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UIA 2020 CAMPAIGN
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WIZO - DOING WHAT MATTERS PAGE 7
PLANTING THE SEEDS OF JEWISH VALUES
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BACK TO SCHOOL
ISLA JACOBS, YEAR K, MORIAH COLLEGE - PG 16
BJE ISRAEL TRIP
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community
February 2020
Courage to Care is gearing up for 2020 COURAGE TO CARE NSW DOVI SELDOWITZ
We at Courage to Care NSW are very proud of the generous support of our volunteers, friends and community to help us continue to prevent anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination across Australia. In 2019 we reached over 5,000 students across NSW, ACT and QLD. Our national partners in Melbourne (Courage to Care VIC) and Perth (Courage to Care WA) are making a great impact in their states as well. We are gearing up for the year 2020 with plans to reach more and more student, an objective which could not come at a better moment in time. Anti-Semitism is on the rise. That is a fact we are going to have to face with great resolve and inner strength. At the same time, it is very heartening to read the personal responses from children who have attended a Courage to Care program (many of whom have never met a Jew before in their life) and are inspired to stand up for others experiencing bullying and hate. Here is a letter written to Holocaust survivor Ana Deleon. Ana and her husband Gaby graciously volunteer their time to share their stories with students attending Courage to Care programs. In this letter a Year 10 student wrote the following: “Dear Ana, it was a privilege to hear your life story and all the sacrifices you made to survive. I am truly blessed to have met such a strong and brave woman. I want you to know that you inspired me to speak up and be a leader for the future generations. I want to carry out your inspiration and allow your incredible journey to be heard and remembered.”
Names from left to right - Holocaust Survivor Tom Fleming and C2C Volunteer Annie Friedlander at a recent program at a local high school in Sydney We are confident that the message to stand up against anti-Semitism is getting through. Moree Secondary College student Tayla Simpson, who attended the Courage to Care Exhibition in Moree this November, published an article-length review in the local press detailing her experience of the program. The main message she and others walk away with is that even in the toughest of times, decent people have the power to go out of their comfort zone and stand up for what is right. Even a small act of caring can have an extraordinary impact on the lives of those who are suffering. For the year of 2020, Courage to Care hopes to reach another 5,000+ students across NSW, ACT and QLD. There is much work to be done and we are always looking for more volunteers to bring our programs to Australian children and young people, but most importantly, we must not lose hope and continue to share the positive stories of those inspired and empowered to stand up for justice and harmony.
Names from left to right - Holocaust Survivors Ana & Gaby Deleon with C2C volunteers at the 2019 Moree Exhibition
Names from left to right - Past C2C Chair Juliet Seifert, Tom & Caroline Fleming, Lily Wolf and C2C volunteers at the 2019 Gold Coast exhibition
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3
community
February 2020
Your invitation to Montefiore Experience Week MONTEFIORE HOMES
Release of book “Honouring those who returned” COA COA is privileged to serve our seniors, in doing so we have come to know a number of veterans, and their family members. It came to our attention that many of these amazing people had never been honoured for their part in keeping our country, and countries around the world, safe and free. So, with funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs, we started a project to find out all we could about our veterans, and met with them, or their widows, to interview them. We also raided their family albums to find pictures showing our veterans in uniform, and in the years after. Finally we gathered eight stories of COA members who fought with the allies and
returned to Australia to make their lives here after their duty was done, so the book is titled “Honouring those who returned”. As part of our annual Australia Day celebrations, we invited Dave Sharma MP, and Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, to present copies of the book to the veterans or family members who helped us piece it together. It was a truly moving event, and joyful for those receiving books. We also want to thank president of NAJEX, Roger Selby and Waverley Councillor, Leon Goltsman for being with us on the day. If you would like to see the book, we are producing on online version to coincide with the launch of our new and improved website in late February (www.coasydney.org).
The award-winning residential care provider is inviting the community in during the NSW Seniors Festival to explore its leading residential care. Navigating the world of residential aged care options isn’t easy, and the team at Montefiore understand that better than most. That’s why they’re holding the first Montefiore Experience Week across their Randwick, Woollahra and Hunters Hill campuses from February 17-21. “We understand that it’s a huge decision for older people and their loved ones, whether they’re in need of care now or planning ahead” says Director of Client & Community Relations Melanie Lindenberg. “Now more than ever, people want to be prepared with as much information as possible, so they can be confident they’re choosing a provider they can trust.” People booking in for a personalised tour during Montefiore Experience Week will explore the outstanding accommodation, care and facilities on offer and have their questions answered. There’ll also be the opportunity to see some of the organisation’s leading allied health, lifestyle and cultural programs in action, plus speak with on-staff experts.
“It’s all designed to help each individual decide what they want from their ‘Montefiore Experience’” says Lindenberg. “Empowering everyone to live with choice, dignity and wellbeing – that’s our commitment to the Jewish community.” Montefiore Experience Week RANDWICK Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th February WOOLLAHRA Wednesday 19th February HUNTERS HILL Thursday 20th & Friday 21st February Private tours of accommodation, facilities and grounds, plus demonstrations of allied health and leisure & lifestyle offerings including: • hydrotherapy • exercise & physiotherapy • cooking • art therapy • music therapy • games, discussion groups & more. Book your residential care tour on (02) 83425 9135 or email residential@montefiore.org.au (bookings essential).
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4
community
February 2020
Celebrating centenary at UIA NSW 2020 Campaign events Our 2020 Campaign will once again focus on providing support for the People of Israel. UIA NSW CEO Yair Miller said: “Our lineup of speakers for this year’s Campaign is fitting for the 100th anniversary celebrations for Keren Hayesod-UIA. We have some of the most talented, significant and influential guests coming to Sydney for many years. Every member of our community will find something that speaks to them and we proudly continue to be the community’s primary bridge to Israel. Together, with our uniquely global family, we are so proud to continue to empower and strengthen the People of Israel, and I encourage you to book as soon as possible as events will sell out.“
UIA UIA NSW is excited to host an outstanding line up of speakers for its 2020 Campaign, when we celebrate the incredible milestone of Keren Hayesod-UIA’s 100 years of supporting the People of Israel. Guest of Honour at UIA’s 2020 General Division Gala Event and Centenary Celebration is President of the State of Israel, His Excellency, President Reuven Rivlin. Renowned Israeli singer-songwriter and musician, Idan Raichel will entertain supporters at this memorable event. Rivlin has served as the President of the State of Israel since 2014. As President, Rivlin declared his commitment to safeguard the State of Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State and to aspire to establish a partnership between the different ideological groups in Israeli society and ensure full equality amongst all its citizens. Rivlin, a staunch supporter of Keren Hayesod-UIA has been quoted as saying "Without Keren Hayesod, there would have been no State of Israel, plain and simple!" Idan Raichel is considered to be one of the most prominent and successful musical artists In Israel, and among the most wellknown Israeli artists abroad. UIA Women’s Division Gala Event will include a panel discussion, ‘EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN Inspiring Stories’ featuring panellist Yola Reitman Former Mossad Agent, who tells the thrilling, true story of her life as an undercover agent in an enemy land, risking everything for her country and people. As an El Al flight attendant, Yola was recruited as a Mossad
To book for the General Division, Women’s Division and Young agent, sent to Sudan to smuggle thousands of persecuted Ethiopian Jews to Israel, as portrayed in the Netflix film ‘Red Sea Diving Resort’. Dr Talia Cohen Solal - CEO and CoFounder of Genetika+, which is developing a personalised medical testing tool to better treat depression by helping physicians find the best drug therapy for their patients using genetic data will also feature on the panel. Talia made her first scientific discoveries in mental health at age 18, and has since successfully developed two scientific patents as well as winning major science awards.
Young Leadership Division’s Gala Event will be headlined by guest speaker Gonen Ben Yitzhak - Shin Bet recruiter of 'The Green Prince'. Gonen was the Shin Bet (Israeli Secret Service) agent in charge of recruiting and handling ‘The Green Prince’, son of Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef. Gonen managed to penetrate the Hamas leadership and turn the son of its founder into an agent for Israel for ten years. The acclaimed documentary film, ‘The Green Prince’, portrayed their incredible story, receiving the Audience Award for best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.
Leadership events, visit : uiaaustralia.org.au/our-events/nsw or for more information contact 9361 4273, info@uiansw.org.au Follow UIA on Facebook for updates on our 2020 Campaign: facebook.com/uiaaus 2020 CAMPAIGN EVENTS: GENERAL DIVISION EVENT Sunday 23 February 2020 WOMEN’S DIVISION EVENT Sunday 15 March 2020 YOUNG LEADERSHIP DIVISION EVENT Thursday 19 March 2020
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community
February 2020
JNF Israel Educator Tour JNF
“More inspired, motivated and connected” are how 75 educators from across Australia and New Zealand are feeling after attending JNF Australia’s Educators Study Tour of Israel. Both Jewish and non-Jewish educators, from 27 Jewish and Public Schools and organisations, were immersed in a variety of environmental and Zionist projects, providing them with new knowledge, educational resources and first-hand experiences to bring back to the classroom. JNF Education Shaliach Yigal Nisell said, “The tour is not only about the teachers who attend the trip, but more importantly it is about the 20,000 students they represent – those they will teach now and in the future.” While many ‘must see’ Israeli sites like Jerusalem’s Old City and the Dead Sea were on the itinerary, the real value of the tour was the opportunity to spend time in Israeli schools, to network with teachers and principals, to visit communities and projects directly supported by JNF Australia, and to learn from Israeli experts in their fields. Quality time was spent at the Lavi Field and Forest Education Centre, Jordan River Village, Beersheva Anzac Memorial Centre, the Arava Research and Development Centre, and JNF Australia-sponsored parks and water purification plants. Six schools were visited including Sha’ar Hanegev School at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, near the Gaza border, and the Desert Stars School, which has Jewish and Arab students
and a Bedouin principal. “I hope I can instil the resilience and perseverance as was showcased at Sha’ar HaNegev School in my own students,” English literacy teacher at Bellevue Hill Primary School, Jacqueline Galler, said after visiting the regional Israeli school to learn about its dynamic teaching and student welfare programs. The study tour was designed to enrich the resources and skills of the educators and to spark their students’ interest in Israel’s
history, environmental stewardship and Zionism. JNF Australia CEO Dan Springer said that “JNF takes much pride in the partnership that we have established with schools and youth movements over many decades, instilling our children with a deep understanding of Israel, her history, challenges and triumphs. This tour enables educators to also be immersed in that history, as well as exposed to today’s projects, priorities and inspiring communities all over the country. Most
importantly, they will come back ready to help inspire their students with a love for Israel.” Participants have committed to utilising and incorporating their experiences when designing new programs for their students. Jeffrey Zerbst, Academic Manager at Southern Cross University, was amazed by the depth and variety of daily experiences, adventures and connections the program offered. Summing it up, he said, “If you don’t love this tour, you do not have a heart, a soul, a brain or a stomach.”
