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SMILE ON SENIORS PAGE 2
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PUTTING A STOP TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
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community
March 2020
C Care launches new hub C CARE INC C Care is thrilled to extend their reach of care, by opening up at a new facility in St Kilda. On Chanukah, 100+ C Care volunteers came through the doors of our exciting new facility to prepare Latkes and Chanukah goodies for C Care recipients. The facility was visited by a number of dignitaries including the Deputy Mayor of Port Phillip, Councillor Tim Baxter. Cllr Baxter emphasised the importance of a community connection and local involvement in reducing isolation and loneliness. Rabbi Yaakov Glasman Senior Rabbi of St
Kilda Hebrew Congregation and President of RCANZ shared that as we increase the light and warmth of Chanukah each night of the holiday, C Care volunteers are out there increasing warmth light and friendship to vulnerable members of our community each week of the year. This new facility will enable C Care to further their reach of much needed care and love, through increased social connection and food relief. For more information about the variety of programs on offer, and how to get involved, please visit www.ccare.org. au or email info@ccare.org.au
L to R - Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, St Kilda Shule; Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson C Care
Smile on Seniors
SMILE ON SENIORS OZ
Spearheaded by Rabbi Menachem and Esther Stern, Smile on Seniors Oz is actively combating loneliness among our elderly by working with aged-care facilities to create connection. Connection with the community, connection with culture and most importantly, connection with people. Our volunteers show up on a regular basis, prepared to give and every time they walk away with something themselves. The age difference seems to be miles long but when we reach real connection it’s just thrilling to discover what we have in common. We bring children and teens into aged-care facilities through our Art to Heart programs where they interact with seniors through working together to create beautiful projects and everlasting memories. Our Art to Heart program has Junior, Barmi, Batmi and High School components and we are always looking
to form new groups. We send a facilitator with our young volunteers and run crafting workshops with the residents, fostering connection in an engaging and nonconfronting way. And there, with glue on their hands and papers scraps littered on the floor, we see the age gap melting away. It turns out that everyone loves creating things. Age is irrelevant. We want to make it easy for our volunteers to reach the elderly and you can get started by simply sending an email to smileonseniorspc@gmail.com. or visit our website, www.smileonseniors.org.au We understand that time commitments can be challenging so we can provide with opportunities to connect through our Art To Heart programs or through individual hang-outs with a senior. We’ll meet with you and get you connected with a resident in an aged-care facility.
Volunteers preparing ingredients for Latkes
Councillor Tim Baxter GAICD, Deputy Mayor, City of Port Phillip; Trudi Arnold
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community
March 2020
Aussies Jazzing It Up at Shaare Zedek AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF SHAARE ZEDEK INC MIRIAM PACANOWSKI Max Epstein, 18, is on his gap year in Israel as part of the Israel By Choice program. He and a group of fellow Australian students including Liam Eliau, Nechama Klajn and Cobi Chrapot have chosen to spend time each week volunteering at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Centre. Max says, “I played the saxophone at my school in Sydney. I took my saxophone into the hospital and we went around to different wards and we played some chilled jazz. It is a great opportunity for us, and it is really beautiful to see the positive impact on the patients. “A lot of the older patients didn’t have family with them, so it was nice for us as a group to go in and help out. “I felt that I gained personally just by being in that environment. “The staff are absolutely amazing at Shaare Zedek. We are independent volunteers and everyone has been so welcoming of us. “You’d see Arab doctors around the hospital, which was really nice because it transcends the idea that there is hatred between the two groups. They come together for the greater good and it was so good to see that. “We also heard a story about Friday and Shabbat. There’s an influx of Arab staff who come in on Shabbat and do all the writing for the nurses. It’s pretty awesome and
definitely unique to Israel. “I’m hoping to study medicine next year so being able to go and actually volunteer at a hospital and see how the doctors work and how they interact with patients and literally see it from my own eyes and not through studying from a textbook was really awesome. “Hopefully soon when we volunteer, I’ll be able to actually shadow a doctor and get a
bit more experience out of it. “I noticed that there was extra security at Shaare Zedek compared to Australia. I found that very interesting because if you go to a hospital in Australia you just walk in whereas here there was a greater emphasis on security.” Dr Allan Garfield, Chairman of the Australian Friends of Shaare Zedek Inc says, “We welcome our Australian supporters to
visit Shaare Zedek and to view the Hospital with a Heart as it performs its crucial role in caring for the citizens of Jerusalem. “Whilst Shaare Zedek continues to grow dramatically,
the
spirit
of
compassion
positivity and care for every human being permeates all of its activities.” www.shaarezedek.org.au
For the People of Israel
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discover King David Early Learning Centre Senior School Discovery Tour & Junior School Discovery Tour Years 6-12 Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Tuesday 12 May, 9am Prep-Year 5 517 Orrong Road, Armadale Thursday 7 May, 9am 373 Dandenong Road, Armadale
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purim
March 2020
Values Are Caught, Not Taught RABBINICAL COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND RABBI YAAKOV GLASMAN There is an intriguing story that talks to one of the central theme of Purim. A rabbi was once awoken at three o’clock in the morning by a young couple who were quarrelling. They explained that the next morning their new born son was scheduled to have his bris. “I know” the rabbi responded, “but this should be a time of joy so why are you both so perturbed?” “Because we cannot agree on what name to give our child” the wife said. “You see, I want to name him after my grandfather whose name was ‘Moshe’” “I see, said the rabbi, “And who do you want to name him after?” he asked the husband. “Well, I want to name him after my grandfather whose name was also ‘Moshe’!” Confused, the rabbi asked “If you both want the name Moshe then what is the problem?” to which the wife replied “No rabbi, you don’t understand. My grandfather was a scholar and a gentleman, a well-respected man who departed this world with a good name. My husband’s grandfather was a crook, a no good-nik and a cheat who left this world with a terrible name. I want our son to be named ‘Moshe’ after my grandfather, not Moshe’ after my husband’s grandfather!” The rabbi asked for a few minutes to think about it. He entered his study and began to meditate. Shortly afterwards he emerged and said “I have the perfect solution! Tomorrow at the bris you will name your
President of the Rabbinical Council of Australia and New Zealand Rabbi Yaakov Glasman explains the Megillah to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews
son ‘Moshe’. As to your question about who he’ll be named after, for that we’ll wait till he grows up, and the answer will be determined by the two of you through the manner in which you raise him”. An enlightening story indeed, but what’s it got to do with Purim? Everything. Purim means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Some view Purim as an expression of unadulterated Jewish pride when the Jews tenaciously clung to their faith despite mounting odds against their survival. Others view Purim as a deeply feminine festival after whose heroine the megilah is distinctively named (Megillat Esther, not Megillat Mordechai). For some
it’s a festival of shrouded in mystery when G-d concealed His face from His people, whilst for others it’s a festival of unbridled joy and elation for the miracle we experienced on that fateful day in Persia. And of course, for most young children it’s just a reason to dress up and have a party. Purim indeed has many messages. But there is one in particular that is so critical to contemporary Jewry that it ought to be preached about from every pulpit, taught about in every classroom and reinforced at every Jewish dinner table. It’s the message of Jewish education. We survived against Haman’s calamitous decree to murder every Jewish man, woman and child in all 127 countries under Ahasuerus’ rule, for one crucial reason: Jewish children. Mordechai had gathered 22,000 Jewish children, whom he educated with the Torah and with whom he prayed for Gd's mercy. He imbued them with such spirit of sacrifice for their Jewish faith that they declared unanimously, "In life or in death we will not part from Mordechai!" It was the Jewish child’s pure and unadulterated recognition of who they are and what they stand for which stood us in good stead against one of the most notorious antiSemites the world has had the misfortune of knowing. It wasn’t the sackcloth worn by the people. It wasn’t the fasting and lamenting. It wasn’t the cries and pleas of the Jews of Shushan that elicited G-d’s mercy. It was the Jewish children, so pure in their thoughts, unsullied in their actions and innocent in their very beings. When our children internalize the
values of their heritage and become part of the long chain linking them back to Abraham our forefather, we as a people are safe and our continued existence is assured. But that internalization doesn’t happen by itself. For values to be received they have to be given. For Jewish identity to be absorbed they must be imparted. And who is best place to impart that identity to our children if not those with the greatest influence on them during their formative years? It is true that children are the future of that long and unbroken chain, but it is their parents first and foremost who are charged with the responsibility (and privilege) of enabling them to become the next link. Parents can spend a fortune on Jewish education but as research affirms, receiving an education at school must be coupled with further reinforcement from the home if it’s to be internalised. As stated by a renowned Jewish educator – values are not taught, they’re caught. Of course, the research only confirmed that which we knew instinctively since our inception as a people. The children in the story of Purim caught their Jewish values from Mordechai because he really meant it. He didn’t just say it. He didn’t simply mimic it. He lived it. And that’s why those children were inspired, because kids are far more perceptive than some of us give them credit for. They know the difference between what we mean, and what we say we mean. So let’s mean it! Purim Sameach!
Purim: Faith & Feast KASHRUT AUTHORITY RABBI GUTNICK
Everyone loves noshing on hamantaschen and loosely knows the story of Purim, right? Back in Ancient Persia, King Achashverosh made a great feast and insisted Queen Vashti appear. Vashti (2000 years ahead of her time,) opted out and attempted to start her own #Me Too movement. No happy ending there. Enter: Esther who was anointed the new Queen and how thankful we are for that! Without doubt, ultimately, her regal presence and actions saved the Jewish people. But hold the chocolate hamantaschen for one moment: the Jews who indulged at the banquet consumed delicacies that were not kosher and for that transgression, a terrible decree fell upon them. Haman, the King’s vizier, wanted to kill every Jewish man, woman and child. Urgent situation at hand. Mordechai (Esther’s uncle) rallied the masses to return to Hashem, Esther beseeched the King to spare her tribe and … success! The rest is history - they tried to destroy us, we were victorious, nu, time for a feast? Not so fast. The Talmud tells us that Achashverosh did, in fact, provide kosher food – so if that’s the case, what was their
crime? The answer is as simple as it is profound. The king’s rationale for throwing this mega-party was to celebrate (by his reckoning,) that the time allowed for the prophecies of rebuilding the Temple had elapsed and therefore, it would never be rebuilt. He knew about Daniel and what happened to his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. He knew that the only threat to his Kingdom would come from the G-d of Israel; his joy was fuelled by his belief that the Jewish dream of returning to the Holy Land had crumbled. Every Jew chose to participate in this obscene celebration ... all except one – Mordechai. He believed and refused to succumb. The rest of the Jewish leadership called him a troublemaker – on the contrary, he was the hero. The parallels to our time are impossible to ignore. There are those amongst us who think that the establishment of the State of Israel was the mere product of human intervention (Balfour Declaration and the rest.) Period. It was people with this mode of thinking who devoured the feast, devoid of faith in Hashem. My allegiance is with Mordechai. The State of Israel is the culmination of 2000 years of Jewish faith and yearning. Faith in the prophecies that foretold a desolate
desert turning green at the hands of Jews returning to that land as part of G-d’s promise. I feel awestruck to think of the miracle that occurred when we reclaimed the Temple Mount, 2000 years after the Romans drove us from our land. The Roman Empire, and many others that chose to oppress us are long gone, yet we survive and thrive. Strengthened by the declaration of the leader of the free world, that Jerusalem is and always will be the
eternal capital of the Jewish people. We stand tall and we stand strong. The State of Israel and our return to it, fulfils G-d’s promise to the Jewish people. We will not participate in any feast that seeks to belittle that miracle or cast doubt on our aspirations and G-d’s hand in IT ALL! The Land of Israel in its entirety is ours and will be so for evermore. We await the Third Temple; may it be speedily built in our days.
