45TH BIENNIAL

CONFERENCE

REPORT 11 November 2012

Melbourne

Contents Agenda ...... 3 Zionist Federation of Australia Executive List 2010-2012 ...... 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER ...... 8 MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ...... 9 MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL TO AUSTRALIA ...... 10 MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE - WZO ...... 11 MESSAGE FROM ECAJ PRESIDENT ...... 12 MESSAGE FROM UIA PRESIDENT ...... 13 REPORTS ZFA PRESIDENT ...... 15 ZFA ISRAEL DIRECTOR ...... 28 ZFA ISRAEL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT ...... 30 ROSH MISHLACHAT ...... 32 DIRECTOR OF ALIYAH ...... 34 ZFA/WZO/YOUNG ADULT SHLICHA ...... 36 ZIONIST COUNCIL OF NEW SOUTH WALES ...... 38 STATE ZIONIST COUNCIL OF QUEENSLAND ...... 43 STATE ZIONIST COUNCIL OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA...... 47 ZIONIST COUNCIL OF VICTORIA ...... 49 STATE ZIONIST COUNCIL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA ...... 52 AMEINU ...... 53 ARZA ...... 54 AUJS ...... 56 AZYC ...... 59 FRIENDS OF LIKUD ...... 63 JEWISH NATIONAL FUND OF AUSTRALIA ...... 64 MACCABI AUSTRALIA ...... 66 MERCAZ MASORTI ...... 69 MIZRACHI ...... 70 NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN AUSTRALIA ...... 71 UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDIASM ...... 73 UNITED ISRAEL APPEAL AUSTRALIA ...... 76 WIZO AUSTRALIA ...... 77

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Agenda

45th Biennial Conference

Sunday 11 November, 2012

Beth Weizmann Community Centre

306 Hawthorn Road, South Caulfield

10.00am Registration

10.30am Welcome and President’s Report

Philip Chester, President, ZFA

Questions and discussion

11:00am Lest we forget – in remembrance

Treasurer’s Report

Greg Blashki, Hon Treasurer, ZFA

Guest Speaker, David Hazony

Does Israel Need Saving? Unconventional Thoughts about the Future of Israel-Diaspora Relations

Panel: Perceptions of Israel and the media

Australian journalists and commentators

Moderator: Dan Goldberg

Lunch

Guest Speaker: David Hazony

What Has Happened to Israeli Politics? A Pre-Election Primer

Israel Matters exhibition - presented by young advocates

Keynote Address - Yuval Rotem, Israel’s Ambassador to Australia

Resolutions

Elections

5.15pm Hatikva, close

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Zionist Federation of Australia Executive List 2010-2012

PRESIDENT Mr Philip Chester IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Dr Ron Weiser AM HON. TREASURER Mr Greg Blashki HON. SECRETARY Mr Sam Salcman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mrs Ginette Searle

VICE PRESIDENTS

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT / NSW Mr Richard Balkin VICTORIA Mr Sam Tatarka WESTERN AUSTRALIA Mr Jeffrey Lin QUEENSLAND Mr Tony Leverton SOUTH AUSTRALIA Ms Alison Marcus

CHAIRPERSONS OF DEPARTMENTS

EDUCATION Mr Michael Cohen HASBARA Mr Ian Samuel OAM YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS Mr Daniel Goodhardt MEMBERS WITHOUT PORTFOLIO Mr Ron Finkel

REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATED BY STATE ZIONIST COUNCILS

NEW SOUTH WALES Dr Ron Wiseman Mrs Sharon Wahlhaus

VICTORIA Mr Jeff Morrison Mrs Sharene Hambur

QUEENSLAND Mr Ari Heber

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Mr Jeffrey Lin

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Ms Alison Marcus

LIFE MEMBERS Mr Nathan Jacobson OBE

THEODOR HERZL AWARD Mr Mark Leibler AC Mr Shmuel Rosenkranz

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PRESIDENTS OF AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS

AMEINU Mr Johnny Baker ARZA Mrs Barbara Ford

AUJS Mr Daniel Nash

AZYC Mr Reuben Bolaffi FRIENDS OF LIKUD Mr Alex Goodman

KEREN HAYESOD UIA Mr Jack Smorgon AO KEREN KAYEMETH - JNF OF AUSTRALIA Mr Michael Naphtali AM MACCABI AUSTRALIA INC Mrs Lisa Borowick MERCAZ-MASORTI Mr John Furstenberg MERETZ AUSTRALIA Mr Leon Orbach MIZRACHI ORGANISATION Mr Ian Waller SC NCJWA Mrs Di Hirsh OAM UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM Mr David Robinson WIZO AUSTRALIA Mrs Gilla Liberman

REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED BY ORGANISATIONS

AMEINU Mr Johnny Baker ARZA Mrs Barbara Ford AUJS Mr Daniel Nash AZYC Mr Reuben Bolaffi FRIENDS OF LIKUD Mr Alex Goodman KEREN KAYEMETH – JNF OF AUSTRALIA Mr Robert Schneider KEREN HAYESOD – UNITED ISRAEL APPEAL Mr Julian Black Ms Yifat Oron MACCABI AUSTRALIA INC Mrs Lisa Borowick MERCAZ-MASORTI Mr John Furstenberg MERETZ AUSTRALIA Mr Leon Orbach MIZRACHI ORGANISATION Mr Ian Waller SC NCJWA Mrs Di Hirsh OAM UNION OF PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM Mr Steve Denenberg WIZO Mrs Rachel Caplan Mrs Marlis Cohen Mrs Helen Granek (Deputy)

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SHLICHIM

NSW

BETAR Mr Yoni Issahary BNEI AKIVA Mr Yonatan Sinclair HABONIM DROR/ALIYAH Mr Assaf Lapid HINENI Mr Hillel Fried NETZER Mr Yuval Nemirovsky YOUNG ADULTS/HAGSHAMA Ms Mirit Frenkel

VICTORIA

ALIYAH Mr Bezalel Gleiser AUJS Ms Leora Golomb BETAR Mr Yiftach Nenner BNEI AKIVA Mrs Efrat Metzler HABONIM DROR /ROSH MISHLACHAT Mr Eran Berkovich NETZER Ms Lior Argaman

WA

COMMUNITY/HABONIM DROR Ms Lee Eshel Rubinstein

OBSERVERS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ZCNSW Ms Lynn Niselow EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ZCV Ms Jane Rapke OFFICE MANAGER, SZCQLD Ms Hadas Palvesky EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, SZCWA Ms Navit Shchigel HAGSHAMA COORDINATOR , VIC Ms Adva Weinstein HAGSHAMA COORDINATOR , NSW Mr Daniel Levy UIA Victoria Mrs Amit Tzur Tal

ZCV Mr Erwin Lamm

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STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mrs Ginette Searle ISRAEL OFFICE DIRECTOR Mr Yigal Sela EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ms Shayndle Grinblat ACCOUNTS MANAGER Mrs Gili Gafin COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Mr Joshua Cole ISRAEL PROGRAMS COORDINATOR Ms Tanya Strusberg

ISRAEL PROGRAMS ASSISTANT Ms Tania Shvartsman

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE ALIYAH SHALIACH - Mrs Miri Abramovich MELBOURNE

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE ALIYAH SHALIACH - SYDNEY Mrs Shoshana Vitek

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER The Hon Julia Gillard MP

PRIME MINISTER

CANBERRA

MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER JULIA GILLARD

ZIONIST FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA – 45TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

It is with great pleasure that I send my best wishes to everyone attending the Zionist Federation of Australia 45th Biennial Conference.

Working within the Jewish community, the wider Australian community and internationally, it is due to the efforts of organisations such as the ZFA that Australia and Israel enjoy such strong and long-standing ties. Australia is proud of its deep and enduring commitment to Israel’s survival and security, and to a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

As part of its role in supporting the relationship between the Australian Jewish community and the State of Israel, the ZFA does so much in continuing to support Australia’s multicultural society.

As Australians we pride ourselves on our diverse society, and we want to ensure our nation is united by tolerance, mutual respect and care for others and continues to offer possibility and opportunity for all. The ZFA makes a special contribution to education and dialogue on both domestic and foreign policy issues of concern to us all.

With these thoughts in mind I extend my sincere best wishes to members and friends of the Zionist Federation of Australia and reaffirm Australia’s ongoing support and friendship with Israel and wish all in attendance at the 45th biennial conference well.

The Honourable Julia Gillard Prime Minister of Australia

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MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION The Hon Tony Abbott MHR

The Hon Tony Abbott MHR Leader of the Opposition Federal Member for Warringah

Message from the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tony Abbott MHR

ZIONIST FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA 45th Biennial Conference

I am pleased to provide a message of support and send my best wishes to everyone attending the 45th Biennial Conference in Melbourne this year.

I take this opportunity to recognise the immense contribution made by Jewish Australians to our country. Your participation in public life and strong commitment to our country has enriched Australia. It bears repeating that Australia is the only country in the world, apart from Israel, to have had a Jewish Head of State, Chief Justice and Commander of the Army.

The Coalition is committed to a strong and enduring friendship with Israel. Our two nations share a long-standing friendship, enhanced not only by our people-to-people links but also our mutual respect for human rights, political freedoms and tolerance.

As you hold your 45th Biennial Conference this year, I pay tribute to the work of the Zionist Federation of Australia and your outstanding record of work in the Australian Jewish community.

Please accept my warmest wishes on the occasion of your 45th Biennial Conference.

Yours sincerely

TONY ABBOTT 15 October 2012 ______PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600 Telephone: 02 6277 4022· Fax: 02 6277 8562 www.tonyabbott.com.au

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MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL TO AUSTRALIA Ambassador Yuval Rotem

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MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE - WZO Avraham Duvdevani

24 Tishrei, 5773 10 October 2012 Mr. Philip Chester President, Zionist Federation of Australia, Ltd. 306 Hawthorn Road Caulfield, Victoria 3162 AUSTRALIA

Dear Philip,

I am delighted to congratulate you on the 45th Biennial Conference of the Zionist Federation of Australia and to share in the excitement of this celebratory event!

On behalf of the World Zionist Organization, I congratulate you and all those who work with you for your steadfast and ongoing commitment to Zionism. Your record of concrete achievement speaks for itself -- in the areas of sending youth to Israel on long and short programs, encouraging Aliyah, supporting Jewish Zionist education, advocating for Israel, and instilling Zionist values in your community. Your unwavering loyalty to the dynamic future of the State of Israel, as the everlasting home to all Jews, has earned the Australian Zionist Federation a place of honor in the consciousness of Jews everywhere.

We are happy that his year a WZO emissary has joined your community to work with the Russian-speaking population in Australia. In addition, we are hopeful that the Zionist Federation of Australia will add a flagship WZO mission to its many current accomplishments – that of encouraging speaking of the Hebrew language.

Partners such as the Zionist Federation of Australia, which energize our youth to become active and committed Zionists, are helping shape a vibrant Jewish future and a proud, vigorous and flourishing Israel!

Yasher Kochachem!

Avraham Duvdevani Chairman, World Zionist Organization

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MESSAGE FROM ECAJ PRESIDENT Dr Danny Lamm

Executive Council of Australian Jewry Inc.

17 October 2012 Philip Chester 1 Cheshvan 5773 The Representative Organisation of President Australian Jewry Zionist Federation of Australia

Level 2, 80 William Street Sydney NSW 2000 306 Hawthorn Road

Address all correspondence to: Caulfield South VIC 3162 PO Box 1114, Edgecliff NSW 2027

Tel (+61 2) 8353 8500 Fax (+61 2) 9361 5888 Dear Philip Web: www.ecaj.org.au

E-mail [email protected] Re: Bi-annual conference of Zionist federation of Australia

Both personally and on behalf of my colleagues on the Committee of PRESIDENT Dr Danny Lamm Management of the ECAJ, it gives me much pleasure on the occasion of the bi-

DEPUTY PRESIDENT annual Conference of the Zionist Federation of Australia, to wish you and your John Searle team mazal tov on the completion of another significant period of activities on HON. TREASURER Robert Lissauer behalf of the Zionist movement of Australia.

HON. SECRETARY Jillian Segal AM The story of Israel is that of a small progressive nation which, in the face of

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR threats to its very right to exist, makes wonderful contributions to the whole of Peter Wertheim AM humanity in many fields of endeavour including science, medicine, literature and

VICE PRESIDENTS art. Israel does all this while maintaining a flourishing democracy with a vibrant Yair Miller (NSW) Nina Bassat AM (VIC) economy, society and culture. This is a story of which we can all be proud. Tony Tate (WA) Jason Steinberg (QLD) Norman Schueler (SA) The ZFA and its State Councils are to be congratulated for their work in co- Daniel Albert (TAS) Professor Kim Rubenstein (ACT) operation with the ECAJ and the Jewish State roof bodies in telling that story to

IMM. PAST PRESIDENT the Jewish and wider communities and counter-acting the unprecedented anti- Robert M Goot AM, SC Israel smear campaign that is currently being conducted by those with a far less CONSTITUENTS NSW Jewish Board of Deputies honourable agenda. Jewish Community Council of Victoria Inc Jewish Community Council of It has been especially heartening and very much appreciated, that under your Western Australia Inc Queensland Jewish Board of leadership the ZFA has continued to have a close and productive relationship Deputies Jewish Community Council with the ECAJ. The ECAJ looks forward to continuing the excellent working of South Australia Hobart Hebrew Congregation relationship we enjoy with you, your colleagues and the ZFA staff. ACT Jewish Community Inc

AFFILIATES Kol hakavod and with best wishes for the future. Australasian Union of Jewish Students Australian Federation of WIZO Union for Progressive Judaism Federation of Jewish Aged Care Services Maccabi Australia Inc National Council of Jewish Women B’nai B’rith of Australia/ NZ Jewish National Fund of Australia Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Australia

OBSERVERS Yours sincerely Council of Progressive Rabbis Federation of Australian Jewish Dr Danny Lamm Ex-Service Associations New Zealand Jewish Council President Zionist Federation of Australia

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MESSAGE FROM UIA PRESIDENT Jack Smorgon AO

United Israel Appeal of Australia

Message to the Zionist Federation of Australia from Jack Smorgon AO

On behalf of the United Israel Appeal of Australia I send you best wishes on your deliberations at the 45th Biennial Conference of the Zionist Federation of Australia.

As an affiliated organization to the ZFA with close ties we look to our continued co-operation in consolidating the warm partnership which exists between the diaspora and Israel.

As the ever present threat from Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue, the peace process is stalled and we have security threats all over the world, we know that now more than ever we need to stand together with Israel, and we hope that your biennial conference will discuss how to maintain our close ties and deepen the Jewish identity of our community to Israel.

I look forward to continuing our work together for Israel in the future.

Shana Tovah

JACK SMORGON AO President UIA Australia

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MAZAL TOV

This Biennial Conference of the Zionist Federation of Australia congratulates all those who have made Aliyah over the past two years.

We acknowledge this ultimate expression of the Zionist mission and fulfilment of a core value of the Jewish People and the State of Israel.

IN MEMORY

This Biennial Conference of the Zionist Federation of Australia recalls with sorrow the memory of those heroic members of the Israel Defence Forces who have fallen in the service of their country during the past two years.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the victims of terror and anti-Semitic attacks within Israel and abroad.

We pay tribute to the memory of Australian Jewish community leaders and our Zionist colleagues who have passed away during this time.

MAY THEIR MEMORY BE BLESSED

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ZFA PRESIDENT Philip Chester

1. THE MISSION OF THE ZFA

The Zionist Federation of Australia is the peak body of all Zionist organisations in Australia and is responsible for developing, supporting and enriching a meaningful relationship between the Australian Jewish community and Israel.

The ZFA represents the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Masa and Taglit- Birthright in Australia, and as such is responsible for the management of a range of programs including long- and short-term Israel Programs, programs for young adults, school educational programs, aliyah services and the recruitment and support of shlichim. The ZFA also presents the Biennial Jewish Educators’ Conference; the National Bible Quiz; Zionist seminars; visits to Australia by Israeli opinion; and undertakes advocacy, political campaigns and representations on behalf of our community to the Federal Government, the media, the general Australian community and, of course, within our community.

2. 2011 – 2012 SNAPSHOT

2012 has been a productive and creative year for the ZFA. We have developed our on line capacity and are continuing to engage with increasing numbers of people, within and outside Australia, via our facebook page and website. We intend to further develop discussions on issues such as social justice using social media platforms.

The Biennial Jewish Educators’ Conference was a highlight, bringing together record numbers of educators and community leaders (350 in total) for two days of intense and varied presentations, with 10 international presenters, 50 local presenters and over 80 sessions. The feedback from participants has been outstanding.

Initiatives in 2012 included three new Birthright groups, taking our total number of Birthright participants to 280 per year. Masa (long term Israel programs) numbers are getting stronger and our marketing activities undertaken this year appear to be bearing fruits with even stronger numbers predicted for 2013.

We conducted a Leadership seminar for Australians in Israel for the June visits. This two day seminar was co- presented with the WZO and included sessions on socio-religious tensions, media and advocacy, geopolitics and engaging Israelis in our community.

We are currently eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first shlicha for the Russian Speaking Jewish community, who will be based in Melbourne. This ground-breaking shlichut has been almost two years in the planning and negotiation. We anticipate that Sasha Klyachkina will have a challenging but hopefully rewarding shlichut, aiming to bring members of that segment of the community closer to Israel. I am delighted to announce that an additional Birthright bus targeting young adults of Russian background is planned for 2013, an important initiative for Sasha.

3. EDUCATION

The ZFA maintains a strong priority on Israel and Zionist education. We work in close partnership with Jewish day schools and other Jewish educators, at both formal and informal levels. Our shlichim have a strong and consistent presence in Jewish day schools, adding value in a meaningful way.

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Jewish Educators' Conference

On 12-13 August at Bialik College, in Melbourne, 350 formal and informal Jewish educators enjoyed 80 sessions – which were presented by 10 international experts and 50 local speakers – on a wide array of Jewish studies topics including text studies, Jewish history and culture, the Shoah, Israel, informal education, early childhood, and technology and Jewish learning. Participants hailed from Jewish day schools and other Jewish educational institutions across Australia and New Zealand.

The ZFA brought three key Israeli speakers to Australia to present at the conference and also within communities:

 Rav Benny Lau, renown educator and influential Modern Orthodox rabbi  Haim Aronovitz, Director of Israel Seminars at the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Institute  Margalit Kavenstock, early childhood education expert

Other international presenters included:

 Dr Dan Porat, Holocaust scholar and lecturer, professor at the Hebrew University and visiting scholar at The Shalom Institute  Yoel and Orly Ganor of Ulpan Or, who presented on technology and Hebrew education

Keynote presentations were delivered by Rav Lau, Haim Aronovitz and Mount Scopus Memorial College Principal Rabbi James Kennard.

I acknowledge the efforts of ZFA Education Chair Michael Cohen who developed the content and vision for the conference as well as securing the presenters, and Josh Cole of the ZFA for the logistical support.

Special thanks go to Ron Tatarka from Scott Winton Insurance, JAFI and the WZO for their generous sponsorship of the 8th Biennial Jewish Educators’ Conference.

Zionist Seminars

Zionist Seminars continue to be a flagship event of the ZFA, and this year we brought 36 shlichim in 7 teams from Israel to run the programs in 3 states and 9 institutions, including the United Jewish Board of Education (UJEB), which works with children in non-Jewish day schools in Victoria. Not only are the Zionist Camps regarded by students as a highlight of the year, recent research demonstrates the strong positive impact on Jewish and Zionist identity due to these seminars.

The ZFA has undertaken a comprehensive review and evaluation process of the Zionist Seminars in all their locations in late 2011. With staffing and budget changes at JAFI, it was the persistent efforts of the ZFA that resulted in the early appointment of Rotem Yehoshua, JAFI’s Zionist Seminar coordinator, with whom we have been working very closely. At our suggestion, Rotem visited Australia in February 2012 and undertook discussions on the Zionist Seminar program with each school.

Bible Quiz

As the top two competitors from the 2011 Australian National Bible Quiz, sponsored by the ZFA, Matthew Lichtig and Australian champion Zahava Rosenblum represented Australia at the world finals, before Yom Ha'atzmaut 2012 in Israel. Zahava reached the Diaspora finals.

