secular places, including public buses, and defend Israel’s democratic successful meetings, the last one was a sidewalks, roadways, buildings and integrity and ensure equality and great Melbourne Cup Lunch. Thanks to government events and convocations. justice for all its citizens. Bronia Sharp for her fantastic hospitality and the delicious food she served with the help • Recognizing Israel’s commitment This statement was first written by of Ros Bettane, Barbara Buchbinder and to gender equality and efforts to Susan Heller Pinto of the ADL from Michal Kooperman. advance the status of women, it is observations made at the meeting We all wish Angela Davis a speedy recovery. important that Jewish organizations of the Women’s Roundtable on We miss her clever and positive presence so make clear to Israeli leaders our September 13, 2012. It has been much. We are looking forward in having her back very soon. opposition to forced gender minimally edited to be more global in its segregation in public, secular references. Finally, Mazal Tov to the lucky mothers Di places and urge that there be Hirsh, Angela Davis and Ester Steingiesser that are having their daughters weddings this effective enforcement of laws that December!!! Ester has an added bonus, her forbid gender segregation in public son’s wedding in January in Israel! secular spaces in Israel. Israeli Council Bulletin 15 Ester Steingiesser law upholds equality and bars The Jewish National Kew Chiropractic Centre Fund of Australia 86 High St Salutes the The National Kew VIC 3101 Council of Jewish Tel: 9853 1100 Women of Australia on the completion of the playground at Park Golda in the Negev which site forms a part of the Historic ANZAC TRAIL JNF thank all NCJWA supporters Do you get back pain or neck pain? whose contributions have ensured that projects such as these become reality. Could your posture be better? Are you aching to feel better?

Dr Paul Wise and Dr Michelle Kotzman Website: www.jnf.org.au (Chiropractors) have been helping people like you NATIONAL OFFICE: (SYDNEY) for over twenty years. Tel: (02) 9386 9559 Fax: (02) 9386 9828 E-Mail: [email protected] Call 9853 1100 for an appointment OTHER OFFICES: JNF (NSW) Tel: (02) 9389 5466 Fax: (02) 9389 5330 E-Mail: [email protected]

JNF (VIC.) Tel: (03) 9272 5666 Fax: (03) 9272 5573 Email: [email protected] JNF (WA) Tel: (08) 9275 2761 Fax: (08) 9275 2761 E-Mail: [email protected] JNF (QLD) Tel: (07) 3353 3810 Fax: (07) 3353 3496 Proud supporters of NCJW E-mail: [email protected] JNF (SA) Tel: (08) 8379 0144 Mob.: 0414235845 E-mail: [email protected]

Upcoming Events God in 3D comes to Canada

A remarkable event took place in Montreal, Throughout the evening a monk moved BRISBANE Canada in November and I had the around the large stage swinging his censer of opportunity to attend it, marvelling at the incense on a long chain – by the end of the 22nd February Cocktail Party For more bonhomie of the capacity audience in the new performance the theatre was clouded with information contact Carolyn on 3345 9509 Montreal Place des Artes complex. its perfume. The juxtaposition of the monk’s movements on the prayers of the cantor and NSW The finale to the two week-long 13th Annual the calls of Islam created amazement in my 31st January Tu B’ Sh’vat- Volunteer Arab World Festival of Montreal was entitled mind – such a seamless blending of the three Morning Tea and presentation, Guest ‘God in 3 D’, an extraordinary meeting of the traditions was unimaginable! Similarly, when speaker, Nutritionist Anne Lewinsky. three Abrahamic faiths in a polished, oratorio- the three faith leaders moved to the front of like production, two and a half hours in length. 11th February- First Jewish Women’s the stage and formed into a three sided group Bookclub meeting for 2013 with Jewish With 26 male performers on stage throughout, to sing and then embrace one another, the Women specialists in Status of Women the performance was led by a Jewish cantor, audience were wild with enthusiasm. a Muslim singer and a trio of Christian issues. All performers sang in the language of their monk-like choristers. An instrumental body faith – thus Hebrew, Arabic and Latin retained March- Visit to Gallipoli Mosque and lunch as comprised six performers – the traditional the veracity of each prayer, but the cleverness part of our Transcultural Program. Arabic ensemble of oud, ney, qanoun and of the musical score allowed the singers of (date to be set ) violin, with a tabla. Additionally one of the each faith to support the others harmonically three Jewish performers was a violinist as well without uttering a word of the other languages. 21st March – Champagne, Art and Culture as a singer and supplied a Hebraic lament The lengthy polished presentation moved evening with Sotheby’s at Fanny Reading ahead of accompanying the cantor in a along without breaks between its sections, all Council House. traditional prayer. without the aid of a conductor. VICTORIA Eight members of the Burdah Ensemble from I feel very fortunate to have been present 18th February commencement of ‘10 the Soufi centre supplied the rhythmic and at this outstanding interfaith event, quite harmonic support as did the four members of weeks, 10 women, 10 stories’ writing course outside my experience of goodwill and accord the Whirling Dervishes of Aleppo, who then with author Nancy Sugarman between the three faiths. rose and closed each half of the performance 12th March: Interfaith Women’s Seder with an astounding ten minutes’ whirling Robyn Lenn OAM dance. NCJWA Chair,Interfaith/ Intercultural 9th April: Hold the date for Annual fundraising Brunch

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