March 2020
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purim
Being Besimcha: It’s all in the mind GLOBAL AMBASSADOR, MORIAH COLLEGE & CEO, MOSAIC UNITED RABBI BENJI LEVY
The month of Adar has arrived, and with it a transformation of the mood of the Jewish people. Parades and parties have been planned, children have chosen their costumes, adults have prepared a sumptuous feast and scholars have been poring over the book of Esther. Among the many songs that are sung at this time of year, perhaps the most famous includes the words Mishenichnas Adar, Marbim B’simcha – ‘when Adar enters, happiness increases.’[1] A month-long obligation to deepen our happiness is an intriguing challenge; a provocation to distinguish between profound, true happiness and transient pleasure. It is, of course, the festival of Purim that gives Adar its special flavour. Although it seems to follow the familiar template of many Jewish festivals (an external enemy came close to wiping us out, God’s intervention saved us, we celebrate by extensive eating and praying) Purim nonetheless has some unusual distinctions. Its elaborate symbolism, its emphasis upon uniting Jews and caring for the poor, and it’s wonderful celebratory spirit makes this festival a favourite among many Jews. One strange commandment stands out among the activities during Purim day. The Talmud states that each person is obligated to reach a state that one can no longer distinguish between the ‘blessing of Mordechai’ and ‘wickedness of Haman’[2] which is roughly the equivalent of not being able to distinguish between friends and foes. The strangeness of this statement is striking. Judaism usually demands a way of life that encourages intentionality and mindfulness in every action. Whether praying, learning or performing acts of loving-kindness, the point is always to have kavvana (purposeful intention), be mindful of one’s actions and fully engaged in the experience. Why on Purim are we enjoined to abandon our usual concentration, to take temporary leave of
our rationality, and to confuse ourselves to the point that we can no longer tell the difference between archetypal opposites? What is the message behind this counterintuitive ethos? I would like to suggest two different and yet complementary ideas. Deep down, there is no real difference between the righteousness of Mordechai and the wickedness of Haman. What does this mean? The story of the book of Esther can be read, on a superficial level, as a story of human success and failure, a tale of political conniving and palace intrigue in which the Jewish people – through the bravery of a well-placed insider – manage to escape disaster. The fact that God’s name is conspicuously absent from the entire book could support such a reading. However, ancient Jewish wisdom invites us to read the story from a diametrically opposite perspective. God’s explicit presence is absent from the story, but His plan suffuses and informs every action and every actor. As is so often the case in our own lives, God’s plan appears to be hidden and mysterious while the story is unfolding; it is only during the denouement – that sigh of relief after the dramatic climax, when all is revealed – that we understand retrospectively the decisive role that the Divine plan plays in our personal and national redemption. This paradigm shift is difficult to expect. While we are in the thick of our own lives, when we are forced to pay minute attention to the events swirling around us, it is difficult to pause and appreciate the grand narrative in which we act. Therefore, on Purim, we temporarily sink ourselves into confusion, to the point where we can forget the particulars, blur the sharp focus through which we categorise our own small existence, and focus on the one great truth that should dominate our thoughts: that it is all part of the Plan. Every setback, every frustration, every tragedy great and small, occurs for a reason and can be used as a platform for the achievement of true greatness. Fortified with this knowledge, we can face the rest of our year with strength and grace, willing to accept everything that comes our way. A paradigm shift of this nature requires profound and penetrating thinking, a concept that the Hebrew language captures in the word Machshava. It is surely no
coincidence that those same Hebrew letters make up the word Besimcha – the state of deep happiness and contentment. Only through understanding the place of our own actions in the grand cosmic plan that will bring the world towards goodness and redemption, can we achieve this sense of pure happiness. The second idea that lies at the heart of the obligation to move beyond the cerebral is absolutely central to a truly religious life. Judaism, it may be said, is a religion that centralises, even celebrates, rational cognitive activity. The fundamental premise of learning Torah is that all possible questions, even deeply disturbing or subversive, must be encouraged. Reasons for everything – from rituals to textual anomalies, from historical events to messianic prophecies – are studiously sought in every genre of Jewish literature. Our pantheon of Jewish heroes is replete with those giants of the intellect (Rabbi Judah Ha-Nasi, Maimonides and Elijah of Vilna for example) whose grand intellectual projects attempted to categorize the vast constellations of Jewish ideas into by the probing scholarly mind. This tradition of intellectualism begins early, as all Jewish children who are taught to ask the ‘Four Questions’ on Seder Night are initiated into a distinctly Jewish didactic search for truth. Torah learning – a strenuously cognitive activity – is often portrayed as the greatest conduit for communing with God. Our minds can take us very far indeed, but only up to a certain point. Everyone intuits this truth, for it lies at the basis of our humanity. There are many crucial areas of human activity in which the rational mind reigns supreme: all scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and political endeavours are excellent examples of this. However, those areas that are most important to us – love, morality, spirituality, and ultimate meaning – remain, in a very deep way, far beyond our logical and cognitive capacities. Very few people can give purely logical explanations as to why we love our partner, why we sacrifice ourselves for our children, or a host of other elements of how we live our lives. Yet that does not mean that we are not fully committed to these beliefs; on the contrary, we live our very lives upon their veracity. Human beings cannot rationalise their way through life,
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and require different modes of perception and expression in order to relate to the greatest mysteries and convictions of humanity. We have therefore developed elaborate rituals of singing and prayer, learn great texts that are suffused with potent symbolism and moral instruction, and create space for contemplation and meditation. Despite celebrating and appreciating the immense power of the mind, we have also come to recognise its limitations in exclusively guiding us through life. We set aside one afternoon per year where we eliminate – to the extent that is sensible and proper – our cognitive faculties, allowing us to expand our horizons, and to relate through emotion, soulful intuition, and sheer exuberant joy. The fact that we are far more than merely our rational selves, the fact that we are able to transcend our everyday cognitive limitations, to reach out to God and to each other through a wide array of mediums, is a tremendous blessing. Purim offers us the chance to tap into this blessing and to activate these unique innate capabilities and appreciate them for what they are. Both ideas are, of course, interlinked. This Purim, when we are transported to a different state of being, we should relish the opportunity to blur the boundaries that characterise our everyday rational selves. We should reach out beyond ourselves, connect joyously to our fellow Jews, and recognize that our own personal thoughts and worries are subsumed into a grand design that is more wondrous and powerful than we can usually ever imagine. Truly, this is a source of deep happiness. [1] Babylonian Talmud,Tractate Taanit 29a. [1] Babylonian Talmud,Tractate Megillah 7b. 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.
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purim
The Blessing Of Rain SUSAN ZIMMERMAN
‘You lavished a generous rain, O G-d. When Your heritage was weary You established it firmly. (Psalms 68:10). Taken from Perek Shira (the Song of the Universe) translated by Rabbi Nosson Scherman. The literal meaning of the Hebrew word Megillah is to reveal. In the case of the Jewish festival of Purim, it means, to uncover the deeper metaphysical design beneath the geopolitical surface of events. This type of revelation can be applied to a truth that is hidden within the tragic losses to good people who endure the terrible fires that have been burning in Australia this summer. Since the fires began, I have checked in with ABC News Breakfast for updates. Like many viewers, I have watched the unfolding catastrophe with a heavy heart, digging deep to donate to the various funds and praying for rain to come to the drought and fire-stricken areas of our sunburnt land. The outpouring of care, lovingkindness and generosity from Australian people and people all around the world has shown unequivocally, that the human race is good. The footage of hundreds of people escaping the blazes in a large navy ship shocked the watching world. The sky was black, occasionally lit by bursts of red flames rising. There were no twinkling stars because it was the middle of the day. We heard that many people were rescued by helicopter while some families huddled on the beaches, ready to run into the water if the flames came too close. Millions of dollars flooded into our land from everywhere but not yet the rain. The Federal Government set aside billions towards a rebuild of all that has been lost. Vets and volunteers tend to the surviving wild animals. Scenes of our iconic koalas and kangaroos, wrapped in blankets and being fed water in bottles by human guardian angels, warm our hearts. We admire how these guardian angels tend to the burn wounds of farmers’ surviving cattle and sheep and prickly characters, like the Australian spiny anteater. Our zoos’ animal inhabitants have suddenly grown in size; the newcomers have come to be nursed back to health and then will be returned to the wild. All this belies the fact that so many badly burnt livestock have been mercifully put down causing their owners deep grief and material loss. The donations continue and people are volunteering to help with the rebuild now. Young volunteers are rebuilding fences to keep
remaining cattle from being lost. Men, women and children are sorting donations of food and clothing in redistribution centres. These acts of loving kindness grow in number, day by day. Tragically people have lost their lives. More than a thousand have lost their homes and properties. Countless animals’ lives have been lost, some species, it is feared, into extinction. Everyone and everything in the fire-ravaged regions have suffered terribly. Away from the fire zones, Sydney has endured smoke haze for months, and Melbourne recently experienced the worst air quality of any city in the world over several days. ABC News Breakfast catches the moment the rains came in the most beautiful and joyful footage. The torrents of water not only helped put out the fires but brought relief to drought-stricken regions. Two little toddlers from the NSW’s fire zone were pictured in gum boots, jumping into puddles in the surrounding mud. They had probably never seen rain before. Children were skidding along the slippery, watery mud and actually rolling in it. Afterwards a photographer took a photo of these children standing proudly covered in mud. Teenagers devised a new sport: I’d call it mud skiing. Instead of a speed boat they were pulled behind a tractor and instead of skis, they stood on planks of wood. Finally, the viewer was treated to the fantastical sight of baby calves jumping on all four legs, in the water and mud. They, like the toddlers, had not seen rain and muddy puddles before. Their parent cows seemed to be alternatively heads upward basking in the rain on their dusty coats or heads down drinking from the puddles. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, drought, hail and fire compete with manmade political disasters, sudden deadly plagues and terrorism. All good people desire deep in their hearts that the world should become a peaceful place where everyone dwells in safety and security, where natural disasters abate, where love and not hate prevail. We yearn for a time when there will be no more conflict, no more war, no more terrorism, crime or poverty, no more stress or sorrow. We want to live in a world free from pollution, breathing pure air and drinking pure water; where the seas are free from human litter and sea creatures are no longer poisoned by non-biodegradable plastic fragments spilling over from landfill. We want a world where no species is culled into extinction and neither manmade or natural disasters have destroyed their habitat. In 1516 Sir Thomas Moore coined a new English word, ‘Utopia’, Greek for ‘not a place’.
Utopia was the word he used as a title for a book that he wrote about an imaginary island representing the perfect society. People shared a self-contained way of life with a common culture in an idyllic setting. Today there is a great desire among many people for unification, inclusion and equality. However, this paradoxically has sometimes led to an intolerance towards respectful debate and differing outlooks. But there was no intolerance among Australians over these past few months of all-encompassing fire. We were united, all pulling together, despite all our differences. Something took precedence, our survival. It is a paradox, indeed, that the best in man seems to surface only during the worst of times. Australian producer-director Damon Gameau’s documentary called 2040 inspires with a vision that goes far beyond Moore’s imaginary island. He sees a world filled with creative solutions to its environmental, economic and political problems. His seaweed solution for carbon emissions and unpolluting the seas is pure genius. On these issues Gameau has managed to create a template for the future that in many ways parallels Jewish teachings from the Bible. However, the Jewish vision of a perfected world includes something additional: the laws of morality as defined by G-d. Many books of Jewish commentary are written explaining the profound importance of these laws, they encompass every area of human behaviour. The fires, in all their fury, have revealed an aspect of mankind that has the potential to bring the Jewish vision of a perfected world into reality. We witnessed how people throughout the world moved away from self-interest to offer generous donations to people they had never met, people living the other side of the world. We are all suddenly united by a shared purpose. Among people directly affected there is a strong sense of community. People are offering shelter to fire-ravaged families who have lost everything. Reaching out to strangers, now much-loved friends, and providing them with a home for as long as they need. Geulah meaning redemption, is a Hebrew word which is created by adding an aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, to another Hebrew word Gola meaning exile. We first hear about Gola in the Tanach when Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king who had destroyed the Holy Jewish Temple, exiled the majority of Jews to Babylon. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory (Sefer Hasichot 5751, vol. 2, p. 520 ff.) explains that the aleph as the
March 2020
first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, carries the numerical value of one. At the Kabbalistic level of biblical interpretation, the letter aleph represents the One, namely G-d, the Creator of the world, the cosmos and the Creator of everything. Paradoxically, eleph, spelled with the same letters as aleph in Hebrew but with one different vowel sound, means a thousand, symbolising the plurality of mankind. The Hebrew word aleph can therefore be seen to represent the Oneness of G-d, the essential unity that lies hidden within the multiplicity of G-d’s creation. By placing the aleph back into the Gola we create Geulah; we return to G-d’s template for a perfect world. As G-d’s presence is hidden in the Purim story, but we are left in no doubt as to who is pulling the strings, so G-d’s presence is hidden in Moore’s Utopia vision and Gameau’s 2040 vision and in our great fires. The part that makes these and all stories, Purim stories, is the part about G-d being hidden, yet nevertheless working behind the scenes in response to our every thought, speech and action. As we disguise ourselves in costumes during Purim, we reveal some aspect of ourselves through hiding. In a similar way as Jews, we need to reveal G-d’s essence hiding within everything we experience. Let us reveal the silent aleph smiling at us through the wonders of the natural world. Our desire to protect humanity and all the animals from a great fire, our desire for the blessings of rain in right measure have been answered for G-d is whispering his love for us through the rain which He alone has created. We need to pray for this rain to continue. On Thursday 16 January 2020, the heavens began to open. Rain flooded in parts of Queensland and 50 ml of rain fell in NSW firetorn areas and days later 89 ml of rain arrived in Gippsland, Victoria ending a three-year drought. The rain is continuing to fall but not everywhere; there are stormy aspects to this rain in places and hail as big as golf balls in Canberra. The drought has still to break in parts of NSW that were visited by a monsoon like dust storm. Aspects of the perfect world we seek still need refinement but our prayers for rain and people’s lovingkindness to each other has and will continue to be rewarded. A Chassidic saying encapsulates it all. ‘Know that what is above comes from you.’ Susan Sara Feiga Zimmerman is the author of two books, ‘Journal of Disability to Ability’ and ‘Like Streams in the Negev’ available at Golds, Jeffreys and The Avenue Bookshop.