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community
February 2020
WIZO. Doing What Matters WIZO NSW DIANE SYMONDS PRESIDENT Hundreds of WIZO members from across the globe converged on the Hilton Tel Aviv from 19-23 January 2020 for the 27th World WIZO EGM – Enlarged General Meeting to celebrate WIZO’s first 100 years and the launch of its next 100 years. WIZO’s powerful network of volunteers are an integral part of its global community. No matter which country they come from, which language they speak, they stand united in their commitment to keeping the WIZO legacy strong and relevant, changing lives and building futures for those in need. Together they are all part of something much greater than any individual can be on their own, and can all be proud of WIZO, an incredible hundred-year-old movement that has made such a significant contribution to the State of Israel and its people. The World WIZO EGM, which is held every four years in Tel Aviv, is a gathering of WIZO Chaverot from all over the world who come together for a four-day event that focuses on WIZO’s crucial work here in Israel and the beneficial impact of your support and partnership. This important assembly is an excellent opportunity to strengthen links between all in the spirit of sisterhood for the greater good of the movement that matters so much – WIZO. The theme: ‘WIZO: Doing What Matters’ reflects WIZO’s relevance to Israeli society with the well-being, education and empowerment of the citizens of Israel at its core and the relevance of international participation. The year 2020 is also the year that
WIZO will celebrate its centennial. One hundred years of WIZO is a very impressive milestone, and worthy of great shared pride. At the EGM, festivities surrounding such a momentous occasion were grand. Guest speakers included David Suissa who during his illustrious career in the IDF served as Chief Artillery Officer and as Operations Officer and Commanderin-Chief of the Southern Command. He is currently the Chairman of the WIZO Alumni Association and a mentor in the “Adopt a Graduate” Program. A fireside chat with Daniel Birnbaum, Chairman of Soda Stream, talked of the Transformational rebranding: Putting the sparkle back in SodaStream. Alon Davidi Mayor of Sderot was a guest speaker, to name but a few. World WIZO is delighted to announce that at the 2020 EGM, World WIZO President Esther Mor was elected for a second term and Anita Vainberg Friedman was elected as the new
chairperson of World WIZO. Together with the newly-elected board, the World WIZO Executive pledges to do what matters in the spirit of sisterhood for the benefit of Israeli society and our Jewish world. 29 WIZO NSW members joined the WIZO Australia contingent making memories of a lifetime, honouring WIZO’s glorious past, celebrating its present and will inspire its future. At the Conference Immediate Past President of WIZO Australia Gilla Liberman as made a World WIZO Honorary Life Member for her devoted and outstanding service to WIZO. We hope that the Sydney community will join us as we applaud WIZO’s 100 yearstrong contribution to the people of the State of Israel, and look forward to continued success in strengthening and empowering Israel’s citizens through all their tomorrows. Tel WIZO: 9387 3666 website: www.wizonsw.org.au
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8
community
February 2020
Reclaiming Service: Planting the seeds of Jewish values
GLOBAL AMBASSADOR, MORIAH COLLEGE & CEO, MOSAIC UNITED RABBI BENJI LEVY
In our fast-paced interconnected world, it can be so hard to do a good deed in a truly selfless way. When we run a marathon for charity and post about it on social media in order to encourage donations, we are all too often more interested in counting the ‘likes’ from friends than the money we’re raising for the cause. This behavior leads me to believe that perhaps the closest we can come to achieving true selflessness is through focusing on the good we leave behind for future generations. Such a legacy will allow them to reap the benefits of our actions long after we have passed on, and long after we stand to benefit in any way from the benevolence of our act – the ultimate demonstration of altruism. After celebrating Tu B’Shvat (the New Year for Trees), I am reminded of the well-known Talmudic tale about the encounter between the sage Choni HaMa’agel (the ‘Circle-Maker’) and a young man planting a tree (Ta’anit 23b). As the young man secures the sapling in the ground, Choni looks on curiously, wondering why he is making such an effort for this type of tree, which will take around 70 years to bear fruit. “How can you be sure that you will live another 70 years, long enough to derive benefit from this tree?” inquires Choni. Without skipping a beat, the man replies: “Just as my ancestors planted trees for me, I am planting trees for my descendants. Everyone should merit being born into a world full of trees.” This story highlights the importance of thoughtfulness, forward thinking and generosity. At the same time, it underscores the very essence of Jewish continuity. Traditionally, Jewish continuity has been viewed through the lens of the family unit, defined primarily by one’s commitment to raise a Jewish family. This narrow scope, however, negates the transcendental echo left by the indelible impression we leave on everyone that we encounter. To connect our present to both our past and collective future, we must ensure that we leave behind a world that our descendants will be proud to inherit. Westheimer and Kahne, two American-born 20th century academics known for their works on citizenship education, suggest three core components to participatory civic typology –
responsibility towards the personal, communal and societal realm (‘The Politics of Educating for Democracy,’ 2004). With all that is broken in our world, there is no shortage of opportunities to roll up our sleeves and get to work in all three realms. Service, charity, volunteer work, and other selfless acts comprise the ethical element of our gift to the next generation. In fact, acts of service and benevolence embody core Jewish values that can be traced all the way back to Abraham and Sarah. Our forefather Abraham personifies the three components of Westheimer’s and Kahne’s approach to civic typology: assuming personal responsibility (acts of chesed or loving-kindness, like welcoming visitors to his tent), participation in communal efforts (acts of tzedakah or charity, such as the designation of wells to be used by all who need), and social justice oriented activism (acts of tzedek, including lobbying for the righteous citizens of Sodom). His natural ability to exemplify these acts of inherent goodness was the very basis upon which he was chosen to be the progenitor of our People. Working diligently to improve our world is an unmistakable hallmark of the Jewish way of life and a contribution that we bestow upon every new generation. Over the last few decades, record numbers of young Jewish men and women have picked up the mantle of service, giving of their time, talents and energies in order to make a positive impact on the world, both in the shortand long-term. These positive acts are often motivated by that same sense of responsibility that has characterized the Jewish people since time immemorial.
Data gathered from several surveys conducted by service organizations has revealed that the vast majority of Jewish volunteers do not mind whether the framework through which they volunteer is Jewish (‘Volunteering and Values,’ Repair the World, June 2011). This service is, of course, impactful for the wider world, but our inability to connect these participants to their Jewish identities through their own passionate benevolent pursuits represents thousands of missed opportunities. The world of volunteerism and service encapsulates a myriad of entranceways back into the organized Jewish world, for those hovering on its fringes. Helping them harness and re-channel their passion, energy and sense of communal and societal responsibility is a vital step in reconnecting these young adults with their heritage. As such, contextualizing their service as an inherently Jewish value and as an inseparable part of what it means to be a Jew in the world today could serve as a transformative catalyst for strengthening our collective Jewish future. The Torah tells us that a person is like “a tree in the field” (Deut. 20:19). Much like a tree, a person needs proper sustenance to grow and thrive. Values anchor us to our moral inheritance and provide us with the nourishment that allows us to reach our potential and eventually bear fruits that may be shared with the global family of nations. At a time when identity ties are generally weakening among young people, linking their moral values to our shared destiny could assist in allowing their Jewish identity to flourish. What’s more, Jewish identity is not owned or monopolized
by any one particular age, stage or generation. Indeed, needs, perspectives and attitudes change and differ from one group to the next. As such, in each epoch, we must find our own unique conduit for connecting with Jewish values. Ultimately however, these values are eternal with no specific allegiance to one era or another. In addition to healing the fractured world around us, service experiences can be an essential component in making Jewish identity more relevant to this generation. But it won’t truly take root unless we plant the seeds of Jewish values within the initiatives themselves throughout programming as well as through preparatory and follow-up reflections and engagement. As they take part in a range of worthy causes, from natural disaster relief projects and housing construction drives to food distribution initiatives and refugee work, young Jews should feel an explicit sense of Jewish rootedness and belonging through the assistance they provide. With the right education and guidance, through giving, they can receive a deeper understanding of who they are and forge a connection with the generations of givers who came before and will come after. After all, it’s one thing to become an agent of change, but another thing entirely to discover that you are part of an intergenerational story of social activists. By reframing service initiatives through the Jewish lens, we can give young Jews, who may be hoping to become part of something ‘bigger than themselves’, the greatest gift of all: a reminder that they already are. We are living in auspicious times. As we celebrated Tu B’Shvat, we reflect on the long and arduous journey that a seed travels until it becomes a fruit – a lesson also learned from the Talmudic tale of Choni HaMa’agel, where we see that the germination process may take as long as 70 years. That makes this year, the 70th since the establishment of the modern State of Israel, the perfect opportunity to reap what was sown by previous generations and continue to plant. We must now expand the definition of Jewish continuity and highlight the importance of our ethical legacy by reclaiming service as a core Jewish value. Rabbi Benji Levy is the CEO of Mosaic United, a partnership between the State of Israel and the global Jewish community dedicated to addressing wide-ranging approaches to Jewish engagement and raising the playing field to ensure a stronger Jewish future. A recent Oleh from Australia, he previously served as the Dean of one of the largest Jewish schools in the world, Moriah College and now is their global ambassador.
The power of kindness to change the world SYDNEY JEWISH MUSEUM There are numerous studies that show the positive impact that doing and receiving acts of kindness has on a person’s health, happiness, productivity and quality of life. Last year, an experiment was run to investigate the effects of performing and observing acts of kindness over a prolonged period on a person. The study showed that after seven days of subjects being kind to an acquaintance, a stranger, or even themselves, happiness was boosted. The Sydney Jewish Museum has launched a campaign promoting acts of kindness, respect, empathy, compassion and inclusivity, to encourage the broader community to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and all of human history, and work towards making the world a better place. Each kind, thoughtful act done by a person can incrementally better the world for people around them, and can inspire
those people to do good. The campaign urges people to ‘Be A Mensch’: a person of integrity, morality, dignity, with a sense of what is right and responsible. ‘Mensch’ has its roots in 18th century European concepts of humanism and in the man-to-man laws passed down in the Ten Commandments, which are at the centre of Jewish culture. But ‘mensch’ is more than just an old Yiddish adage. It is relevant now, across the world, more than ever. “It is everyone’s responsibility to act like a mensch. Then, there would be a lot more good things happening in the world. We all have the capacity to do good in the world and it comes from within.” Susan Moylan-Coombs, Broadcaster, educator, First Peoples social justice advocate and ambassador for the Be A Mensch campaign Join the conversation about doing good on social media with #BeAMensch. Share your thoughts, ideas, stories and kind acts.
Campaign Ambassador Susan Moylan-Coombs. Photograph by Gary Heery.
February 2020
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community / international
The Angels are needed more than ever OPERATION ANGEL The fires have been burning for weeks- A smoke haze blankets our skies, the air quality levels reach hazardous levels and we are pained by the constant images of destruction and loss. The fires are so close and yet we feel so far away. How can we help? We give over our credit card details and leave extra coins at cafés to be forwarded to the businesses affected by the disaster. We promise ourselves that we will holiday in Mallacoota as soon as the time is right. But still we want to contribute. And then we hear about Operation Angel. Operation Angel is a “pop up humanitarian organisation “ founded in 1997 by Jacqueline Pascarl. It springs into action delivering relief at times of national disaster and emergency. “Angel” is currently running a very focused response to the Bushfire crisis gripping our nation by delivering comfort kits to the brave and dedicated fire-fighters on the scene. Each pack contains about 20 pieces including hygiene items such as soap and toothbrushes, relief items such as eye drops and lip balms, and basic food such as tins of tuna for an injection of protein on the go. The contents are carefully thought out and sent with beautiful Thank you cards drawn by children and families. Over 12000 kits have been sent to the fatigued fire-fighters plus 2800 for evacuees. For the past few weeks the operations centre for packing has been in a church hall in Brighton and following a targeted social media campaign, hundreds of businesses and individuals have donated goods, and
volunteers are lining up each session to help pack the kits. Jacqueline brings to the project decades of experience from the Defence Forces, CARE International and World Health UN, and understands exactly what will best aid the weary workers in the catastrophic conditions. She is coordinating an amazing community response and energises and inspires all the volunteers. Whilst, there is no official listing, Jacqueline estimates that most sessions are filled with a very high proportion of Jewish volunteers. She reports “ The response from the Jewish
community across all walks of life has been phenomenal – often days are filled with a 60 % component, rolling up their sleeves in a common cause. Ladies from an Israeli dance group, children from youth groups, members of orthodox families arriving together en masse to help – it is humbling to see the room filled with the commonality of wanting to unite to contribute something practical and channel positivity and hope.” As of time of writing - the generous donations continue to arrive, the caring volunteers continue to pack, the brave
emergency workers continue to appreciate the deliveries and the incredible Operation Angel unites us all. Chessed and Tzedaka – kindness and charity are core values of Judaism and a willingness to help is fundamental to our community members. Thank you to Operation Angel for facilitating our desires to assist in a practical way at these challenging times and for the opportunity to work along side a diverse range of Victorians uniting together in hope and good Aussie spirit.