The issue of the continuation of the Bible Quiz is still under consideration. In Australia as well as elsewhere in the world, the Bible Quiz is attracting fewer participants. It should be noted that the standards expected are very high, and contestants are required to undertake a vast amount of rote learning, in addition to their normal school work. This year, despite our persistent efforts, the quiz curriculum was received late from JAFI. The issue of the organisation of the Bible Quiz has become more complicated due to JAFI no longer treating it as a high priority.

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This year's national finals are tentatively scheduled to be held in the first term of 2013. Response from potential schools has not been strong. As in 2011, despite the ZFA making a concerted effort with the Jewish day schools to try and enlist more participants, due to lack of participation there were no state finals.

Teaching Israel Mini Seminar

In September 2011, the ZFA presented the inaugural “Teaching Israel” mini-seminar, in which 38 formal and informal Jewish studies educators from across Australia came together to share expertise, ideas and work with Israel curriculum expert Tuvia Book. Tuvia is a renowned Zionist Educator whom we brought from Israel to facilitate discussions and to present different ways that educators can promote Zionism and Israel to their students.

Following the seminar, participants created a virtual network in which they continue to share insights.

The seminar was held in the year between educators' conferences, and the ZFA subsidised teachers to attend the two-day seminar, held in Melbourne. Due to the success of the seminar and in response to demand after this year’s successful Educators’ Conference, we are currently exploring options for another mini-seminar to be held in 2013.

4. ISRAEL PROGRAMS

In 2012, nearly 350 young Australians participated on long-term Masa programs, including AZYC Shnat, Israel by Choice (IBC), AUJS Aviv and other programs. The concerted efforts put into marketing and communicating the benefits of the programs by our ZFA IP team has certainly been a major factor in this success. More programs are being offered in 2013 including more university programs as well as Australia's Maccabi Sports Leadership Program. The ZFA Israel Programs team has put in a large amount of effort to increase the uptake of Masa programs among post-university participants, who can choose to engage in internships, volunteer programs or other programs with people of their own age.

ZFA Israel Programs staff also assist with the coordination of Birthright and other short-term programs that leave from Australia. For the 2011-12 season, more than 370 participants attended programs from 10 days to six weeks in duration organised through Hagshama, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS), and Chabad on Campus.

Short-term programs continue to be in high demand, with more applicants than there are places. Local philanthropic donations secured funding for three additional buses per year on Birthright, starting last January, resulting in 120 additional participants per year for three years. Additional funding has now been secured for a new Birthright bus specifically for young adults of Russian background, with a plan to organise a trip in 2013.

The Hagshama Birthright program was a continued success for Israel Programs this year, in its second iteration, seeing huge demand from participants aged 21-26. This program was extremely successful and tapped into a very important new and previously under-served market in the Jewish community. I thank Mirit Frenkel for her efforts in ensuring the success of the Hagshama Birthright buses.

Israel Programs Follow-up

Increased focus and energy is now being invested into following up with returning Israel Programs participants. This effort is led primarily by ZFA young adult shlicha Mirit Frenkel, together with AUJS leadership. Mirit, along with Hagshama coordinators and madrichim from the Hagshama Birthright trips, designed a program so that participants stay informed about Israel news, keep in touch with each other and can remain active by attending Birthright alumni events.

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Onward Israel

This new program of JAFI is going to be piloted at the end of 2012. At the time of writing, the ZFA is assessing whether we will participate in the pilot program, which will see 10 young adults, preferably alumni of Birthright programs, undertake a 6 week volunteering and experiential program focused on Israel Advocacy.

5. SHLICHIM

The ZFA considers the shlichim to be our most important local Israel resource, and we collaborate very closely with them on many programs and activities throughout Australia. The ZFA is involved in the recruitment, employment and integration of every JAFI Shaliach in Australia.

The shlichim not only act as educational and ideological mentors of their movements, but also make significant contributions to the activities of the Australasian Zionist Youth Council (AZYC), the state Zionist Councils, AUJS, Jewish day schools and various other organisations.

The ZFA continues its efforts with JAFI and the world heads of the Zionist Youth Movements to maintain an extensive complement of shlichim in Australia. The fact that our shlichut “map” has been maintained in the current climate of JAFI budget cuts is significant. Sincere thanks must go to Mark Leibler AC and Keren Hayesod for assisting us in this regard.

With 12 new shlichim who have arrived since the 2011 ZFA Plenary or are imminently arriving, the importance of a “smooth landing,” warm welcome and ready systems is well understood as a factor that influences the early success of a shlichut. The ZFA and Eran Berkovich, Rosh Mishlachat, have been involved in preparing for their integration and absorption into their organisations and communities. The absorption process and manual that was developed approximately two years ago is used as a basis and is continually being improved.

Shlichut for Russian Jewish Community

Following two years of a comprehensive review and our extensive efforts to secure funding, the ZFA is proud to announce that it has created and filled the position of shlicha for the Russian Jewish Community, with Sasha Klyachkina being the first in the position, based in Melbourne.

In November 2010, Natalie Shnaiderman from the Jewish Agency visited Australia to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the needs of the Russian Speaking Jewish community. After over a year of discussions and investigations, a partnership was established between JAFI, the WZO and the ZFA to fund this important role. The Russian Jewish community of Melbourne has been involved from the outset and will contribute funds to this shlichut as well as being integrally involved with Sasha’s introductions to the community. Roman Mirkus and Vladimir Tsivlin from Am Echad have organised a local contribution from the FSU community and Sam Lipski from the Pratt Foundation has also agreed to contribute a significant amount of money to this critical project.

This is a groundbreaking shlichut with tremendous challenges and also great potential.

Farewells

We bid farewell to those shlichim who have recently completed or will soon complete their service in Australia and we thank them for their efforts:

Anat Baruch Netzer, Sydney

Eran Berkovich Habonim Dror and Rosh Mishlachat, Federal

Meir Holtz Bnei Akiva, Sydney

Roni Livnat Hashomer Hatzair, Melbourne

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Itay Ziv AUJS

I note the outstanding work of Eran Berkovich, the Rosh Mishlachat and Federal Habonim Shaliach, in relation to not only all matters to do with shlichim but also many other educational issues of importance to the ZFA. Eran will be sorely missed.

The current/imminent Australian mishlachat:

Lior Argaman Netzer, Melbourne

Neta Even-Tzur Habonim Dror and Rosh Mishlachat, Melbourne

Mirit Frenkel ZFA-WZO Young Adults, Sydney

Hillel Fried Hineni/Central Synagogue, Sydney

Bezalel Gleiser Aliyah Federal , Melbourne

Liora Golomb AUJS, Melbourne

Yehonatan (Yoni) Issachary Betar, Sydney

Yuval Nemirovsky Netzer/Progressive Community, Sydney

Sasha Klyachkina Russian Speaking Jewish Community, Melbourne

Assaf Lapid Habonim Dror/Aliyah, Sydney

Efrat Metzler Bnei Akiva, Melbourne

Yiftach Nenner Betar, Melbourne

Lee Eshel Rubinstein Habonim Dror/Community/Aliyah, Perth

Yonatan Sinclair Bnei Akiva, Sydney

Rotem Zukierkorn Hashomer Hatzair, Melbourne

6. ISRAEL ADVOCACY

In September 2011, we partnered with Australian Christian Zionist group Bridges for Peace, in bringing advocacy trainer and expert Neil Lazarus to Australia. He presented sessions in Western Australia, Victoria, NSW and Queensland to Jewish groups, under the auspice of the ZFA and the respective state Zionist Councils, and he also worked intensively with Christian groups. We congratulate Keith Buxton, our friend from Bridges for Peace, who initiated this important program.

Advocacy has expanded from print and radio/TV to the new social media. In this regard, the ZFA has been improving our online capacity, keeping our website fresh and informative and developing our social network sites so as to maximise our reach and immediacy of response.

Political and Media Advocacy

The ZFA continues to represent the Australian Zionist and Jewish community in advocating for Israel both within the community and externally in the media and with federal politicians. Earlier this year, I, together with Danny

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Lamm from the ECAJ led a joint delegation to meet the new Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr in order to exchange views on issues of importance concerning Israel and Australia.

The ZFA and the ECAJ continue to cooperate well on public advocacy issues including combating BDS and the issuing of a number of joint press releases and statements during the year and I acknowledge the good working relationship with Dr Danny Lamm and Peter Wertheim.

Israel Advocacy Seminars

We are investing heavily in the future of Israel advocacy in Australia with the ZFA/StandWithUs/AZYC "Israel In Focus-Australia" seminars. In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile toward Israel, select Australian participants from long-term Israel gap-year programs undertake two three-day seminars covering knowledge, skills and experiential advocacy training.

Participants gain multiple perspectives and differentiated means to advocate for, support and defend Israel. In 2012, presenters included academic and author Gil Troy, former Israeli spokeswoman and retired Col. Miri Eisin, new media consultant Neil Lazarus, and Prime Minister's Spokesman Mark Regev.

The feedback from the seminar was once again outstanding. We congratulate ZFA Israel Office Director Yigal Sela and Michelle Rojas Tal, of StandWithUs, in particular for the planning and implementation of these seminars.

After 47 young adults participated in 2011, we accepted applications for 57 participants in 2012. Whilst we had anticipated and budgeted for 40 participants, with an additional 20 AZYC participants keen to be involved the AZYC contributed financially toward the seminar to ensure that no suitable candidates would miss out.

Stand with Israel

As a way to engage the Israel Advocacy Seminars participants upon their return from Israel, Eran Berkovich instigated Stand With Israel. Facilitators in Victoria and NSW plus New Zealand undertook a day's training last November with StandWithUs's Michelle Rojas-Tal. The Stand With Israel leadership is a broad group that includes shlichim, AUJS, Joel Burnie and other stakeholders.

Israel Matters

Stand With Israel participants will be launching the “Israel Matters” campaign in Melbourne in November 2012 and are working on a schedule for presenting the campaign around Australia.

Stand With Us has devised a campaign based on a display of 16 panels, each over 2 metres high, which collectively explain Israel’s story through photographs and basic facts. Its unifying theme is “peace takes two”. The exhibition is portable and suitable for use within the Jewish community, on campus and in the broader Australian community.

The ZFA is grateful to Yaakov Hagoel and Eitan Behar WZO Department of Department for Activities in Israel and Countering Antisemitism, who have generously agreed to support the production and shipment of a set of the exhibition panels for Australia, following our representations to them in June. The Stand With Israel group has customised the content for the Australian market.

We are also investigating producing smaller, lighter versions of the panels so that each state can retain a full set on a permanent basis.

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7. YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

Hagshama/Young Adults

Since she arrived in 2011 as the first ZFA/ WZO Young Adult shlicha, Mirit Frenkel has initiated a number of exciting new communal and young adult activities across Australia. The Zionist Outreach Project of the WZO has provided additional support for Hagshama workers for Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

In Sydney, Mirit is flanked by Hagshama coordinator Daniel Levy, who replaced Natalie Green, and Eli Davis, who is co-director in charge of over-30s events.

In Melbourne, Adva Weinstein has creatively found new ways to engage the young adult community. She has created a range of creative and successful events in Melbourne. Melbourne and Sydney each have part time (3 hours per week) graphic designers for their event promotion, positions funded from the Zionist Outreach Project.

Unfortunately currently in Perth, the Hagshama coordinator position is currently vacant and has been difficult to fill, however we are working hard on this.

A highlight of Hagshama’s year was the national conference in 2012 and the visit of Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, chair of the Department of Diaspora Activities of the WZO. This conference not only provided the opportunity for resource sharing and team building, but it also provided information, techniques and knowledge for coordinators to integrate into their programming.

Australian Zionist Youth Council (AZYC)

Youth and students are very important to the ZFA. The ZFA continues to work very closely with the AZYC and all of the youth movements both in the administrative and programming areas.

Aside from fostering the next generation of Australian Jewish leaders, youth movements foster enthusiasm and commitment to Jewish and Zionist causes. Youth movement leaders have all received comprehensive leadership training and are well-equipped to offer a meaningful informal Jewish and Zionist educational framework.

The ZFA was instrumental in assisting the AZYC with the finance and logistics for opening and closing ceremonies in Israel for Shnat participants. Spanning five days, these seminars bring all of the youth movements together. Each year's opening ceremony sets the tone, educationally and “ruach” wise, for the rest of the year. The closing ceremony fosters discussion about what participants will contribute on their return to Australia. These seminars have become a permanent feature of the Shnat calendar, and I am very proud that every youth movement participates.

We commend the AZYC for developing guidelines for safety at camps and movement activities. These were developed in conjunction with Child Safety Australia and the ZFA.

The AZYC have been working with the ZFA and the machon in developing stricter behavioural guidelines at the Machon.

I acknowledge the outstanding work of Reuben Bolaffi, AZYC Chairman with whom we have worked very closely and effectively this year, supported by his Executive.

Building Future Leadership

Masa Israel organises “Building Future Leadership” seminars for outstanding Israel program participants from across the world. Through the ZFA, participants from both IBC and Aviv programs in 2012 attended these seminars. The ZFA arranged for an Australian “track” to be developed, including input from Australian madrichim (olim).

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AUJS

The ZFA continues to maintain a close relationship with AUJS and provides significant financial and logistical support together with strategic advice on a number of issues.

Of particular satisfaction is our continued assistance in facilitating the financial support for an AUJS shaliach.

With respect to AUJS short-term programs to Israel, the ZFA and AUJS have cooperated well to improve efficiencies and marketing, and the ZFA is pleased to have continued to provide financial support to the AUJS Israel programs office.

Congratulations are extended to AUJS President Daniel Nash and his executive and professional team for all of their hard work.

8. ISRAEL VISIT

Executive Director Ginette Searle and I travelled to Israel in June 2012 to attend the annual series of conferences and meetings, including the Fourth President’s Conference, the WZO General Council, the Jewish Agency Assembly, the Jewish Agency Board of Governors and the ZFA/WZO Leadership Seminar. In addition, a series of meetings with leadership and staff of the Jewish Agency, other Zionist federations around the world, and many more organisations were held, on the plethora of issues with which we work with them.

Several other members of the ZFA Executive also attended the JAFI and WZO meetings as well as the President’s Conference, representing their respective movements. It is gratifying to note that the Australian delegation in general and the ZFA in particular are so highly regarded in Israel and the Zionist world.

The ZFA was specially invited to attend the Russian Speaking Jewry Committee of the Board of Governors to report on our process, rationale and success in securing a shlicha for the Russian speaking Jewish community in Australia.

Leadership Seminar

A definite highlight of the visit was the ZFA/WZO Leadership Seminar, which took place on 18 – 19 June at the newly opened Herzl Centre. This program was arranged by Ginette, Israel Office Director Yigal Sela, and Tali Azulay of the WZO Department of Diaspora Activities. Sessions included:

 Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon  Mark Regev (PM’s spokesman)  a panel on Religion and State, with an overview by Haredim expert Dr Neri Horowitz and a panel that include key figures from the secular, Modern Orthodox and Haredi communities, namely Rav David Stav, Jonathan Rosenblum and Eran Baruch.  “Israel in the Media” discussion with Josef Federman (Associated Press) and Gil Hoffman (Jerusalem Post)  Discussions and presentations from the Reut Institute and from Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, of the WZO, about engaging the expatriate Israeli community in Zionist activities  Presentations by Gil Troy, Alan Hoffman and Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein  Guided tour of the Herzl Museum.

Australian Olim Event

As part of the seminar we held an Australian olim reunion on 18 June, in which we were joined by over 150 Australian olim for a program that included a panel with Australian Olim Isi Leibler, DJ Schneeweiss and Tal Becker, followed by dinner and addresses by social protest organiser Stav Shafir and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

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The olim event was extensively covered by Greer Fay Cashman in the Jerusalem Post. Also, Gil Troy, in a feature opinion piece published in the Jerusalem Post, referred to the discussion in the session he presented, opening the article with a generous compliment to the Australian Jewish community and its pride in Zionism.

9. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Yom Ha'atzmaut 2012

Each state Zionist Council conducted Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron events. I congratulate the boards and professionals in each state for their efforts in presenting creative and engaging events, which attracted collectively some thousands of Australians to celebrate/ commemorate Israel’s Independence Day and Memorial Day. However, there is still a large proportion of the Australian Jewish population that do not attend Yom Ha'aztmaut or Yom Hazikaron events – the Zionist communities' premier events. The ZFA and each Zionist Council are assessing ways to increase engagement among all demographics.

Visitors

A number of speaking engagements, briefings and other events were held since the 2011 Plenary, including the following visitors:

• August 2011 – Uzi Landau, Minister of Infrastructure, who spoke at the ZFA Plenary in Sydney and a community event together with the Zionist Council of Victoria (ZCV) in Melbourne.

• September 2011 – Neil Lazarus, advocacy trainer and new media expert, who presented sessions in Western Australia, Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

• January 2012 – Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman, co-Chair, Department of Diaspora Activities, WZO. Gusti was guest speaker for the national Hagshama/WZO conference, held in Melbourne, for the entire Hagshama team and partner young adult organisations. More than 40 participants attended the conference, which was extremely well organised by ZFA/WZO Shlicha Mirit Frenkel. Gusti also addressed Shnat participants prior to their flights to Israel from Melbourne International Airport.

• February 2012 – Rotem Yehoshua, JAFI Coordinator of Zionist Seminars. Rotem visited Australia from 13-20 February for extended meetings with each school involved with the Zionist Seminars, gaining their feedback on the program and learning about the unique requirements and culture of each school.

• February 2012 – Shalom Simhon, Minister for Trade and Labour. The ZFA, ZCV and Israel Trade Commission presented a briefing for community leadership in Melbourne.

• March 2012 – Professor Ehud Toledano, Tel Aviv University. The ZFA supported the Israeli Embassy in bringing this expert on the Israel-Turkey relationship. He presented at events for community leaders in Sydney and Melbourne, jointly with the respective Zionist Councils. He was also exposed to the media and academia in events organised by the Embassy.

• June 2012 – Major General (Res.) Elazar Stern. At the suggestion of Dr Ron Weiser AM and with the backing of the Harry O. Triguboff Institute, Shorashim and Tzohar, the ZFA, together with the Zionist Councils of NSW and Victoria, presented community events in which the Modern Orthodox general spoke about respectful and successful integration between orthodoxy and the Israeli army.

• Shay Felber, Deputy Director General, JAFI. Our main liaison to the agency visited Australia from 9-14 August 2012. His visit was timed to coincide with the Jewish Educators’ Conference, which gave Shay the opportunity not only to see one of the significant projects of the ZFA, but also to meet with relevant personnel from a range of organisations from across Australia.

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• August 2012 – Rav Dr Benjamin Lau. In addition to being a presenter and the keynote speaker at the 8th Biennial Jewish Educators' Conference, Rav Lau addressed community and leadership groups in Sydney and Melbourne, addressed the AZYC Bogsem, and presented at a community panel in Melbourne with fellow educators' conference presenter Haim Aronovitz on current issues in Israel.

• August 2012 – Haim Aronovitz. For years, many Jewish educators had been requesting Haim to speak at the ZFA Jewish Educators' Conference, and this year we made it happen. Haim presented three breakout sessions to standing-room-only crowds at the Conference in addition to his keynote address, and he was an engaging presenter on the Melbourne community panel next to Rav Lau, providing a personal perspective on the 2011 summer protests in Israel.

• August 2012 – Margalit Kavenstock, early childhood educator. The Israeli early childhood curriculum developer and teacher trainer, currently on shlichut in Mexico, presented sessions at the 8th Biennial Jewish Educators' Conference, and the ZFA made her available for in-service training following the educators' conference at Bialik College, in Melbourne, and Masada College, in Sydney.

• August 2012 – Alex Pomson, the Hebrew University's Melton Centre for Jewish Education. Pomson was the lead researcher on a project in which Jewish day school students from across Australia completed half-hour video interviews discussing Israel and Jewish feelings, connections and influences. Pomson presented initial findings of the study with educators during ZFA-organised workshops in Melbourne and in Sydney.