international
March 2020
Netanyahu scrabbles his way to one of his biggest victories
7
AARON DAVID MILLER
Nearly 70 polls had predicted that Israel’s March 2 election would produce something reminiscent of Bill Murray’s classic movie “Groundhog Day” -- a seemingly endless time loop of political stalemate, dysfunction and yet another election following the previous two last April and September. Instead, the Israeli voting public gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu perhaps one of his greatest victories. Even though he is under formal indictment for fraud, bribery and breach of trust and set to go on trial March 17, many voters decided to back Netanyahu’s Likud party. And with 90% of the vote counted, if his current projected number of 59 seats (including those of his likely coalition partners) holds, his right-wing coalition -- as opposed to Benny Gantz’s 54-seat bloc composed of the left and center-left parties and the Arab Joint List -- will be best positioned to form a government. We may be in for weeks of political maneuvering as Netanyahu seeks to get to the magic 61, if not beyond -- and for new elections if he ends up not being able
to form a government.
government to his dream come true, a
bury any hope of a negotiated settlement
But, make no mistake, the beleaguered
right-wing coalition that would transform
and all-but-written-off Netanyahu now
the Israeli polity, muzzle an independent
with Palestinians.
has options -- from a National Unity
judiciary, undermine the rule of law and
CONTINUED PAGE 8
Why Are Palestinians Dying in Hamas Prisons? BASSAM TAWIL Essam al-Sa'afeen, a 39-year-old Palestinian from al-Bureij refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip, was pronounced dead on February 23, one month after he was arrested by Hamas security forces. His family and friends are demanding answers from Hamas regarding the circumstances of the death al-Sa'afeen, a father of six. Hamas says it has formed a commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Interior, which is in charge of the Palestinian security forces in the Gaza Strip, al-Sa'afeen died shortly after he was transferred from prison to a hospital. The ministry said al-Sa'afeen was rushed to the hospital after a "sudden deterioration in his health condition." The Palestinian Fatah faction, headed by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, has accused Hamas of brutally torturing al-Sa'afeen during his incarceration. Al-Sa'afeen was a member of Fatah who previously served as a police officer in the PA security forces before Hamas's violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007. On January 27, 2020, masked gunmen arrested al-Sa'afeen on the streets of alBureij refugee camp, apparently for his membership in Fatah.
Hamas often arrests Fatah members in the Gaza Strip for their political activities and criticisms of Hamas's leaders and policies. Similarly, the Fatah-dominated PA in the West Bank regularly arrests Palestinians in the West Bank because of their affiliation with Hamas. Palestinians call the security crackdown by both parties "politically-motivated arrests." The death of al-Sa'afeen did not surprise Palestinians who are familiar with various methods of torture in Hamas and PA prisons. The Gaza-based AlMezan Center for Human Rights said that an autopsy conducted by the forensic medicine department on the body of alSa'afeen showed "bruises and a change in the color of the skin" -- implying he had been physically abused. "Al-Mezan Center regrets the death of the detainee and calls for a serious investigation into the conditions of his detention," the center announced in a statement. The Center also called on Hamas to investigate whether al-Sa'afeen had received medical treatment during his detention for the high blood pressure and diabetes from which he suffered. Addammer, a Palestinian human rights organization in the West Bank, also expressed concern over his death and called for an immediate inquiry. The organization also called for "providing medical care in detention
centers to detainees" and urged Hamas to launch a "serious investigation into this incident and hold those responsible to account." The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), another Palestinian human rights organization, said that it had first become aware of the detention of al-Sa'afeen in early February, when his family appealed to its representatives for help. "Since ICHR received the family's complaint, it tried to visit al-Sa'afeen in prison to learn about the conditions of his detention," the organization disclosed. "The [Hamas] Internal Security Agency refused to allow our representatives to visit him. We demand a criminal investigation into this incident, the publication of the results and holding accountable those responsible." Al-Sa'afeen's mother emphasized that the Israelis treat Palestinians much better than Hamas does. "When the Jews arrest someone, they contact his family to say they are holding him," she stated. "But Hamas refused to provide us with any information about the detention of my son or his health condition. We didn't receive any phone call from my son and [Hamas] wouldn't allow us to send him clothes or food or medicine." She added that Hamas did not even inform her family that al-Sa'afeen had been transferred to a hospital. "May God punish all those who assaulted him," she
said. "The Jews allow detainees to phone their families. We didn't receive even one phone call. We told [Hamas] that he's sick and needs medicine, but they refused to give him any treatment. Until today, we don't know why my son was arrested." The Palestinian news website Amad pointed out that on the same day that al-Sa'afeen was pronounced dead, the Israeli authorities installed phones for the use of Hamas prisoners held in Israeli prisons. The al-Sa'afeen family later issued a statement saying that in a Hamas prison, their son had died as a result of brutal torture. The family said that they held Hamas and its security forces fully responsible for the death of their son and called for the formation of an independent commission to investigate the circumstances of, and reasons for, his death. Sadly, al-Sa'afeen's death follows an unacceptable pattern: In 2011, Hamas announced the death of Ibrahim al-A'raj in one of its prisons two days after he was taken into custody. In 2015, the family of Khaled al-Balbisi, 41, announced that he had died in a Hamas prison three days after his arrest. In 2016, a Palestinian human rights group called for an immediate investigation CONTINUED PAGE 8
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March 2020
Why Are Palestinians Dying in Hamas Prisons? FROM PAGE 7
into the death of Ashraf Eid, 40, in a Hamas prison in the town of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. The group said that Eid died only three days after he was arrested by Hamas security forces. In 2017, another Palestinian, Khalil Abu Harb, from Gaza City, also died while being held in a Hamas prison. Hamas then promised to investigate the incident, but no results have ever been published. Some reports claimed that Abu Harb had committed suicide. A year later, another detainee, whose name has never been released, was found dead in his prison cell in the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. No one has ever heard the result of any investigation into this case, as well. Also in 2018, Palestinians reported that a 21-year-old man, whose identity was also not known, had died of a "heart attack" in a Hamas prison in the northern Gaza Strip. The families of al-Sa'afeen and the other Palestinians who have died in Hamas prisons are deluding themselves if they think they will ever receive satisfactory explanations from Hamas regarding the circumstances of these deaths. The families' calls for launching investigations into the death of their sons
When Palestinians are brutally tortured and die of dubious causes in Hamas prisons, the murders are ignored not only by Hamas, but also by the international community, human rights organizations and media. Pictured: A jailed Palestinian in Gaza City on November 7, 2018. (Photo by Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)
while in Hamas detention have been ignored not only by Hamas, but also by the international community, human rights organizations and media. Palestinian detainees do not die of dubious causes in Israeli prisons; perhaps that is why no one in the international community seems to care. When
Palestinians die in Palestinian prisons, the murders are presumably regarded as the handiwork of supposedly savage Arabs, who are -- with racist contempt -- held to a to lower standard of conduct than Westerners, and therefore regarded as unworthy of human rights, accountable governance, due process or equal justice
under the law. They are evidently considered "just" Palestinian families complaining about brutal torture in Palestinian prisons -- so international human rights organizations do not even notice them. Bassam Tawil is based in the Middle East.
Netanyahu scrabbles his way to one of his biggest victories FROM PAGE 7
How does Netanyahu do it? In May 1996, as Netanyahu faced off against Shimon Peres in his first campaign for prime minister, I quipped to my State Department colleague Dennis Ross that Netanyahu would never become Prime Minister of the state of Israel. Since then, Bibi has been Prime Minister in four consecutive terms, is now the longest-governing leader in Israel’s history and may well be positioned to secure a fifth. How did Netanyahu do it? As Haaretz senior columnist Anshel Pfeffer observed Monday: “This is what he does. He doesn’t lie down after a setback. From the morning after the last election, he was already planning this election campaign. He knew that with 55 seats he wouldn’t be able to form a governing coalition, and his only option was to brazen things out and head for a third election.” In this campaign -- one of his most determined and dirtiest, Netanyahu was relentless in trying to rally and reclaim thousands of Likud votes. He appealed to niche groups from Ethiopians to cab drivers to pot smokers with fantastical
promises, accused his opponent Gantz of being weak on Iran and mentally deficient, while participating in efforts to secretly record Gantz’s top strategist to smear his rival, according to The New York Times. (Netanyahu denies being part of the effort.) Malicious and sleazy accusations aside, Netanyahu is popular among his base -- and in a nation moving ever rightward, he is seen as a leader with strong, clear ideology, best positioned to protect Israel’s security and deal with challenges and tough leaders on the world stage. What happens now? The game is far from over, and Netanyahu’s victory is far from assured. The final vote count likely won’t be tallied until late Tuesday and might take longer because of new procedures and counting votes of those quarantined because of coronavirus. It’s conceivable that Netanyahu might pick up or even lose an additional seat. Recall that in last April’s election, Netanyahu polled 60 seats and still -courtesy of Avigdor Lieberman’s refusal to support his former boss-turnedadversary -- couldn’t reach the magic 61.
Netanyahu’s strategic goal is to remain Prime Minister. This isn’t just a matter of politics, ego or reputation. Facing trial on serious charges, which he denies (former Prime Minister Ehud OImert spent 16 months in prison on lesser ones), Netanyahu desperately needs to remain at the top to better defend himself. Claiming that the Israeli public has spoken and given him a governing mandate would strengthen his defense to either cut a better plea deal or seek legislation to bypass the Supreme Court, obtain immunity or get the indictment reversed. So, let the games begin. There is talk of a Supreme Court challenge to block an indicted Prime Minister’s authority to form a government, but it’s hard to see the court so blatantly overturning the election results. Options for Netanyahu range from trying to pick off defectors from opposition parties -- including Blue and White -- to perhaps trying to reconcile with Lieberman, who is projected to have seven seats. The other intriguing possibility is a national unity government with Gantz, who has refused to date to
serve with or under an indicted Israeli prime minister. But a variety of factors -- from the prospects of the deep aversion to putting the country through the expense, trauma and humiliation of a fourth election, to his own poor showing, pressures from within his party and even the uncertainties of the coronavirus -- might create a basis of cooperation between the two that might sustain their political careers, at least temporarily. There is one additional option that Gantz might consider as well. If Lieberman would agree to join a government supported by the Arab Joint List, despite his stated aversion to doing so, together with the center-left parties Gantz would be able to form a government. It’s a long shot, but in a desperate effort to block Netanyahu it may no longer be unthinkable. If not, as hard as it is to believe, Israelis will be heading to a fourth election in September -- an outcome incidentally that the wily and indefatigable Netanyahu would likely welcome, leaving him caretaker Prime Minister for the next seven months. Welcome back to “Groundhog Day.”