Preserving the memory of ‘The Macc’ SYDNEY JEWISH MUSEUM The building that houses the Sydney Jewish Museum on the corner of Burton Street and Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, has an interesting history that predates the opening of the Museum in 1992. The Maccabean Hall, known affectionately as ‘The Macc’, functioned as a war memorial and community centre from 1918. From 1939 to 1960, it became a vital support structure for pre- and post-war refugees, and in 1992 the concerns and the passions of Holocaust survivors transformed The Macc into the Sydney Jewish Museum. In the 1930s, countless recreational activities took place in this space: dances,
“Yes you heard right” Sydney Jewish Report is delivering its paper for free to Jewish homes throughout NSW. Should you wish to subscribe or if you are currently subscribed and wish to unsubscribe, please go to www.thejewishreport.com.au or email freesubscriptions@sydneyjewishreport.com
social functions, weddings, concerts, revues, literary and dramatic events and sporting events were held for Sydney's Jewish community. Religious services for Succot and Pesach were held at The Macc. The Maccabean Hall was a place where many Jewish people forged memories, including the wedding of Ellis David Rosen and Lynette Lewis on 12 February 1969, pictured here. However, the Sydney Jewish Museum only has a handful of photographs and invitations that record the vibrant cultural life that flourished in The Macc. If you have images or documents from events that took place in the Maccabean Hall, please contact Head Curator Roslyn Sugarman, curator@sjm.com.au or 02 9360 7999.
10
international
February 2020
The Real Reason Arabs in Israel Do Not Want to Live in 'Palestine' KHALED ABU TOAMEH Arab citizens of Israel, who number nearly two million, are up in arms about US President Donald Trump's plan for Middle East peace, which proposes including some of their communities in a future Palestinian state. Since the unveiling of the plan, thousands of Arabs have been demonstrating to express their rejection of the idea of placing them under the sovereignty of a Palestinian state. Trump's "Peace to Prosperity" plan proposes land swaps that could include both populated and unpopulated areas. It suggests that the so-called Triangle area in Israel, consisting of several Arab communities "which largely self-identify as Palestinian, become part of the State of Palestine." The plan points out that the Arab communities "were originally designated to fall under Jordanian control during the negotiations of the Armistice Line of 1949, but ultimately were retained by Israel for military reasons that have since been mitigated." Why are the 250,000 Arab Israelis living in the Triangle area strongly opposed to the idea of becoming part of a Palestinian state? The main reason Arabs in Israel are afraid of becoming Palestinian citizens is because they know that the Palestinian state will be anything but democratic. Many Arab citizens of Israel see how Palestinians living under the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip are subject to human rights violations on a daily basis. In Israel, Arab citizens participate in the general elections and have their own
representatives in the Knesset. In the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Palestinians have been deprived of free and fair elections since January 2006. The continued power struggle between the PA and Hamas has denied Palestinians the right to vote for new members of their parliament, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). In addition, Palestinians have been denied the right to vote for a
new president since January 2005, when Mahmoud Abbas was elected for a four-year term of office. Last month, Abbas entered the 16th year of the same term. In light of the ongoing dispute between the PA and Hamas, the prospects of holding new presidential or parliamentary elections remain zero. While Palestinians have not had a functioning parliament since 2007, when
Hamas violently seized control of the Gaza Strip after overthrowing Abbas's PA regime, Israel's Arab citizens continue to run in elections for the Knesset. The current Knesset has 14 Arab parliamentarians. Apart from the issue of elections, though, Arab citizens of Israel are mainly worried about having to live in a Palestinian state CONTINUED PAGE 11
Turkey and Israel: Can pragmatism defeat ‘bad blood’? BURAK BEKDIL For the first time in several years, the word “Israel” is not automatically accompanied in Turkey by bold pejoratives like “baby killer” or “terrorist state.” The reason appears to be an emerging intention in Ankara to see if pragmatism can overcome the bad blood that has arisen between the two states, which were strategic partners in the 1990s. Turkey and one Libyan government are standing together in opposition to Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, the UAE and the other Libyan government. Ankara’s recent muscle flexing in the Eastern Mediterranean looks like the behavior of a neighborhood bully who wants to spoil the other kids’ game because he wasn’t invited to participate. Motivated primarily by a desire to ratchet up its regional posture, Turkey recently made two major moves: It signed an agreement with the Libyan government in Tripoli creating a maritime link by which each country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) goes beyond 200 km of its territorial waters; and its parliament ratified a resolution to send troops to Libya to defend the Tripoli government. Sinan Ülgen, head of the The Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), an Istanbul-based think tank, explains: “In recent years, Ankara’s ill-fated regional policy coupled with its unconditional support to the Muslim Brotherhood has led to the estrangement of [Turkey from] Egypt and Israel. As a result, Turkey faces
a consortium of nations in the region eager to leverage the natural resources of the Eastern Mediterranean, to the detriment of Turkey’s interests. “For [President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan, the deal with Libya is a formula to break Turkey’s isolation and win support for its bid for what he regards as a fairer distribution of offshore resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.” The gunboat gambit in the Eastern Mediterranean was so unexpected that many observers were curious as to who might have advised Erdoğan to up the stakes in this way. The mastermind was Rear Admiral Cihat Yayci, chief of staff of the Turkish Navy. “Without the president’s realism and courage this would have remained an academic paper in a [library] shelf,” Yayci has said. The admiration is mutual. In a speech at the inauguration of the Russian-Turkish TurkStream pipeline, Erdoğan praised Yayci by name. Now that the Libyan deal is done, Yayci says there is one more thing Turkey should do: “There is a very important step we must take now. We should sign with Israel, as soon as possible, the same [EEZ] agreement we signed with Libya. This step must definitely be taken.” One might be tempted to think there is too much metaphorical bad blood between the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkey’s Islamist establishment for any such agreement to be a realistic prospect. They might point out that Turkey and Israel have not exchanged ambassadors since May
2017, so any dialogue would be limited in diplomatic nature. There are subtle signs, however, that this may not be the whole picture. In a recent speech, Erdoğan threatened that “no project [in the Mediterranean] without Turkey could survive economically, legally, or diplomatically.” But he also said Turkey is keen to negotiate with any state actor except Cyprus [with which Turkey does not have diplomatic relations]. The phrase “any state actor except Cyprus” underlined that Israel is acceptable. It could be legally and technically problematic if Turkey and Israel decide to delineate their maritime borders, which could result in a maritime zone off south Cyprus that Turkey claims as its own. Such a deal is not impossible, as neither Turkey nor Israel is a signatory to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982). Neither is the United States. Then there is the financial aspect. The ambitious 1,900-km pipeline that will carry Eastern Mediterranean natural gas to Europe is one of the E.U.’s “Projects of Common Interest.” It will reach from Israeli waters to Greece via Cyprus. On the western Greek mainland, the pipeline will connect to the planned Poseidon Pipeline, co-financed by the European Union, and will run from the Greek-Turkish border to Italy. This is not the cheapest route by which to transport gas into Europe. As one senior Turkish diplomat notes, “This is a solution imposed on Israel. Israelis know that they can make a more feasible [natural gas
transport] agreement with Turkey. And without any need to wait for a change in political leadership in either country.” Despite the absence of ambassadors in Ankara and Tel Aviv, the existing network of diplomatic ties could be enhanced for, in the words of the same Turkish diplomat, “a more objective, more independent, honest and mutually profitable deal that fully respects both countries’ sovereign rights.” This could be overly optimistic, given the bad blood that has arisen between Turkey and Israel since 2010 (except for a brief normalization period between the end of 2016 and mid-2017). But remember: Turkey and Russia, with their deeply divergent interests in Syria and Libya, not to mention their ideological differences, are working as strategic partners in critical military procurement. Erdoğan’s endless love affair with Hamas (and the Muslim Brotherhood) stands in the way of full normalization—but he may be inclined to downplay this ideological kinship as the nearest Turkish elections are more than three years away. Burak Bekdil is an Ankara-based columnist. He regularly writes for the Gatestone Institute and Defense News, and is a fellow at the Middle East Forum. He is also a founder of, and associate editor at, the Ankara-based think tank Sigma. This article was first published by the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies.
February 2020
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international
Kirk Douglas’s quintessential American Jewish life JONATHAN S. TOBIN
Actor Kirk Douglas may have been the last surviving star from the golden age of Hollywood. So his death this week at the age of 103 is a chance for fans of cinema to appreciate not only his impressive body of work, but his role as a transformative figure in his industry as it evolved from the era of Hollywood studios to one in which individual actors and their production companies began to dominate. Douglas was the quintessential star of the era in which the movies dwarfed popular culture. He evolved from being a Hollywood bad boy actor to independent filmmaker and producer to eventually become a patriarchal figure whose struggle to overcome the impact of a stroke carved out a new and cherished role for him in the country’s memory. Douglas will be remembered for powerful performances in a host of great movies. But his acclaim was also based on his championing of personal projects, such as the classic anti-war film “Paths of Glory,” as well as the fact that he was the one who broke the infamous Hollywood blacklist by hiring Dalton Trumbo to write “Spartacus.” That move ended a dark era in which some left-wing writers were banned from contributing to films under their own names after being identified as Communists or Communist sympathizers. But his journey was also a Jewish story— one that aptly illustrates the way Jews have carved out for a place in American life and struggled with the choices its freedom presented to them with respect to their unique heritage. His path was, in part, one of typical assimilation. But it was also one in which his fierce loyalty to his identity, love for the State of Israel and ultimately a return to Judaism made him an example that offers hope for a community struggling with demographic implosion and a loss of a
sense of Jewish peoplehood. Born Issur Danielovich, the son of Yiddishspeaking Russian Jewish immigrants in Upstate New York, he grew up in poverty but worked his way through college. He legally changed his name to the non-ethnic sounding Kirk Douglas and eventually was able to establish himself as an actor, first in New York and then in Hollywood. Douglas was famously difficult, an aggressive personality who was known for a ruthless, self-interested way of working in a business in which prima donnas proliferate. As he ascended to Hollywood stardom, Judaism and the Jews were not topics that interested him. He married non-Jewish women (and serially cheated on them), and his children were not raised as Jews. In that sense, he was a typical mid-20thcentury American Jew who largely discarded anything that interfered with the ability to break through to success in secular society. But even during that period of his life, Douglas had a strong connection to Israel. In 1953, he made “The Juggler,” the first Hollywood feature to be filmed in the Jewish
state, where he played a Holocaust survivor struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, a rare instance of the subject being broached in that era. More than a decade later, he would return to Israel to make “Cast a Giant Shadow,” a film depicting the life of a real life Jewish hero, Col. David “Mickey” Marcus, an American who played a key role in the 1948 War of Independence. Douglas was also a philanthropist who, along with his second wife Anne Buydens, donated more than $100 million to charitable causes. He was particularly associated with support of Israel, where he helped fund various projects in Jerusalem. But like so many Jews of his generation, his Jewish connections were largely tangential to a thoroughly secular life. While he would be remembered fondly by Jews for his Zionism and philanthropy—as well as for all of the acting parts that made him an icon of 20th-century film—the final decades of his life provided yet another chapter to his Jewish story. In 1991, during a stay in a hospital following a helicopter crash, Douglas
decided to reconnect with the Judaism that was a relic of his childhood. In a memoir, he later wrote that he had asked himself why he was spared in a collision that left two others dead and decided that it was “because I had never come to grips with what it means to be Jewish.” What followed was an intensive course of Torah study with a number of rabbis and a second bar mitzvah at the age of 83. While he had rejected the possibility of studying for the rabbinate as a teenager determined to make it in the secular world, Douglas had come back to the world of Jewish practice at last. The example he set influenced his oldest son, Michael, a Hollywood icon in his own right, to embrace his father’s heritage and led him to win the 2015 Genesis Prize awarded to those who exemplify Jewish values. A year earlier, Douglas’s wife had surprised guests at their 50th-wedding anniversary by announcing her conversion to Judaism. Like so Jews of his generation, his might have been a life in which Jewish origins were merely a footnote to a biography of other concerns that took precedence. But by retaining a strong sense of Jewish pride, he never entirely lost touch with the Jewish world. And by returning to Judaism at the end of his life, he seems to have ensured that not only would some of his grandchildren be raised as Jews, but that he had set an example that inspired many others to do the same. While he will always be chiefly remembered for playing Spartacus, Vincent Van Gogh and dozens of other iconic roles, his place in the history of American Jewry is also secure. May his memory be a blessing. Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS— Jewish News Syndicate. Follow him on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin.