• October 2012 - Rav Rafi Peretz, Chief Rabbi of the IDF who is being brought to Australia by the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation and with the ZFA’s assistance will be speaking with Zionist leaders, school groups, youth movement and student leadership.

• November 2012 – David Hazony, author, writer and editor. The keynote speaker for the ZFA Biennial is also presenting for schools, leadership groups and community members during his Australian visit.

Before the end of the year, there is a visit scheduled by Avraham Duvdevani, Chairman of the WZO. The ZFA and the Zionist Councils of NSW and Victoria will be hosting and presenting events with him.

Irena Sendler tribute concert

In July 2012, the Embassy of Israel, together with the Embassy of Poland, presented a very moving and powerful event dedicated to the memory and work of Irena Sendler, a social worker in the Warsaw Ghetto who saved some 2500 Jews.

Israeli composer Kobi Oshrat composed a symphonetta, which was performed at Melbourne’s Recital Centre. Oshrat was flown from Israel to conduct Orchestra Victoria. We are delighted that the ZFA was invited by the Embassy to be a co-sponsor for this very special event

9. ALIYAH

The encouragement of aliyah and the provision of aliyah services are fundamental to the ZFA, and we work closely with the Israel Aliyah Centre. Following an incredibly successful 2010, in which we saw the highest aliyah figures from Australia in more than 30 years with 260 Australians making Aliyah, the year 2011 was a little less successful. This year has remained on par with last year's pace. Notably, we recently farewelled Lilian Hyde who made Aliyah from Sydney – at the age of almost 97, she is the oldest olah to depart from Australia on record.

The Aliya shlichim, Bezalel Gleiser (Victoria, national Shaliach) and Assaf Lapid (NSW) are making inroads into different parts of the community and online, and they are forging partnerships with various organisations. Among these activities, a new Facebook support group called ANZO (Australia and New Zealand Olim) has further helped olim adjust to life in Israel. Aliya Circles, a joint project with Hagshama in Victoria and NSW, enable young adults to learn about and prepare for aliyah. Arrangements have been made with Bank Leumi to enable olim to open an

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Israeli bank account before making aliyah, and aliyah mezuzah presentations will take place in Sydney for the first time, a practice that remains a highlight of ZCV executive meetings.

We acknowledge the work of the shlichim Bezalel Gleiser (Victoria), Assaf Lapid (NSW) and Lee Eshel Rubinstein (Perth).

"Zionist engagement"

Following discussion at last year's plenary meeting, we initiated and started to roll out our Zionist engagement project. Dr Ron Weiser AM in Sydney and Jeremy Leibler in Melbourne worked with shlichim head Eran Berkovitz, ZFA Executive Director Ginette Searle and ZFA Communications Director Joshua Cole on ideas.

As part of this project, issues, articles and links were posted on the ZFA Facebook page and comments sought. The main theme focused on the role of religion in the state, with discussion surrounding the Tal Law as well as gender- based issues. Community addresses from Rav Benny Lau, Elazar Stern and Haim Aronovitz focused on issues of social justice. It is hoped that the online discussions will complement or lead to "real" forums or discussions on issues of interest, possibly based on Israeli social welfare projects.

10. COMMUNICATIONS

Over the last year, we have developed our capacity in more efficiently engaging and communicating with the community.

We have commissioned a new database which will facilitate smoother and more efficient communication.

The ZFA website has been refreshed and is now continually updated. A chat forum facility was created and is accessible from the main website.

Last December we launched a Facebook page, which has had steadily increasing numbers of "likes" and reach. Interesting posts on a range of issues go up each week.

The ZFA newsletter has been redesigned and revamped. We have sent bimonthly messages, which in the next year we plan on sending at least biweekly to keep the community continuously informed of the work of the ZFA.

Yigal Sela has continued to issue regular ZFA News updates to Olim and his welcome emails to every Australian oleh on their arrival. He is also expanding Israeli database, particularly after the olim reunion in June.

11. STATE ZIONIST COUNCILS

The ZFA operates through and in partnership with the Zionist Councils in each state. Each Council has its particular style and strength and our movement is all the stronger for the cooperation and collaboration between the ZFA and the Councils, and among the Councils. Further enhancing that collaboration on a professional level is a priority for the ZFA in the coming year. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the lay and professional leadership of each Council:

 NSW – President, Richard Balkin; Executive Director, Lynn Niselow  Queensland –President, Tony Leverton; Office Manager, Hadas Pavelsky  South Australia – President, Alison Marcus; Office Manager, Merrilyn Ades  Victoria – President, Sam Tatarka; Executive Director, Jane Rapke  Western Australia – President, Jeff Lin; Executive Secretary, Navit Shchigel and Rena Hesselson as well as their respective executives.

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12. ISRAEL OFFICE

The Israel Office, so ably managed by our hard working Director Yigal Sela, is the local operating arm of the Zionist Federation, dealing with the Israel side of all projects of the ZFA.

Our office has an excellent relationship with the Australian Embassy and the Ambassador Andrea Faulkner. We maintain a very close working relationship with various departments of the Jewish Agency, the WZO, Israel Experience, Masa, Taglit-Birthright Israel, Stand With Us, the world Zionist youth movement leadership, IBC, various government instrumentalities and the Pratt Foundation.

In 2012, Yigal’s direct involvement and coordination resulted in the success of the Advocacy Seminars, the Shnat Opening and Sikum seminars, the ZFA leadership seminar and many other events. Yigal is the “face” of Australia and the ZFA, which gives the ZFA enormous positive profile in Israel.

13. ZFA STAFFING

The staffing complement of the ZFA has changed significantly over the past year.

Current staffing comprises:

Melbourne

Executive Director – Ginette Searle

Accounts Manager – Gili Gafin

Executive Assistant – Shayndle Grinblat

Israel Programs Coordinator – Tanya Strusberg

Communications and Events Director – Joshua Cole

Israel Programs Assistant – Tania Shvartsman

Aliyah Office Assistant – Miri Abramovich

Hagshama Coordinator – Adva Weinstein

Sydney

ZFA Young Adults Shlicha – Mirit Frenkel

Hagshama Coordinator – Daniel Levy

Hagshama Co-Director – Eli Davis

Aliyah Office Administrator – Shoshana Vitek

Perth

Hagshama Coordinator – vacant

Israel

Israel Office Director - Yigal Sela

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The ZFA staff members are dedicated to Israel and to our organisation and contribute well beyond their formal position descriptions in our activities and operations. I thank each and every one of them for their efforts, their professionalism and their active participation in this excellent team.

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my thanks to the Executive for their valuable input at Executive meetings. I would also like to thank the Office Bearers for their important support and counsel in relation to the key decisions and initiatives of the ZFA. We are fortunate to have a strong and committed team of volunteers, whose combined experience, dedication and wisdom ensure that the organisation and the movement continue to thrive. I particularly thank our Treasurer Greg Blashki for his wonderful contribution to and care for our organisation, which goes well beyond his portfolio.

I also thank ZFA vice presidents Richard Balkin and Sam Tatarka who in addition to leading their own states’ activities provide important contributions to the ZFA’s activities.

I would also like to thank UIA Australia for their consistent and significant support for the activities of the ZFA. Special thanks must go to Mark Leibler AC for his crucial support.

Although we receive financial support from a number of organisations and institutions, it would be remiss of me not to particularly acknowledge the very considerable support given to us by the Pratt Foundation and its CEO Sam Lipski, who is also a great source of advice and counsel to me.

Without philanthropic support, many of our programs would simply not be able to be conducted. I pay tribute to Gandel Philanthropy, Ron and Dina Goldschlager, Ron Tatarka of Scott Winton and Associates, Gary Stock and the Mandie family and Michael and Helen Abeles for their support of various ZFA projects.

I must acknowledge the special relationship that we share with the Israeli Embassy and its staff, led by the outstanding Ambassador Yuval Rotem and including Deputy Chief of Mission Meir Itzhaki, Consul Nevo Barchad and Cultural Attaché Einat Weiss. The ZFA cooperates with the Embassy on many joint projects, and we will continue to do so in the future.

I also acknowledge the ongoing support from the following personnel in Israel:

 Avraham Duvdevani, Chairman of WZO,  Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman, Chair, Department of Diaspora Activities, WZO  Tali Azulay, Tzofia Dimant and Malka Festinger - WZO  Natan Sharansky, Chairman of JAFI, together with Director General Alan Hoffmann, Shay Felber and Gerda Feuerstein  Ayelet Shilo-Tamir, Executive Director of Masa and Silvia Geva  Gidi Mark, Executive Director, Taglit-Birthright Israel and Professor Ada Spitzer, Vice President, Taglit Birthright Israel  Yaakov Hagoel and Eitan Behar – WZO Dept for Countering Antisemitism  Colin Bulka and Hagai Kimmelman – Machon Le’madrichei Chutz La’aretz  Amos Hermon, Michal Hedran, Sarai Tuval and Eli Lipshitz– Israel Experience

Together with our affiliates, our partners and the whole Zionist movement the ZFA is looking forward to the coming year as one of continued success, challenge and fulfilment.

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ZFA ISRAEL DIRECTOR Yigal Sela

Four events stand out these past twelve months among all the regular work that we are involved in, here in Israel:

AZYC SIKUM SEMINAR

The AZYC is an integral part of the ZFA and so we took delight, together with them, in the challenge of finding the finances to run the inaugural seminar to conclude the year-long programs in Israel. This has now become a tradition that is well established into the ZFA calendar. Last October we held a three day seminar, which included participation in the ceremony at the Park of the Australian Soldier in Beer Sheva, visiting the ANZAC war graves, and group discussions, run by the AZYC and ZFA madrichim, about the challenges facing the Shnatties upon their return to their communities.

AZYC OPENING SEMINAR

One seminar finishes, a whole group of "shnatties" return to Australia and a new group arrives. This was my fifth encounter with the participants of the AZYC Opening Seminar. Apart from the fact that 2012 marked yet another record number of Youth Movement participants in Israel Year Programs, this year's seminar was, in all opinions, a very successful one. This year, based in Shfayim, it included all the usual components together with exposure to leaders of the Israel Social Protest Movement, and a visit to the Ramat Aviv Air Force Base where they met flight and ground crews of an F-16 Fighter Squadron, and visited the plane hangars to see the aircraft taking off and landing. A successful inter movement atmosphere over the Shabbat was due to a very successful preparation of the madrichim this year, under the guidance of AZYC chair, Reuben Bolaffi.

ZFA ADVOCACY SEMINAR

The ZFA Advocacy Seminars moved into their third year. Our partnership with Stand with Us continues to thrive. The program this year was refined to include a one day workshop for all the AZYC participants, the purpose of which was to expose them to the dilemmas of Advocacy and dispute within the community. As a result of the workshop those movement participants that wanted to apply were then invited to a process that included an interview in order to establish the motivation for participation. The participants in AVIV and IBC also had meetings in which the subject of Israeli Advocacy, or Activism was presented to them. Those that showed an interest in participating were asked to write a short essay explaining why they wanted to be involved in the seminars.

As in previous years, together with our partner, Michelle Rojas-Tal, of Stand With Us, we set up a great line of high profile and knowledgeable speakers. Among those addressing the seminars were Miri Eisen (Past Spokesperson of Prime Minister Olmert), Professor Gil Troy, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Spokesperson Mark Regev, Palestinian Jerusalem Post Columnist, Khaled Abu Toameh, Isi Leibler, and many , many more

We hope to see positive results on the campuses and within the community in 2013 from our Advocacy Seminar participants

ZFA/WZO Leadership Conference

Every June the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel hold their annual conferences. And so, for two intensive weeks, the leadership of the ZFA and its partners are here in Israel for the conferences, Va'ad

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Hapoel (Zionist General Council), The Jewish Agency Annual Assembly, and the Board of Governors. In recent years the President's Conference has been added to this prestigious list of conventions

While many (sometimes) parallel interesting sessions are going on, this is an opportunity for the leadership to meet with opposite numbers from various communities around the world, discuss and share issues, as well as meet with the lay and professional leadership of the WZO and JAFI.

Despite busy schedules the Australian delegation, led by ZFA President Philip Chester, participated in a unique leadership conference which we organized together with the Overseas Department of the WZO. Among the presenters at the conference were Professor Gil Troy (who the following day wrote in the Jerusalem Post about his positive encounter with the Australian Zionist leadership), Mark Regev, Deputy Minister Danny Ayalon, Ambassador Andrea Faulkner, and many others.

In the evening a reunion was held for Australian olim in Israel, hosted by the ZFA, at the Events Center on Mt. Herzl. Guest speakers at this event included Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Social Protest Leader Stav Shafir, Isi Leibler, DJ Schneweiss, and Tal Becker.

I wish you all a successful conference.

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ZFA ISRAEL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT Tanya Strusberg

The ZFA is a key Australian gateway and information resource for short- and long-term Israel Programs, with a particular focus on programs for participants aged 18-30. Community-wide, the ZFA is known as a central contact point for potential participants and parents from around Australia. ZFA Israel Programs are the local representatives for Masa Israel Journey and Australian partners of Taglit-Birthright Israel. We partner locally with AUJS Israel Programs, Hagshama and Chabad on Campus to implement various short-term Israel Programs. In 2011/12, over 675 Australians departed on affiliated Israel Programs ranging from 10 days to 10 months.

In the last few years, the Masa umbrella framework has expanded to over 200 programs ranging between 5 and 10 months. These include gap-years, academic study, volunteering, Jewish Studies, career internships and many other specialty programs. The Masa brand has become increasingly prolific in the Australian community. Through our broadened marketing strategy, aimed to reach a large cross-section of our community, the number of participants travelling on MASA programs has increased. In 2011/12 342 Australians travelled to Israel on a Masa Israel Journey program. Applications are still coming in for Masa programs in 2012/13 and as at 10 October, 325 participants are confirmed – already an increase of 20% from this time last year.

Australian Masa Participation

400 369 342 350 312 300 274 256 250 234

200

150

100

50

0 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Marketing Masa continues to be a major focus of the Israel Programs desk at the ZFA. In 2011-2012, programs were run in all of the major Jewish day schools, as well as with Academy BJE and UJEB. A very successful information evening was held in Melbourne for parents who were interested in sending their child on an Israel Program with over 150 attendees.

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We will continue our broad marketing approach, working with a wide array of organisations to promote Masa Israel programs. These include the State Zionist councils, Hagshama, AUJS, Network, the Jewish day schools, UJEB and Academy BJE. In addition, we will continue our strong support of the AZYC and all youth movements in the coordination of their Shnat programs.

ZFA Israel Programs has a growing following on social networking sites and a home at www.israelprograms.com.au that is earmarked for a major redevelopment in 2013.

The ZFA continues to partner with Taglit-Birthright Israel to offer short-term, first-time Israel peer experiences to 18-26 year olds from around Australia. ZFA Israel Programs maintains strong partnerships with AUJS Israel Programs, Hagshama and Chabad on Campus to implement short-term Israel Programs. Through the continued support and initiative of the Keren Hayesod and Australian philanthropists, 335 participants travelled on AUJS Academy, AUJS Achshav or Taglit-Birthright Israel (AUJS, Chabad on Campus and Hagshama groups) in 2011/12.

We are very excited that funding has been secured by Taglit brithright Israel from the Genesis Foundation to support an additional Taglit Birthright group in 2013 for young adults from the Russian Jewish Community.

Hagshama Taglit-Birthright Israel ran its second very successful trip with two groups in mid-June 2012. As a result, another two groups are being sent this coming June 2013. Notably, Taglit-Birthright Israel remains our strongest program for reaching the fringes of the Australian Jewish community. Both Hagshama and Chabad on Campus successfully attract a significant number of participants who are largely unaffiliated with the Jewish community.

Follow up

Providing meaningful and appealing options for continued Israel engagement for Israel programs returnees is a major challenge and a key priority. We are in the process of developing a dedicated follow up strategy for implementation in 2013.

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ROSH MISHLACHAT Eran Berkovich The current Australian mishlachat from the Jewish Agency has 12 members:

Assaf Lapid Habonim Dror/Aliya Sydney Bezalel Gleiser Aliyah Melbourne Yonatan Sinclair Bnei Akiva Sydney Yuval Nemirovsky Netzer/Progressive Communities Sydney Rotem Zukierkorn Hashomer Hatzair Melbourne (arrival imminent) Lior Argaman Netzer Melbourne Lee Eshel Rubinstein Community, Aliyah & Habonim Dror Shlicha, Perth Hillel Fried Hineni Sydney and Central Synagogue Yiftach Nenner Betar - Melbourne Sasha Klyachkina Russian Speaking Jewish Community Leora Golomb AUJS, Melbourne Eran Berkovich Federal Habonim Dror/Official Representative of Jewish Agency For Israel in Australia

This year we farewelled Anat Baruch from Netzer, Itai Ziv from AUJS and Roni Livnat the Hashomer H'Atzair shlicha from Melbourne.

The JAFI Mishlachat works in full cooperation with shlichim from other organizations and groups: Efrat Metzler – Bnei Akiva Melbourne, JNF Shlichim, UIA Shlichim, Mirit Frenkel – WZO & ZFA Shlicha for Young Adults and Carmel School and Bnei Akiva shlichim in Perth - Lea and Asael. We also work closely with the community and Habonim Dror shlicha in New Zealand, Osnat Exman, and her husband Udi, and their partners from Bnei-Akiva- Shifra and Yair Yanilevitch.

With the imminent arrival of Neta Even-Tzur, the Federal Habonim Dror and the official Representative of Jewish Agency For Israel in Australia, who will take over from me in November, the JAFI Mishlachat and their partners will include 25 Shlichim.

The mishlachat in Australia is the largest per capita mishlachat in the Jewish world and we are proud to be part of it, especially at a time during which Zionist education is not as popular as it was in the past.

The shlichim’s work involves not only their specific youth movement or organization, but also the support of various ZFA and State Zionist Council activities, education projects in schools, activities for Jewish children who do not attend Jewish day schools, Israel advocacy, a public speaker service and more. In every state we try to find ideas and projects with which to promote and engage Jewish children, youth and adults with Zionism. We often work in collaboration to reach the goals of our shlichut.

Shlichim are involved in presenting advocacy training in Jewish schools. They are also frequent presenters to non- Jewish schools and community organizations around Australia, as part of the Public Speakers Service.

Over the past year, we started a process in order to formulate a long term plan for the Mishlachat. The process began with the identification of the challenges, as we see them, in the Australian Jewish community, the challenges of the Zionist movement in Australia are the lack of young leadership; the lack of clear identification with Zionism; the setting of limits to criticize Israel in a constructive manner; a lack of a clear voice; the needs of individuals and groups who would like to be called active Zionists; a need to create a difference between "love of Israel" and Zionism and a need to create a Jewish and Zionist identity within the context of the Australian Jewish community, the Jewish world communities and Israel. The Mishalchat is working closely with the local

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leaderships of the Zionist Councils of each state and with the ZFA, to provide long term strategies to address those challenges.

The Mishlachat is part of the SZC’s and is involved in many events and projects held in the community under their auspices. The Mishlachat members take part in various planning committees for major activities such as the SZCs’ Yom Ha'Zikaron and Yom Ha'Atzmaut events, as well as many other educational and informational programs.

The Mishlachat is also working with the leadership of the youth in our community by guiding organizations such as the SZYC, AZYC , ZYCs and AUJS.

This year, with the help of the JAFI office in Jerusalem and the ZFA, we opened a new Shlichut for the Jewish Russian speaking community in Australia- in Melbourne. The shlicha, Sasha, will be located in Melbourne and focus on the young adults of the Russian speaking community in Australia. The main goal is to find ways to make this community more involved in the rich Jewish Zionist life here in Australia. We are also looking towards to undertaking a similar process for the former Israeli community in Melbourne and Sydney this year. The Israeli Scouts plans to send people to map the Israeli community with the goal to establish a new youth movement "Tsofi Tsabar" which will run all their programs in Hebrew. They will have a unique Masa program – Garin Tzabar. The members of Garin Tzabar, a group for Diaspora Jews and children of Israelis who choose to move to Israel and serve in the IDF, are placed in a hosting kibbutz that quickly becomes their home away from home throughout their army service.