March 2020
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international
The Coronavirus and the Search for Scapegoats ROBERT BARTHOLOMEW PH.D. During times of crisis, people look for scapegoats to blame for their problems. It’s part of the human condition. Right now, it’s the Chinese. Since the Coronavirus outbreak, there are reports of people shunning Asians and Chinese, while the internet has exploded with social media posts depicting the Chinese as "dirty" and deserving of what they get for dining on creatures that many Westerners would consider pets. Many of the posts are vile and racist. Foreigners and outsiders—people who anthropologists call the Other—have long been the first to be blamed for infections. During the 14th century, when the Bubonic Plague swept across Europe, it wasn’t called the European Plague—it was just "the Plague" or "the Black Death" on account of the lymph nodes turning dark. The Jews most often took the blame for spreading the dreaded sickness and were accused of poisoning wells or trying to infect others directly. Many Jews were murdered based solely on rumor and innuendo. Entire villages were wiped out in retaliation. Widespread anti-Semitism during this period may have served to protect Jews during outbreaks as they were often forced to live in isolated communities where they practiced religious rituals that promoted hygiene, such as washing one’s hands before eating certain foods or after using the toilet. While these practices may have spared some of them from the ravages of the epidemic, it cast suspicions as rumors spread to explain why some communities were not hit as hard.
What’s in a Name? The World Health Organization has recommended using the temporary name "2019-nCov" to describe the current epidemic. While it’s not exactly a catchy name, it is a vast improvement over the current one. The year refers to when it was discovered, the "n" stands for its new or novel nature, while the "CoV" denotes that it is a Coronavirus. In 2015, the World Health Organization published a set of guidelines for naming infectious diseases. In it, they discouraged making references to people and places as well as animals and occupations. They also recommended against using terms that are likely to “incite undue fear.” They came up with these guidelines with good reason—to avoid the potential for social stigma. One particularly egregious recent example was GRID—the original name for AIDS. It stood for Gay Related Immune Deficiency. Since the outbreak, some Chinese citizens feel they are being discriminated against with blanket travel bans. They have also been the subject of fake news reports that have gone viral on social media. These types of reports feed into pre-existing prejudices and stereotypes of Chinese people as cold, calculating, opportunistic, and amoral. Demonizing certain ethnic groups and nationalities during epidemics has been a mainstay throughout history. The Great Flu Pandemic of 1918-1919, was initially dubbed the Spanish Flu—a description that is still widely used today. It doesn’t seem to matter that health experts agree that it didn’t originate in Spain, which took the blame because it was where flu reports first appeared in the popular press. Many
countries involved in the war were reluctant to reveal news of the epidemic, not wanting to show weakness to the other side. The Spanish were essentially punished for their honesty and transparency. While experts have been unable to prove where the epidemic originated, over the years, two prominent hypotheses have emerged: an American military base in Fort Riley, Kansas, and a British base at Étaples, France. It was never renamed the American or French Flu. More recently suspicions about that flu have fallen on China, but no one can say for certain. During the 1892 cholera epidemic in the U.S., the scapegoats were newly arrived Jewish immigrants from Europe. Some were evicted from their dwellings (under the pretext that they were breeding grounds for cholera) and were forced to undergo humiliating exams. These inspections and exams had little scientific basis. During the early 1990s, Haitians were stigmatized as carriers of AIDS and HIV. In the U.S., some parents refused to let their children attend school with Haitians, fearing that they could catch the disease. Others were harassed and beaten. One student was even set on fire. During the H1N1 virus outbreak of 2009, popularly known as swine flu, there was widespread prejudice against Latin Americans. Five years later, when the Ebola epidemic struck, those of African descent were stigmatized. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control has tried to tamp down fears of Chinese people by announcing: “We should not assume because someone is of Asian descent that they have the new coronavirus.” That’s
easier said than done. Throughout history, groups on the margins of society have faced similar scapegoating after being blamed for society’s problems. In recent times, it has been Muslims, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers who seem to get a disproportionate share of the blame. Occasionally, it’s a nationality. To find out which group is in disfavor, go to the cinema, where for the past several decades, most of the villains have been Russians, Chinese, Iranians, mad scientists, and twisted millionaires. During the 1950s and '60s, Communists and homosexuals were society’s evil-doers. In the wake of economic depression following the Great War, Hitler infamously blamed the Jews for the nation’s woes. What is less wellknown is that the prejudice against Jews was so strong that despite stories of Nazi persecution, the U.S. only took in about 10% of their annual quota of Jewish asylumseekers fleeing Nazi Germany, amid absurd rumors that many were spies for Hitler. These claims were fueled by anti-Semitism in the State Department and reinforced by popular stereotypes about Jews as cunning and lacking in morality. When we label epidemics after ethnic groups and nationalities, we risk creating a world of "them versus us" instead of "we." It’s time to overcome our fear of those who look, speak and act differently. Let’s not throw fuel on the fire by labeling Chinese as diseasecarriers. It’s time to recognize these labels for what they really are: human constructs. We can rewrite the script.
Bipartisan ‘foundation’ on Israel in danger, warns AIPAC CEO at conference enmeshed in politics JNS WASHINGTON—The theme of this year’s AIPAC Policy Conference was billed as “Today. Tomorrow. Together,” the essence of which seemed to be lost in all the political noise associated with 2020 Democratic presidential candidates deciding on whether or not to show up at the annual event. The conference, however, has long been geared to deliberate concerns and boost relations between Diaspora Jewry and Israelis, and use the time to salve some of the more contentious issues associated with the two largest Jewish communities in the world. However, with this year’s conference coinciding with a U.S. presidential election and the Democratic primaries, clearly politics was an unavoidable part of the gathering. And in an unusual turn of events, the conference also took place smack dab in the midst of the third round of general elections in Israel within the last year. It was almost hard to get past such major goingson to tackle other pressing matters, such as the blatant anti-Semitism that’s snaking its way across Europe and the United States. The conference proceedings seemed muted by the clash of candidates—notably, by progressive Democrats Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) stating weeks beforehand their intention to stay away. Only former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended in person to speak (who on Wednesday morning, after a poor showing on Super Tuesday, announced the end of his campaign), despite the fact that it was Vice President Joe Biden who was brushing off his suit jacket after a striking win in the South
Carolina Democratic primary on Saturday, followed by consecutive successes on Super Tuesday. Instead, Biden taped comments that were shown to the 20,000 pro-Israel activists gathered in the nation’s capital. And there were other elephants in the room: The disconcerting progression of the coronavirus, which has statistically racked up as much time in the news as the numbers associated with delegates being collected during the Democratic primaries, and the ongoing aggression from Iran, which did get some attention during the three-day conference. In fact, that’s where Vice President Mike Pence and members of the Trump administration, including U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, came in to shine. They touted the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the reimposition of U.S. sanctions and the establishment of new ones; the continued hard line against Tehran when it comes to its nuclear program and attempts to avert sanctions, and to continue to do business with Europe and Asia; and the U.S. killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s brutal Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a move that evoked controversy among legislators in Congress. And, of course, they rattled off the impressive list of administration accomplishments when it comes to proIsrael moves—from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv, coupled with acknowledging Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights and its right to Jewish settlements, to clamping down on aid to the Palestinian Authority due to its payments to terrorists and their families, in addition to
closing the PLO mission in Washington, D.C. Not to mention the “Peace to Prosperity” plan that has set expectations for change in the Middle East over the next few years, the contents of which were definitely embrace by Israel and rejected by Palestinian leadership. ‘Foundation in danger of being rocked’ Meanwhile, the issue of maintaining bipartisan support for Israel and the pushback against anti-Israel progressives (especially in light of the Sanders’s snub) was a crucial topic for AIPAC CEO Howard Kohr as he kicked off the conference. “For decades, we have built a broad and bipartisan consensus as the foundation of support for Israel in America,” said Kohr on Sunday morning. “This foundation consists of both parties. Democrats and Republicans. All faiths. All races. All Americans.” “It is a foundation that has endured no matter who was president, no matter who controlled Congress, no matter how events unfolded in the Middle East,” he continued. “We believed, and continue to believe, that when America stands with the Jewish state, Israelis are more secure, and Americans are, too.” However, warned Kohr, “today that foundation is in danger of being rocked as it never has been before. A growing, highly vocal and energized part of the electorate fundamentally rejects the value of the U.S.-Israel alliance. It is no longer on the margins, but instead has taken the spotlight of our political life. Its most radical views are bending the political conversation and commanding attention,” he said. Such language comes amid Democratic leadership being criticized for inadequately dealing with anti-Israel bias and anti-Semitic
rhetoric within its own party—namely, from Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), both of whom have endorsed Sanders for president. And it almost pointedly referred to the provocative nature of Sanders’s directives towards AIPAC, who on Feb. 23 proclaimed his decision not to attend the conference after even more loudly accusing AIPAC of “fostering bigotry,” a claim that caused AIPAC to respond with a statement calling the comment “truly shameful.” (They also noted that he’s never even attended an AIPAC conference—a not-so-subtle insinuation of “no love lost.”) That’s on top of multiple calls over the years accusing the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as being “racist”—a harsh determination that, more recently, he has associated with Netanyahu himself. It was a claim that had Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon saying, “We don’t want Sanders at AIPAC. We don’t want him in Israel. Anyone who calls our prime minister a ‘racist’ is either a liar, an ignorant fool or both.” He almost proved Kohr’s point. “Once among the best, most authentic expressions of bipartisan support in America, the U.S.-Israel relationship as we know it … is under attack,” he said, adding that “between now and Nov. 3, every candidate running for federal office will appeal to our various communities for support. But the promise of our support must be predicated on their promise to stand with Israel.”
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March 2020
Putting A Stop To Domestic Violence! SOUTH CAULFIELD SHULE RABBI DANIEL RABIN This month we celebrate Purim. It is supposed to be a joyous time. The Talmud relates “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha-When the month of Adar enters we should increase in our joy”. The question which has been plaguing my mind from a few days before we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar was the question of how are we supposed to live up to this expectation of the Talmud? How can we increase in our joy when a mother and her three beautiful children, Hannah, Aaliyah(6) Laianah (4) and Trey (3) were murdered by their father and her estranged husband just a few weeks ago? How can we as a community rejoice for Purim at a time like this?? The story stunned the nation. Rightly so. Seeing the innocent faces of the children is heartbreaking and it is incumbent on each of us to ask the question and grapple with ways to put a stop to this?! Sadly and tragically, it is not an isolated incident. I continue to see media posts from advocacy groups such as Impact for Women which report every day on the murder, violence and abuse that is inflicted against women and children by men and most often by their partners or husbands. The statistics are frightening too. And let us not for one second believe that this doesn’t exist within every single community. It does. Our Jewish community included. And let us not for one second believe that it’s only an issue if there is actual
physical violence. There are numerous UNACCEPTABLE behaviours, including; intimidation, verbal, physical, financial, emotional and sexual abuse and let’s not forget Gett refusal. When a man believes he is entitled to control his partner, that is abuse! And let’s not for one second believe that women are always believed or assisted went they reach out for help. I personally remember receiving a call from a young mother who described her terrible circumstances of living in an abusive relationship (emotional abuse at that stage). She did not know where to turn. She was extremely worried about the safety of her children and what they were witnessing on a regular basis. To add to the dire predicament, she had spoken to her own parents and some friends and they told her to work it out and “deal with it”!