The Real Reason Arabs in Israel Do Not Want to Live in 'Palestine' FROM PAGE 10 that suppresses public freedoms, including freedom of speech and the media. Hardly a day passes without the Arab citizens of Israel hearing about the harsh conditions the Palestinians face under the PA in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian journalists, human rights activists, political activists and university students are targeted by the PA and Hamas on a regular basis. That is what Israel's Arab citizens are afraid of. A recent report by the West Bank-based Committee of the Families of Political Prisoners revealed that the PA security forces have arrested dozens of university students in the past few months because of their political activities. The report documented at least 619 violations against university students by the PA security forces in the past two years. Arab students who are citizens of Israel, meanwhile, are free to hold protests on campuses there without having to worry about being arrested or summoned for interrogation. Last week, for example, Arab students at Tel Aviv University demonstrated against the Trump plan, chanting "Palestine is Arab, from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea." Palestinian Arab university students, however, who are not citizens of Israel, and who live in the Palestinian areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, can only
envy the Arab Israeli students who are free to hold political activities on campus. Another recently published report revealed that several students arrested by the PA security forces have been brutally tortured. Most of the arrests took place at An-Najah University, the largest university in the West Bank city of Nablus, according to the report. Palestinian students living in the Gaza Strip under Hamas, where virtually everyone is Arab and not a citizen of Israel, have fared no better. Hamas security forces have been regularly raiding university campuses and arresting students and teachers because of their political activities. One of the campuses that has been frequently targeted by Hamas is AlAzhar University in Gaza City. In November 2019, Hamas security forces also raided Palestine University in the northern Gaza Strip and arrested several students who were preparing to hold a political rally on campus. While in Israel, Arab citizens are free to criticize the Israeli government and leaders, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip who speak out against the PA or Hamas often find themselves behind bars. In the West Bank, for example, a professor who dares to criticize Abbas could find himself in detention for several days. Professor Abdel Sattar Qassem, an outspoken critic of Abbas, was accused in 2016 of "insulting" Abbas and held in detention for several days. Palestinian journalist Majdoleen Hassouneh was also
accused of "insulting" Abbas on Facebook. In the Gaza Strip, Hamas has arrested hundreds of its political opponents in the past few years. Even Palestinian comedians who make sarcastic remarks about Hamas have become regular targets of Hamas's crackdown on freedom of speech. Recently, Hamas security forces arrested comedian Adel Mashoukhi after he posted a video on social media mocking the electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip. It is no wonder, then, that Israel's Arab citizens are extremely concerned about the prospect of living under a Palestinian state controlled by the PA and Hamas under some potential land transfer. These Arab citizens of Israel know that once they become citizens of a Palestinian state, they will meet the same fate of the Palestinians living under the PA and Hamas. Some of the leaders of the Arab community in Israel are even calling the idea of having to live under a Palestinian state as a "nightmare that cannot be implemented." The Arab Israelis' protests are seen as a message to the world that they prefer to continue living in Israel and not under another Arab dictatorship. A survey conducted by The Israel Democracy Institute in 2017 showed that 66% of Arab Israelis see Israel's overall situation as "good" or "very good." Another poll, conducted by Professor Sami Samuha of the University of Haifa, 68.3% of Israel's Arab citizens said they preferred to live in Israel than in other countries. Samuha said that among the
Arab citizens, "there is acknowledgment of convenience, freedom and stability in the State of Israel." "In Israel, there are a lot of benefits and a modern way of life, as well as economic and political stability. You can't compare the lives of Arabs [in Israel] to that of Arabs in Palestine, Lebanon or Egypt. There is also the element that in Israel there is no concern of an Islamist takeover." What the Arab citizens of Israel need now is to elect new leaders who will promote coexistence between Arabs and Jews in Israel, and not engage in anti-Israel rhetoric and actions. Some of the leaders of the Arab citizens of Israel, particularly a number of Knesset members, have been acting against the interests of their constituents. It is almost as if these purported leaders represent the PA and Hamas instead of the Arab Israelis who voted for them with the hope that they would work to solve problems confronting their communities, such as unemployment. The Arab citizens of Israel need real leaders who properly represent them in the Knesset and build -- not destroy -- bridges with Jews. Let the protests on the streets of Arab Israeli communities against becoming part of a Palestinian state serve as a fair warning to Israeli Arab leaders: stand by your people, or get out of the way. Khaled Abu Toameh, an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem, is a Shillman Journalism Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
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February 2020
The customs and traditions of Tu Bishvat DVORA WAYSMAN Tu Bishvat, which falls this year on February 10, heralds the end of the rainy season in Israel. Buds are beginning to appear on the trees, and the blossoming almond trees, the harbinger of spring, have begun to dot the landscape. So on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat we celebrate the yearly cycle for the growth of trees in Eretz Israel. According to our Jewish mystic tradition, Tu Bishvat is the day when God renews sustenance and the life cycle of the trees, when the sap starts to rise. There are many customs that have arisen to remind us of the meaning of this day. We eat fruits and nuts, especially the fruits for which the Torah praises the Land of Israel, which is a land of grapevines, figs and pomegranates, olives and sweet dates. Many pious Jews hold a Tu Bishvat Seder, not unlike the meal we have on Passover. This ancient tradition was upheld in Safed, the seat of Kabbalistic studies in the 16th century. This Seder became a new way to reaffirm the spiritual bond with the land, in celebration of the approach of spring and the fruit of the earth. Sometimes, the Hebrew newspaper Yediot Aharonot distributes a Tu Bishvat “Haggadah” in time for the holiday. It was devised by Dr. Joel Rappel of Bar-Ilan University. There is a snowy white tablecloth, candles, copious amounts of fruit and nuts; prayers, readings and songs. There are also four
cups of wine accompanied by fruit divided into levels of “ascending spirituality.” The first cup is chilled white wine, symbolizing winter, accompanied by the lowest level of fruit, which needs a protective covering, such as oranges or almonds. The second cup is white wine mixed with a small amount of red, signifying spring, the budding of new life, and this is served with olives, apples, peaches and dates (the outer layer is eaten, yet the heart is protected and has within it the seed of new life.) The third cup is red wine with a small amount of white. This is the symbol of summer and a perfect world in which nothing
is wasted. With this, the highest level of fruit is eaten, such as figs, grapes and berries. The fourth cup is just red wine, representing fertility and the bounty of autumnal crops waiting to be harvested. What else happens on Tu Bishvat? Very little religiously, but a lovely ritual has arisen in Israel that’s been adopted all over the Jewish world. It is a popular observance to plant trees, one of the greatest “mitzvot” you can do. Trees have great significance in Judaism. It is written in Deuteronomy: “When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to seize it, don’t destroy its
trees....” In Midrash Shmuel on Pirkei Avot 3:24, it is written than man is like a tree in that his good deeds are his produce, his “fruits,” and his arms and legs the branches which bear these fruits. He is, however, an “upside-down tree,” for his head is rooted in the heavens, nestled in the spiritual soils of the Eternal, nourished by his connection to his Creator. At the end of the Hasmonean dynasty, there lived a holy man named Honi, known as the circle drawer, and we read his story in Ta’anit 23a. One day Honi saw a man planting a carob tree and asked him: “How many years does it take for the carob tree to bear fruit?” The reply was “Seventy years.” Honi asked: “Do you think you will live another 70 years and reap its fruit?” The simple man responded: “I am planting the tree not for myself but for my grandchildren.” Although the world has never regarded Jews as being tied closely to the land, the truth is that no religion has closer ties to agriculture and ecology. The Midrash teaches us that man’s life depends on the tree, and we are forbidden to live in a city that has no gardens and trees. They are so important to us that Rabbi Yohanan BenZakai declared: “If you hold a sapling in your hand and are told: ‘Come look, the Messiah has arrived,’ plant the sapling first and only then go and greet the Messiah.” Happy Tu Bishvat! The writer, who has lived in Jerusalem for 48 years, is the author of 14 books. Her latest novel is Searching for Sarah.
Ten iconic Holocaust films to watch now on Netflix and Amazon
FRANCINE WOLFISZ
he sees a boy among the bodies who might be his son, and feels he must find a rabbi to give the child a proper Jewish burial. Available to rent or buy on Amazon
Defiance (2008) Directed by Edward Zwick, Defiance tells the true-life story of the Bielski partisans, a group led by Belarusian Jewish brothers, who saved and recruited Jews in Belarus during the Second World War. The film stars Daniel Craig as Tuvia Bielski, Liev Schreiber as Zus Bielski, Jamie Bell as Asael Bielski, and George MacKay as Aron Bielski. Available to rent or buy on Amazon. Schindler’s List (1993) One of the greatest Holocaust films of all time and recipient of seven Academy Awards, Steven Spielberg’s sweeping epic Schindler’s List follows the real-life story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman who saved the lives of more than 1,000 mostly Polish Jews by employing them in his factories during the Second World War. The stellar cast includes Ralph Fiennes as sadistic SS officer Amon Goeth and Ben Kingsley as Schindler’s Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern. Available on Netflix, and to rent or buy on Amazon Denial (2016) Gripping courtroom drama based on the reallife trial in which American academic Deborah Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz) was sued by British author David Irving (Timothy Spall) after she described him as a ‘Holocaust denier’. During the trial, Irving maintained no Jews were murdered by gassing at Auschwitz. It was a tension-filled case watched by the world’s media that ultimately vindicated Lipstadt and left Irving’s reputation in tatters as a falsifier of history. The stellar cast also includes Andrew Scott as solicitor Anthony Julius and Tom Wilkinson as barrister Richard Rampton. Available on Netflix, and
Red Trees (2017) Award-winning director Marina Willer’s father was among 12 Jewish families to survive the Nazi occupation of Prague during the Second World War. In Red Trees, she traces the perilous journey taken by the family, as told through the voice of her father, Alfred (narrated by Tim Pigott-Smith), from war-torn Eastern Europe to the solace of South America. The visually-stunning film to rent or buy on Amazon Inglourious Basterds (2009) An alternative history from director Quentin Tarantino, which presents two plots to assassinate Nazi Germany’s leadership. One is planned by Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), a young French-Jewish cinema proprietor, the other by a team of Jewish-American soldiers led by First Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt). The stellar cast also includes Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender and Diane Kruger. Available to rent or buy on Amazon. The Resistance Banker (2018) Chosen as Netherland’s entry for next year’s Oscars, The Resistance Banker shows the audacious actions of Walraven van Hall and his brother, Gijsbert, members of a prominent banking family, who for three years bankrolled the Dutch resistance. Together, they stole $250million from Nazi-controlled coffers and borrowed an additional $250m from other bankers to carry out attacks, smuggle Allied pilots to safety and provide
financial support to at least 8,000 Jews in hiding during the Second World War. The bravery of van Hall, who was recognised as a Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem in 1978, is powerfully told. Available on Netflix Operation Finale (2018) Thrilling drama from director Chris Weitz retelling the true-life story of Mossad agent Peter Malkin (Oscar Isaac) and his team, who covertly hunted down and captured Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), while hiding in Argentina. Operation Finale shows Eichmann’s subsequent arrest and trial in Israel in 1961, where he was ultimately executed for his crimes. Available on Netflix Son of Saul (2015) Winner of the Academy Awards for best foreign language film, director László Nemes’ drama revolves around Saul Ausländer (Géza Röhrig), an inmate chosen to work in the Sonderkommando at Auschwitz. Aside from the unspeakable horror he witnesses,
The Pianist (2002) This powerful biographical drama directed by Roman Polanski is based on the Holocaust memoir of Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman (played by Adrien Brody). Nominated for seven Oscars, The Pianist picked up three for best director, best adapted screenplay (Ronald Harwood) and best actor, as well as the Palme d’Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. Available to rent or buy on Amazon Auschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution (2005) Powerful six-part documentary series from the BBC, which presents an in-depth look at the story of Auschwitz and features interviews with former inmates, guards and re-enactments of historic events. From conception to reality, mass murder, experimentation and ultimately liberation and revenge, the series covers all aspects of this notorious Nazi camp, where more than one million Jews were sent to their deaths. Available on Netflix
February 2020
schools and shuls
Emanuel School’s HSC success
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EMANUEL SCHOOL
Emanuel School’s impressive HSC results are testament to our students’ academic strength, their abilities as deep thinkers and their teachers’ commitment to their success. We congratulate and celebrate the following students who achieved a State ranking for the following subjects: • Daniel Van Sluys Erlich – 5th in the State for Portuguese Continuers • Joel Aaron – 6th in the State for Geography • Paris Spennato – 6th in the State for Society and Culture Other notable highlights include: • Saachi Owen and Sarah Sharwood both had their Visual Arts works selected for ARTEXPRESS • Isabella Flax was selected for ENCORE for her Music 1 Musicology Viva Voce • Joel Ehrlich was nominated for ENCORE for his Music 1 Performance and Composition • Saachi Owen was nominated for Shape (Design and Technology) • Eden Sadra was nominated for Callback for her Dance performance The School ranked 41st in the State, based on the percentage of Band 6 and E4 results across all subjects. Amongst non-selective co-educational schools, Emanuel ranked an impressive 7th in the State. Andrew Watt is delighted with this year’s HSC results: “I am exceptionally proud of the Class of 2019 whose focus and determination have converged to deliver outstanding results. “Emanuel School students graduate as wellrounded individuals who step into the world ready to tackle life’s challenges. They are inspired to give back to the Jewish and wider communities and be the very best version of themselves.” 10% of students received an ATAR of 98.00 or more; 22% received an ATAR of 95.00 or more and 38% of students achieved an ATAR of 90.00 or more. Tia Mallinick attained an outstanding ATAR of 98.95. Dylan Herdan, Dux of the School,
produced a similarly excellent 98.80. The Year 12 students continued to shine, with four All-round Achievers and 53% of the cohort as Distinguished Achievers. Our Year 11 accelerants achieved eight Band 6/E4 results in Mathematics or Mathematics Extension 1. Andrew Watt continued: “Whilst we are delighted with our state ranking, the published
‘League Table’, which acknowledges those students who achieved a Band 6 in a subject, tells us just part of the story. They do not, for example, recognise the achievements of those who have made significant progress over their years of schooling, culminating with personal best results that fall below a Band 6. We commend those in the Class of 2019 who have achieved
outstanding results, commensurate with their ability. Their perseverance and exemplary work ethic are inspiring. “It takes a community to prepare our Year 12 students for the HSC and life beyond school. I particularly thank our teachers for their professionalism, commitment and encouragement to ensure our students’ success.”