In partnership with the ZFA, AZYC and Safeguarding Children, we piloted a special training scheme for Madrichim in the youth movements. The AZYC is currently developing a manual with guideline for safeguarding children. This is possible due to an extremely generous grant from the Australia Childhood Foundation (ACF). All the movements became accredited organizations under the AFC. This way, we can ensure that we are providing the safest and most safety-conscious environment for participants in any Zionist youth movement activity.

We have also created a new Hasbara organization, Stand with Israel, to welcome back graduates of the Hasbara seminars in Israel; to provide them with a framework within which they can actively advocate in Australia.

In the past 3 years many shnat participants have experienced an amazing advocacy program in Israel, gaining skills and tools from the ZFA and Stand With Us. We wish to motivate the “graduates” to be tangibly pro-active in an efficient and focused manner in the area of Hasbara which they can lead and manage with the help of the ZFA and the shlichim. The aim is to enhance their level of knowledge and to cultivate their feelings and views regarding the unfolding events in the Middle East. We established an “alertness unit” to monitor and react to breaking news and events in the Middle East, both at a state and federal level. We are happy to announce that they are working on their new campaign – Israel Matters.

On a personal note, I'll be finishing my Shlichut here soon and I would like to use this opportunity to thank the ZFA and especially Ginette, Philip, Gili and Yigal who were always there to support me. I would like also to acknowledge the amazing shlichim with whom it was a great privilege to work.

Let us all work together to strengthen the Zionist movement in Australia and the Shlichim project.

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DIRECTOR OF ALIYAH Bezalel Gleiser

Overview: The Aliyah Centre works on behalf of the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Jewish Agency For Israel and in conjunction with all shlichim in Australia and New Zealand.

The core work at the Aliyah Centre: The main purpose of the Aliyah centre is to encourage as many people in the Australian and New Zealand Jewish communities to make Aliyah to Israel and successfully absorb in Israel.

We believe that in order to achieve this in communities where Aliyah is by choice, the following needs to be in place:

1. Strong Jewish education. 2. A positive Israeli experience. 3. A smooth and friendly process of making Aliyah with minimal bureaucracy. 4. Absorption options in Israel that provide an easy and soft landing.

What we do: The Aliyah Centre provides the following services to all prospective applicants:

 Providing current and relevant information.  Discussing with the prospective applicants what their choices are.  Taking care of all documentation and organising all the steps of the Aliyah.  Keeping contact with those who are either in Israel on Aliyah or have returned from a programme.  Follow up on Olim after Aliyah – Directly and through the ZFA representative in Israel, the Australian Olim Association and the Jewish Agency.

How we do it: In order to achieve the best outcome with prospective applicants we provide both one on one and group services, such as with Garinei Aliyah as well as Aliyah Circles , info nights and Hebrew Caffe.

In addition, a database of Olim has been founded, called “Olim 4 Olim”. In the database there is information about the Olim that is presented to the other Olim in the process – youth movement affiliation, school that they went to, age, marital status, absorption plan etc.

This year we launched the ANZO Network a closed Facebook group for Olim, to act as a networking and support platform for new Olim as well as veterans. It currently has close to 500 members.

The Israel Aliyah Centre Facebook page was also launched this year and it is reaching a larger audience every day.

We have a variety of tools to market our Israel programmes and Aliyah which include:

1. Publicising in newspapers, community notice boards and the ZFA and Zionist Council of Victoria websites. 2. Increasing the online presence using the social networks. 3. Running information fairs at schools and community events. 4. Running personal group meetings for youth movements and families. 5. Farewell ceremonies to Olim through the youth movements and the Mezuzah Presentation Ceremony at the Zionist council of Victoria executive meetings.

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The Mishlachat (delegation) partnership:

Our office works in partnership with:

1. The JAFI shlichim in Australia and New Zealand. 2. The Hesder boys, the Bnot Sherut Leumi, and the young shlichim at schools. 3. In addition, we are working on a weekly basis with the Israeli Embassy in Canberra.

Aliyah statistics:

The number of Olim that made Aliyah Through the Israel Aliyah Centre.  In 2011 we had 165 Olim go to Israel through our offices.  In 2012 as of mid October we had 138 Olim go to Israel through our offices, we are expecting between 160 – 200 Olim by the end of 2012.  We have seen a very wide age range of Olim, from young babies to the oldest Olah ever from Australia a 96 year old woman from Sydney.

The number of new Aliyah files opened by the Israel Aliyah Centre.  In 2011 we opened up 149 new Aliyah files representing 237 people. .  In 2012 as of Mid October we have opened 142 new Aliyah files representing 246 people.

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ZFA/WZO/YOUNG ADULT SHLICHA Mirit Frenkel

General

In the past year Hagshama Australia has substantially grown and became more established, both as an organization with a clearer educational agenda and a more efficient infrastructure and a well-known high quality provider of Israel content in the Jewish young adults community.

The various coordinators and supporting staff have engaged the young adults, as detailed below, in social, educational and cultural events and activities, bringing them closer to one another and to Israel, and inspiring their personal journey to discover and form their Jewish and Zionist identity.

Here are the highlights of our passing year, from the 2011 ZFA plenary to this 2012 Biennial: National

Ongoing

Taglit – this year we spent substantial time following up on our 2011 trip graduates (40 participants) as well recruiting, preparing and launching our very successful 2012 trip (80 participants), which took place in June. The participants have bonded incredibly and have been meeting on a regular basis, already planning their next Israel adventure.

ZFA Educators conference – the Hagshama team all participated in the Educators conference last August and were hard to miss.

AZYC BogSem – Hagshama handed out to over a 100 Youth Movements Bogrim our branded USB’s with various educational materials, fridge magnets with upcoming activities, garinim and more. Hagshama also hosted the “Flowers out of the Ruins” concert for the AZYC BogSem opening night in August 2012.

New

WZO Conference ‘Zionism Down Under’ – over 50 Jewish community leaders of AU & NZ joined us and the Chairperson of the department for Diaspora Activities of the WZO Mrs. Gusti Yehoshua Breverman for a day of dialogue about Zionist identity and vision in Australia and NZ.

Hagshama training seminar – twice this passing year all the Hagshama staff assembled for a 2 day professional and educational development seminar, to enable them to improve their daily work and develop efficient team work. Melbourne

Ongoing

The Melbournians had a busy schedule as they celebrated in the Yom Ha’atzmaut, Sukkot and Hanukkah Parties, improved their Hebrew in Hebrew café and expended their cultural horizons in the Israeli film club ‘traILer’ and the annual visit to the Israeli film festival.

New

This passing year they also enjoyed a variety of additions to the Hagshamam line up, such as a Jewish detox for Yom Kippur, a Trivia night co-hosted with Masa, a Chit Chat forum series presenting various speakers, and an Aliyah info night with all you need to know about the big move. 36 | P a g e Zionist Federation of Australia Ltd 45th Biennial Conference Report 2012

Sydney

Ongoing

The Sydneysiders enjoyed their regular treats by Hagshama such as the Israeli film club Arutz 5/cinemaTEK and a visit to the Israeli film festival, the 1 month marathon of Hebrew Café, the Changemakers expo focused this time on ethical living. They also partied properly in the Yom Ha’atzmaut, Tu B’Av and Hanukkah celebrations.

New

A few exciting additions to the Hagshama scene in Sydney this year included the mothers group HagshaMAMA, the musical gigs of “The Bucket Room” and the “Flowers out of the Ruins” concert, as well as the Chit Chat forum series presenting various speakers and an Aliyah circle with all you need to know about the big move. Perth

Ongoing

Perth people enjoyed another successful Project Oz (Israel related Limmud) and a great Yom Ha’atzmaut party. They kicked back in front of Israeli films during the year and in a Bedouin tent in Sukkoth.

New

A very unique and successful series was launched in Perth – HagSHABAT which combines a traditional Shabbat experience along with an Israel related Limmud. Also for the first time they experienced an extremely moving Yom Hazikaron event co-hosted with AUJS, a useful Youth Advocacy Course and some boys’ quality time at the FIFA Tournament. Shlicha

Ongoing

More materials and training of Beit Ha’am – Talks were carried out, making this useful educational tool more available and known to educators in the community. Also, more future advocates were trained in the Uni -TAP course, operated by the ZC of NSW along with other partners.

New

For the first time the Israeli young adults were targeted specifically and came to meet and celebrate Israel in an all Israeli music party.

Shabbat dinners for young adults – what started as a Shabbat 3000 participation dinner, became a tradition of a year. Recently a Rosh Hashana Limmud & dinner was presented combining mixture of guests and producing great atmosphere and discussion. Looking ahead

Hagshama Australia aims to continue and develop its self and its range of activities, constantly growing and feeding on the current life, culture and politics in Israel, thus delivering a rich, up to date image and knowledge of Israel and encouraging personal connection and engagement opportunities for the young adults of the Australian Jewish-Zionist community.

We thank all our partners and supporters, primarily the ZFA and the ZC of the different states, and look forward to more productive cooperation in the coming year.

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ZIONIST COUNCIL OF NEW SOUTH WALES

OVERVIEW

It gives me great pleasure to report on the activities of the Zionist Council of NSW (ZCNSW) since I last reported at the Plenum of the ZFA in August last year.

The past 15 months have been extremely busy for the ZCNSW and what we have achieved has been out of all proportion to the resources at our disposal. With only one full-time employee, being our Executive Director, and one part-time employee, we have staged more than 20 events ranging from our major Yom Ha’atzmaut functions to our guest speakers in our “Speak Up for Israel” campaign, and a variety of others in between.

YOUTH MOVEMENTS

We have had the pleasure of welcoming the following new shlichim and their families: Habonim – Asaf Lapid Bnei Akiva – Yonatan Sinclair Netzer – Yuval Nemirovsky

In the time we have got to know them both in Israel and in Sydney, since their arrival, we have been impressed at the calibre of each one of them.

Together with Hillel Fried of Hineni and Yoni Issahary of Betar, I have no doubt that they will work well together, as was the case with their predecessors, to ensure the continued success of the youth movements and the mishlachat itself. The office bearers meet with the mishlachat regularly and this further enhances our relationship.

HAGSHAMA

Natalie Green, our Hagshama coordinator, left to pursue “greener pastures” in June and was succeeded by Daniel Levy. He has made a valuable contribution but has now decided to make aliyah in November and so we bid him farewell as well. At present we are interviewing candidates for his replacement.

Hagshama has continued to hold its events as usual and has achieved a remarkable turn out at many of them. Mirit Frenkel, the Hagshama Shlicha, will report on this in more detail.

SCHOOLS

We have continued to build our relationship with the day schools in Sydney as well as with the Board of Jewish Education (BJE).

While I will talk of our “Speak Up for Israel” programme in more detail later, I do want to make special mention of Brett Kaye, formerly Head of Jewish Life at Moriah College, for his assistance in ensuring the success of the launch of this programme.

I also want to thank Wendy Barel and Auryt Jacobson from Masada College, Rachele Schonberger and Lisa Inberg from BJE as well as the Jewish studies staff at The Emanuel School for their support of our “Speak Up for Israel” programme.

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A special thank you is also due to Mark Schneider, President of the Board of Moriah College, John Hamey, Principal and Benji Levy, acting Head of Informal Jewish Education, for their ongoing support of our programmes and for being so receptive to our input.

I also want to pay tribute to Moriah College for their generosity in making their facilities available to us for our Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations both this year and again in 2013 while our usual venue is being renovated.

NSW BOARD OF JEWISH EDUCATION

We have continued to build the Council’s relationship with the BJE and in this regard special mention must be made of the efforts of our vice-President Sharon Wahlhaus who has largely been responsible for this. We have engaged in a number of new initiatives with BJE which will, I am sure, continue to bear fruit in the future.

AIJAC

We have hosted a number of events together with our friends from AIJAC which have included guest speakers Daniel Pipes and Tal Becker. I thank both Jeremy Jones and Anthony Orkin in particular for their support

NSW PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

I congratulate the Hon. Gabrielle Upton M.P., Chairperson, and the Hon. Walt Secord M.P., Vice-Chairman for the successful launch of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel. Together with the other members of the committee these outstanding parliamentarians are wonderful advocates for Israel and their efforts are much appreciated.

ISRAEL PROGRAMMES

I am pleased to report that we have agreement to promote the gap-year Israel Programmes in the day schools and in the BJE classes in a new and different format and we hope that this will lead to increased participation.

We have also increased our involvement in the Year 10 Israel programmes (IST) both in terms of funding of additional places and assisting with a Zionist Advocacy programme for the students while in Israel. This will be held for the first time this year as part of IST.

EMBASSY OF ISRAEL

Many thanks to Ambassador Yuval Rotem, Deputy Chief of Mission, Meir Itzchaki, and Spokesperson and Director of Cultural Affairs, Einat Weiss for their ongoing support. Their advice and knowledge is truly valued and we are grateful that they always make themselves available to attend our events.

ACTIVITIES

As mentioned previously, the Council has held over 20 events since my last report. The major ones include:

YOM HAZIKARON: The ceremony this year was attended by Ambassador Yuval Rotem and was again produced by shlichim Anat Baruch (Netzer) and Meir Holtz (Bnei Akiva). It was extremely moving and was particularly well attended with standing room only remaining.

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YOM HAATZMAUT:

‘SPEAK UP FOR ISRAEL’ DINNER – We once again held our Gala Dinner on the night following Yom Ha’atzmaut. It was held in a private home and the dinner was prepared by 2 chefs, from the well-known Angelica restaurant in Jerusalem, who volunteered their time to come to Sydney and prepare a multiple-course meal for some 70 guests. An auction of Judaica and fine art was also held on the night.

The dinner also provided the opportunity for us to introduce to our donors the 4 ‘Speak Up for Israel advocates’, post-graduate students with education experience, who we brought out to Sydney to launch our ‘Speak Up for Israel’ programme. The funds raised at the previous year’s dinner funded their visit and it was extremely gratifying that our donors got to see where their money had gone.

A special thank you is due to Naomi Balkin for the huge effort she put in to once again make this evening a reality.

The “Speak Up for Israel” dinner has now become part of the Sydney calendar and as it continues to grow will allow us to extend our advocacy programmes and keep up the profile and credibility of the ZCNSW.

COMMUNAL FUNCTION – As Yom Ha’atzmaut fell on ANZAC Day this year we were not able to bring the school-children directly from the day schools as we usually do. However, the function was nevertheless attended by approximately 1500 people. The majority of those attending seemed to enjoy themselves with the many amusement rides, food stalls and Israeli-themed and manufactured goods. A concert which was professionally produced was also well- attended and showcased the musical talent in our community.

DIPLOMATIC COCKTAIL PARTY – The Yom Ha’atzmaut cocktail party hosted together with the ZFA, ECAJ AND NSW JBOD was held as usual. The event was attended by approximately 500 people and was addressed by Ambassador Yuval Rotem and Premier Barry O’Farrell. It remains an extremely important event and next year we, together with the ZFA and ECAJ, intend on being more involved in its planning.

SPEAK UP FOR ISRAEL PROGRAMME – This programme, which is the brand under which all our activities are now being held and promoted, was launched over the Yom Ha’atzmaut period by the four ‘advocates’ referred to previously. An advocacy programme was commissioned by us in Israel and this high quality lecture series, delivered by our ‘advocates’ was extremely well received in all the Jewish day schools and in the Jewish Board of Education classes where it was presented. We intend to continue using this programme in the future as a means of not only enhancing the Zionist education of our school students but also as a way of promoting the youth movements to them.

WELCOME HOME GILAD SHALIT

With less than 7 hours notice from the time we had confirmation of his impending release, using social media, we gathered together a crowd of over 1200 people at the Central Synagogue to witness this event. For me personally this was probably the “stand out” event of the past year. To see this number of people and more particularly that 70% of whom were in their 20’s and 30’s was unforgettable. It showed that when events resonate with them, our young people are there and are ready to show their support for Israel.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTE - INFORMATION EVENING

In the lead up to the vote on the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian State – which fortunately never materialised – we held an information evening where we involved our major affiliates including UIA, JNF and

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WIZO, amongst others. Speakers included Neil Lazarus (visiting from Israel), Philip Chester and Ron Weiser and over 500 people packed the Central Synagogue hall to hear them.

YOM YERUSHALAYIM

This year a joint function was held at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter with the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation (ZDVO) and Central Synagogue where the film “Inside Israel” was screened. This was followed by an informative talk by Hillel Fried our Hineni shaliach. It was a pleasure to hold this event together with our affiliates.

RABIN TEKES

The event last year was prepared by Hagshama shlicha, Mirit Frenkel and this year has been put together by our Executive Director, Lynn Niselow who has involved the dayschools and youth movements in its production.

29th NOVEMBER

This event was hosted as always with our affiliate the NCJW and will again take place this year.

HASBARA

Special mention must be made of Ron Wiseman and his daily “Israel Update” which continues to be widely circulated and is full of topical and relevant information. There are also a number of blogs conducted by our members and these are also very much appreciated.

TAP

The Advocacy Programme conducted together with the NSWBOD and The Shalom Institute has continued under the guidance of Ron Weiser and we have been represented there by Hagshama shlicha, Mirit Frenkel. Thanks are due to both Ron and Mirit for their continued efforts.

JERUSALEM PRIZE

This prize is to be presented to NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell on 10th December 2012 by Avraham Duvdevani, Chairman of the WZO. The Embassy will also be represented. We are holding a cocktail party prior to the presentation for our “Speak Up for Israel Dinner” donors as well as other communal leaders. The presentation will be followed by our AGM.

GENERAL

During this period we have also hosted events with Jonny Ariel; Shmuel ben Shmuel (who has since been appointed Israel’s next ambassador to Australia); Jinji – the Israeli cyclist who ended his around-the-world cycle in Sydney – together with our affiliate Maccabi; Ehud Toledano another guest of the Embassy; General Elazar Stern of the Shorashim Movement; Rabbi Benny Lau who spent a couple of days in Sydney prior to the Educators Conference; and Akiva Hamilton of the Shurat HaDin organisation.

CONCLUSION

I want to pay special tribute to Lynn Niselow our Executive Director who does a superb job in the management and administration of the ZCNSW. The calm and efficient manner in which Lynn operates makes the task at hand much easier for us all. We thank her most sincerely for her dedication.

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Lastly, thank you to each of our Office Bearers – - Ron Weiser AM for his support, encouragement and enormous amount of time which he gives to share his vast knowledge of Israel with the NSW community. - Sharon Wahlhaus who continues to give us the benefit of her communal experience and in particular for the work she has done with the Jewish Board of Education in - promoting our organisation, the youth movements and our advocacy programmes. - Morris Kaplan who taken over the role of Treasurer and brought much needed professionalism to this role. - My thanks to the members of our Executive for their input and support.

I look forward to the ongoing success of the ZCNSW as we go from strength to strength both as an organising body and as the pre-eminent Israel advocacy body in NSW.

Richard Balkin

President, ZCNSW

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STATE ZIONIST COUNCIL OF QUEENSLAND Celebrating 100 years of Zionism in Queensland

The State Zionist Council of Queensland (SZCQ) is the coordinating roof body for Zionist organisations in Queensland. SZCQ’s mission is to lead and encourage Jewish and Zionist activity and expression within Queensland, to represent the Jewish community, to promote and communicate Israel’s interests within the broader Queensland community and to promote Queensland’s relationship with Israel.

MORRIS OCHERT Z”L

I was privileged to be asked to speak at a Memorial Service at the Brisbane Hebrew Congregation for the late Morris Ochert on 5 February 2012.

Morris’s passing left a large gap in both the Brisbane and wider Australian Jewish communities. He worked tirelessly for our religious, educational and cultural organisations here in Queensland and, although most notably remembered for his prolific writing – he was a historian who was a member of a historically-minded family - Morris turned his hand to almost anything that would help local Jewish organisations get along.

Over many years, he was especially supportive of Betar and the cause of Zionism, and we remember his many kindnesses and contributions, with great fondness.