Yes, you read that correctly, they told her to “deal with it!” I was fortunate to be able to provide some referrals and she managed to get help. But this is not an isolated story. I have no doubt that my colleagues and others are dealing with similar issues on a daily basis! More alarmingly the outcome is not always as successful as this particular case. So what do we do? I think the most important things we can do, is to not say “I can’t help”, “ It’s s not my problem”, “the government is working on it” or “let the rabbis deal with it”. Each of us can play a role and it is irrelevant how big or small that role might be. Every piece is required to solve this puzzle. There are indeed many approaches and angles we can take to face this crisis. One such tool is to continue to break the stigma on this issue as well as to recognize the
issue starts with the language and attitude we as a society accept. Not too long ago I posted on social media that I was using the StairMaster at the gym one morning when a guy approached me and asked why I was using a “girls machine”. He said I should rather be doing some ‘real stuff’! There was also major concern I raised after I had broken my arm some months ago and received a few comments like “I can see you’ve taught your wife a lesson” or “ did you break it hitting your wife because she wasn’t behaving?” It begins by eradicating these warped and dangerous comments and beliefs and teaching our sons that being ‘a man’ holds a different meaning to its current definition. We need to educate our society that girls and women should be able to live free from the threat of violence, abuse, intimidation or control and enjoy this freedom in the home, workplace and community. Someone remarked that I write a lot on this subject. I replied that I will continue to do so until there is no longer a need. It will indeed be difficult to rejoice this Purim. But I honestly believe we need to use the opportunity to work together to achieve the change required. Educate yourself and others. Speak out. Talk about it. Offer help or respond when some reaches out. Take the matter seriously! As we make more and more inroads it will of course benefit the women of our society but men too will benefit. They will experience better relationships with their partners and enjoy an increased emotional connection to themselves and the ones they love!
New youth vision at South Caulfield Shule
SOUTH CAULFIELD SHULE
South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation are excited to have recently formally welcomed Romi Kupfer (Yemini) to their leadership team! Rabbi Rabin is thrilled to have Romi on board. “We’re always looking at ways to engage the community and continue building on what we’ve been able to achieve so far and Romi brings so much to our team!” Romi is not your typical ‘youth director’ and the Shule was looking for something more creative than the norm! Romi joins as the ‘Creative Producer Youth Engagement and Events’ where she will work to grow the programs for young people in the community aged 0 – 21. Romi’s background is a theatre director and producer and she continues to work in this
creative field. Often jumping between making new shows and facilitating theatre making workshops for young people, producing events and other creative happenings, she is looking forward to bringing these skills in working with young people but also producing and programming to the role! She’s already introduced a new program called Ha-Nearim which is a leadership program for people aged around 15-21. These will be the leaders that run the shabbat programs and other youth activities, which means there will always be a friendly familiar face to keep your children engaged while parents are in shule. To find out more or get involved in Ha-nearim please contact the Shule office or Romi at romi@schc.org.au.
Pictured are Rabbi Rabin, Kollen Sussman and Romi Kupfer
A Mezuzah for Parliament ARK CENTER Paul Hamer the local member of Box Hill invited to his workplace his two close friends Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann from the Ark Centre and Rabbi Dovid Gutnick from East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in order to hang a mezuzah. While placing this ritual item on his branch office, Mr Hamer expressed excitement about explaining to his local constituents the true purpose and symbolism of the mezuzah, as it signifies the ‘original Jewish flag.’ Despite
CHAG SAMEACH!
Mr Hamer representing a predominately Chinese Australian community, he never misses an opportunity to talk about Israel his culture and the Victorian Jewish community. Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann commented: “It was a true honour taking part in this special Mitzvah with my good friend Mr Hamer and Rabbi Gutnick. Paul is one of a small but significant cohort of Jewish members of Parliament from all sides of politics that do a fantastic job in representing our community in the House.
schools and shuls
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UJEB BBYO Leaders Elected College Captains for 2020 at Glen Eira College (GEC) UJEB BECCI KRISPIN Noah Loven and Chloe Guss, who are both in year 12 at Glen Eira College, have just been elected College Captains for 2020. Both are leaders in UJEB’s BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organisation) group in Melbourne. Chloe and Noah underwent a rigorous election process to become College Captains. They gave speeches in front of the whole school, followed by voting involving over 800 students and staff. They were also interviewed by the school leadership. Over the past year Noah and Chloe have both played key leadership roles in UJEB’s BBYO group. Since early 2019 this group has formed an active leadership team and held five events for local Jewish teens. Group members have also been on exciting trips to the US to participate in BBYO international conferences, events and training. Noah and Chloe both travelled to the three-week International Leadership Training Conference (ILTC) in Pennsylvania in July last year. Both felt that this training and experience were critical in their successful campaigns to become College Captains. Chloe said that “BBYO and UJEB gave me the opportunity to unlock my potential in leadership which helped me realise my passion for sharing guidance to others. ILTC opened my eyes showing me how many different possibilities there are in the world and that nothing is impossible. It gave me the confidence to push the boundaries
and apply for school captain which I never expected to do.” Added Noah: “BBYO and ILTC aided me immensely in realising that I can be a leader and I can make a difference.” Noah and Chloe’s appointments are another indication that GEC is a truly inclusive school community. GEC also offers Hebrew as a LOTE (Languages Other Than English) and UJEB’s J-Lunch program runs weekly sessions for all Jewish students at the college. UJEB and B’nai B’rith Victoria are proud to support Melbourne BBYO in developing future leaders like Chloe and Noah. This group is a vital addition to the local Jewish scene for secondary school students attending non-Jewish schools, and is helping our teens to thrive, connect and grow into active and engaged members of our community. Itzik Sztokman, UJEB’s Executive Principal, said that “BBYO is all part of UJEB’s strategic plan to engage more high school students at non-Jewish schools. We are excited to have just welcomed back the 2020 BBYO International Convention delegation of 6 Melbourne students from 4 different secondary schools. They learnt and experienced so much at this amazing international gathering of 5000 Jewish teen leaders from 50 countries. We can’t wait to see what they will achieve!” www.ujeb.org.au, ujeb@ujeb.org.au, 9523 6844
Don’t miss Annie MOUNT SCOPUS COLLEGE One plucky little orphan is about to go on an adventure you won’t want to miss. Join us for the 2020 Mount Scopus College Musical – Annie! It’s a “hard knock life” in dreary 1933 depression era New York, especially for the girls of the municipal orphanage, run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. But there’s one fiery spark of hope for a better “tomorrow” – 11 year old Annie. Annie’s life is about to change forever, when secretary Grace Farrell offers her the opportunity of a lifetime – to spend Christmas at the mansion of her boss – Oliver Warbucks, the world’s richest man. It doesn’t take long for Annie to win the heart of Warbucks, his staff and even the President of the United States! But when Warbucks offers a reward to help find Annie’s long-lost parents, the evil Miss Hannigan, her no-good brother Rooster and his paramour Lily St Regis devise a devious plan that threatens to ruin everything. Leapin’ Lizards! Annie is one of the stage and screen’s biggest hits, filled with humour, heart and some of the most beloved songs of all time. The cast, crew and orchestra of over 150 Mount Scopus students, and one cheeky canine, are proud to present this beloved heart-warming story about
hope and the true meaning of family. Students have spent months rehearsing, at lunchtimes, after school and on Sundays for what promises to be an exciting, colourful and toe taping production. Orphan Annie is played by Year 10 student Abby Schwarz, and Oliver Warbucks by Year 12 student David Blecher. Joining them are Jessica Lenga (Yr 11) as Miss Hannigan, Georgina Harrison (Yr 11) as secretary Grace Farrell, Harley Efron (Yr 12) as Rooster Hannigan and Isabella Stein (Yr 11) as his paramour Lily St Regis. Annie is playing at the Besen Family Performing Arts Centre 29-31 March 2020. Tickets on sale now, call 9834 0080 or scopus.vic.edu.au/tickets
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schools and shuls
March 2020
My Village Kitchen and Bialik College Celebrate 100 Sessions of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) OUR VILLAGE KITCHEN On Friday 28 February, Our Village Kitchen celebrated 100 sessions of collaboration with Bialik’s Years 9 and 8 Etgar (Challenge) students. Our Village Kitchen is an organisation started by Bialik mums, Romy Bursztyn and Jo Star, who have been cooking weekly with Bialik students for over 4 years. The program has gained a reputation throughout the Jewish community for the amazing work they do providing hearty, home-cooked meals to those in need and members of the wider community have become engaged in sessions with OVK too. When OVK began, the organisation stated, “We are connecting our community and culture through our shared love of food and cooking. Our journey started when it came to our attention how many families in our community are going through tough times and are not able to put food on the table for Shabbat dinner. It was then that we decided to do what we can to help out those in need, and so our venture has begun to make delicious and nutritious meals.” Bialik immediately wanted to be part of this phenomenal project and so the collaboration between Our Village Kitchen and Bialik’s Etgar program began. Romy Bursztyn, Our Village Kitchen Program Facilitator, says, “The Bialik College Student Kitchen is a hub of activity on Friday afternoons, with a production line of kids prepping and cooking,
cleaning, labelling and packaging. This program encompasses not only kitchen and life skills, but a deep understanding of the joy of giving back to others through making nourishing food.” Everyone benefits from this relationship,
especially the recipients of the delicious meals that are prepared in Bialik’s student kitchen. Providing Shabbat meals to those in need is a huge mitzvah, one that is carried out with joy by the Bialik students who participate in this wonderful initiative Over the years,
hundreds of meals have been cooked at the College and the students have upheld the core Bialik values through giving back to their community, whilst gaining invaluable cooking, nutrition and life skills as part of the journey.
Evolving Identities Exhibition LEIBER YAVNEH COLLEGE SONIA SLONIM
Learning through play at King David KING DAVID SCHOOL The Early Learning Centre at The King David School has enjoyed a wonderful start to 2020 with many new families joining the School community this year. Now all under one roof at the Dandenong Road campus, the Early Learning Centre (ELC) caters for children aged 18 months to 5 years. The curriculum in each room is guided by the children’s ideas and interests with Early Childhood Educators creating innovative and inspiring programs to encourage learning through play-based activities. Cultural identity is a strong element of the curriculum, ensuring the children have a greater understanding of both their Australian and Jewish culture. This is embedded into everyday routines and practices throughout the week. Each Monday morning begins with a Havdallah ritual; a discussion about the end of Shabbat and welcoming the week
ahead. This special time gives the children and teachers a moment to reflect on the previous week and think about the week to come. This ties in with the School’s focus on student wellbeing and mindfulness. Each week ends with the celebration of Kabballat Shabbat and the children look forward to making and eating their own challah and singing songs together in both English and Hebrew. Being located on the same campus as the Junior School, the students have access to a wide range of facilities including the library, sports hall, music room and playground. ELC students join with the Junior School for major Jewish festival celebrations such as Purim and Yom Ha’atzmaut. This familiarity ensures that students make an easy transition into Prep. For more info about The King David School ELC, please visit www.kds.vic.edu.au or contact admissions@kds.vic.edu.au
Recently, fifteen Leibler Yavneh College students were invited to display their artwork made as part of their Roots Project, at the Evolving Identities Exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Australia. Our students start their Roots Project journey before Pesach. They are encouraged to begin the heritage conversation at the Seder table where the collective story of the Exodus is discussed. The Roots Project is a sevenmonth journey and culminates with an evening at the school where all project books and artwork are on display. During the evening, families are given an opportunity to share their stories. Last year, the curators of the Australian Jewish Museum selected 15 pieces of
art created by the students to be in the Evolving Identities Exhibition. This gallery explores the question of what it means to be Jewish in Australia today. The common thread of all these pieces shows how the past has influenced the lives of the students. One student, Tahni Paluch reflected that “Completing my Roots project was not without its challenges. Sourcing old documents, learning first-hand about the atrocities of the human race and knowing that there were many relatives who I never got the chance to meet was difficult. But above all, the opportunity to do my Roots project is one that I would urge everyone to seize. I found out about my history, spent time with elderly relatives and produced a document that my own children can one day learn from. This ultimately has to be the biggest benefit for me.” Sonia Slonim
March 2020
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schools and shuls
Canberra Jewish School Opens CHABAD ACT
The first Jewish school for the Australian Capital Territory and region has opened its doors this week in what is being hailed as a historic milestone for the Canberra Jewish community. Chabad ACT was given final approval by the ACT Government to open the primary school catering for years K-6 on the multi-building campus following a rigorous two-year process which included detailed inspections by a Government appointed educational panel. Incoming Principal Rebbetzin Chasia Feldman received the certificate to open the school from Ms Lynda Tooth, Head of Non-Government Schools in the Education Department of the ACT Government following the sign off by Minister of Education Yvette Berry MLA. The school will provide an educational extension to many of the children enrolled in Gan Yisroel, Canberra’s Jewish day care centre and preschool established by Chabad ACT in 2014, as well as to other Jewish school aged children living or moving to the nation’s Capital and region. Chairman of Chabad ACT, Rabbi Shmueli Feldman said, “A Jewish school is an essential element for any viable Jewish community. In Canberra, particularly with its national significance, it is crucial that Jewish families that live and move here have the option for their children to be educated in a Jewish environment and to have access to the same excellent Jewish education being offered in other cities around Australia.” The school, he said, “will complete the basic infrastructural package for enabling and preserving Jewish life and practice in Canberra with which we set out to achieve when we, as a family, arrived here seven years ago.” “It has been a deeply moving experience to watch as our precious founding students learn in our school thus realising our long-awaited
dream,” stated the founding Principal Rebbetzin Chasia Feldman. “I would like to express my deepest feelings of gratitude to G-d A-lmighty and to our exceptional and experienced staff, community members and volunteers who made this first week of CJS an incredibly uplifting and successful learning experience for all our students. I am lucky my own children are part of this outstanding school which I am confident will become a model of great education worldwide.” She concluded with a blessing, “Baruch ata Hashem, shehechiyanu vekiymanu vehigiyanu lizman haze- blessings to G-d A-lmighty who has granted us life, sustained us and has now enabled us to reach this occasion.” Mrs Menouha Wasserman, the head teacher, arrived in Canberra with her husband R’ David and family in January as Chabad emissaries to help establish and run the school. Menouha said she was “truly excited to be a part of this monumental next step for Jewish continuity in Canberra” and that she “looked forward to meeting the local Jewish community and welcoming their children to a school which will offer the best of all worlds in a Jewish spirit.” Founding Canberra Jewish School committee member, Ms Alisa Krasnostein said she was “so excited to watch the enthusiastic and keen first intake of children head off on their very first day of school. It’s vitally important for Canberra to offer an option to Jewish families of a Jewish education, particularly when considering whether a move to the city was viable.” The school has started intentionally small with composite aged classes and hopes to encourage broader enrollments as the school year progresses.