MAZAL TOV TO THE CLASS OF 2019 “Emanuel School does not tell you the answers but teaches you how to ask the questions.” Ashlee Orleow, Class of 2019
OVERALL STATE RANKING 41st in the State
STATE RANKING
(non-selective co-educational schools)
7th in the State “Emanuel School is where I am able to fully express myself, and to be an individual.” Matthew Joffe, Class of 2019
ATAR 90+
38%
ATAR 95+ ATAR 98+
22%
10%
A member of the JCA Family of Organisations
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schools / shuls
February 2020
Five weeks in Israel. A lifetime of memories. BJE
A group of 98 Year 10 students from public and non-Jewish private schools across Australia, recently returned home from an exciting and immersive study tour of Israel. It combined challenging excursions and tutorials over 5 weeks. This is the highlight of BJE’s Jewish Journey. Says Hilit Man, CEO of BJE: “The students’ transformation from the information evening to the time they return is unbelievable. For some it has been a journey from little to no affiliation to Judaism or the Jewish community, returning with a strong Jewish identity and a meaningful connection to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.” The teenagers experienced Israel in a well-structured and modern educational setting. Many students hadn’t met prior
to the program and have since gone from strangers to best friends. Says Hazel Freed, Parent Engagement Manager at BJE: “I feel privileged to have been part of this life-changing journey, and to witness the personal growth of each of the students. I was very inspired by how quickly the students formed such a deep connection to Israel and to their Jewish roots.” Highlights from the program included a 24hour trip from the warm beaches of Eilat, to the snowy mountains of Hermon. Along the way, students saw the borders of 6 different countries. Says Andi Smith, mother of Gia and Coby: “My twins had the time of their lives! My son texted me… ‘I’ve had an amazing time and I feel so lucky and happy that I got the opportunity to do this. Thank you mum and dad!’ What more could a parent want to
hear?” Climbing Mount Masada was another magical experience where students learnt the story of Masada, the Jewish revolt against the Romans and how Masada is now a symbol for the State of Israel. It reinforced how their support for Israel (as Jews living in Australia) is essential to Israel’s growth and survival. This was followed by a chance to float in the Dead Sea. The Carmel markets in Tel Aviv and Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem were fun places to spend free time and learn the art of negotiation. The Kotel was where the group had their first Shabbat in Israel. Despite feeling little connection before arriving in Israel, the students were soon singing and dancing so passionately that it attracted the attention of Israeli soldiers who joined in!
The students also spent a night at a Bedouin campsite, where they enjoyed a traditional banquet and had the opportunity to ride camels. Says Shanni Yehuda, BJE student: “I always heard that in Israel, we would form a family. I doubted the idea of becoming so close with nearly 100 other Jews my age. I now realise that after five amazing weeks in Israel, learning about our collective history and experiencing life-changing moments, I genuinely do feel a part of a big family.” The BJE Israel program has widespread support, both from the Jewish community and school principals. BJE is already making plans for their 2020 Program and they guarantee it will be life-changing! For further information on the BJE Israel Program, contact David on 9365 7900 or email: israel@bje.nsw.edu.au
KTC students’ “transformative” trip to Israel KESSER TORAH COLLEGE Gratitude was the prevailing emotion expressed by teachers and students alike who participated in the “amazing” KTC Israel Trip in December. From conquering Masada, exploring the Kotel tunnels, hanging out in the Shuk to walking in the footsteps of prophets and kings in the City of David, it was gratitude for the Land of Israel that was the most profound feeling to emerge from amongst the students. As well as sightseeing, the group visited many organisations committed to improving the social welfare of many Israeli citizens. Among them included Beth Oloth, an organisation that reaches out to newly arrived immigrants and under-privileged Israeli girls. They also visited wounded IDF veterans at Beit HaLochem in Jerusalem, as well as Susan’s House which welcomes atrisk teens. “This trip can do so much for a child, both emotionally and socially and they come out a different person,” accompanying teacher Ziva Richter said. “The girls are coming there with a blank slate. They are going to see what Israel is all about without having a pre-determined agenda. At their age, the experience is much more powerful and can stay with them for longer. They are in Israel to learn and expand their knowledge of what we have been learning in Jewish Studies and how it connects to their own lives.” Recognition of the ultimate sacrifice many made throughout Israel’s history, and the understanding that there is something greater than themselves for which to
strive were also striking. “All the girls were thinking, ‘it’s not about me, it’s about us, it’s about the future.’ It was about coming out of their bubbles and seeing what they can do for others,” Ziva said. Fellow teacher Cheryl Friedman added that “it was a life changing experience on so many levels. We live in a blessed but isolated community in Australia. We had a security guard with us all the time on the trip, so the security situation in the country was brought home to the girls. Israel is so important for the Jewish people and thank G-d it’s there if we need it. “The girls knew about the Israeli army, but they learnt in greater detail about the fight for Israel and how much to appreciate that we now have it. They also realise that it’s
a constant fight to keep it and it was a very heavy lesson for them,” Cheryl said. Students Rivkah Niasoff, Tali Moss and Adiella Lobel who participated in the Israel Trip found the experience personally fulfilling and meaningful. “It was my first trip to Israel and I love that we were able to see everything we have been learning about in Jewish Studies since kindy,” Rivkah Niasoff said. “It showed me how lucky we are to be able to go Israel and to the Kotel whereas in the past we weren’t always able to go there,” added Tali Moss. “My great-grandfather was a Holocaust survivor and the experience at Yad Vashem made me appreciate how lucky I am,” she said. “It was a great experience to see Israel
and go to places I had never been to before,” Adiella Lobel said. “I really enjoyed Kfar Nogdim and staying in a Bedouin tent. I loved being out in the desert, waking up early and seeing the sunrise. I have made new friendships and I am so grateful that we have the land of Israel.” College Principal, Roy Steinman added: “We are very grateful to both Y2i and the extra donors who assisted us in making the KTC five week Israel Study Tour a reality. Israel is certainly the best classroom in the world for teaching Jewish Studies and Jewish History. “I know the experience has had a profound and transformative impact on all our students – one that will impact them for the rest of their lives.”
schools and shul
February 2020
15
Masada College highest performing Jewish school in the 2019 HSC MASADA COLLEGE Masada College has a lot to be proud of when looking at the 2019 Higher School Certificate (HSC) results. The College topped the list as the highest performing Jewish Day School and ranked 35th amongst all schools in NSW, which is an outstanding performance for a nonselective school. In fact, Masada College has a history of solid performance in the HSC, ranking in the top 100 schools every year for the last decade. Ms Megan Laing, Head of Senior School at Masada College, was extremely proud of the 2019 cohort and said the consistent, outstanding HSC results are due in large part to the learning and teaching pedagogy inculcated into the school culture. As one of the first schools in Australia to adopt a Culture of Thinking, working alongside colleagues at Harvard University’s Project Zero Team, students are surrounded with an intellectual world which nurtures their thinking dispositions. “This begins to take shape in our 2-year old classes at Masada Cottage, with the early development of thinking habits that prepare them for all they will face in their schooling and in their lives beyond,” said Ms Laing. The College was particularly proud of the results in Modern Hebrew, with the College taking the top three rankings in the state! Bar Shulman, Ran Ashkenazi, and Shani Ieremias ranked first, second and third. Head of Hebrew at Masada, Mrs Adi Halevi, said these students had achieved
remarkable results because the College tailored individual learning plans to suit each student’s learning needs. Ran and Shani have been part of an accelerated program, allowing them to sit their Hebrew HSC paper 12 months early. “It is an exceptional achievement for these students to have not only completed their HSC Hebrew a year early, but to also be ranked in the top three
German Ambassador Visits Jewish Community - Holocaust Remembrance Day CHABAD ACT The Ambassador of Germany to Australia, His Excellency Dr Thomas Fitschen, has paid a visit to the Chabad ACT Jewish community in Canberra and held a lengthy meeting with its Chairman, Rabbi Shmueli Feldman. The friendly meeting took place as the world prepares to mark the 75th year since the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27th, designated by the UN in 2005 as “International Holocaust Remembrance Day”. During the meeting, Ambassador Fitschen outlined efforts being undertaken by Germany in combatting the recent scourge of antisemitism in Germany. Rabbi Feldman raised additional ideas to be considered by the German Government, particularly in relation to education. Ambassador Fitschen spoke of the work of
the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and his wish to further develop it. In Israel, a historic number of Heads of State and world leaders are attending the 75th year commemoration ceremonies. At an address given at a forum of world leaders today at Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, The President of Germany, FrankWalter Steinmar said that he stands with historical guilt and warned that today’s Jew hatred seen in Europe today is the same evil as during Nazi era yet the Germans have not learned the lesson of the Holocaust. Rabbi Feldman resolved with the Ambassador to continue regular meetings to monitor the outcomes of the recent measures Germany had put in place and to further discuss new initiatives to help the plight of Germany’s Jews. The meeting concluded with a prayer for world peace.