OVERVIEW

Over the past twelve months the State Zionist Council has organized or assisted in activities to:

 Show solidarity with Israel by participating in a successful Hot Chocolate Event in Brisbane at Max Brenner’s (August 2011)  Celebrate the return of Sergeant-Major Gilad Shalit and Ilan Grapel (October 2011)  Promote the centenary of Zionism in Queensland (December 2011)  Consider the goals and options for future Zionist action in Australia at the “Zionism Down Under” conference in Melbourne (January 2012)  Host Yoni Issahary, Betar Federal Shaliach, in Brisbane for discussions on further co-operation (March 2012)  Discuss co-operation opportunities with Bridges for Peace with the visiting Rev Cheryl Hauer, International Development Director and Keith Buxton, National Director (March 2012)  Observe Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Memorial Day – hosting Suzanne Hempel (April 2012)  Commemorate Yom HaZikaron – Remembrance Day for those who fell in defence of Israel (April 2012)  Celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day – hosting Nevo Barchad, Israeli Consul (April 2012)  Celebrate Yom Yerushalayim – Jerusalem Day (May 2012)  Promote the “1 Minute for Munich” call for action in association with the London Olympic Games (July 2012)  Support Brisbane shops harassed for selling Israeli products (August 2012)  Support the AICE 2012 Israeli Film Festival screening in Brisbane (August - September 2012)  Create a new pull-up banner advertising SZCQ (September 2012)  Attend a Hasbara event for the Israeli Ambassador. Upcoming planned activities for the remainder of 2012 include a Biennial Conference on 18 November and a Zionist Family Fun Day on 2 December.

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MAJOR EVENTS

Celebrating 100 Years of Zionism in Queensland

On Sunday 4 December 2011 the Brisbane Jewish Community celebrated 100 years of Zionism in Queensland with a party at the Burbank Jewish Community Centre. The 120 people present were treated to a magician who kept the children spellbound with balloon shapes, magic tricks and a pet rabbit; a play by Sinai College pupils called “A Bissele Chanukah: A Taste of Yiddishkeit” (they were wearing specially commissioned centenary T-shirts); speeches by Betar and Sar-El representatives and a keynote speech from Philip Chester, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia.

Tova Blumberg, grand-daughter of the founder of Queensland Zionism, presented a beautiful framed map to the Queensland State Zionist Council, in recognition of this memorable milestone. The print was of the first Hebrew Map of the Holy Land drawn in 1696 by Avraham Bar Yaakov. Following the speeches, the gathering was entertained by the Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation Choir at its first public outing.

Meals, afternoon tea, drinks and popcorn were available; Betar leaders supervised sport activities and all generally had a great time, on a warm afternoon. We now look forward to the next 100 years, thanks to our visionary founders and those who have kept the flame alive.

Yom HaShoah

Three functions were held on Sunday 22 April, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast. The events were a co- production with Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies. The guest speaker was Sue Hempel, Jewish Studies Educator at Mt Scopus Memorial College, Melbourne. Approximately 200 attended in (each of) Brisbane and Gold Coast and a good number in Sunshine Coast. Very positive feedback was given, although the on-the-day organising for Brisbane will be looked at for next year to ensure that the event is a little more tightly run.

Yom HaZikaron

The Brisbane ceremony was held at at Givat Tzion synagogue, South Brisbane, on Sunday 24 April, followed by Maariv. The ceremony comprised candle lighting, Yizkor, two videos on Yom HaZikaron, two poems, a prayer for the welfare of IDF soldiers, Kaddish and Hatikvah. Tea and coffee were provided afterwards. Around 50 people attended. We will look to reducing our reliance on videos, if practicable, for 2013.

Yom HaAtzmaut

Brisbane celebrations at the Burbank Jewish Community Centre were held on Sunday 29 April and went from 11am to 3pm. Guests included: Nevo Barchad, Consul from the Embassy of Israel, Hon. Ian Walker, Assistant Minister for Planning Reform, and Hon Desley Scott, Opposition Spokesperson for Multicultural Affairs. The theme for the day was an Israeli shuk. Entertainment included songs from Sinai College students, stalls, swings, jumping castle, magician and face painting and camel rides. A great day for kids of all ages.

Around 200 people attended, with the prospect of showers perhaps putting a few people off. The weather on the day was mostly fine with only a couple of light showers. Feedback received was excellent. Discussions were held with ZFA on catering planning, and on offering the orthodox congregations a service and celebration on the actual day for next year. The Executive decided to ensure the food that SZCQ provided was Kosher, and that affiliates should provide information with their food stating whether or not it was Kosher.

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Yom Yerushalayim

Brisbane celebrations on Sunday 20 May at the Burbank Jewish Community Centre were a co-production with the Friends of Sinai College. The presentations included readings from history, historic JNF video from the Spielberg archive, readings about Jerusalem, choral pieces and a moving Yiddish film “Tevye the Milkman” from 1939. About 50 people attended.

SZCQ MANAGEMENT

SZCQ Constitution

The Executive has recommended a number of Constitutional changes for consideration at the November 2012 Biennial Conference.

Affiliation

The following Zionist organisations in Queensland are affiliated with the SZC QLD, in accordance with the Constitution:

 Magen David Adom QLD (ZO)  Friends of the Hebrew University QLD (ZO)  WIZO QLD (ZO)  QLD Jewish Community Services Inc (JB)  Jewish United (not sure what this organisation does, or whether it still exists) (JB)  Temple Shalom Gold Coast (JB)  Sinai College (JB)  Sunshine Coast Jewish Community (JB)  The Gold Coast Hebrew Congregation (JB)  Brisbane Hebrew Congregation (JB)  Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation (JB)  Gan Gani Kindergarten & Preschool (JB)  National Council of Jewish Women Gold Coast (JB)  Betar QLD (ZYC)  Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) QLD (SS)  United Israel Appeal (UIA) QLD (EO)  Jewish National Fund (JNF) QLD (EO) (ZO – Zionist Organisation, JB – Jewish Body, ZYC – Zionist Youth Council, SS – Student Society, EO – ex-officio)

SZCQ Executive

The Executive consists of the following members:

 President – Tony Leverton (Acting, from August 2011)  Chairperson (does not need to be filled) – not filled  Vice President –Ari Heber  Hon Treasurer – not filled  Hon Secretary – not filled  At least two members from amongst the Council – Evelyn Charles (WIZO), Adin Davidson (Betar), Manny Szumer (Sunshine Coast Jewish Community)  The Immediate Past President shall be ex-officio to the Executive – Gilad Sadan

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 The Presidents of the UIA and the JNF shall be ex-officio to the Executive (If not otherwise elected) – John Skala and Gail Paratz  Up to two members from the Jewish student societies of secondary and tertiary education institutions  All elected members of the ZFA Executive and its Life Members residing in Queensland

GENERAL

Office

Hadas Palevsky, the Office Manager, took three months leave from May 2012 for her and baby Abby to visit her family in Israel.

Database

In conjunction with the UIA QLD, SZCQ maintains a large database of both postal and email addresses. This database is in need of further edit to bring it up to date.

Ulpan

SZCQ continues to hold Hebrew classes. Currently, Hadas teaches two students. SZCQ will be advertising the availability of this tuition in the coming year.

Appreciation

On behalf of the SZCQ, I record my deep appreciation to ZFA President, Philip Chester, Executive Director, Ginette Searle and the ZFA team for their advice and encouragement.

Little could be achieved “on the ground” without the magnificent efforts of individual volunteers and Zionist organisations in our local community, as well as the tireless support of the SZCQ Executive members. I thank you all for your commitment and many contributions.

Finally, it’s hard to put into words the debt of gratitude all of us owe to Hadas Palevsky, who works tirelessly on behalf of Queensland Zionism. I’ll simply say “todah rabah” to Hadas, you are the eyes and ears, and the ruach, of Zionism in our corner of the world. Yishar koach.

Tony Leverton

President, SZCQ

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STATE ZIONIST COUNCIL OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SZC SA has conducted another year of Council sponsored activities, despite dwindling numbers in this small community. As was mentioned in last year’s report, Massada College has closed its doors, and we said farewell to Daphne Lapidot, our warm and energetic Community Shlicha, who completed her term in September.

Both Rabbis Nataniel Friedler and Shoshana Kaminsky have been generous in their support of community activities. It is with sadness that we farewell Rabbi Friedler to Perth, but well understand his decision to offer his young children the opportunity to attend a Jewish day school. Rabbi Friedler worked had with Rabbi Kaminsky to engage the ex patriot Israeli community, and those relationships have developed over the last year.

Prof Konrad Kweit, an active member of Sydney’s Jewish Museum, was the speaker at the commemoration of Yom Hashoah, and spoke about “Amidah – Jewish Resistance during the Holocaust”, held in the Rose Harrison Hall. Clare Oremland played moving cello pieces, and community members participated in a candle lighting ceremony.

Yom H’azikaron was observed at a ceremony held in the Rose Harrison Hall at Beit Shalom, with candle lighting and readings by members of the community. For the second year this event has been held on the usual day of commemoration, rather than incorporated into the Independence Day celebrations, as had been the custom for many years. This has been as a result of greater involvement by the Israeli community, and it has been pleasing to see that both events have been supported.

The largest event has been the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration in the Hines Hall of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation, where over a hundred people came to enjoy music and great food. We were delighted to welcome Ms Einat Weiss, the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Canberra. Haran Drori entertained the community with familiar songs, and the more agile members danced to musical accompaniment.

Once again, members of the Tarbut Society worked very hard over several days to make great food, decorate the Hall, and encourage people to participate.

In November the Rabin Memorial Lecture was given in the Rose Harrison Hall by Prof Sidney Bloch, where he showed a film he had made about his return to South Africa, followed by a lively discussion. Prof Bloch had spoken earlier that day at a Sisterhood book discussion group about his latest book Understanding Troubled Minds and the group of over twenty women had the opportunity to discuss this important topic over brunch.

The activities organized by JAZY have continued with the generous support of community donors lead by Allen Bolaffi. Youth Movement leaders from across the Zionist spectrum have come to Adelaide on a regular basis to support Bec Mayo, JAZY’s Madricha, so that there can be monthly meetings to meet the needs of our young people across a broad age range. Reuben Bolaffi, the current AZYC President has been on hand with advice and support. While Bec Mayo will need to concentrate on her tertiary study next year, she will continue to be a source of advice for local members of JAZY.

Merrilyn Ades has continued in her indispensable role as Office Manager, and has been responsible, once again, for the formulation of the SZC Calendar, our only fundraising opportunity. Eva Phillips has continued as Treasurer, and been on hand for valuable assistance with events. Sue Musry has continued as the JNF representative and as a valuable conduit with the Tarbut Society. Miriam Millingen has been away often during the year with family

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involvements, but has continued to play a valuable role with WIZO. We wish Eric and Kay Edelman well in their return to Perth, and thank them for all their energetic contributions to the community over their time in Adelaide.

Many members of the community now have offspring in Melbourne, Sydney and further afield. Many of our youth leaders have joined these larger communities, and will no doubt make valuable contributions to Jewish life wherever they settle, while remembering their early years here. Like many small communities, people often wear a number of hats, and we all plan on “keeping on keeping on” for as long as we can.

Alison Marcus

President SZC SA

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ZIONIST COUNCIL OF VICTORIA

The last twelve months has presented challenges to Israel and the Zionist movement both within Australia and world-wide and the ZCV has been kept busy ensuring that we bring the most up to date information to our community and the wider public, all the while combating misconceptions and inaccuracies in an attempt to influence opinion and attitude towards Israel.

We commenced 5772 with this year’s highlight – the release of Gilad Shalit. On the morning of 18 October 2011, the first rumours of Gilad’s impending release reached our office. The ZCV team were quick to ensure that our community were kept updated and informed throughout the day and could gather together to watch the release as it unfolded.

Earlier this year we were privileged to officially open the Lamm Jewish Library of Australia in the extensively renovated premises at 304 Hawthorn Road in the presence of the Premier of Victoria Ted Baillieu. The community day that marked the official opening was a huge success with many hundreds of members of the community of all ages joined in an amazing range of activities that were ably coordinated by the professional staff and the efforts of a team of volunteers led by Penina Lissauer. The event was such a success we have decided to use it (in addition to a more traditional concert) as our template to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut next year instead of a return to Luna Park.

The LJLA as it is known, has already become a communal landmark and continues to ramp up activities outside its core function as a library including story time in Ivrit (with a companion program for mothers and children in English), art exhibitions, the Jewish film club (in conjunction with the Australian Friends of the Hebrew University), a daily shiur learning Talmud and playing host to the Jewish bereaved parents’ organisation. We trust that the LJLA will continue to garner community support in its activities and that it will truly come to be a communal hub.

Advocacy and Public Relations Last November, together with the Embassy of Israel and the ZFA, on the last day of the Israel Film Festival, we hosted a special screening of the movie “Lebanon”.

In addition, we were delighted to be associated with the Opera Studio Melbourne which recently established an exchange program with Israel that provides for advanced Australian Opera students to study in Israel and advanced Israeli students to further their studies in Melbourne. Na'ama Goldman, a member of the Israeli Opera's Opera Studio, stole the hearts of the audience with her superb voice and outstanding performance. To be able to showcase the best of Israeli Opera to our community, and, to the general community of opera loving Victorians, is a great way to connect one with Israel through a positive and inspiring message.

In April, our Israel Advocacy Analyst, Emily Gian was approached by “Honest Reporting” to submit a piece on Israel in the Australian media. Honest Reporting is a highly regarded organisation that monitors the news for bias, inaccuracy, or other breach of journalistic standards in coverage of the Arab-Israel conflict. With over 150,000 subscribers, 10,000 likes on Facebook and more than 3,000 followers on Twitter, the two-part piece penned by Emily titled the “Media Gets Dirty Down Under” reached an incredible amount of people world-wide.

We continue to support our affiliates and those groups, Jewish and non-Jewish, who stand on a Zionist platform. Therefore, it was natural that the ZCV, together with the JCCV, would support the launch of a new group “Australians United for Israel”. Luke Martin, the founder of the group spoke passionately of the reason that he, as a non-Jewish Australian, feels so committed to supporting Israel and set this group up 18 months ago as a Facebook group. Over 150 people gathered to hear Luke’s inspirational words and participate in the official launch of this new and exciting group, while a panel of speakers discussed the subject “Unmasking Anti-Zionism”. 49 | P a g e Zionist Federation of Australia Ltd 45th Biennial Conference Report 2012

In late August, with less than a week’s notice that Dr Kooshyar Karimi, a Jewish political refugee from Iran, was to launch his book at the Melbourne Writer’s Festival, the ZCV moved fast to secure the opportunity for Kooshyar to tell his compelling story to the community. The overwhelming interest and huge numbers that dropped everything to hear this quiet-spoken, articulate gentleman recount his sad, torturous, brave, confrontational story is testament to the community’s strength and support. Dr Kooshyar’s story of his life as a Jew under the oppressive Iranian regime is particularly timely given the developing crisis with Iran and its push to nuclear weapons capability.

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement As mentioned above, the ZCV together with the JCCV, continue to work to minimise the impact of the BDS movement and strategise the response to the BDS activity.

The national and state-based strategy has been focused on limiting the impact of the demonstrations, particularly at diminishing any public media or coverage for the BDS movement. Strong bipartisan support, at both a national and state political level, has been forthcoming and the ZCV continues to work collaboratively with our politicians to combat the BDS movement propaganda.

Press Releases, Opinion pieces and Letters to the Editor The ZCV continues to have a strong presence in all forms of media and regularly release statements.

The ZCV realises the importance and impact of social media and the ZCV facebook page has over 700 Facebook fans, with Twitter boasting about 400 followers. Facebook proved to be a most effective way to engage the community in the global campaign “One Minute of Silence” calling on the International Olympic Committee to honour the slain Israeli athletes at the opening ceremony of this year’s Olympic Games. The community response was overwhelming and their comments, all thanking us for offering them an opportunity to join the campaign and make a difference, reinforced the importance for us to diversify our methods of communication and embrace different ways for the different segments of our community to connect with Israel. We have learnt from our followers, that overwhelmingly they want “good news stories” from Israel; so we aim to please with updates that warm the heart and make us proud to love and support Israel.

Campaigns This year commenced with the release of Gilad Shalit and we were privileged to unite the community on this momentous occasion and provide live cover from Israel as the day unfolded. It makes sense of the many years of campaigning, tears, worry, prayers and anguish, forgotten in an instant, as we hugged and wept and watched Gilad return to his family a free person.

This year marked 40 years since the Munich Olympic Games and the massacre of the eleven Israeli Athletes. The ZCV joined the International campaign “One Minute of Silence” that called on the International Olympic Committee to remember the slain athletes with one minute of silence at this year’s opening ceremony. In addition, we held in partnership with the JCCV, a communal memorial service on the opening date of the Olympic Games where we honoured the Israeli athletes and stood in solidarity against terrorism and for the values aspired by an Olympic Games.

Engagement with the Wider Community – Public Speaker Service The Zionist Council of Victoria runs a very successful Public Speaker Service which provides speakers on a wide range of Jewish and Zionist topics free of charge to all Victorian schools and to communal organisations in order to encourage learning, interaction, multiculturalism and tolerance.

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This year, the Zionist Council of Victoria provided 27 public speaking services and addressed over 2,000 students and adults. Some groups also attend The Holocaust Museum and visit a Synagogue of their choice, whether it is an Orthodox or Progressive Synagogue.

This year our service for the first time hosted 15 Year 12 students from Mildura Senior College, reaching rural Victoria and bringing them into our community to learn more about our traditions, heritage and culture is the aim of this program. They attended the Mizrachi Synagogue for a tour of the Centre and visited the Holocaust Museum for the Museum’s tour, the next day.

Partnership 2000 The ZCV maintains a strong involvement, both at professional and executive levels, with the Arava-Australia Partnership 2000 project. The ZCV presented an overview of the Victorian Jewish community to the “Acacia” students, while they were visiting in Melbourne and discussed with them some of the challenges facing Jewish youth growing up in the Diaspora compared to those living in Israel.

Acknowledgement The ZCV operates with the contribution of its full executive and portfolio holders each of whom is deserving of a vote of thanks. I am most especially indebted to the members of the ZCV Board who give unstintingly of their time, expertise and wisdom. My deepest gratitude to Vice Presidents – Jeff Morrision and Sharene Hambur, immediate past President Dr Danny Lamm who despite his busy schedule as president of the ECAJ has always made himself available to advise me and provide the organisation with every assistance, Honorary Secretary and Public Relations Chair – Liora Miller and Information Chair – Ian Samuel. This assembly will see our treasurer Robert Lissauer stand down due to increasingly demanding work commitments. Robert’s steady hand on our organisations finances will be sorely missed and he leaves with our most sincere thanks for the time and dedication he has given us over many years. We are fortunate to have secured Daniel Goodman as the new incoming ZCV Treasurer whom we are sure will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position.

I would like to record the ZCV’s appreciation for the work of the Community Security Group whose efforts are apparent at every communal event. CSG also works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that nothing is overlooked in keeping our community safe from those who would seek to do us harm. We will recognise Beth Weizmann’s security chair David Michelson by presenting him with the ZCV Communal Volunteer Award as a small token of our appreciation for his many years of service to the community in this most challenging of roles.

The activities of the ZCV would not be possible were it not for the dedication and competence of the professional staff. Jane Rapke continues to serve as Executive Director with professionalism and dedication above and beyond the call of duty. We are served by an excellent team of talented and incredibly dedicated people. The team comprises Margaret Fischer (Accountant), Cathy Nemy (Executive Assistant), Elly Shalev (Public Affairs Director), Emily Chrapot (Israel Advocacy Analyst), and Sandra Sochen (Advertising Executive). I thank the staff most sincerely for their efforts and record my appreciation of the efficient, dedicated and professional way in which they undertake their respective roles.

I look forward to the coming year as we move forward and embrace the achievements and milestones of Israel and our community as well as face and overcome the external and internal challenges and barriers that we have to meet.

Sam Tatarka President, ZCV

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STATE ZIONIST COUNCIL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The office of State Zionist Council of WA has been very active over the past year. We have been organising events with a large range of appeal in order to draw in all members of the community.

