Jewish Museum of Australia Gandel Centre of Judaica Annual Report 2011 Jewish Museum of Australia Annual Report 2011 Patron Sir Zelman Cowen AK GCMG GCVO QC (z”l) Contents Founding Life President Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky AM (z”l) 03 Board of Directors Report Life President Zelda Rosenbaum OAM Board of Governors Report Patrons JMA Bequest Program 04 Jewish Museum of Australia Board Members Lady Anna Cowen, June Helmer 05 Director's Report 06 Highlights of 2011 08 Organisational Structure 2011 09 Organisational Self-Assessment Report MUSEUM STAFF 10 Museum Activities • The Collection • Exhibitions • Programs Rebecca Forgasz Director • Schools Education • Short Courses – • Development Lior Albeck-Ripka Marketing and 18 Volunteers Communications Manager 20 Treasurer's Report and Financial Snapshot (Acting) Annette Bagle 21 Visitation Statistics 2011 Administration Officer 22 The Impact of the Museum Marien Ballesteros Accounts Officer 23 Donors and Supporters 2011 Jenny Better Schools Education Coordinator Anna Epstein Guest Curator and Editor of Journal Susan Faine Curator, Collections Efrat Goldberg In memory of Events Coordinator Sir Zelman Cowen Adriana Gomberg Public Programs Coordinator AK GCMG GCVO QC Leah Justin 1919 – 2011 Short Courses Coordinator Ruth Lew In 2011 the Jewish Museum of Australia mourned the Development Manager passing of Sir Zelman Cowen, a distinguished and Jane Manallack influential figure in Australian history and a patron of the Exhibitions Coordinator Museum for 30 years. Sir Zelman is celebrated for his many social, political and academic achievements but above all for Anat Meiri Exhibitions Project Manager always identifying as a proud Jew and a proud Australian. David Michael In 2012 the Museum will open the Zelman Cowen Gallery Graphic and Web Designer of Australian Jewish History which will feature a new, Meryl Rood permanent exhibition entitled Calling Australia Home. Administrator It will cover Jewish settlement in Australia from 1788 until Adrian Rutko the present day and explore the key issues and challenges Security that have shaped the community over time. Jess Rynderman Exhibition Curator Sandra Saks Sunday Supervisor Charla Smith Executive Assistant Cover Image Jenny Thompson Benjamin family register, 1852 Finance and Operations Donated by Beatrice Bowie, a daughter of Manager Helen Beatrice Benjamin, Jewish Museum of Tanya Warms Australia Collection 13569 Volunteers Coordinator Board of Directors Board of Governors NEGBA WEISS-DOLEV JOHN GANDEL AO PRESIDENT CHAIR 2011 has seen the Jewish Museum of Australia take another major The responsibility of the Board of Governors is all important as we strategic step forward. The Board has been fully committed to, continue to face uncertain economic times internationally. We are involved with and enthusiastic about working with our Museum assiduous in ensuring that the property and assets of the Museum Director, Rebecca Forgasz and her team on the Organisational are being properly and effectively administered. The Board of Self-Assessment and delighted with the outcomes as represented Governors is completely satisfied with the way in which the by the new Strategic Plan 2012–2014. Thank you to everyone Museum is being governed within the financial policies of its Board. involved in this massive undertaking. My fellow governors and I are committed to the sustainability Another major milestone in our journey towards financial and success of the Museum. I am grateful to them for their sustainability was achieved with the completion of the JMA endeavours, advice and support. The property and assets of the Foundation’s Director’s Chair Endowment thanks to the tireless Museum are fully safeguarded and we have found no factors that efforts of Philip Brass and the Foundation’s trustees and donors might adversely affect the value or security of the property within as well as Museum staff. Having raised an amazing $3.3 million the constitutional requirements. for the Foundation, Philip is stepping down as chair and we will be In the past year, at the instigation of Rebecca Forgasz, the Board implementing the Foundation succession plan in 2012. of Governors gave its endorsement to the Organisational Self- The Museum was fortunate to celebrate Sir Zelman Cowen’s 92nd Assessment process, a rigorous re-examination of the Museum’s birthday with him and his family, an event made all the more goals and objectives. We welcomed this initiative as a timely and poignant because of his passing not long after. Together with valuable exercise to explore the relevance of the Museum to our many Australians we mourn the passing of a great man and an audiences and to establish clear directions for the future. We were exemplary Australian Jew. also very pleased to see the outcome of this process – the Museum’s Strategic Plan 2012–14. All this happened of course while the Museum continued to run its exhibition, school and adult education and development programs Funding this valuable community asset continues to be challenging. in parallel. We urge the community to support the Museum in order to sustain and enhance such a vital organisation. 