New Principal Warmly Welcomed YESHIVAH - BETH RIVKAH COLLEGES Welcoming the new Principal of Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Colleges in style, a dessert buffet gathering was held in February following the commencement of the new school year. Attended by several hundred school parents and members of the community, the evening was an opportunity for parents to meet and hear from the new School Principal Dr Shimon Waronker, from Crown Heights. Mr Daniel Houseman, Co-Chair of the YBRSL (Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Schools Limited) Board began official proceedings by outlining the process of finding a new Principal and thanked outgoing Interim Joint Principals Rabbi Elisha Greenbaum and Mrs Barbara Belfer who had filled the role temporarily with dedication and professionalism. Rabbi Elisha Greenbaum welcomed Dr Waronker to the school and expounded that, when approaching a new job or task, if “a person comes in empty, they’ll leave empty… but if you have the Aish (fire) of Hashem then you will have the fire throughout life”. He commented that it is “clear that the fire of the L-rd burns inside him [Dr Waronker]” and his “passion and excitement about education” is evident. Rabbi Greenbaum expressed his wish to Dr Waronker that this fire should continue burning and handed the reins of Principalship over on behalf of himself and Mrs Belfer. Acknowledging and expressing his deep appreciation for the welcome he and his family have received, Dr Waronker resolved to use that communal warmth and achdus (unity) to “work in common for our children”. Drawing
on his past experiences working with very challenging students from some of the toughest schools in New York, Dr Waronker explained the critical need to empower students with information in order to promote positive change and bring them along the journey. Students need to be engaged, and most importantly they need to understand why they do what they do in order to make key decisions in their lives. Reflecting on his previous work as an educator, and his time as a U.S. Army Military Officer, Dr Waronker was encouraged by his Mashpia (mentor), Rabbi Dubinsky, to take on this new challenge on the other side of the world. Rabbi Dubinsky explained that all of Dr Waronker’s past experiences and achievements, whilst all important, were just prepatory work for this role, returning to lead Jewish Education. As Dr Waronker said, “now it’s time to take care of Hashem’s babies… I’m deeply honoured to take on the role of Principal of our school.”
New Principal Dr Waronker (centre) with Mrs Barbara Belfer and Rabbi Elisha Greenbaum
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lifestyle
March 2020
Tikkun Olam is Judaism envisioning an ideal world. Often translated to mean ‘repair of the world’, and even as social justice,Tikkun Olam underpins our religious way of life and perspective that works towards a time of peace – not just ending war, but a time of prosperity, a world in which our future generartions can prosper and health and justice for all.
The Sustainable Fashionista SHARON FLITMAN
Hey there, fashionista. You look good. And you like looking good. Obviously. You’re a fashionista, after all. But have you ever considered the kind of resources required to make all of those outfits you adore? Or what happens to each natty number once it’s deemed ‘so 2019’? Frivolous, fast fashion is fun, but it comes at a cost beyond the initial cash that’s splashed at the shop. The environmental impact of clothing turnover is undeniable, and unsustainable. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some ideas for creating head-turning, guiltfree get-ups and satisfying your inner fashionista without the planet paying the price. IDEA 1: THE OP SHOP Op shop shopping is my favourite kind of shopping. It’s basically a win-win way to buy. The charity wins – as do those they help – because your purchase supports their operation. And you win because you get to satisfy your craving for new stuff with zero associated guilt. It’s guilt-free because you’re basically giving to charity. It’s guilt-free because
nothing new needs to be made in order for you to have your new thing. And it’s guiltfree because the amount of money you’re likely to drop is a lot less than what you might spend on a single ‘new shop’ item. Personally, I adore op-shopping because you just never know what treasures you might unearth. I routinely discover top brands with sub $10 price tags, or funky bits and bobs that wouldn’t be out of place at an artisan craft market (but for 1/50th the price). Plus, the turnover tends to be higher than a standard store, making for interesting browsing all year round!
IDEA 2: THE CLOTHES SWAP This is a super fun way to breathe new life into an old closetful of clothes. It’s a great excuse to get together with friends and get rid of old pieces that have been gathering dust since they were last cracked out 4 years ago. And it’s basically like shopping – but without needing to shell out a cent. For the uninitiated, a clothes swap goes something like this: Step 1. Link up with a group of friends or acquaintances of approximately the same size and shape. Step 2. Encourage everyone to cull and collect clothes they no longer wear from their wardrobes. Step 3. Pick a place to meet – preferably a house with easy access to tea and a decent cheese platter. Step 4. Take it in turns to show your unwanted items to the rest of the crew.
Step 5. If someone likes the look of a given piece, they can claim it. Voila! Everyone leaves with a belly full of cheese, and a brand spanking new wardrobe to wear. No dosh leaves your pocket, and no new demands are placed on the planet’s finite resources. IDEA 3: WHY BUY WHEN YOU CAN RENT? For the socially active fashionista, there always seems to be another ‘special’ occasion that feels like it demands a ‘special’ once-off outfit. But acquiring a new ensemble to wear only once – time and time again – quickly becomes a bit much. Enter the rent-a-rig industry. In recent years, stacks of stores have sprung up specifically to hire out outfits for single use. Now, you can have a new-for-you outfit for every event, without needing to clog up your closet with garb you’ll never wear again. And no precious resources need to be expended to feed your infashion-tuation. IDEA 4: THE MIX ‘N’ MATCH When it comes to fashion, there are also ways to satisfy our need for newness without always acquiring new things. Finding new ways to wear, combine or use existing items can be a surprisingly effective way of satiating our natural human lust for novelty. Do you always play it safe by wearing a black shirt with that yellow skirt? Try
rocking it with your red top instead. Used to wearing jeans the conventional way? Roll them up and transform them into ¾ pants for something new. Alternatively, simply consider purchasing more classic, timeless pieces that can be dressed up or down with an assortment of scarves and accessories. BAM – you have a completely new look without any new stuff. Indeed, without even leaving your room! And once you start looking, you’ll find almost endless opportunities for reimagining your existing wardrobe. So fashionista, never fear. Yes – you have an ethical obligation to do your bit. And no – hitting the stores every other week to acquire new apparel is not the way to satisfy it. But you need not sacrifice your style to be an enviro-warrior. Sharon is a self-professed 'greenie'. Brought up in secular humanist Jewish household, she has always believed in the power of each individual's actions in affecting the collective health of the planet. Based in Melbourne, by day Sharon works as a Speech Pathologist in adult community rehabilitation. By night she learns Auslan, volunteers with people with disabilities through Inclusion Melbourne, and dabbles in freelance writing/blogging, song writing, painting
March 2020
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schools / shuls
Coronavirus and the Biblical Quarantine WWW.AISH.COM RABBI BENJAMIN BLECH Public health officials around the world are desperately trying to cope with the spread of the coronavirus. There is growing fear that a global pandemic may be impossible to stop. So far, this respiratory illness has infected more than 75,000 people and killed at least 2000 to the best of our knowledge. Cruise ships, unwitting tourists, travellers and others are slowly transmitting this angel of death to destinations far from its Chinese source. Modern medicine, with all of its miracles, is stymied. There is no cure. The best and only solution for now is quarantine. Those suspected of being carriers need to be isolated. Contact with the infected is simply too dangerous. There is a biblical parallel of quarantine that Jewish scholars viewed from a moral perspective. The book of Leviticus describes the metzora, a person afflicted with tzara'at, a disease commonly mistranslated as leprosy. In fact, the disease is a spiritual malady, primarily caused by speaking slander about others. The metzora is someone who was, in Hebrew, motzi ra - an originator of evil talk, and he was to be quarantined, sent outside of the camp, sparing the community from his ability to infect others with his destructive gossip. Thus, the biblical quarantine was intended not to isolate a carrier of physical disease but rather of moral turpitude. While we hope to find a cure for the coronavirus, let us derive an ethical lesson from the ongoing misfortune. Everyone acknowledges the obvious: we dare not allow the healthy to be exposed to those who can harm them. Isn’t this the most fundamental truth about human relationships? Friends are assuredly good for you. In recent years, scientific research has suggested that people who have strong friendships experience less stress, they
recover more quickly from heart attacks and they are likely to live longer than the friendless. They are even less susceptible to the common cold, studies show. But not all friends have such a salutary effect. Some lie, insult and betray. Some are overly needy. Some give too much advice. Psychologists and sociologists are now calling attention to the negative health effects of bad friends. Do not underestimate the warning of King Solomon in his book of Proverbs: “He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). One of the saddest illustrations of this truth is found in II Samuel 13. King David's son, Amnon, was struggling with sinful thoughts and lusts in his heart. He powerfully desired a forbidden physical
relationship with his half-sister, Tamar. Amnon knew his desires were wrong and he could not bring himself to commit such wickedness. Then five little words changed everything: “But Amnon had a friend.” Amnon’s friend, Jonadab, was also his cousin. Jonadab devised a plan for Amnon to fulfill his lusts. Amnon got what he thought he wanted. Shortly thereafter he lost everything he had. He ruined Tamar’s life. He created division and heartache in his family. And two years later, he was murdered by his brother, Absalom. Friends can enrich our lives. They can also destroy them. ''The wrong kind of friendship is often very painful,'' wrote Dr. Harriet Lerner, a psychologist and the author of ''The Dance of Connection.'' Perhaps the most important way in which
we can help direct the path of our children’s lives is by constantly reminding them how important it is for them to not only have good friends, but friends who are good. It's a lesson we all need to take to heart. Some people need to be quarantined before they get a chance to infect us with their diseased values. Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally
recognized
educator,
religious leader, and lecturer. He is the author of 19 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, A much sought after speaker, he is available as scholar in residence in your community
www.cherylthesleepcoach.com.au
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lifestyle
March 2020
Creating a Personal Learning Centre for your child
WWW.PARENTINGIDEAS.COM.AU BY MICHAEL GROSE ‘Schools work hard to reinforce in students that learning doesn’t end at the school gate. In fact, the notion of continuous learning is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive as it sets them on the road to a lifetime of learning and self-improvement. A practical way parents can develop a continuous learning mindset in their child is by establishing a Personal Learning Centre at home, and it’s easier than you might think. Location carries memory If you’ve ever established a dedicated children’s play space in your home then you’ll know how powerful location can be for shaping attitudes and behaviour. Your children will have learned to associate play with those designated areas – as location consistently carries memory of use. The same principle applies when you establish a personal learning centre – your child will associate learning with that designated space, which is reinforced every time they spend time there.