The SZCWA office services the State Zionist Council, Ulpan, the Kibbutz Desk, The Aliyah Desk, The Holocaust Institute, and limited consular services. The State Zionist Council also has a hands on relationship with Habonim, Netzer and Bnei Akiva.

SHLICHA

Lee Eshel Rubinstein has been an active and passionate Shlicha since arriving. She has met with the ‘movers and shakers’ of our community and has been a constant presence at community events. Lee has organised functions and given lectures to various groups. She has become a well-known and vital member of the Perth Jewish Community.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Rena Hesselson and Navit Shchigel share the position of Executive Secretary. Navit is in the role four hours per week and Rena is in the position for 12 hours per week. The shared role has focussed on assisting Lee in her integration into the Perth community as well as communication efforts with other Jewish organisations. The SZCWA has also been heavily involved in the development of Friends of Israel WA (Navit is still a liaison) and with actions taken against BDS and other anti-Israel actions.

ALIYAH

Lee has been busy conducting Aliyah interviews. Lee has initiated a new farewell for those choosing to live in Israel. This includes a small supper and presentation ceremony. This initiative has been warmly received and gives Aliyah makers an opportunity to say goodbye to our community.

YOUTH

Our youth movements are moving steadily forward with a large number of activities and chanichim attending each week. Numbers from Perth attending federal and local camps have increased substantially. The State Zionist Council is grateful to the youth movements for the high level of input at all levels in our community functions.

YOM HAATZMAUT and YOM HAZIKARON

Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut 2012– The two events were held jointly in a function venue. The format was a sit down dinner with appropriate speeches and dedications for Yom Hazikaron. We also were pleased to honour a newly inducted member of righteous among the nations, who saved a child during the Holocaust. This child grew into a member of the Perth Jewish Community and is involved in the Holocaust Institute WA. The very emotional ceremony was followed by a joyous Yom Haatzmaut celebration. Perth was pleased to host the Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem who gave a talk at the event. We had live musical performances and a sing along. The event was very well attended, exceeding past numbers.

Jeffrey Lin

President SZCWA

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AMEINU

Ameinu – Hebrew for “Our People” – is a national, multi-generational community of progressive-minded Jews. Recognising the unbreakable bond between the Jewish people and Israel, as well as our commitment to the welfare of Australia, we unite Australian Jews who seek opportunities to foster the time honoured concept of tikkun olam both in Israel and Australia. We are progressive-minded, liberal Zionists; proud Jews and proud Australians connected with, and committed to, the Jewish People through our shared history, culture and beliefs, our common language and our homeland, Israel. Our values – the pursuit of social justice, social equity, gender equality, inclusiveness and respect for each other, irrespective of personal orientation – are rooted in Jewish tradition. Our aim is to promote full active expression of these values without our local community and Israel.

To this end, Ameinu aims to link up with like-minded organisations in order to bring the community relevant and thought-provoking events, such as in August 2011, when Ameinu joined with the Peres Peace Team for a panel discussion and screening of the film “Tackling Peace”, and in June of this year, when, together with the NIF, Ameinu hosted Israeli political economist, writer and commentator Bernard Avishai.

Ameinu is in the process of reenergizing for 2013.

Johnny Baker President

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ARZA

AFFILIATION & REPRESENTATION: ARZA Australia represents Progressive Zionists in Australia. The organisation is affiliated to ARZENU, the International association of Progressive Zionist organisations, the Union for Progressive Judaism and the Zionist Federation of Australia. ARZA represents the Progressive community at Federal and State level, including the ZFA, State Zionist Councils, as well as sending delegates to the World Zionist Congress. ARZA is actively involved in the work of the UIA Progressive Trust, which has an annual fundraising appeal to send funds to the World Union for Progressive Judaism in Israel to help with the provision of Refugee Relief to olim from around the world.

ARZA is proud to be an active member of the Zionist Federation of Australia and to work with others in the Australian Jewish community to ensure that Israel remains a strong and healthy that is understood and supported by the people and Government of Australia.

ACHIEVEMENTS Some of ARZA’s achievements during this period include the following:  King David School: ARZA sponsored the Hebrew Camp for Years 7 and 8 students at the King David School, Melbourne. ARZA also supported the King David School in the production of YESH material and in the renamed seminar and camp now known as the “ARZA Israel Seminar” and “ARZA Hebrew Camp.”

 NSTE Young Adults Weekend: ARZA provided sponsorship for 23 young adults between the ages of 23 and 37 who joined together for Shabbat and a weekend in NSW’s Hunter Valley wine region and another in the Blue Mountains, NSW. There are more retreats planned for the future.

 Young Adult Seminar, Jerusalem: ARZA sponsored a young adult to attend this seminar in Jerusalem last year.

 Website: ARZA has a new website on www.arza.org.au.

 E-news: ARZA produces and circulates regular e-newsletters to more than 1,300 people providing links to relevant news stories locally, in Israel and around the Jewish world.

 JRAAC: ARZA supports the Jewish Religious Action and Advocacy Centre of the UPJ that was launched in Melbourne in May 2012. This Centre is providing policy statements and advocating on social justice issues locally and in Israel on behalf of the Progressive Movement.

 Netzer: ARZA continues to provide funds towards the Shnat Beit Midrash programme enjoyed by all participants of the Shnat programme as well as offering support to Netzer Australia on a continuing basis.

 Speakers: ARZA has made a DVD of recent visitors, including Rabbi Gilad Kariv and Anat Hoffman, that has been disributed to congregations that were not able to attend a function. ARZA invited Anat Hoffman on her last visit to Sydney and Melbourne to have coffee with our young adults.

 Mission to Poland: ARZA together with the UPJ and Emanuel Synagogue ran a 2 week Mission to Poland and Israel, commemorating the Shoah as well as visiting and praying with emerging communities in Warsaw, Krakow and Lublin. In Israel we commemorated ANZAC Day and Yom HaZicharon; celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut, met with many of our movements’ leaders from ARZENU; IMPJ; IRAC; LACO; WZO; WUPJ; SALTZ Centre as well as meeting Rabbi Miri Gold, the Australian Ambassador and Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israel Prime Minister. This will be an annual event and all are invited to join us next year. To read the blog of the Mission visit: http://www.upj.org.au/index.php/news-and-events/190-upj-mission-to-poland-a-israel-blog.

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 New Zealand: In July 2012 we were delighted to be the special guests for the launch of ARZA New Zealand. This was the culmination of many months of work and we are delighted to welcome our sister organisation to the ARZENU family.

 CHANGES: ARZA has a new Board that is very enthusiastic to take an active role in providing support for our Youth and Educational institutions, as well as continuing to support Israel and local Progressive congregations. Representatives of Netzer and the Progressive Community Shlichim are now on the Board.

 THE FUTURE: Having modernized the appearance of our website and logo, and revamped the Board of ARZA we are about to launch a membership recruitment and promotional drive that, we believe, will increase the profile and presence of ARZA in our community.

Barbara Ford Chairperson

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AUJS

The Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) is the federal body for Jewish student societies at universities, colleges and TAFEs across Australia and New Zealand.

Our mission is to provide meaningful Jewish experiences through engagement, enrichment, development and action, thereby strengthening community and enhancing Jewish life. AUJS aims to support the needs and interests of Jewish students throughout Australasia, and foster a positive relationship between Jewish and non-Jewish students and Israel.

AUJS provides a wide variety of activities for Jewish students on and off campus – including cultural, social, educational, political and religious events, national conferences and campaigns, and our international programs.

The AUJS student leadership is elected at the national Annual General Meeting held toward the end of each calendar year. The 2012 AUJS National Executive is:

Chairperson Daniel Nash Treasurer Lev Cherkasski Political Affairs Director Alexander Polson Development Officer Leya Snider Victoria President Yossi Reicher NSW President Andrew Goldberg WA President Shira Schwartz NZ President Rotem Hochman Small Regions Chair Reuben Bolaffi

AUJS also has a professional staff that ably supports and assists in our activities:

Executive Director Tania Samuels International Programs Director Robbie Dinte Israel Programs Follow Up Co-ordinator Alon Takac Shlichah Leora Golomb

I welcome the opportunity to acknowledge every elected AUJS student leader from our more than twenty five campuses and eight regions, the efforts of whom go largely unnoticed and who have all worked tirelessly this year to bring Jewish life to their individual university campuses. AUJS’s leaders are the future of the Australian Jewish community, and their time at university is exceptionally well spent in starting to engage Jewish young adults with our community.

AUJS in 2012

International programs The ZFA is a key partner in AUJS’s short-term Israel programs. This year, we look forward to again sending three Birthright buses, have already run our successful mid-year AUJS Achshav, and are preparing for Academy to depart in December 2012. Academy is AUJS’s longest-running Israel program and has to date been one of the Jewish community’s most successful ventures in connecting Australian Jewish students with the ancestral Jewish homeland. The growth of Birthright in Australia and the increasing popularity of school Israel programs run by Australia’s Jewish day schools will continue to affect the running of Academy – another short-term program. We look forward to continue working with the ZFA to refine our program offerings in 2013 and into the future.

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Aviv, AUJS’s long-term Israel program, has experienced another year of significant growth. AUJS Aviv had 14 participants in 2010, 45 in 2011 and 54 in 2012 – including nine students from overseas. At the time of publication, AUJS holds over 95 expressions of interest for Aviv 2013 with 76 confirmed registrations. Within three years, AUJS Aviv has grown into the largest long-term Israel program in Australia and we are confident that the participants will continue to enjoy what has consistently proven an exciting and engaging Israel experience.

AUJS’s other international programs are: Volunteer Nepal, which is run in partnership with Jewish Aid; AUJS Heritage Tour to Poland and concluding in Israel; and AUJS’s premier Leadership Development Program – LDP – to Israel the United States and a rotating Diaspora Jewish community. In 2012, LDP will be visiting the United Kingdom. LDP continues to inspire and develop future leaders of AUJS and the Jewish community by offering participants unparalleled access to internationally acclaimed Jewish thinkers, experts and communal leaders. This year, we are sending 10 capable and committed students who will all return to senior leadership positions in the organisation.

In partnership with the ZFA, AUJS in 2012 recruited a part-time Israel Programs Follow Up Co-ordinator in our Melbourne office. Better integrating our program participants into AUJS and the Jewish community upon their return from Israel is an important strategic objective

Conferences Conferences represent one of AUJS’s most effective efforts in connecting Jewish students across Australia and New Zealand.

AUJS annually runs five national conferences: Basic Training, our leadership training conference held in February each year; Winter Retreat, our social conference; Conference 5, our planning and review conference; National Assembly and AGM to elect AUJS’s future leadership; and AUJS’s Political Training Seminar – AUJS PTS – in Canberra.

The present report will elaborate on AUJS PTS 2012. PTS remains AUJS’s best initiative in fostering Jewish student interest in political life, and in advocating for Israel and for the Australian Jewish community. In 2012, AUJS was joined by the federal Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott; Leader of The Nationals, Warren Truss; Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt; Shadow Attorney-General, Senator George Brandis; Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen; former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd; Senator Doug Cameron; Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy and his Shadow, Malcolm Turnbull; the United States Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Jeffrey Bleich; Jewish federal parliamentarians Michael Danby, Mark Dreyfus and Josh Frydenberg; high profile Liberals Andrew Robb from Victoria, and Christopher Pyne and Senator Simon Birmingham from South Australia; adviser to the Prime Minister, Bruce Wolpe; and Australia’s first indigenous member of the House of Representatives, Ken Wyatt.

The most notable, positive feedback distinguishing AUJS PTS 2012 from 2011 was the perspective added by welcoming a greater number of Jewish community leaders. We were particularly privileged to have been joined by the ECAJ’s Peter Wertheim AM, as well as Vic Alhadeff, Jeremy Jones AM and Professor Kim Rubenstein.

More detailed information on each conference is available in the AUJS Annual Report 2012 on the AUJS website.

Campaigns AUJS ran six campaigns nationally in 2012, which were supplemented with the production of further educational material by AUJS’s individual campuses. Our six campaigns were: university Orientation Week, Purim, response to Israel ‘Apartheid’ Week, Yom Ha’Shoah, Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Jewish Awareness Week.

AUJS produced six high quality posters as a response to Israel ‘Apartheid’ Week, with 3000 copies printed in total. The posters were positive and represented a proactive campaign advocating for Israel. The posters featured

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famous quotes from Martin Luther King Jr, who said that Israel is one of the world’s greatest outposts of democracy; Dana International, who won the Eurovision song contest for Israel and is transgender but welcomed in the country; and poet Nathan Alterman, who noted that Israel’s democracy saw a communist Arab serve in the Knesset for 41 consecutive years.

Though the most appropriate form of response for Israel ‘Apartheid’ Week continues to be debated, AUJS’s posters were very positively received by Jewish and non-Jewish students alike on campus. AUJS campus student leaders reported that the posters had gone a long way to reinvigorating Jewish student interest in advocating for Israel. Interest in further local Israel advocacy initiatives and attending our Political Training Seminar in Canberra were encouraged by the year’s early pro-Israel campaign.

Community An important part of AUJS’s activities is encouraging Jewish student involvement in the greater Jewish community. AUJS members and student leaders have continued to participate in the events of local communal roof bodies and their affiliates. Our presidents of AUJS Victoria and AUJS NSW continued to attend, respectively, the ZCV and JCCV – and ZCNSW and Jewish Board of Deputies – Executive meetings and events. I have attended meetings of the ECAJ Committee of Management and of the ZFA Executive. Attendance at these meetings by AUJS student leaders has given invaluable insight into the important work conducted by our community.

On campus AUJS on campus has experienced considerable strengths this year. Membership numbers at several campuses after university Orientation Week 2012 were higher than the total number of members registered at the conclusion of 2011. Dozens of campus events continue to be run across Australasia every month. In addition to our growing membership numbers, AUJS has also seen a sustained interest in attending on campus events. As Jewish students who are not AUJS members are not denied access to AUJS’s events, growing event attendance over the course of 2012 has been another pleasing indicator of AUJS’s successes this year.

Conclusion Much of AUJS’s work would not be possible without the support of our many community partners and friends. I would like to express my sincere thanks to JCA NSW, to our donors and patrons in Victoria and to JCA WA. Thank you to UIA and JNF for their continued generous support as well.

Thank you to the Jewish and Zionist community councils and boards of deputies across Australia and their leadership. We are grateful for the friendship of The Shalom Institute in NSW. Thank you also to Danny Lamm and Peter Wertheim at the ECAJ, who continue to be strong supporters of AUJS and have been readily available with advice and assistance over the course of this year.

Finally, on behalf of the AUJS community, I send my very warm thanks to Philip Chester, Greg Blashki, Ginette Searle, Gili Gafin and the entire ZFA team. The ZFA are our valued partners in AUJS’s Israel programs and in the AUJS Shlichut. Philip and Ginette have continued to be deeply supportive of AUJS’s efforts and of our work as an organisation, and their input into our activities has been very much appreciated indeed. A particular thank you also to the ZFA Israel programs office. The Zionist and Jewish community is sincerely strengthened by Philip’s and Ginette’s leadership. AUJS wishes the ZFA only success for the New Year.

Daniel Nash Chairperson

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AZYC

The Australasian Zionist Youth Council (AZYC) is the roof body organisation that unites the six Zionist Youth Movements operating in Australian and New Zealand; Betar, Bnei Akiva, Habonim Dror, Hashomer Hatza’ir, Hineni and Netzer. The AZYC oversees activities in nine cities over two countries, from Brisbane to Christchurch.

In 2012, the AZYC has seen its role be more defined and unified the movements on particular matters concerning the Jewish community. A number of regular activities of the Council have been revamped and remodelled, together with the introduction of many new initiatives.

Shnat 2012 The Zionist community farewelled 147 shnatties (youth movement yearlong Israel program participants) who left for Israel on one of the various youth movement “Shnat” programs on 30 January 2012. As in past years, the shnatties flew to Israel together and began their shnat adventure together at the AZYC Opening Seminar. The five-day opening seminar serves both as an introduction to their Shnat year and as an introduction to Israel. The shnatties visited Israel’s main cities - Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. Additionally, for the third year in a row, we visited an air force base in the Negev. This once again proved to be a highlight of the seminar.

The shnatties were given a chance to mingle with the people whom they will meet at various times throughout the year and to learn about over the other movements. For some, especially those coming from smaller communities, it was the first time they had encountered some of the youth movements. This naturally led to much stimulating and interesting discussion on various topics from how each movement runs a camp, to the concepts of religious Zionism and secular Zionism.

Advocacy Seminar In its third running, 58 AZYC shnatties were fortunate enough to participate in the joint AZYC/ZFA/StandWithUs advocacy seminar offered to Shnat, IBC and AUJS AVIV participants. As a result of feedback from the previous seminars, the format of the seminar was altered: this year participation in the seminar was optional with two parts - the first on 15-17 April and the second in 11-13 of September. Approximately two thirds of the advocacy participants were from AZYC programs. The program highlights the importance of feedback to create a better program each year and the feedback from this year far exceeded our expectations for a program still in development and we will continue to use this feedback for improvement in the future.

In all, 12 expert speakers informed the participants about a wide range of issues, including a brief history of Israel territory and maps, multiple inside views of Palestinian society, a geo-strategic tour of Jerusalem, international legal issues. Speakers included McGill University Professor Gil Troy; Ministry of Foreign Affairs legal expert Sarah Weiss-Maudi; former Israeli spokeswoman and retired Col. Miri Eisin; and Prime Minister’s Spokesman Mark Regev, who is originally from Australia.

A particular highlight was the meeting with Mark Regev that lasted 30 minutes longer that initially intended. From the feedback, the revamped format of a voluntary, optional seminar suits the AZYC shnatties and is in fact the preferred option, instead of a seminar involving all shnat participants.

The skills and knowledge they are learning on this seminar will be invaluable to the Shnat participants when they return to bogrim of the movement: Being in a youth movement and having ideologies, they know what it's like to 59 | P a g e Zionist Federation of Australia Ltd 45th Biennial Conference Report 2012

believe in something and stand up for what they believe. The AZYC acknowledges that when the Shnat participants come back to Australia they will be confronted by the BDS [Boycott and Divestment Sanctions] and de-legitimisation of Israel and the seminar indisputably gave them an opportunity to learn how to respond.

Advocacy Seminar Follow-up The AZYC has been working in conjunction with Eran Berkovich to coordinate the Advocacy Seminar follow-up in the group formed as “Stand with Israel” to ensure the participants who graduate from the Advocacy Seminars in Israel come back to Australia to a framework where they can work on campus in countering negative Israeli sentiment and also encouraging positive Israeli culture on campus.

Closing seminar For the fourth year the AZYC will run a closing seminar in late October. This seminar is planned in conjunction with a ceremony in Be’er Sheva to mark the contribution of Australian soldiers in combat in the First World War in Palestine. This seminar concludes the year for shnat participants and focuses on their return to their communities and involvement in local Hadracha (leadership positions).

Of note, this year we are engaging with young Be’er Sheva young people on their “Shnat Sherut” (volunteering year) before the army which acts as a positive meeting of young Jews in Israel. Further, the Shnat participants will be exposed to a live re-enactment of the Lighthorse Brigade.

We look forward to planning this seminar with the help of the Zionist Federation in Israel and the continuing support of the Pratt Foundation.

Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy This year marked the completion of the AZYC Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (SCYPP). Over the past few years, the AZYC has acknowledged the need for greater education with regards to child safety amongst youth movement madrichim. The AZYC and the youth movements we represent take seriously our responsibility to create an environment that is caring and safe primarily because we recognise such an environment is essential for educating, empowering and impassioning Jewish youth. Moreover, we are committed to safeguarding children and to ensuring that all young people who attend our activities, camps and seminars are protected from harm.

As a result, the AZYC undertook the difficult, yet extremely critical and rewarding process in documenting policies and procedures with respect to child protection and the physical safety and wellbeing in the youth movements, both on camps on during general weekly activities.

The policy affects all participants across the country in all our affiliated Zionist youth movements and required all madrichim to complete online training in safety and harm prevention.

The policy has a nation-wide child abuse report and allegation scheme to ensure all allegations and reports are taken seriously and dealt with in a consistent and appropriate manner. The policy includes a position on adhering to role boundaries, outside contact, electronic communication, use of language, sexual misconduct and other circumstances.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous support for this project of the Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation and the assistance of the Zionist Federation of Australia whom without their assistance we would be unable to get this project off the ground.