Welcome Back To School! JEMS CTEEN JEMs Cteens had a record of teens attending various programs that ran throughout the past year. Jems Cteens offers teens the opportunity to get involved and appreciate Jewish culture and identity. Programs include Humanitarian project, Jewish culture club in 9 schools. Holiday programs, nursing home visits, Bar/Bat Mitzvah course and lessons, volunteering opportunity\'s, NYC international shabbaton, Free trip to Israel after year 12 and much more. This year we have added another 4 learning programs. To find out more and get involved feel free to email: volunteer@jems.org.au
in the state,” said Mrs Halevi. 29% of all Masada students received an ATAR of over 95% and 45% received and ATAR over 90%. “Whilst we are very proud of our high performing students, we are equally proud of our students who have overcome difficulties and pushed themselves to achieve beyond expectations,” said Ms Laing. “Part of what makes Masada so special is our
individual support and care for all students. We understand that young people have varying needs, from academic support to emotional well-being,” she said. “Masada aims to ensure all students have a positive and successful experience at school, where they feel part of an environment that fosters positive relationships and student wellbeing,” she added
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schools and shuls
February 2020
BACK TO SCHOOL SNAP SHOTS MORIAH COLLEGE - YEAR K
MOUNT SINAI COLLEGE
KESSER TORAH COLLEGE
February 2020
schools and shuls / lifestyle
MASADA COLLEGE
Yeladim Celebrates Tu B'Shvat
YELADIM EARLY LEARNING CENTER AND PRESCHOOL
EMANUEL SCHOOL
Tu B'Shvat at Kesser Torah KESSER TORAH COLLEGE Children in KTC's Early Learning Centre are taught from a young age about the importance of environmental awareness for which Judaism has its own special day - Tu B'Shvat - the New Year for Trees. Students planted succulents in honour of this day dedicated to trees which could not have come at a more important time given the severity of this current bushfire season.
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lifestyle
February 2020
Starting the new year on a positive note! ME NUTRITION MONIQUE ETKIND
Hopefully you are all well rested and ready to take on and achieve those health goals set at the end of last year. As I always say the success of anything is based on how solid the foundation is, so it is important that we put in place the right behaviours at the start of 2020 before life gets crazy and you find it difficult to maintain a nutritious diet and active lifestyle. That is why we need to make an active plan that includes : 1. The days we will be shopping for food to make sure we have the fresh produce needed to make nourishing meals 2. The meal prep days to ensure we have delicious, nutrient balanced meals on days we are getting home late 3. A freezer with a supply of home-cooked meals for those days that don't go to plan 4. A fully stocked pantry with low GI, nutrient rich snacks for at home or On the go 5. Set days you will exercise in your diary
so you are committed to the 45 minutes of physical activity ( this shouldn't be a chore but hopefully with time you will love exercise as much as I do) If these five strategies are implemented I can assure you, you will less likely reach for nutritionally poor foods or snacks on those days you are tired and have no energy or inspiration to cook. Keeping active will keep your mind clear and assist in keeping your blood sugars controlled and improving your heart health. Remember once you believe in yourself, and you put your mind to something, YOU CAN DO IT!
Monique is a Sydney based Dietitian (APD) and nutritionist, who believes one should eat everything in moderation. She runs a private practice in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. All her plans are individually based to ensure that they attend to the nutritional needs of both adults and children, by facilitating the processes of fat loss and management of related medical diseases.
Supermarket Aisle Standout Thinkfood Mini Munches Mini Munch are a range of artisan crafted nut, fruit and seed clusters that are delicious and low GI. They are vegan, low in saturated fat and rich in calcium and magnesium. They are the perfect nibble-sized snack for at home or on the go and have the ideal balance of flavour and nutrition to ensure your body and mind are well nourished.
Black and White SEBERG (M) - 103 MINUTES
A Recipe for Collaboration 'Feeding Women of the Bible' NORTH SHORE TEMPLE EMANUEL North Shore Temple Emanuel’s Senior Rabbi Nicole Roberts has contributed to a new book - a collaborative effort between author and founder of the ‘Jewish Food Hero’ project, Kenden Alfond, along with 39 prominent Jewish women. 'Feeding Women of the Bible, Feeding Ourselves' (Turner Publishing) features over 40 plant-based, vegan recipes inspired by 20 biblical heroines and their narratives in the Torah. The first woman to be appointed senior rabbi in Australia, Rabbi Nicole has served Sydney's North Shore Temple Emanuel (NSTE) since 2012. NSTE is Australia\'s third largest Progressive Jewish congregation. Celebrating the story of Leah, wife of Jacob, known for ‘her tender eyes’, Rabbi Nicole delves into Leah’s story, questioning important themes such as ‘forbearance’.
She writes: ‘To exercise forbearance sometimes means to “act as if” until our reality actually begins to change, and to bear up under a degree of internal discomfort in the meantime.” The themes in Leah’s story are as relevant today as they were millennia ago. The cookbook captures the same spirit of Rabbi Nicole and the North Shore Temple Emanuel\'s inclusive approach to Judaism, its vibrant celebration of Jewish life and close relationship to the local community. It is also a timely reminder of what collaboration among women can achieve today, in a way that is both empowering and nurturing. These creative recipes enrich community life, bringing people together to cook, eat and connect through intimate conversation. A Kindle edition of the cookbook is available for purchase on Amazon from 10 March 2020. All profits from the sale will be donated to a non-profit Jewish cause.
She was an idealist who got in way over her head and paid the price. Inspired by fact, this is the story of American actress Jean Seberg, a rising star and darling of the French New Wave. She believed in just causes and wasn’t afraid to put her name to them, but she should have been. We’re talking of a time when J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI engineered a smear campaign. When Sebergopens, Jean (Kristen Stewart) is already a well-known actress and style icon, but stardom has failed to satisfy her restless, inquisitive side. A life-long supporter of the civil rights movement, Jean is immediately attracted to Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie), a charismatic activist in the Black Power movement. Their relationship gets the attention of the FBI and Jean becomes the target of COINTELPRO, a covert surveillance operation aimed at disrupting political organisations. On the case is a recent FBI recruit Jack Solomon (Jack O’Connell), a gifted surveillance specialist with an expertise in sound. He joins the L.A. field office and is teamed up with a more senior agent, Carl Kowalski (Vince Vaughn). The consequences for Jean are enormous. Seberg weaves together facts and actual FBI documents into a speculative history that explores Jean’s subjective experience.
Kristen Stewart is her usual polished and nuanced self as a woman with a conscience who makes some questionable choices that can be viewed as bold and naïve. She commands our attention throughout in another “look at me” performance. She imbues her character with heart and soul, distress and paranoia. Jack O’Connell also leaves his mark as the FBI agent Solomon who signed up for something far different from what he became embroiled in. In fact, a mark of the picture is its strong characterisations, many without a moral compass. They include Solomon’s FBI partner Kowalski and their boss Frank Ellroy (Colm Meaney). Margaret Qualley impresses in a small but notable role as O’Connell’s wife, Linette. Anthony Mackie channels righteousness and fervour as Hakim Jamal and Zazie Beetz stamps her mark on his wronged wife Dorothy. Yvan Attal brings distinctly French sensibilities to Seberg’s laid-back and enduring husband Romain Gary. Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, who last worked together on The Aftermath, have crafted an intriguing and dramatic screenplay, with direction from Benedict Andrews (Una). Seberg is an engaging and relentless psychological drama cum thriller that certainly caught my attention. Rated M, it scores a 7½ to 8 out of 10.
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lifestyle
February 2020
2020 JIFF Short Film Fund now open for submissions JIFF The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is thrilled to announce the return of its Short Film Fund in 2020. Successfully launched in 2017, the Fund was established to provide funding to Australian filmmakers for the completion of a Jewish-themed short film (narrative, documentary or animation). In 2019, the Fund was awarded to local filmmakers Karen Pearlman and Joel Kohn, whose films I want to make a film about women and The Mirror had their World Premiere screenings at JIFF 2019. 2017 winner, Still Alive (dir. Anita Lester), has gone on to great international success, with screenings at film festivals around the world, and a recent licensing by Yad Vashem to screen as a part of their digital exhibition. "Your visionary work in creating and sustaining JIFF, and in offering the Short Film Fund award is hugely significant. Making a film, even a short one, is hard. But getting it seen, and embraced is, in some ways even harder! You have, in giving us those two beautiful cinema launches, created a home, a trajectory, and a series of possibilities for our labour of love. This warm embrace of our unusual short film means the world to us. Thank you is not enough, but it is sent with sincerity and great affection!" — I want to make a film about women director Karen Pearlman In 2020, a total grant pool of $10,000 is available for the production of two short films (narrative, animation or documentary) incorporating a Jewish theme, character or
Last year’s winner: I want to make a film about women story arc. We are seeking treatments and scripts for films under 10 minutes that are universally engaging and entertaining, and able to resonate with audiences from all backgrounds. “We are excited for JIFF to continue to be a catalyst for the production of great Australian short films to be shared on the big screen, providing a launching pad for their international recognition.” — JIFF artistic director Eddie Tamir Building on a 30 year history of Jewish film festivals in Australia, JIFF has established itself at the forefront of the world’s biggest and most successful Jewish film festivals. Cementing its reputation for
delivering international cinema of supreme quality, the festival is proud to showcase a diverse and world-class slate of film and event programming: from award-winning documentaries and dramas, to comedies and short films. Screening across 8 locations in 5 cities with audiences of over 55,000, JIFF provides an outstanding national exposure to a diverse and engaged audience. This year, the festival looks forward to continuing its support of Australian filmmakers with its Short Film Fund: a monetary funding initiative that aims to create opportunities for emerging filmmakers in Australia, and to encourage and support the production and exhibition of short films on themes
that engage with Jewish life, history and culture. JIFF is committed to supporting and championing local filmmakers, and stories reflecting the global Jewish experience. The festival is seeking projects to a maximum length of 10 minutes, and is open to all filmmakers who are Australian residents. Applications for the 2020 Fund are now open on the JIFF website, and close on 1 April 2020. The allocation of funding will be announced in mid-May 2020, and will be determined by a panel of experienced industry judges. We expect the films to be ready for exhibition at JIFF 2020, with final delivery required by early October 2020.
The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan
LISA IRELAND
The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan is a charming, nostalgic and heart-warming story for women of any age - and it all begins when 79-year-old Shirley kidnaps husband from his nursing home for one final adventure. 'An endearing novel about one gutsy, smart and inspirational woman. I want to be Shirley when I grow up.' Rachael Johns 'Elderly. Is that how the world sees me? A helpless little old lady? If only they knew. I allow myself a small smirk.' When Shirley Sullivan signs her 83-yearold husband, Frank, out of the Sunset Lodge Nursing Home, she has no intention of bringing him back. For fifty-seven years the couple has shared love, happiness and heartbreak. And while Frank may not know who his wife is these days, he knows he wants to go home. Back to the beach where they met in the early 1960s . . . So Shirley enacts an elaborate plan to evade the authorities – and their furious daughter, Fiona – to give Frank the holiday he’d always dreamed of. And, in doing so, perhaps Shirley can make amends for a lifelong guilty secret . 'With both humour and heart, The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan takes the reader on a (literal) journey – in a Kombi van! – following one couple’s unconventional love
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
story, and examining the lengths a person will go to to right the wrongs of a lifetime. 'This is Lisa Ireland’s breakout novel for sure.' Sally Hepworth 'Lisa Ireland’s writing is simply magical, and Shirley’s charming and heartfelt story brought me to tears again and again. The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan is one of my favourite books, ever.' Kelly Rimmer 'This moving story, celebrating ageing and all types of love, will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.' Rachael Johns
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lifestyle
The Early Bird: When baby wakes too early, especially in summer THE SLEEP COACH CHERYL FINGLESON In Australia, our early morning summer sunrises and our much celebrated daylight savings lifestyle is a godsend for many, transforming the early morning exercise regime or commute into something far more pleasurable. But for families with babies, toddlers or very young children the ‘early morning wake up’ might begin to slide to an earlier and earlier timeslot each day, becoming something ugly and unmanageable in a very short space of time. Early-morning waking is a common in young families, enhanced by the early sunrises and later bedtimes that are endemic to the party season. So why is baby waking earlier and more frequently during summer? Simply put, it is because a baby’s “sleep drive” is very low as the normal waking hour approaches. The “sleep drive” is the pressure that builds over time to help us fall asleep. It’s the visceral instructions that send us climbing into our beds, that make our eyelids heavier and our attention spans weaker and compels us as adults to go to sleep. However, the opposite is true during early morning hours: our bodies have had almost a full night of rest, the sun is beginning to rise, our melatonin drops, and we are in a lighter stage of sleep. Our bodies may NEED more sleep, but all of these factors are fighting for us to wake up. That “drive” to sleep is so weak compared to what we felt at bedtime. All human circadian rhythms reset to light exposure, and even a little light in the morning will cause your baby to ‘lock in’ to an earlier wake up time. In addition, the quality of sleep is usually ‘light’ in the early morning, as the baby’s brain transitions out of the deep sleep of the middle of the night. So it’s much easier to wake for any reason, like a sunrise, an unexpected sound, the need for stimulation or in search of breakfast. Adults may be able to regulate this need, and put themselves back to sleep if they wake too early. But babies have not yet learned this valuable skill. What are the reasons for my baby’s early waking? Parents and carers need to puzzle out the reasons and solutions, based on whether their child might have a sleep association that is waking them more frequently, or if they are waking for a particular reason. Reason #1: Sunlight is sneaking in.