It’s more than a workspace At the moment, your children may use a desk or kitchen table that doubles as a workspace for homework, projects or completing other formal school tasks. This workspace probably doesn’t necessarily promote deep or pleasurable learning. It enables kids to get their schoolwork done. A Personal Learning Centre is part library, part research centre, part entertainment area and part creative space. It’s a place that a child chooses to retreat to for fun and informal learning, a place to find answers to those quirky questions such as “why do my fingers go wrinkly in the bath?”, a place to go to read more about their favourite band/hobby/ sport; a place where learning, curiosity and comfort come together. More importantly, a Personal Learning Centre helps promote the concept of lifelong learning to children, which is a wonderful mindset to develop. Features of a Personal Learning Centre A Personal Learning Centre can be established anywhere in a house or apartment, including in a child’s bedroom or any quiet space. It can have some or all
by using terms such as ‘homework’, ‘work tasks’, ‘projects’ to describe the learning they are to undertake at home. Some rephrasing is desperately needed if we are to engage kids to see themselves as continuous learners and not continuous workers. Second, the nature of a Personal Learning Centre implies that it’s something to build upon rather than a finite entity. You can start a Personal Learning Centre very simply by establishing a bookshelf and some comfortable chairs, and build from there. Third, a Personal Learning Centre is a concept that your child can take into adulthood that’s easily adapted to suit any situation. When I travel, my Personal Learning Centre consists of a phone, a book and any comfortable couch or chair I can find. It’s the idea rather than the furniture and physical setting where the learning magic lays. Getting started is easy of the following features: Start by setting up your own Personal • Comfortable place for reading – bean Learning Centre. If you think this is bag, couch or chair a strange idea then there’s no point • A bookshelf with a variety of fiction and introducing it to kids. It just won’t wash, as non-fiction books your heart won’t be in it. Set aside a space • A digital screen (portable or fixed) for for your own learning – a chair in another research room with a few books, a space to go to • Materials for writing, recording and read the newspaper; or a quiet place to note taking look up recipes on YouTube. Start small • Digital device equipped with and gradually build from there. If you feel age- appropriate apps and programs comfortable so far congratulate yourself that enable learning, research and for taking concrete steps down a lifelong content creation learner path. • A place for a water bottle or jug of The next step is introduce the idea to water your child. This shouldn’t be a difficult idea Table or desk and suitable lighting to sell, particularly if you provide some What’s in a name? A quick glance at the list above may new writing implements and perhaps a have you thinking that a Personal comfortable chair or beanbag for their Learning Centre is basically a desk with a new Personal Learning Centre. Timing makes a big difference to how few fancy gadgets attached. On one level this is correct however there are three ideas are received so going back to advantages a Personal Learning Centre school is the ideal time to present this new idea to your kids as they tend to be has over a simple work space or desk. First, the name says it all. A Personal more open to change at this time. Also, Learning Centre is a place children can for kids going back to school, a Personal go to learn, not necessarily to work. In the Learning Centre maybe a whole lot cooler past educators have managed to make than returning to the same old work desk learning seem very unattractive for kids for the first assignment for the year.
Sarajevo Haggadah Project The world’s most celebrated Passover text, the Sarajevo Haggadah will be the focus of two special events being held in Melbourne this March. Made famous by Australian author, Geraldine Brooks in her award-winning novel, People of the Book, the Sarajevo Haggadah is one of the oldest surviving Passover texts in the world, having originated in Barcelona around 1350. It survived the inquisition and expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, the destruction of books and Jewish treasures in Sarajevo during WWII and the Balkan Wars of the 1990s and has since become a symbol of harmony and co-existence between differ-
ent peoples. Dr Elia Tauber, the Cultural Advisor of the Sarajevan Jewish Community and the current director of the Haggadah Association in Sarajevo will be in Melbourne to conduct two very special events about the Sarajevo Haggadah. When Neighbours Were Real Human Beings sheds lights on a 500-year history of positive Muslim-Jewish relationships in the Balkans and Sarajevo Haggadah Project focuses on the role of the Bosnian community in saving this precious book. Both combine a presentation by Dr Tauber with world music ensemble, Saray Iluminado performing hauntingly beautiful Sep-
hardic songs from the Balkans, as well as Sevdah songs, the vocal form of Bosnia and Herzegovina. An exact replica of the Sarajevo Haggadah will be on show at both events. Timed for Harmony Week in Australia, these unique events are an opportunity to celebrate the courage of those who took great risks to protect this beautiful text and the spirit of respect and co-existence their actions represent. The When Neighbours Were Real Human Beings and Sarajevo Haggadah Project are supported by Gandel Philanthropy. There will be two performances, the first at the Abbotsford Convent on Thurs-
day 19th March and the second at the Jewish Museum of Australia on Sunday 22nd March. Event details: When Neighbours Were Real Human Beings Thursday 19th March at 7.00pm The Oratory at Abbotsford Convent 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford Sarajevo Haggadah Project Sunday 22nd March at 1.00pm Jewish Museum of Australia 26 Alma Rd, St Kilda
lifestyle
March 2020
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Stirring & Uplifting BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, AT THE REGENT THEATRE BY ALEX FIRST Billy Elliot The Musical remains as moving and evocative as when I first saw it in Melbourne more than a decade ago … and what a magnificent show it is. For me this is up there with the best musicals brought to the stage. It is based on the successful 2000 film, which starred Jamie Bell as Billy. Chock full of drama and pathos, with a series of comic interludes, the musical has been brilliantly written and directed, and features a series of stirring numbers penned by the incomparable Elton John. And talk about happenstance … it seems only fitting that John himself was playing his farewell concert to this city only a hop, skip and a jump away as the opening night theatrical audience was applauding his endeavours. The performances are superb, elevated by choreography of the highest order, while the staging transports us to the time of Margaret Thatcher’s Britain and the dour struggle by the miners, with a few delightful surprises. I couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate 12-year-old Billy’s rite of passage than in the town’s finest theatre, the Regent. For those who are not aware of the storyline, it concerns the youngster – whose beloved mother died – and who is being raised by his father and gran. Dad is a mine worker who – along with his fellow underground employees – refuses to accept the Conservative government’s desire to reduce the power of trade unions. The year is 1984 and major industrial action – which became the longest national strike in British history – has been taken in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. Before it is over, many of the workers will be living hand to mouth as their meagre resources dwindle.
Against this backdrop and the fiery disdain of Billy’s older and militant brother, the kid has no interest in participating in Saturday morning boxing lessons, instead stumbling his way into a ballet class being given subsequently at the same venue. He was just meant to be handing over the keys to the no-nonsense instructor, but is quickly swept up in what he sees and when he finally gets to show what he’s got his natural talent is obvious. Encouraged by his teacher, there’ll be hell to pay as his father, brother and the hard-nosed community find out what he has been up to. As they see it, ballet is no suitable pursuit for the son of working-class stock. The two strands of the narrative – the strike and its impact on the community, and Billy Elliot’s personal struggle for acceptance – are superbly wound together and they are what make the show all the more memorable. It is easy to see why since opening in London in 2005, Billy Elliot The Musical has become a global success story, claiming more than 85
awards. In 2009 it won 10 Tony Awards, including best musical. Stephen Daldry received the gong for best director and Lee Hall – who also wrote the lyrics to John’s music – received the nod for best book of a musical. Peter Darling was recognised for his choreography and Ian MacNeil for his set design. Billy Elliot The Musical has also collected five Olivier Awards and eight Helpmann Awards, among others. Among the stirring numbers, none is better than the company’s rendition of Solidarity, with the miners on one side of the stage, the police on the other and a ballet lesson in progress in between. At the start of the second act, a cheeky thumbs down to the British PM in Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher features hand puppets and a towering blow up figure of the Iron Lady. The fine balance between light and shade is one of the most commendable elements of the musical. Four gifted alternates fill the pivotal role of Billy. On opening night it was the youngest of
them, 11-year-old Melburnian River Mardesic, who had the fancy moves – including tap – down pat. Matching him in his impact and ability is Billy’s cross-dressing best mate Michael, as realised by Oscar Mulcahy (again, there are four alternates for that role). The show’s many highlights include a scene where the pair – in women’s clothing – dance together in front of metallic tinsel curtain foil and is joined by giant dresses and a pair of ginormous trousers. Justin Smith brings gravitas to his role as Billy’s father, Vivien Davies is a hoot as grandma and Drew Livingston is genuinely scary as Billy’s older sibling Tony. Lisa Sontag is a revelation as ballet teacher Mrs Wilkinson, while Robert Grubb makes the most of his persona as Billy’s gruff and frustrated boxing instructor, who works alongside Billy’s dad in the mines. Dean Vince is quite the chameleon as Mrs Wilkinson’s pianist, Mr Braithwaite, who comes into his own as the piece progresses. Special praise, too, for the performance of Ella Tebbutt as Mrs Wilkinson’s brattish daughter Debbie (one of three alternates in that role). Billy Elliot The Musical stands head and shoulders above most others of its genre. It is something mighty, mighty special that deserves to be seen again and again. It is that good because it stirs the soul and touches the heart. Please do not miss this, the very finest of productions, which is playing at the Regent Theatre until 19th April, 2020. Just be aware that given the subject matter and the passions ignited there is some strong language in the show. To read all Alex First’s film and theatre reviews, go to www.itellyouwhatithink.com Alex can be heard each Sunday at 11.05am on J-AIR 87.8FM or streaming at j-air.com.au on an hour-long program dedicated to film and theatre.
It’s Not Easy Being Green SHREK THE MUSICAL, AT HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE BY ALEX FIRST Fun, funny, light hearted, colourful and energetic, Shrek the Musical surprised me with its warmth, relatability and good natured banter. Of course, the 2001 Dreamworks Animation film starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow – upon which it is based, along with the 1990 book by William Steig – was a huge box office success. The musical – with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori – follows the familiar plot, but with contemporary references (love that – it works a treat). An ogre with a giant roar is kicked out of home at age seven and finds refuge by himself in a swamp. At the same age, a princess (Fiona) is imprisoned in a castle tower – under the watchful eyes of a fire-breathing dragon – surrounded by lava fields. Now 20 years have passed and she is still there. Suddenly, the ogre’s lair is overrun by a cacophony of fairy tale creatures who have been banished there by the self-centred and diminutive Lord Farquaad, who wants to be king. But in order to be the ruler, he must first find a queen. When he prizes information about the whereabouts of a princess (the same one imprisoned in the castle) from a tortured
gingerbread man, he goes after his prize. Only, he doesn’t personally make the move. He engages the ogre to do it for him and by then the said ogre has been befriended by a pretty annoying donkey. The princess – who has been counting the days until her rescue – has expectations of falling hard for her rescuer, who she imagines to be an admirable knight. Let’s just say she doesn’t get what she bargained for when a rather aloof ogre rocks up. Further, she is carrying a secret. Big voiced Ben Mingay makes an immediate impression as Shrek – he has
great stage presence. Lucy Durack is oh so wonderful as fiery redhead Princess Fiona. Her fits of pique are a particular highlight. I defy any actor to play Lord Farquaad better than Todd McKenney, who was born to play the part. He plays up to the audience magnificently and his delivery is impeccable. How his character is realised and moves about evokes much mirth. Nat Jobe brings to life the “in your face” utterances of Donkey. The costumes are breathtaking and the actualisation of the large dragon by
four puppeteers superb. Tim Hatley is responsible for set, costume and puppet design. The fairy tale characters, led by Pinocchio (Caleb Vines), are a hoot – none better than the gingerbread man. The show contains a series of delightful surprises – including tap dancing with a difference – with large dollops of humour. The 19 songs include several earpleasing chorus numbers. Shrek the Musical is a delicious treat for all ages. It is playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre until 12th April, 2020.