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The AZYC will be officially accredited as an Australian Childhood Foundation Safeguarding Children Organisation at the end of 2012. The ACF has invested much time in understanding AZYC projects, with many meeting and visits to camps and we thank them for their support.

We envisage that this completion of this initial stage of this project will result in creating the best and most relevant policies for AZYC activities and ensuring that our goal of protecting children.

Camps and Meetings The youth movements continue to run summer and winter camps, weekly meeting and various events, and also increase their numbers. Over the summer of 2011/12, approximately 500 madrichim ran camps for close to 3500 school-aged children across Australia and New Zealand.

Today’s movements face a great deal of competition, whether through school activities, sporting activities or simply the growing reliance on technology as a form of entertainment. Madrichim are constantly looking for new ways to market movement activities and to create activities that are engaging for the youth of today. The AZYC continues to assist the movements in these challenges.

BogSem (Bogrim Seminar) A highlight of the AZYC year is Bogrim Seminar (affectionately known as BogSem) - a leadership seminar for all Zionist Youth Movement Madrichim from around Australia and New Zealand. It is a time when the madrichim can come together to share ideas. This year’s BogSem was held in Melbourne over the weekend of the 9 - 12 August, with close to 200 participants. The seminar focused on activism within the community relative to the role of the youth. Question posed to participants were: are we less passionate than we used to be? Does it matter and can we or should we do anything about it?

Of participant highlight on the seminar was a panel on Israel today of which the panel members were Liam Getreu, Johnny Baker, John Searle and Tzvi Fleischer. The debate was about exploring Israel's position as a liberal democracy in light of several recent legislative changes, specifically the Tal law and the Gronis/Ulpana law. It was quite controversial, but highly informative and entertaining. We received questions from the audience sparking a second debate regarding the settlements and what is more important; being a Jewish state, or a liberal democracy. This panel shows the youth movement community is very well equipped for informed debates and highlights the importance of including the movements in the broader community debates relating to these topics.

A further panel discussed the importance and relative educational value of the informal education departments in Mt Scopus, Bialik and King David.

Shnat 2013 The AZYC recently completed interviewing 150 potential Shnatties for the Shnat program in 2013 and anticipate that we will increase our total numbers to 150 (from 140 last year). We look forward to seeing the group off in January 2013.

The AZYC overhauled the Shnat Registration system to ensure that all participants have an easy to use system to register for Shnat. The AZYC also reviewed all partners for Shnat to ensure that participants were receiving the best deal.

Shnat Guidelines Consistent with our goal to ensure the highest levels of safety in all our activities, the AZYC undertook a continuing process of reviewing a common set of guidelines for all movement Shnat programs in Israel. This 61 | P a g e Zionist Federation of Australia Ltd 45th Biennial Conference Report 2012

project is a continuing one which builds off the completion and success of the AZYC Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy. The AZYC has undertaken that these guidelines will protect the Shnat participants of 2013 and beyond by ensuring consistency and transparency of rules and regulations.

Website and Branding The AZYC reviewed its branding and released a new website early in 2012. This was part of our strategy for parents and participants of Movements to understand the role of the AZYC better and provide more resources and content as a roof body.

Concluding Remarks I would like to take the time to thank the AZYC executive and all the madrichim across Australia and New Zealand for their hard work. These people volunteer their time (sometimes putting in hours equivalent to full time work) to organise camps, Israel programs and spectacularly, educationally stimulating activities. These madrichim are the future leaders of our community.

I would also like to thank the Zionist Federation team for their many countless hours of support in varying ways. Their commitment to the youth is appreciated by all facets of the movements we represent. The AZYC team of Reuben Bolaffi (Chairperson), Jackie Lange (Rosh Chinuch), Michael Joffe (Gizbar) and Eran Berkovich (Shaliach Mellave) would not be able to achieve what we do without the help of the ZFA team.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the dedication of outgoing Shaliach Mellave of the AZYC Eran Berkovich who has, in addition to his many responsibilities, given an enormous amount of support to the AZYC. His insight, dedication, patience is invaluable to the Executive, and will be sorely missed by the Zionist youth community as he will be by the broader community.

We look forward many more years of strong youth movement activity in Australia.

Reuben Bolaffi Jackie Lange Michael Joffe Eran Berkovich

Chairperson Rosh Chinuch Gizbar Shaliach Mellave

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FRIENDS OF LIKUD

Friends of Likud Inc. advocates the Jabotinsky Zionist perspective of Israel-related matters in the Australian community.

The association promotes and defends the rights of the Jewish People in and to Eretz Yisrael.

In particular Friends of Likud Inc. emphasises the importance of liberal democracy, economic freedom and a strong defense force to ensure the continued strength of Israel in the future. Friends of Likud Inc. organises events which are addressed by distinguished persons, pursuing topics and areas of interest.

Meetings held in Israel this year with Australian Government ministers, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, include the Hon Bill Shorten, Member for Maribyrnong, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, and the Hon Michael Danby, Federal Member for Melbourne Ports, Greg Sheridan, The Australian's foreign editor also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an exclusive and rare one on one interview.

Friends of Likud Inc. and Betar Parents & Friends support the Betar youth movement to conduct its ongoing activities. Friends of Likud Inc. places immense value on the work done by Betar in inculcating Zionist values and therefore strongly encourages the presence of Betar Australia wide. Grants and fund raising are provided to Betar to enable participants to attend Shnat programs, camps and other activities.

Friends of Likud Inc. has undertaken a major generational project, building a new Caulfield based location (Maon - see above) to be our new home and that of Betar to further develop the success of the movement.

Alex Goodman President

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND OF AUSTRALIA

Last year, the Jewish National Fund known in Hebrew as Keren Kayemeth Le Israel celebrated its 110th anniversary. This is indeed a milestone worth celebrating for the oldest Zionist fund-raising organisation in the world and indeed for the entire Jewish World.

Today, more than ever, the JNF is recognised as the premier environmental organisation in Israel and indeed an important player in international environmental forums. However, aside from its work of promoting an improved and sustainable environment in Israel, JNF continues to maintain its vital role of contributing towards the infra- structural needs of Israel providing opportunities for the sustained growth of communities particularly in the south.

Agricultural research, improved methodology for farming, water management, planting of forests for both recreational and conservation reasons, building of reservoirs, river restoration, establishment of parks, playgrounds, walkways and cycling tracks, the reconstruction of wetlands and a growing number of formal and informal environmental education activities and programs are just some of the many ways in which JNF contributes towards a better lifestyle for those who live in Israel.

Australian JNF has responded to a variety of needs in Israel ranging from the development and expansion of entire regions, to specific donor projects and partnership projects for the building of reservoirs, water treatment and river rehabilitation and the transformation of arid desert land into productive lands providing produce for local consumption and exports.

Following our successful projects in the Bnei Shimon region which saw the population more than double thanks to additional water resources and other JNF contributions towards making the region more sustainable, JNF Australia shifted its focus towards the Sha’ar Ha Negev region situated on the Gaza border. From security plantings along the border to shield communities from rocket fire to landscaping at the school and planned water reclamation facilities at 4 kibbutzim in the region, JNF Australia continues to make a difference to living conditions in these vulnerable communities.

Our ANZAC projects are at a well advanced stage with many of the sites already displaying signage and interpretive information for the benefit of all interested in this period of history where the ANZAC troops played such an important role in paving the way for the Balfour Declaration following the defeat of the Ottomans.

This initiative also provides an excellent opportunity for the further enhancing of the special ties that exist between Australia and Israel as well as becoming a focal point for tourists, historians and others interested in recapturing the past whilst taking cognisance of the present.

Education remains an important aspect of our activities in Australia and our contribution to the community, especially the youth, has been enhanced by our education officers. This year, JNF played a prominent role in the ZFA’s Educators’ Conference and we hope to build on this relationship towards ensuring the best possible Zionist education for Australian Jewish youth.

Aside from the core projects funded through our major campaign, other key sources of funding remain Bequests, our traditional Blue Box activities, Green Sunday and Special Projects. It is worth noting that Australian JNF is the only Diaspora operation showing growth in Blue Box collections and this is a fine example of how JNF Australia has been able to combine traditional grassroots support whilst developing larger donations for specific projects. 64 | P a g e Zionist Federation of Australia Ltd 45th Biennial Conference Report 2012

The JNF of Australia continues to show growth in a very competitive market and our message of promoting improved living conditions in Israel through environmentally sustainable projects is ever more relevant in a world where climate change is a real challenge facing all of us - challenges that to some degree, KKL-JNF has already been addressing for many years. Additionally, we are excited that our facilitation for the sharing of KKL-JNF’s expertise in the environmental arena between Australia and Israel is bearing fruit. The initiative promoted by JNF in Vic, in collaboration with Monash University for harvesting storm water and refurbishing Israel’s aquifers has now been extended into the introduction of the successful “Water Sensitive Cities” concept for application in Israel. This type of facilitation and cooperation through JNF adds to the biblical adage of Israel being a “light unto the nations” with the flame being fuelled through the efforts of JNF countries around the world amongst which JNF Australia is at the forefront, providing solutions – both practical and through research and funding – for environmental challenges that face not only Israel but many other countries around the world. On a structural level, since the last biennial, JNF Australia has adopted a new constitution to help pave the way for a more streamlined and effective operation. In this regard, there have also been some personnel changes with Rob Schneider stepping down shortly as JNF CEO after 13 years of distinguished service. It is possible that once his successor is in place, that Rob will continue his association with JNF in a regional role within the broader organization. In NSW, Ygal Shapir arrived at the end of 2010 as KKL Shaliach and NSW State Executive Director. In Victoria, long time State Executive Director Joe Krycer has recently been succeeded by Mickey Sahar who is also a KKL Shaliach. Following the retirement of Peter Windholz as JNF Vic Bequest Director, Joe Krycer has taken over these responsibilities along with the coordination of the Water Sensitive Cities initiative referred to earlier. The JNF looks forward to continuing the partnership we enjoy with fellow Zionist and Jewish communal organizations in Australia and of course with our parent organization KKL and through them with the State of Israel and other Diaspora communities.

Michael Naphtali AM

National President

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MACCABI AUSTRALIA

Maccabi Australia together with our affiliated member states and clubs exist to promote Jewish identity and continuity - connecting our Jewish community through sport. Our objectives are:  To perpetuate and preserve the Australian Jewish community by developing and promoting the opportunity for Jewish athletes to share their identity through sport  To promote participation in sport by providing the opportunity for Jewish athletes to compete in a range of carnivals and sporting events at the state, national and international level.  To work actively to support programs that embodies the Maccabi ideals of Jewish continuity, support for the state of Israel and excellence in sport.  To engender community support and trust through a framework of open, transparent and accountable management practices whilst maintaining a “not for profit” objective.

Our MAI Board Consists of:

Lisa Borowick President Barry Smorgon OAM Chairman Joe Dorfman President Maccabi Victoria Dr Yvonne Fayman Website Development & Branding Max Futeran President Maccabi NSW Tom Goldman OAM Marketing & PR Jeff Houseman National Sport Sydney Kahn Treasurer Sam Parasol OAM Strategic Development Harry Procel International Sport Jeff Sher Leadership

State Member Presidents Joshua Magnus Maccabi Queensland Jeremy Raiter Maccabi Western Australia Joe Dorfman President Maccabi Victoria Max Futeran President Maccabi NSW

Office Staff Ellana Aarons has taken on the role of General Manager of Maccabi Australia, incorporating day to day needs of Maccabi Australia and the Maccabiah Team. She is ably supported by Dion Esterman and Simone Starikov across all Maccabi Australia projects.

Our Activities: Every week hundreds of Parents “schlepp” their children to participate in Maccabi Club activities. These teams provide an opportunity for Jewish Children to connect and form lifelong friendships. Many graduate to our Open and Masters Teams. Our Event calendar includes an annual Junior Sports Carnival, the Maccabi Australia Games, and participation in the Maccabiah, interstate sports challenges and Maccabi Regional events. 2011/12 was another busy year for MAI.

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30th Junior Sports Carnival – Brisbane January 2012 After 25 years, Maccabi Queensland played host to the 2012 Junior Carnival, working to reinvigorate the community across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with 180 participants enjoying this outstanding Carnival. The wonderful new initiative termed “community day” was continued to Junior Carnival. On the Sunday participants volunteered and learnt about Guide Dogs Australia, Queensland Police and Community Security Group.

13th European Games, Vienna July 2011. MAI endeavours to attend and support all Regional Games. We sent a small team including open futsal and masters tennis. Our Futsal team managed by Peter Grunfeld won Gold in this blue ribbon event, as did our masters tennis player Ilan Kogus. It was a privilege for those who attended to be part of this great event in Vienna, most specifically the emotional Opening Ceremony.

12th Pan American Games, Sao Paolo Brazil December 2011. Australia was once again represented at these Games. We were pleased to take a competitive Open Women’s Football team, a small team of Tennis players, a beach volleyball team as well as swimming, table tennis and golf representatives. The Games were a resounding success, and we look forward to Australia’s continued involvement at the Pan Ams.

Maccabi Sports Leadership Program Maccabi Australia has committed significant resources to the 2013 Maccabi Sports Leadership Program. Jeff Sher has worked tirelessly with the Zionist Federation of Australia and Maccabi World Union to develop a wonderful program that we have commenced marketing to the Australian target market of 17-20 year olds. Thank you to Carlos Tapiero and Roy Hessing of Maccabi World Union for their assistance, and we are particularly excited about the link into the Maccabiah.

Website and Social Media – www.maccabi.com.au Following our formal launch last year, developments of the website continue to be implemented. We now have full online registration, event and nomination processes available to all our member states and clubs. This will facilitate online registrations for our Maccabiah team for the first time. Facebook continues to be a wonderful tool for maccabi Australia to connect with its membership and the general community, now with more than 2500 friends.

Constitutional Reform

At the MAI AGM in late 2011, the member states of Maccabi Australia voted in a new constitution.

Maccabi Australia Award Winners

Maccabi Australia congratulates the following recipients of the Maccabi Australia Jewish Sports Awards for efforts during 2011:

Outstanding Jewish Sportsman Steven Solomon (NSW-Athletics) Outstanding Jewish Sportswoman Ashley Brown (VIC – Football/Soccer) Outstanding Jewish Junior Sportsman David Horowitz (NSW – Rugby) and Jordan Brown (VIC – Football/Soccer) Outstanding Jewish Junior Sportswoman Elizabeth Baral (NSW – Athletics) Outstanding Jewish Masters Sportsman Roy Vandersluis (NSW – Golf)

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Outstanding Jewish Masters Sportswoman Denese Brick (VIC – Lawn Bowls) Outstanding Maccabi Sportswoman Jemima Montag (VIC – Athletics) Outstanding Maccabi Administrator Peter Grunfeld (NSW) Future Events:

31st Junior Sports Carnival – Sydney 15-22 January 2013 Junior Carnival will be returning to Sydney in 2013. We are delighted that the Sydney Jewish Community is excited about hosting this special event. Organising Manager Danny Hochberg and his team are diligently working to ensure the success of these Games.

19th Maccabiah Games – Israel July 17-30 2013 Planning is well under way for our attendance at these Games. Our Head of Delegation Harry Procel has already assembled a fantastic Management Team. For only the second time in Maccabiah History the opening Ceremony will be held at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on 18th July 2013. We anticipate a large number of Australians attending this ceremony

The challenge ahead Our community continues to be challenged by rising assimilation and apathy toward our religion and Israel. Our sportspeople are spoiled for choice and demand better facilities & coaching. Maccabi is determined to meet these challenges with an increased focus on efficiency, transparency and professionalism.

I encourage members of our community to join a team, volunteer at a local Club or help manage an event. Play your part in helping to keep our community connected. I hope each of you will derive as much enjoyment from Jewish sport as I have over the past 34 years.

With Maccabi Greetings Lisa Borowick President October 2012

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MERCAZ MASORTI

This year has seen further consolidation and development of the 2 Masorti congregations in Australia, with plans for the construction of new buildings for each and growing interest in other cities.

Mercaz-Masorti Australasia, the regional umbrella organisation of our movement, has been strengthened, including the appointment of an Executive Director. A new regional Beit Din has been formally established to provide spiritual leadership to our movement and a distinct Masorti rabbinic voice to the broader Jewish community.

Important steps in building outreach to a traditional community ideally suited to the Masorti approach to Jewish life.

John Furstenberg

President

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MIZRACHI

Mizrachi, an affiliate of World Mizrachi and the Religious Zionist Movement, supports and promotes a Modern Orthodox and Zionist philosophy to its members and the wider Jewish community.

Minyanim: Six minyanim: Beit HaRoeh, Beit Midrash, Beit Yehuda, Bnei Akiva, Nachalat David and a Shabbat Hashkamah minyan, running on our Balaclava Road campus, are flourishing under the guidance and leadership of the Mara D’atra of the Organisation, Rabbi Yaakov Sprung, supported by Reb Leor Broh and Rav Dudi Winkler. Two shacharit minyanim, a combined minchah/ma’ariv and a second later Ma’ariv service run daily on the Balaclava Road campus. Elsternwick Jewish Community synagogue, based on our Leibler Yavneh College campus, also runs daily services under the guidance of Rabbi Chaim Cowen.

Youth: Mizrachi runs Tefilah groups for kindergarten age to Grade 6 age children on Shabbat mornings. In addition, our Beit Midrash team runs an Avot U’Banim programme, called veshinantam levanecha, to encourage parents to learn with their primary school-aged sons and daughters. The after-Shabbat programme has numbers of 45-65 children plus parents and grandparents.

Kosher Australia: Kosher Australia currently provides Kosher certification to approximately 400 manufacturers throughout the Asia-Pacific region (which produce over 10,000 Kosher products), 1 butcher, 17 bakeries and restaurants, 15 caterers and function halls. A run of 3,500 Kosher Australia Food Guides were printed this year, reflecting the growing number of Kosher consumers in Victoria and Australia-wide. In 2011 we launched our upgraded website which allows subscribers real-time access to our lists of products and services and provide the latest information on kosher-related matters.

Kollel Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash and Midrashah: The Beit Midrash / Midrashah continue to thrive under our Rosh Kollel Rav Dudi Winkler and his wife Chani. A large number of young people and ba’alei batim attend shiurim on a nightly basis and shiurim are delivered by a variety of rabbis or scholars. In August, four new post-Hesder bachurim arrived to supplement the programme and their positive impact is already been felt throughout the Mizrachi community. Rabbi Sprung continues to enhance the knowledge and observance of Torah within the Mizrachi membership as well as the wider community through almost daily shiurim for men, women and young adults. Taking into account the Beit Midrash and Midrashah programmes and the Daf Yomi and Mishnah Yomit daily shiurim, the timetable of shiurim published in the weekly newsletter lists a staggering 40 public shiurim on offer each week.

Charity Fund / Sick visiting / Hospitality: Mizrachi raises and disburses over $145,000 annually to families in need of food, health and rental assistance, based on stringent Australian Taxation Office criteria of people in need. Unfortunately, the number of requests we receive is increasing. The Fund coordinates requests with the two other major Jewish charitable funds in Melbourne to ensure that the Jewish community’s funds are distributed equitably. Mizrachi also coordinates hundreds of sick visits throughout the year, primarily in Cabrini Hospital, some visits in The Alfred and approximately a dozen home visits each week.

Eruv: Mizrachi maintains a strong role in the ongoing maintenance and development of the Eruv established in 1995.

Publicity: The activities of all of the above arms of the organisation are promoted to the wider Jewish Community through the weekly Mizrachi Matters newsletter emailed to over 1200 people.

Ian Waller SC

President

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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN AUSTRALIA

It gives me great pleasure to present the NCJWA report to the ZFA Biennial Conference. National Council of Jewish Women of Australia is currently in its 89th year. Our broad platform includes Community Service, Status of Women issues, Israel, Interfaith and Intercultural activities and Education. We work for the Jewish and general communities locally, nationally and internationally.