2011 has been a year of change, new faces and new ways as well as In memory of honouring and continuing our past achievements. As part of the The variety and sheer number of people who work tirelessly for the Sir Zelman Cowen Board’s ongoing renewal and succession plan it welcomed Michele organisation make it impossible for me to thank them all. However, AK GCMG GCVO QC Lasky as our new Chair and Adam Krongold as a Board Member. I would like to make a special note of appreciation to the President, Negba Weiss-Dolev, Chair, Michele Lasky and to the Director, 1919 – 2011 2012 promises to be an even busier and more exciting year as Rebecca Forgasz for her drive and commitment. On behalf of the the Museum implements its exciting Strategic Plan 2012–2014. Board of Governors, I extend my sincere thanks to the members of We will be celebrating Sir Zelman’s life and contribution to the Executive and everyone involved in the Museum. Australian society when we unveil the Zelman Cowen Gallery of Australian Jewish History. This is the culmination of years of effort commencing under our founding Director, Dr Helen Light, and coming to fruition under the direction of Rebecca Forgasz. We are looking forward to a family-focused year with two new major exhibitions and several shorter ones aimed at making our museum a preferred destination for families with children of all ages. On behalf of the Board I want to thank all staff, volunteers, governors and our wider community of supporters for their passion, talent and commitment in 2011 and I look forward to sharing an even more exciting and successful 2012 with all of you. BOARD OF GOVERNORS John Gandel AO, Chair The Honourable Justice Alan Goldberg AO Jeanne Pratt AC Zelda Rosenbaum OAM Professor Louis Waller AO 3 07 10 02 03 01 06 08 04 09 4 05 Jewish Museum of Australia Board Members 01 Negba Weiss-Dolev, President 05 Lyn Borowski 09 Ben Margow President since April 2009 and deputy Board member since April 2004. Board member since January 2010. chair since April 2006. Negba Weiss- Lyn Borowski has a Bachelor of Economics Ben Margow has a Bachelor of Commerce Dolev has a Bachelor of Science in from Monash University and has worked (Hons) and a Bachelor of Accountancy Architecture and Town Planning and a in retail including in her own business. from the University of the Witwatersrand Post Graduate Diploma in Information She is currently a Mt Scopus Memorial in Johannesburg and a Master of Business Technology from the Technion, Israel College Life Board Member and has led its Administration from The University Institute of Technology. She is currently Parents Association over several years. She of Melbourne. He has been involved in Director at Resurgence Pty Ltd and a currently works in fundraising and events Celluloid Soup – Melbourne’s Jewish Short member of the Council for Swinburne there and for the Museum. Film Festival and is currently Director of University of Technology. Global Investment at The Gandel Group 06 Peter Edwards which he joined in 1991. 02 Michele Lasky, Chair Board member since April 2009. Chair since April 2011. Michele Lasky Peter Edwards is the Managing Director of 10 Frank Tisher studied law at The University of the Victor Smorgon Group. He is a member Board member since June 2006. Frank Melbourne, practised as a barrister until of the Council of Trustees for the National Tisher has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) 2002, and was a member of the Human Gallery of Victoria (NGV), a member of the and a Bachelor of Commerce from The Rights Committee of the Bar Council. NGV Foundation and a board member of University of Melbourne and is a past From 1997 she was on the Board of the Julian Burton Burns Trust. Peter is also President and a current Director of Emmy Directors of Emmy Monash Aged Care, a Director of SECUREcorp Pty Ltd. Monash Aged Care. He is an accredited taking on the role of Vice President and property law specialist of the Law Institute then President until the end of 2010. 07 Gary Hearst of Victoria and a member of the Property Board member since September 2010. Law Committee as well as a partner at 03 Elly Bloom, Vice President Gary Hearst has a Diploma of Commerce Tisher Liner & Co Lawyers. Vice President since April 2010 and from RMIT University. He has been on honorary secretary between 2008 the board of the First Nations Foundation Not pictured: and 2010. Elly Bloom has a Bachelor of since 2009 and is currently Director at Architecture (Hons) and a Bachelor of Webcarhire Pty Ltd. Brian Rudy, Treasurer Planning and Design from The University Treasurer since April 2008.