As we now know, sunlight is an inbuilt circadian prompt to wake the human brain. The easiest solution then is to darken the room as much as possible, install blackout blinds or move the baby to a darker place in the house. Reason #2: Bedtime is too late. For most babies, a later bedtime does not encourage “sleeping in.” In fact, a later bedtime can do just the opposite and cause babies to wake earlier. If your baby is struggling with early mornings, consider an EARLIER bedtime. This may seem counter-intuitive, but earlier bedtimes really do help many families resolve early morning woes! Even just 20 minutes earlier can have a huge impact. Reason #3: The first nap of the day is too early. An early first nap can cement early morning wakings! Your baby’s body treats a very early nap as an extension of night sleep, and early morning wakings will continue. So parents should evaluate how long the baby is up and awake between the big nighttime sleep and her first nap of the day. Reason #4: Baby is overtired at bedtime. An overtired baby has poor sleep habits, and must re-learn the basics of sound and regular sleep times. Reason: #5: Hunger Whilst this is a common assumption, its not always true. If your baby is getting his calories in during the day and staying on his growth curve, hunger does NOT have to be your first go-to for night wakings. If you think your baby may truly be waking out of hunger in those early morning hours, then he definitely needs more calories. Try adding in extra daytime calories by giving an extra grams in each daytime bottle or by adding in a nursing session during the day to rule out hunger. If your baby is older than 6 months, talk to your pediatrician about adding more solids to his diet. Correcting early morning wakings will take time and consistency. When making changes for your little one, give the strategies at LEAST a week to evaluate the effectiveness. It is imperative that babies and toddlers get the right amount of sleep, and wake appropriately. Sleep is vital for growth, development, health and happiness. I always advise my clients’ to take control of their babies’ sleep routine straight away. It’s not worth deferring, no matter how demanding the season, as sleep loss and poor routine has significant impacts on the wellbeing of these precious young people, and by extension their whole families. There are plenty of tools available to protect sleep and settling. And if parents can’t do it alone, there is plenty of professional help on hand too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!.
CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES DATE
LIGHT
END
CANDLES Friday, Feb 14, 2020
7:32 pm
8:28 pm
Friday, Feb 21, 2020
7:24 pm
8:19 pm
Friday, Feb 28, 2020
7:16 pm
8:10 pm
Friday, Mar 6, 2020
7:07 pm
8:01 pm
Friday, Mar 13, 2020
6:58 pm
7:52 pm
Friday, Mar 20, 2020
6:48 pm
7:42 pm
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AARON DAVID MILLER
is above all a matter of faith, of belief and of religion. The notion that the three Abrahamic faiths -- Islam, Christianity and Judaism -share common values concerning peace, Even back in the days when you could still social justice and humanity may well be use the term “peace process” true. But that has never with a straight been the case when face, the odds of solving the Jerusalem issue it comes to this city. History is filled with were already pretty long. Then, I would have claims, conquests, crusades, occupations, put those odds a bit north massacres and violence of impossible and in the name of a little south ofI 14, 5774 Things hopeless. possessing Jerusalem, are even 2014 / Adar not sharing it. worse now. Friday, 14 February And nowhere has the religious complexity FREE VOL. 1 I remember day eight of the Jerusalem issue of the Camp David been clearer than summit in July 2000, when on the question of who discussion turned controls and what to Jerusalem. That day, will happen to the Haram it was clear to me al-Sharif (Noble that as far Camp David Enclosure) and Har was concerned, it Habayit (Temple was game over. There Mount). That platform, were some intriguing situated within the moves on Israel’s part, walls of Jerusalem’s Old but nothing that could City, is in essence a have settled the issue. physical manifestation Indeed, Ehud Barak, of overlapping sacred but globally, too; and as Yasser Arafat and Bill the last few months space. Clinton could have but not always a result suggest, it is also fallen into the yawning of the perception a matter of security Atop activities gaps that separated sits the goldened Dome among Palestinians Tu B’Shevat of the Rock, fraught and framed now Israelis and Palestinians that including Israel is trying aNSW by an intimacy of Boardcentury Islamic seventh on this issue and to change the activities, shrine built by by the killing reflected in the never have been heard status of some slayings of Israeli and aspect of the Caliph Abd al-Malik from again. a project initiated Jerusalem. The and that houses the Palestinian teens this Fast forward a decade reason for this latest past summer and of round foundation and a half, and stone, a massive rock that figures of tensions, violence of Deputies. last week’s savage Palestinian being a part not much has changed. and ourselves on Jerusalem is still attack on a a perfect is prominently in Jewish and Islamic pride bloodletting report but synagogue in west Jerusalem. tradition. storm of We weAnd insoluble we it now seems factors that include on which news’ butand nearby there’s a site of the more explosive sense of isolationtheand communities even greater news is good then ever.inSoa what don’t pretend frustration on theandsignificance is it about Jerusalem/ that They say ‘no -- the al-Aqsa mosque part of the Palestinians be everywhere We believe PROXIMITY CAN BE started Yerushalayim/al-Quds we can’t of East Jerusalem by Caliph Abd lot DEADLY. that makes it so think differently. there is a al-Malik in the seventh who don’t have the know everything. Ben Franklin quipped that community potentiallyitcontentious to benefit of the social century.bravery, to the will proximity breeds and deadly? thriving Jewish services and economic Quran, it is reputed a story of dedication, According children, and contempt, Three things stand out: and that sharing If there’s advantages of towhich too. In this regard, be theinspires ascension point where Israelis in the west; Israel’s of good news; even further. the Prophet achievement, Jerusalem is unique in or to effort that it is one of the Mohammed expand also leadership our community inspire others. rose to heaven on his Jewish their communities and strengthen it will only places where Israelis growing Night IT’S A PERFECT STORM OF been chances are and Palestinians Jerusalem; in East Journey. a vibrant and Below you, presence COMPLEXITY. (the you’ve the platform are the remains Sydney has connected Hamas’ efforts to know. vast majority who aren’t Similarly, if Jerusalem us are is a microcosm of almost Arab citizens the flames; forgotten Let us incite and fan of both temples, which housed or Jewish but few of or all of Israel) mix and the grim the the community issues in the Israeli-Palestinian bureaucracy, every day and have realization relationships that over by the Ark of theIf Covenant there’s and the Holy almost future seems immediate packed conflict unrestricted of Holies. know. almost walked certain to be more access to one another. beyond our into While letofus The one small place that is participate. area is so the It is a the same. With marked stunning by the system, in which we by a big to a sector of sensitive to Jews that they the Israel-Gaza testament to the pragmatism be well war sub-groups were until or enjoined not campaign a over enable us history. It combines territory (who self-interest and the next round, ourto set foot on the Mount cause, throw internet a and and will the should of control West often Israelis and Palestinians Bank relatively out of fear that they could the news we areland in the east and west, not you think we -- as quiet, it’s Jerusalem be treading on that citizens’, well as the imbalance And if you community to mention that has emergedlet know. ground. the four quarters -of power -- that the as us sacred informed ‘global Jewish, city has remained the epicenter of unrest. what is happening or want to weight behind, unaware ofMuslim, Armenian, as quiet and functional down Christian -- of the It is quite completely some advice extraordinary that despite as old it has these many few Ithouses living a city). involves have a solution, years given such passions incidents community political identity (conflicting Telling of violence -- October important an to someone OVERLAPPING to bridge!). and politics. 1990, SACRED claims to the city as a your voice over the add SPACE. September 1996, September to change capital); it is driven by Things in Jerusalem would (never mind 2000 and of But it should be no us know. course one way letenough be bad (see below) involving surprise that given if stories isreligion and children what’s and debate, transpired in recent not just Jews, those shuls the perfect each other’s year --begins storm were driven weeks politics and passions Muslims and Christians new by attend different that the themselves thatmembers As the only Jerusalem area has not been a proximity as well as nationalist Report, in the Middle East, has often become scene of this. alike are opening a bloodywhen and political and strengthen flash point, often conflict. Sydney Jewish adults the and and But that inaugural enlighten was not to be. Jerusalemchapter of learning Continued on page In compiling of schools. create a newspaper 34 from this, our • Connect, Page 20
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Sydney Jewish Report Disclaimer: Except where expressly stated otherwise, content in The Sydney Jewish Report is provided as general informations only. The articles in this paper have been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content here are presented solely by the author, and The Jewish Report assumes no responsibility for them. It is not intended as advice and must not be relied upon as such. You should make your own inquiries and take independent advice tailored to your specific circumstances prior to making any decisions. We do not make any representation or warranty that any material in the papers will be reliable, accurate or complete, nor do we accept any responsibility arising in any way from errors or omissions. We will not be liable for loss resulting from any action or decision by you in reliance on the material in the papers. By reading the papers, you acknowledge that we are not responsible for, and accept no liability in relation to, any reader’s use of, access to or conduct in connection with the papers in any circumstance. Photographs submitted by individuals or organisations are assumed to be their property and are therefore not otherwise credited. All articles in this paper have received the expressed consent of the author to publish in this paper. The Jewish Report; ISSN 2204-4639 Publisher: The Jewish Report Pty Ltd (ACN 167302981) Distributor: TJR Distribution Pty Ltd ACN 165158029 Comments or suggestions to: editor@thejewishreport.com.au Article submissions to: www.thejewishreport.com.au/article-submission-guidelines Advertising: advertising@thejewishreport.com.au Website: www.thejewishreport.com.au Printer: Spotpress Pty Ltd
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lifestyle
February 2020
FROM THE ARMCHAIR
The Lesson of Mindfulness on Tu Bishvat ARMCHAIR PSYCOLOGY AMANDA GORDON
It’s February. I’m writing this while it is pouring with rain, following a January of bushfires that may finally be impacted in a positive way by the weather. It is also nearly Tu Bishvat, the new year of the trees – but as I look out my window, my garden is dead. Perhaps after a week of this rain, predicted to occur, there will be some new green shoots. Judaism seems to be the only religion that has a celebration for the new year of the trees. It began merely as a way of counting the age of trees, so that it was known when they were four, until which time their fruit was to be left – when they were four, their fruit was for sacrifice, and only when they turned five can we eat the fruit of the tree. Sort of indigenous knowledge about the land, I think, and how best to manage it. I love the way that the new year for the trees falls just around our secular new year. In Australia, it brings into sharp focus our important relationship with the land. Customs, including a Tu Bishvat seder, are becoming mainstream, and remind us of the fruits of the land, its abundance, its diversity, and the need to sustain it. I believe Tu Bishvat also talks to us about the need for humanity to protect nature. We do not have rights over the trees, we have
responsibility towards them. We have to nurture them, not take of the young fruit but let it mature, give the first edible crop as sacrifice, acknowledge that we are guardians rather than owners. This again reflects Australian Indigenous knowledge – the ancient cultures were more mindful of their environments then we tend to be – aware of the source of their food and the need to cultivate mindfully. Acknowledging the land, the source of our sustenance, the connection with nature, is one form of mindfulness that can be helpful in coping with the stresses of life. Even as many parts of Australia have been devastated by bushfires and are looking forward to recovery and rehabilitation, we sit on Tu Bishvat and contemplate our dependence on the land. It can be soothing to know that throughout the many cycles of fire and flood, drought and abundance, we
have and will survive. Psychologists know that Mindfulness is good for our mental health. What does that mean – especially in the context of trees? It is amazing how soothing it can be to sit or walk amongst the trees. When we focus on them, we tend to get our relationships better in context. We can focus on human issues when we see ourselves as part of the bigger picture. In this case, I am not talking about the awareness of the source of food. Mindfulness in this sense is when we stop thinking, and just experience. Being amongst trees is a great place to do this. This season, though, once the rain stops, many of us will be walking through land that used to be treed, and is now arid. Blackened tree trunks, devastated houses and communities. These bushfires have been so extensive that they have touched all of us. Everyone in the Australian community feels
Man Wronged
as if they personally have been affected. We have smelt the smoke in the cities, been overwhelmed by the dust and the haze far from the actual blazes. The intensity of the media coverage has brought the pain and heartbreak, the angst and despair into all our homes. People are feeling helpless to impact the course that nature seems to have taken, as a result of human growth. On Tu Bishvat we are reminded that we, as custodians of the trees, can reap the fruit only when we care for them. It is the same for the whole world. We have to care for it, and we can all do our small bit to care for our part of the environment. We learn that by playing our own small part we can change the world. A feeling of helplessness is difficult to bear and can be the precursor of anxiety or depression. Take steps yourself and with your family to ensure that none of us is helpless. Protect your own environment and ensure that your children know that anxiety is not helpful but action is. We don’t have to wait for Government to take big steps, we are the individuals who can determine the course of the world through our own small actions. Take time to use techniques of mindfulness to enhance your sense of wellbeing. Then ACT mindfully, being aware of our environment and our responsibilities towards it. That will protect the mental health of you and your children. Amanda Gordon is a psychologist and the Clinical Director of Armchair Psychology, based in Edgecliff, Sydney.