The NCJWA Quadrennial Conference was held in Melbourne from 29 May to 1 June 2011, with the theme Challenging Boundaries. We were very pleased that the President of the International Council of Jewish Women, Sharon Gustafson, from USA, was able to join us and take an active role in the conference. As well as delegates from around Australia there were also 3 delegates from New Zealand. At the Opening Cocktails, the NCJWA Woman of Achievement Award was presented to Dr Helen Light AM, in the presence of the Ambassador of Israel, Yuval Rotem, and other distinguished guests and delegates. At the Closing Dinner many tributes were paid to outgoing National President, Rysia Rozen OAM, for her outstanding contribution, and Di Hirsh OAM was installed as the new National President for the next 4 years.

The empowerment of women is an important part of our platform, and this is demonstrated by our affiliations to Equality Rights Alliance and Australian Women Against Violence Alliance, two of the National Women’s Alliances funded by the Australian Government and supported by the Office for Women, as well as Stop the Traffik, an international organisation that fights against the trafficking of people worldwide, and the Australian Women’s Coalition, a national coalition of women’s organisations. Our Mum for Mum program that is run in Sydney and Melbourne is an outstanding example of our support for women throughout the wider community. Volunteers are trained by paid social workers and paired to new mothers who are isolated from their support network for some reason, as someone they can turn to and talk with, about their concerns.

We continue to work for the rights of Jewish women also, especially with ongoing support for agunot. Taanit Esther, the fast a day before Purim, each year has been designated as International Agunah Day by the International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW), to raise awareness of the plight of agunot. We send information to rabbis around Australia and next year hope to include the Jewish Day Schools also. This year we spoke out about the discrimination against women in Israel by some members of the Haredi communities. We were heartened to read of the condemnation of this behaviour, by the Prime Minister of Israel and other leaders, but we must continue to demonstrate our support for women wherever gender discrimination occurs.

Our interfaith and intercultural involvement is very strong in our sections around Australia. We interact with women, and also men, of other faiths and cultures in a variety of ways, holding interfaith celebrations of Jewish festivals, interfaith discussions on many topics and also participating in interfaith events in the wider community. It is an important aspect of the work of NCJWA to reach out to people of other cultures and backgrounds, to help them understand our customs and traditions, as well as giving us the opportunity to learn more about them.

Earlier this year a few NCJWA leaders attended the ICJW European Conference that was held in Berlin. We heard from many excellent speakers about the growth of the Jewish community in Germany since World War 2, almost entirely from the former Soviet Union, about the rising anti-semitism in some countries in Europe, especially in Hungary and Spain, and about the current concerns of Jewish communities in Europe. The outstanding keynote speaker at the conference was Beate Klarsfeld, a non-Jewish woman born in Berlin who has spent her life together with her Jewish husband fighting anti-semitism and exposing Nazis.

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We strongly support Israel through our active involvement with ZFA at national level and with the state Zionist councils through our sections, as well as through our national Israel projects: ILAN ( supporting children with disabilities), Haifa Rape Crisis Center, Haifa University Ethiopian Women’s Fund (in memory of Dr Geulah Solomon z’’l) and ongoing support for JNF. NCJWA NSW in particular has played a leading role in organising Celebrating Israel events on the anniversary of the UN Declaration of the Establishment of Israel, in November each year.

We are currently planning an NCJWA tour of our projects in Israel from 24 April to 3 May 2013. A highlight of the tour will be the dedication of our latest JNF project, a playground in Golda Park, part of the Anzac Trail south of Beersheva, which will be held on Anzac Day. Please contact me, [email protected] , if you are interested to join us.

Next year NCJWA will be celebrating 90 years of service to the community and working for the empowerment of women and for Israel. There will be celebrations in NSW where Dr Fanny Reading established the organisation and in Brisbane when we gather for our national Plenary, to which the community will be invited to join us for the celebrations.

We represent many Jewish women around Australia and have strong connections with Jewish women around the world through our active involvement in ICJW. A number of our leaders have executive positions on ICJW. We are inspired by the words of our founder, Dr Fanny Reading MBE: “Women working together can achieve anything”.

We congratulate Philip and Ginette for their outstanding work representing the Australian Jewish Community. We are very pleased to play an active role in ZFA and we wish Philip and Ginette every success in the future in their vital work.

Di Hirsh OAM

National President

NCJWA Ltd

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UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDIASM

The period under review has been a time of innovation and consolidation for the UPJ. Our commitment to regional representation has continued with the establishment of an “Asian Forum” and we have redoubled our efforts to work as closely as possible with our partner organisations here, in Israel and around the world, naturally including the Zionist Federation of Australia.

Awards: Each year we present awards to outstanding and long-serving volunteers in our congregations. These awards reflect the wonderful spirit of enthusiasm and dedication which is the hallmark of so many of our congregations. This year’s winners include Sue Morgan (TBI); Mark Ginsburg (NSTE); Leon and Sue Goldwater (Beth Shalom) and Tony Leverton (BPJC).

The UIA Progressive Trust: This annual campaign continues is vital in providing financial support for the work of the WUPJ, especially its work to welcome and integrate Refugees and Migrants arriving from around the world. Thanks to the work of a small group of dedicated volunteers we continue to send significant amounts of money to Israel via the UIA Refugee Relief Fund. This also allows resources to go to support the development of Progressive congregations in Israel as no government funds are provided to Progressive institutions.

World Union for Progressive Judaism: In addition to having three representatives on the WUPJ Executive Board: Philip Bliss (Vice-Chairman), Phyllis Dorey and Ian Samuel, President David Robinson has now joined the Finance Committee and our Honorary Secretary, Sharene Hambur, is chairing the Programming Committee for the forthcoming “Connections” conference in Jerusalem in May 2013.

Congregations: It is gratifying to report on the continued growth of Progressive congregations in our region and in Israel including the congregation of S’dot Zehav in Bendigo, Victoria and we are about to welcome our first “roof body” members, Progressive Judaism Victoria and the NSW Board of Progressive Jewish Education. We are currently providing High Holyday Services in Shanghai, China. The breadth of services provided by our member congregations is a source of great pride.

Communication: Educating and informing our members and the wider community has continued through our online magazine, Gal Chadash (“New Wave”), regular mail outs on matters of interest and an upgrade of our website to make it as user-friendly as possible as well as a destination for anyone interested in Judaism and a link to our affiliates and partners.

Community representation: The UPJ is represented at every level of community leadership and involvement at State, Federal and regional levels, including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) and State Zionist Councils, as well as involvement in numerous interfaith and lobbying groups where members of our movement hold positions of leadership.

Social Action & Advocacy: This year saw the establishment of our Religious Action and Advocacy Centre (JRAAC) based on the highly successful centres in America and Israel, the Centre is producing statements on issues of importance locally and in Israel. At the launch in May we were joined, via Internet, by Rabbi David Saperstein (RAC) in Washington DC and Anat Hoffman (IRAC) in Jerusalem. Statements on important issues, while not always agreed by all, clearly reflect the vital values of social justice and Tikkun Olam.

Gatherings: Following the outstanding success of our 80th anniversary biennial in Canberra, under the chairmanship of Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio, a small committee has prepared our biennial conference in Sydney, October 2012, around the theme of “Sh’ma Koleinu” “Hear our voices; Share our stories.”

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Leadership development: The commitment to develop new leadership remained a priority, with 3 delegates sent to the Beutel programme at the Saltz Centre in Jerusalem; scholarships for other development programmes; and assisting in sending a young delegate to the ARZENU Seminar in Israel.

Moetzah: The Council of Progressive Rabbis is a vital and integral part of the UPJ. Together with the rabbis, we constantly review religious practice and policy in order to remain relevant to our congregations and involved in interfaith activities and social advocacy issues.

Visitors: During the period under review we had outstanding Guest Speakers. In August 2011, foremost Israeli human and social rights worker and Executive Director of the Israel Centre for Religious Action, Anat Hoffman; in January 2012 Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman of the World Zionist Organisation; in May Noa Sattath, Operations Director of the Israel Religious Action Centre; and, in October Hagai Elad, the Executive Director of the Association of Civil Rights in Israel, one of the foremost human rights organisations in the country.

Professional development: As part of our commitment to maintaining and developing the calibre of the professionals serving our community we have continued to actively encourage and support a number of people training as rabbis, cantors or Jewish educators. The UPJ provides loans to those undertaking approved courses and these funds are converted into grants as the person returns and works in the region.

Netzer: The UPJ’s support for Netzer has been maintained including financial support and ensuring involvement in many aspects of the lives of the UPJ congregations. The Netzer programmes of outreach to smaller communities in Australia and New Zealand have been most successful and we see our support for Netzer as a wonderful investment in the future of the Jewish community.

Internship: Thanks to a most generous donation we established an Intern programme in conjunction with the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. Our first Intern, Shmuely Slater, spent 4 months in Israel, working in the Israel Religious Action Centre and developing a congregation “Twinning” programme.

Shlichut: With the support of Netzer Olami and the ZFA we maintain our tradition of outstanding shlichim. Lior Argaman has made a tremendous contribution to the Victorian community. In August 2012 we said “Farewell” to NSW Shlicha Anat Baruch who, during the past year, was recognised by the Jewish Agency as one the outstanding shlichim worldwide. We have just welcomed the incoming NSW Community Shaliach, Yuval Nemirovsky and his wife Inna. The UPJ remains committed to maintaining a strong programme of shlichut as well as exploring other means of creating closer ties with Israel.

The Centre for Living Judaism: Our partnership with the King David School (KDS) and Progressive Judaism Victoria (PJV) in establishing the Centre for Living Judaism (CLJ) has already proven to be a most successful and productive venture. Under the guidance of Rabbi Gersh Lazarow the initial Fellows have already made tremendous impact in our region and, through visits, provided wonderful programmes and events for a number of congregations.

Musicians’ Network: Thanks to the energy and expertise of Judy Campbell and Marshall Voit the UPJ Musician’s Network has continued to grow and we in discussion with the Temple Musicians’ Guild (USA) to find a way of providing affiliation and enabling our musicians to benefit from their expertise and resources.

UPJ Cultural Fund: After some time in formation, and with grateful thanks to Arnold Bloch Leibler, we have successfully established a Cultural Fund for the UPJ which we hope to be operational in the next few months.

Administration: Improving efficiency and effectiveness in administration has been manifested in a number of ways during this year, particularly through the use of technology in order to minimize costs and achieve efficiency in our administrative work.

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Search & mediation: As our congregations have developed over this period there have been a significant number of searches for new Rabbis, Cantors and Educators and we have been please to assist. There have been a number of disputes within congregations where we have offered objective mediation and support.

Va’ad: A small committee of the honorary officers was established to meet on a regular basis and address day-to- day matters and to make decisions on behalf, and subject to, the approval of the Executive committee.

Mission to Poland & Israel: In April 2012, the UPJ, ARZA and Emanuel Synagogue co-hosted a most successful Mission to Poland and Israel focusing on the Shoah, the growth of Progressive Jewish life since that time, and in Israel included the commemoration of important “Yamim”; meetings with the leaders of the Progressive movement and of the Australian and Israeli Governments, as well as first-hand experience of the major social issues facing Israeli society. We are planning to repeat it in 2013 with the trip culminating with the participants attending the WUPJ’s “Connection” conference May 1-5.

Conclusion: This past year has seen our links with the WUPJ and the IMPJ strengthen as we continue to explore new ways of ensuring that that Progressive Judaism will continue to grow in our region, Israel and around the world.

David Robinson

UPJ President

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UNITED ISRAEL APPEAL AUSTRALIA

The Australia campaign continues to be noted as one of the best KH-UIA campaigns in the world, as despite the difficult financial times over the past years we have continued to raise significant amounts.

During the past two years we have continued to have the privilege of a number of excellent Israeli, American and local speakers for our state campaigns.

To name just a few, Denis Prager, well known author and radio broadcaster, the Hon Tony Abbot MHR, Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Government, Mr Ted Ballieu MLA Premier of Victoria, Our own World Chairman of Keren Hayesod Eliezer (Moodi) Sandberg, Australian born IDF office Captain Benjamin Rutland, Head of the NATO desk, IDF Strategic Division, Brigadier General (res) Michael Herzog, Michelle Rojas-Tal, Israel-based Diaspora education manager for the advocacy organisation “StandWithUs” together with a number of Israeli & local speakers from the various projects supported by the Australian campaign.

These fundraising meetings were augmented by holding information meetings in conjunction with AIJAC to keep our donors informed about Israel. One in particular was held with Dr Danel Pipes.

During 2011 – 12 our Schlichim, Fentahun Assefa-Dawit in NSW, Amit Tsur-Tal in Victoria and Ofer Simchony in West Australia have continued their excellent work for Israel with their local communities. We have recently farewelled Fentahun Assefa-Dawit from the NSW campaign and now welcome the two new Schichim in NSW Roni Shorer and Sagi Ben-Yosef.

The Partnership 2000 Project continues to flourish. Our partnership is with the central Arava Region which extends from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea. The Partnership works closely with the Regional council, identifying strategies that will enhance the attraction of the region to new settlers, particularly immigrants.

The Exchange program of teacher and students with Bialik College, King David School and Moriah co-operation has continued with benefits for both Israeli and local participants. In particular 66 Bialik College students 10 King David School students spent 6 days in the Arava.

Our program of interesting federal missions to Israel has continued. They have included the annual June and December family missions, the Key Workers’ Mission and the Yom Ha’atzmuat Mission. As well we added a new successful mission the B’nei Mitzvah Mission held in 2012 with 45 participants.

Finally, I wish to thank all of our Australian UIA donors who through their strong and continuing support of Israel make this campaign the most successful in the world, and thereby bring message of hope to our Jewish people throughout the world. We commit ourselves to continuing our efforts and further consolidating the partnerships between the State of Israel and the Australian Jewish Community.

JACK SMORGON AO President UIA Australia

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WIZO AUSTRALIA

WIZO Australia’s President is Gilla Liberman and Honorary Treasurer is Michelle Spiro with the WIZO Australia office situated in Sydney. WIZO NSW is led by President, Gloria Newhouse. WIZO Victoria’s President is Sylvia Green. Miriam Millingen is President of WIZO South Australia and Anne Topelberg represents Western Australia. Linda Briner is President of WIZO Queensland. All State Presidents are also Vice Presidents of the Federation. Jo Gostin (Melbourne) is Immediate Past President.

WIZO Worldwide WIZO has grown as a non-party, world-wide movement of 250,000 women in 50 Federations world-wide, with its headquarters in Israel. It is an international women’s movement that is led and managed by women volunteers. WIZO has had consultative status at the UN since 1959 with ECOSOC (Economic and Social Commission), and from 1960 with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Education Fund). Today, WIZO in Israel maintains a comprehensive network of 800 services and projects for the care of children, youth, families and the elderly from all sections of the community. All of WIZO’s services fulfill vital social welfare needs and many of WIZO’s facilities are specifically designed to assist in the integration of the vast number of immigrants who have come to Israel during the past 60 years.

WIZO is an acknowledged leader in the field of child care and maintains 178 projects for children of pre-school age. Over 14,000 toddlers attend WIZO’s Day Care Centres. For teenagers, WIZO conducts 11 secondary agricultural and vocational schools, at which 6,600 pupils prepare for careers ranging from agriculture to computer technology and from electronics to secretarial skills.

WIZO runs 54 youth clubs throughout Israel and some 22,000 youngsters find opportunities for supervised study, recreation, sport and friendship. WIZO’s work for the women of Israel is centred on 200 women’s clubs, including several that cater especially for Arab, Druze, Bedouin and Caucasian women.

WIZO is actively involved in advancing the status of women in Israel, with a committee for the advancement of women in politics and 4 information centres on women’s rights. WIZO has also established schools for political leadership in Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva and Haifa to train women for political office. We provide a wide range of services for families, which include shelters and a hotline service for battered women and centres for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence. WIZO’s services extend through to the Third Age, with 100 social clubs and sheltered employment clubs, a parents’ home and a phone-in assistance service.

WIZO is also instrumental in proposing legislation to assist women Israel. These include the Family and Equal Rights for Women Act in 1951 and the Common Property Law and the Inheritance Law.

Tour to Israel and Extended General Meeting In January 2012 a delegation of 27 Aussies led by Gilla Liberman, President WIZO Australia visited our WIZO projects and attended the 25th Extended General Meeting along with approximately 800 people from 32 countries.

We began our pre conference tour with a cocktail party at the residence of the Australian Ambassador to Israel, Ms Andrea Faulkner. This was attended by many of the World WIZO Executive.

Our first visit was to our flagship project WIZO Ahuzat Yeladim, our special residential school in Haifa. WIZO Australia has enabled huge improvements to all the dormitories as well as improving other facilities for the children. Last year we opened a special dormitory, Ahuzat Ha’aktana (Mini Ahuzat) housing 15 children from 7-11 who have had to be removed from their families because it is not safe for them to remain at home.

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At the Korsunski Youth Club in Kfar Saba we saw the renovations we have made which enable up to 200 children to come to the club for a range of activities, ranging from homework help, access to computers, gym, dance classes, art classes to name a few.

At WIZO Australia’s Chorley Day Care Centre in Ra’anana we saw the newly renovated playgrounds and the internal improvements to the kitchen and bathrooms. In Modiin we visited our brand new Tom and Rae Mandel Women’s Centre which provides counselling for single parents, girls at risk women in abusive relationships as well as running a second hand clothing shop.

The Raya Jaglom Day Care Centre in central Tel Aviv has just become a Multipurpose Day Care Centre which means that one of the classes attends from 7 am to 7 pm, with the children given hot meals, showers and counselling for parents if there are problems at home. We also visited our Day Care Centre in Rishon L’Tzion. It was inspiring to see the improvements we have made to the playgrounds so far.

Following the tour we attended the EGM. Helena Glaser stepped down after her excellent 8 year term of office as World President and elections were held where Tova Ben Dov, who had successfully completed her job as Chairperson, was elected as World President. Professor Rivka Lazovsky was elected as the new Chairperson of World WIZO.

The theme of the conference was ‘Creating a New Tomorrow’ and that of course is what we do. By supplying education, protection, counselling services etc we are creating a new tomorrow for the people in our care.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres and Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom who both spoke glowingly of WIZO’s work. We had excellent panels and guest speakers over the four days talking about Diaspora- Israel Relations; today’s Zionism- facing tomorrow; Israel’s Economic strength; Challenges to the image of the State of Israel; Israel’s Strength and National Security- Looking toward Tomorrow. Speakers of the caliber of Danny Gillerman, former Israeli Ambassador to the UN; Tzipi Livni, Head of the Opposition and Chairperson Kadima Party; and Rona Ramon, wife of Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut who died on the space ship Columbus, addressed us.

Some disturbing facts we heard were that according to the well respected National Insurance Institute annual report, one in three Israelis is now living below the poverty line. According to Gila Oshrat the new WIZO Israel Chairperson, Israel is 33rd out of 34 developed countries in the OECD in poverty levels. The cutbacks in social services have affected the number and quality of services and led to growth in the poverty ratio and widening social gaps. Women and children are the first to suffer from poverty, distress and violence.

The social protests which broke out during summer 2011, with 400,000 Israelis marching and living in tents demanded a change in national priorities, obtainable housing, free education for children from the age of 3, decent medical care and adequate welfare services, reforms to lower taxes and a stop to governmental privatization and corruption.

The social protests resulted in the establishment by PM Netanyahu of a commission looking into why Early Age Education needs to be subsidized. WIZO participated in the Pram and Stroller demonstration of mothers demanding free education for their children. In January, the Knesset approved a plan to fund free education for children over the age of three as of the new school year beginning September 2012. Of course, our Day Care Centres are attended by babies from the age of 3 months so this doesn’t solve the funding problem but it is a start.

Today, WIZO is as vital, pioneering and pertinent as ever. It deals with new challenges with the knowledge that its membership worldwide will always be there to support this very important work. This was evident when the call was made that WIZO needed to build bomb shelters in four of our Day Care Centres in the South. Responses came

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from all over the world including Australia. We are proud of our 90 years of blessed work to benefit the people and society of Israel.

WIZO Australia is grateful for the support and generosity of its members and friends and together we continue to MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Gilla Liberman

President, WIZO

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