www.armchairpsychology.com.au
RICHARD JEWELL (M) ALEX FIRST
Hero or villain? Richard Jewell, the movie, answers that question about the chief suspect in the Centennial Park bombing in 1996, which killed two people and left more than 100 injured. On 27th July that year, during the Atlanta Olympics, security guard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser – I, Tonya) discovers a suspicious backpack hidden under a bench in the park that is found to contain an incendiary device. This is a guy who is a trusting man and believes in the power and responsibility of law enforcement. It is he who makes the running on this matter. With little time to spare, he helps clear the immediate area around the backpack, ultimately saving many lives and minimising potential injuries. While he is hailed a hero at the time, three days later his life implodes when the FBI jumps to the conclusion that he “did it”. The Bureau determines that he was the one who planted the bomb. The reason – put simply, profiling theory. A large, single man, Jewell dotes upon his loving mother, Bobi (Kathy Bates – Misery), who is mighty proud to see what her son did to save all those people – until she, too, gets swept up in the maelstrom. The pair is unable to move without media crews and the FBI tailing them and listening in to their conversations. Jewell then turns to a man, Watson Bryant (Sam Rockwell – Jojo Rabbit), he met at
another job years earlier, somebody who impressed him because he was prepared to listen to what Jewell had to say, rather than making fun of him, like others had. That man is a lawyer and Jewell is now in a position where he needs all the help he can get. Let’s face it, the FBI pulled a hatchet job here that would have been more at home when the intelligence and security service was under the leadership of J Edgar Hoover. You sit there watching in disbelief. The film – written by Billy Ray (Captain Phillips), based on true events and on a Vanity Fair article titled “American
Nightmare – The Ballad of Richard Jewell” by Marie Brenner – features a surfeit of rich characters and first-rate performances. None are better than Hauser as a left of centre, larger than life, upholder of the law who gets caught up in a firestorm and Rockwell as the rough and ready, call it like it is attorney, with a sharp mind, who doesn’t take a backward step. They are ably supported by Bates as Jewell’s nearest and dearest, who – like Jewell – is totally blindsided by the events that play out. Olivia Wilde (A Vigilante) makes quite an impression as the gung ho journalist, Kathy
Scruggs, who would do anything for a scoop. Jon Hamm takes charge as the morally questionable lead FBI agent Tom Shaw (a fictionalised character), willing to bring down Richard Jewell at any cost – and, not surprisingly, he grates – just as he is supposed to. Richard Jewell is driven by masterly direction from Clint Eastwood. There is something special when Eastwood takes charge of a picture and Richard Jewell is no exception. Rated M, Richard Jewell scores an 8 out of 10.
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lifestyle
February 2020
MDA To The Rescue During Record Breaking Rain AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM (MDA NSW) Magen David Adom saves lives 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in all sorts of weather when emergencies occur on land and sea. During November and December, Israel received unprecedented, record-breaking rain that caused flooding, trapping people in their homes and on roads. Magen David Adom was on high alert with increased its staffing of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics supported by 4x4 vehicles added to the fleet of ambulances and medicycles to provide a rapid response to all incidents, to give the best possible medical care to those in distress. In one emergency MDA teams were dispatched to a residential building in Tel Aviv where a couple had become trapped in the lift after they had gone down to the basement of their building which was flooded. The situation required complex rescue efforts by the Israel Fire Service's
Dive Team rescuing the victims who were both in a critical condition and suffering from severe hypothermia. MDA teams provided CPR and medical treatment and evacuated both to hospital, however neither one could be saved. MDA teams received hundreds of calls to treat victims whose houses had flooded in Tel Aviv and provided treatment to many people suffering extreme hypothermia and requiring hospitalization for further treatment. Others, trapped in vehicles had to be rescued by MDA EMTs and Paramedics. In one 24 hour period MDA rescued 30 stranded drivers. The bravery and humanity displayed by d MDA EMTs and Paramedics in these situations is not unusual for MDA. Its fleet of over 1,000 emergency vehicles travels over 10 million kilometres a year to care for 680,000 patients, serving all of Israel’s people. Response times are of the essence, when a few seconds can make the difference between life and death.
CHAG SAMEACH!
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lifestyle / sports
February 2020
Second Australian Yad Vashem honour wall for Holocaust victims and survivors AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF YAD VASHEM The inaugural Australian Wall of family plaques located in the Memorial Cave at Yad Vashem is now full and a second wall has been set aside to meet ongoing demand. More than 200 families have taken the opportunity to honour their loved ones by dedicating plaques to family members who died in the Holocaust or who survived and have since passed. The Australian Wall was initiated by community figure, the late Johnny Baker OA. The project to complete the wall has continued under the leadership of current president of Australian Friends of
Yad Vashem, Joey Borensztajn AM and committee members. “We are all very proud of this achievement which is a fitting testament to Johnny’s vision and commitment. It is a wonderful way for families to pay tribute to their loved ones and for future generations to be given the opportunity to observe remembrance of family members who were victims of the Shoah. Plaques have been ordered for the second wall and we encourage families to participate,” Borensztajn said this week For more information about the Memorial Cave, go to http://yadvashem.com.au/ If you or a family member would like to dedicate a plaque, please email afyv.exec@gmail.com
Leadership Team - Maccabiah 2021 announced Athletes Now encouraged to sign up
MACCABI
The Australian Maccabi Delegation has taken an exciting step forward on the road to the 21st Maccabiah after the Executive confirmed the Senior Leadership Team, Team Managers and Coaches for Australia’s delegation for the upcoming Games. After an extensive interview process, the Senior Leadership Team (comprising 16 members), Team Managers and Coaches (60 in total), have been appointed to lead the Australian Delegation to the 2021 Games. A
full list of appointments can be found on the Maccabiah website. Nominations are now open to be a part of the Media Team as a Journalist, Photographer or Videographer. To express your interest, visit Media Team Nominations Form. Head of Delegation, Barry Smorgon OAM, in congratulating the people appointed, made note of the high calibre of candidates and suggested that the group’s vast experience will be invaluable to delivering a successful Maccabiah campaign. “Our team culture and management philosophy of togetherness,
Perth Junior Carnival was EPIC! MACCABI JUNIOR CARNIVAL
Maccabi Junior Carnival 2020 in Perth wrapped up earlier this week and it was an unbelievable week of sport, fun social events and more sport! The WA organising committee was passionate about a return to the days of competitive State V State finals, with the week culminating in a Finals morning on Australia Day. All those not in finals cheered fervently for their home states and the atmosphere was electric. There were plenty of sports on offer during the week including soccer, netball, basketball, futsal, beach volleyball, tennis, touch rugby, plus new popular additions 3x3 basketball, fast 5 netball and a taekwondo competition. These competitive sports were balanced with fun sporting games such as tug of war and dodge ball so that everyone could get involved. WA also included an afternoon of All Abilities sporting activities, kindly supported by the JCA Choice Foundation. The activities included wheel chair basketball & archery, All Inclusive sport games run by Football West, and our junior soccer boys played a game with a WA state Para soccer team. Participants rotated through the activities and had a chance to do 2 of these sports - the wheel chair sports being a big favourite with everyone, especially our 2 participants in moon boots
as finally a sport they could be included in! A big thank you to The Choice Foundation in NSW who sponsored this afternoon. It really was an incredible experience for the kids to see sport through the eyes of others and many commenting on this being one of the highlights of the week. All the evening social activities were full of energy and included the Opening Ceremony & Party, a night at 'The Simulation Centre' (indoor climbing, visual & sensory arcade games & agility activities), outdoor laser tag and silent disco, and the final Aus Day BBQ with inflatable obstacle course including a farewell disco. This successful carnival is totally in line with the Maccabi brand of Connecting our Jewish Community through Sport and Maccabi Australia couldn’t be prouder. As is tradition, the dates of the next carnival were announced at the closing and many parents are already diarising the dates for Melbourne Carnival 2021 (14th-21st January) - save the dates now! Mazel Tov to the WA organising team, all the state managers and local volunteers who helped throughout the week. Plus a huge thanks to the Youth Leaders who did such a great job with coaching the teams and getting everyone involved throughout the week. Amazing photos (on back page) were captued by Julie K Photography, Samara Toister and Saul Frank.
mutual respect and a collegiate approach, will underpin the Australian Team, our goal is to provide a rewarding and memorable experience,” Smorgon said. With the Management team in place, Simone Cohen, General Manager officially opened the nominations for athletes and with the Games a mere 18 months away encouraged all aspirant athletes to sign up by following the link, Athlete Nomination Form. Athletes interested in Maccabiah 2021 are encouraged to attend the Information
Sessions running in NSW on 16th February and VIC on 23rd February, with WA still to be confirmed. To register, please visit Event Information. Maccabi Australia President Jeff Sher, believes that Maccabiah 2021 will be another significant event in the Maccabi calendar and sincerely thanked all of the volunteers now appointed, who by their contribution enable such a large undertaking to be successful. “We simply would not be able to support a team of over 500 without their dedication and commitment,” Sher said.
RESULTS Beach Volleyball U14'S VIC Blue U16'S VIC /QLD Comp Fast 5 Netball U14'S VIC Red U16'S NSW 7-A-Side Soccer U14'S VIC /QLD Comp U16'S WA Ultimate Frisbee U14'S NSW U16'S WA Touch Rugby U14'S U16'S 3 V3 Basketball U14 Girls U14 Boys U16 Girls U16 Boys
VIC NSW VIC 1 VIC 1 NSW WA 2
Tennis U14 Boys Saul Chapman (NSW) U14 Girls Cassie Bereszkowski (VIC ) U16 Boys Joah Hitter Table Tennis U14 Boys Jake Dembo (WA) U14 Girls Liel Grau (QLD) U14 Doubles Boys
Jake Dembo / Jacob Kerbel (WA) U14 Doubles Girls Mia Levy (WA) / Liel Grau (QLD) U16 Girls Taylor Kaplan (NSW) U16 Doubles Taylor Kaplan /Jamie Kaplan (NSW) Taekwondo Winner Asher Raiter (WA) Futsal U14’S VIC Red U16’S VIC /WA/QLD Comp Netball U14’S VIC Blue U16’S NSW Basektball U14 Boys VIC Blue U14 Girls VIC Red U16 Boys WA Good Sport Awards Name State Nom 1 Rory Goldhawk NSW 3 2 Maya Silman WA 3 3 Ethan Cohen VIC 3 4 Natalie Israel VIC 2 5 Stav Marom WA 2 6 Ondine O'Chee QLD 2 7 Dylan Rockman WA 2 8 Asher Raiter WA 2 9 Ethan Glasser WA 2 10 Dina Avichzer WA 2
24
sports
February 2020
Perth Junior Carnival Pictures
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