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lifestyle
March 2020 news
T RS ON FI ITI ED
Red Flags For Post Natal Depression
THE SLEEP COACH CHERYL FINGLESON
Adjusting to parenthood is tough going and it's natural for parents - both mums and dads - to feel overwhelmed by their new normal. When the baby blues last longer than a few weeks or so, it's important to consider whether post-natal depression or anxiety has set in. PND develops between one month and a year after having a baby and affects around one in seven women and 5% of new dads. Friends are often the first to notice when something's wrong. Here are some tell tale signs to look out for if you're worried someone you know is struggling. 1. Withdrawing from contact and within social situations. People with PND often describe feeling as though they're in a bubble and feeling removed or separate from other people, even in company. Your friend might not be returning phone-calls or seem reluctant to meet up or socialise. 2. Tearfulness, irritability or sadness. Your friend might feel overwhelmed by things that never used to bother her. She might cry frequently or seem sad and upset. Alternatively she might appear emotionless and flat. 3. Anxiety. Your friend might feel intense or fleeting feelings of panic and worry. She might appear overly anxious about her baby's health, safety or behaviour, events, people or places. 4. Change in appetite. Has your friend lost a lot of weight? Has her appetite changed - is she eating more or less than usual? 5. Is your friend always hyper-critical of herself and her abilities? Loss of confidence is common in early parenthood, but feeling constantly worthless and useless also takes hold in PND sufferers. 6. Women suffering from post-natal depression and anxiety often find themselves no longer enjoying or finding pleasure in things they used to. 7. Of course every parent suffers from exhaustion, but if your friend's tiredness levels seem excessive, or they're sleeping more or less than usual - despite what their baby's doing - then this can be a warning sign. 8. Panic attacks. This can include having moments when your friend's heart races, has palpitations, breathlessness, shaking or feeling 'detached'. 9. Does your friend fear being alone with her baby? Does she say or feel
she's not the best person to look after her baby? These feelings of inadequacy can escalate in some cases When a woman is suffering from post-natal psychosis she may become convinced she - or someone else - will harm her baby if left alone. 10. Inability to focus, remember or concentrate. Again, all signs of early parenthood, but if you sense your friend is suffering these to an extreme extent it could be a sign of depression which fogs the brain. 11. Risk taking behaviour. Is your friend drinking heavily or taking prescription or illegal drugs? She may be self-harming or hurting herself in other ways. All these are serious warning signs that something is wrong. What can you do to help? - Talk to your friend. Open up the conversation so she knows you're available to confide in. - Text your friend - it will mean a lot that you're thinking of her. - Encourage your friend to seek help. - Provide emotional and practical support. - Support her recovery. - Drop off food, take her children or baby out for a bit to give her a break. - Take her out - a change of scenery can be an enormous comfort. PANDA supports women, men and families affected by depression and anxiety in pregnancy and early parenthood. Call, 1300 726 306 Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Cheryl Zzz For more sleep tips and advice, please visit: www.cherylthesleepcoach.com.au Please like our facebook page: www. facebook.com/thesleepcoach Cheryl Fingleson is a paediatric sleep consultant. As a mother of two, she knows only too well the feelings of agony and desperation & depression when you have a child that struggles to settle and sleep. She doesn’t believe in leaving babies or children to cry it out, nor in the practices of controlled crying. Her gentle approach is to empower parents with the right tools and techniques to teach their babies and children to go to sleep calmly, happily and independently.
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lifestyle
March 2020
Ocean Pash BY JOANNE FEDLER
‘Your mother and I worry about how far out you swim.’ My father’s voice got serious. He tends to hold the phone so that instead of his face, I’m looking up at the ceiling, or at his nostril. He still hasn’t got this whole look at the phone screen while you’re WhatsApping routine down. But I’m not complaining. This time last year he almost died. I’m happy to see his nasal or ear hairs while we speak. ‘What about the sharks?’ he asked. ‘Why aren’t you scared?’ It’s a fair enough question, and one I am probably just about ready to answer. It’s (almost to the day) a year ago since I prolapsed a disc in my back. I had just arrived in South Africa, rushed to the hospital where my dad was in ICU, tentacled to too many machines. And as I left that ward, my disc popped. For the next eight weeks, I couldn’t stand or walk. Finally, back in Sydney, I started walking in an ocean bath to get some movement back. That became a few gentle laps of swimming, which took me out into the bay, and finally into open water. To where the sharks are. ‘Dad,’ I said, ‘of course I’m scared.’ It would be foolish to swim out into the vast expanse of the ocean and not be conscious of the fact that I am in shark territory – not to mention in the neighbourhood of jimbles, blue-bottles, manta-rays, octopus and jellyfish. How do I explain this to my father? I have lived most of my life in a state of fear, saying NO because of what might happen when I am out of my comfort zone. I’ve avoided experiences because of my fear of failure; my anxiety; my lack of trust in my body. I still cannot ride a bicycle. I have a weak back. Physical strength is something of a mystery to me. As is a sense of safety. I think all women feel this way to some extent. But I swore, when I was flat on my back this time last year – that I would never again take my mobility or my body for granted. I would no longer live my life as fear’s bitch. The Finnish have the concept of Sisu – which is the art of doing difficult things. It is often spoken of in the context of ice swimming and translates as grit, fortitude or perseverance – or ‘not taking the easy way out.’ Doing uncomfortable things creates
a certain resilience and tenacity. It turns a flabby consciousness into a sharp tool we can draw on to overcome challenging experiences. It allows us to tap into mental strength beyond the limits of what we think we have in reserve. It takes us to the edges of our own tolerance, discomfort, and courage. If we’re always only doing the things that feel easy to us, how will we grow? Growth is always about stretching ourselves outside the choreography of previous situations. My friend Faith laughed at me the other day when she heard I’d done a 4km ocean swim: ‘Jo, you’re so extreme.’ But you know, until I stepped out of the water that day, I didn’t know if I could swim 4km in rough seas. I went in, as Zed encouraged me, ‘trusting my training,’ but unsure of whether the ocean would co-operate and let me finish. I come to the water as a visitor. I behave as a guest. I stand at the edge and I ask permission to enter. I wait for an answer. Some days, I feel the answer is ‘no.’ Then, I go for a paddle in an ocean bath. If the answer is yes, I ask for safe passage. Only then, do I head in. When I am back on land, I’m aware it’s only by the grace of the ocean. I never take for granted that it’s something I’m owed, or I can rely on. This relationship is teaching me to trust the water, and that in turn is helping me to meet parts of myself I’ve never met – I’m obsessed with the parts of my brain that
are just sitting dormant in my cranium and how to unlock them. How might we evolve as a human species if we all used more than just fractions of our brain power and imagination? (If I hadn’t become an author, I’d love to have been a neuroscientist). So, yes, perhaps I am always looking for places I haven’t been to. I’m always wondering what else there is – not just out there in the world but inside me. Some people take this literally and travel. But we don’t have to fly to new places to encounter ourselves afresh. We can simply know what we’re afraid of, and venture into its waters. I don’t expect to ever not fear sharks. That would be to misunderstand who and where I am. But the truth is that I am more scared of human beings. I’m more afraid of Trump, Boris Johnson, Scott Morrison, and the cruelty and idiocy of ignorant, greedy people, the lack of compassion and disregard for nature than I am of a shark looking for its next meal. I am more afraid of the world in which the oceans become sharkless because of our brutality and violation of the laws of nature. An ocean that is icy cold and full of sharks is a healthy one. That’s the ocean I want to swim in. That’s the ocean I pray for every day. It is also statistically unlikely that I will ever become shark bait. It’s far more probable that I will get hit by a car or struck down by one of the many somaterric diseases that
our pollution of the planet has made an almost inevitable fate for many of us. And, I would rather be swimming in an ocean with sharks than flat on my back with a prolapsed disc. So, what can I tell my dad? Dad, I want to know myself in the light of experiences I have not yet had. It’s why I wanted a natural childbirth (how much pain could I tolerate without drugs? Never got to find out – had to have Caesareans). It’s why I did the 4 km instead of the 2 km swim. I want to know what my own personal thresholds are. It feels like a good practice. Because someday everything that is comfortable and familiar will be taken from me – including you. And when that time comes, I want to be a good practitioner of discomfort. Pain is a good teacher. Grief, of course is the best teacher of all. While I’m lucky enough to be pain-free and skirting the edges of grief, I go to the ocean and I ask the sharks to be my guides. Joanne Fedler is an internationally bestselling
author
of
10
books,
writing mentor and publisher. She runs writing retreats all over the world and has three signature online writing courses for aspiring authors.
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sports
March 2020
Jewish radio wins support in parliament J-AIR RADIO MELBOURNE-based Jewish radio station J-AIR has won bipartisan support in federal parliament in its fight against antiSemitism through its bid for a dedicated and more powerful community-wide FM licence. J-AIR has argued to the Australian Communications and Media Authority that it needs its own dedicated frequency to educate the wider community about the scourge of rising anti-Semitism and to improve security in general through its partnership with the Community Security Group for the Melbourne Jewish community. At the moment, J-AIR broadcasts on the low-powered frequency (or spectrum) 87.8FM rented from a secondary party. The bid for community-wide spectrum won support from the Liberal and Labor parties during a debate in the House of
Representatives in Canberra on Monday, 2 March. A motion supporting J-AIR’s bid was moved by the Liberal member for Goldstein Tim Wilson. Mr Wilson’s motion called on ACMA to “consider the new relationship with the CSG and allocate J-AIR a community broadcasting licence in the Melbourne radio licence area”. “J-AIR is one of the most important social institutions in Melbourne's Jewish community. It's an incredibly important part of the social fabric because it provides many Jewish Australians in our community, across Australia and overseas through the internet with the opportunity to directly hear about the issues that affect Jewish Australians,” Mr Wilson said. “But one of the challenges that J-AIR has always faced has been around access to spectrum to be able to broadcast Jewish culture into the Australian context through a proper broadcast medium. They have
constantly and unsuccessfully lobbied ACMA and regulators to make sure that they have access to spectrum to have a permanent home.” Mr Wilson was supported by the Labor member for Macnamara Josh Burns, who said: “J-AIR is a wonderful, local community radio station. It is a place where ideas are spoken about, not just in relation to the Jewish community but also the wider community and our local community. “We have a huge Jewish community in Macnamara, but they are also spread across Melbourne and the country, which is why it is nice to see so many of my follow parliamentarians supporting this motion,” he said. In support, the Liberal member for Higgins Katie Allen said she would continue to encourage ACMA to work with J-AIR to secure a broadcasting licence. “Community radio helps ensure everyone
in our community has a culturally relevant voice,” Dr Allen said. Labor member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly said he heartily endorsed the call for ACMA to issue a community broadcasting licence to J-AIR. “Reflecting on J-AIR, in particular, we have, as part of the wonderful cultural landscape, the contribution that the Jewish community of Australia has made — and the rich diversity of what is broadcast on J-AIR is a wonderful, living, breathing example of all that that community has contributed to this country,” Dr Kelly said. Chairman of J-AIR Sean Meltzer said the Jewish community of Melbourne in particular was most appreciative of the bipartisan support shown by the federal politicians. “This bodes well for our future for a long time to come,” he said. J-AIR's signal is heard mainly the Caulfield area of Melbourne, but can be heard on a live stream at j-air.com.au.
Maccabiah 2021 Planning In Full Swing MACCABIAH 2021 Preparations for Maccabiah 2021 are in full swing as the entire Senior Leadership Team for Australia’s delegation came together for a weekend of team building and planning ahead of next year’s Games. The experienced 18-person management group has been working to build Australia’s Maccabiah team since last year, but the retreat provided an opportunity to workshop and agree on the leadership team’s key values and vision. Transparency and a commitment to work as a collective team were two principles that were adopted to ensure the management team will function effectively and efficiently to provide athletes the best possible experience at Maccabiah 2021. While the management team has collectively participated in over 50 Maccabiot, there is also an emphasis on the continuity and succession planning of leadership as well as the injection of fresh energy and ideas, which is reflected by the
Your Will... Israel’s Future Keren Hayesod-UIA has supported the People of Israel for 100 years. Continue the legacy of the Founders and Leaders for the next 100 years and beyond. For a confidential discussion about leaving a Bequest or an Endowment Fund, please contact: Idan Goldberger Executive Director/Shaliach Idan.Goldberger@uiavic.org Estelle Wytwornik Planned Giving Co-ordinator Estelle.Wytwornik@uiavic.org or 1300 ISRAEL (1300 477 235)
several members of the group who will be attending their first Maccabiah Games.
The beginnings of this culture of trust throughout the team was reached
To help achieve this, a mentorship
through a series of leadership workshops
structure is in place to facilitate the
facilitated by former Maccabiah athlete
exchange
and leadership consultant, Allan Priess.
of
information
between
experienced and new members of the
The group was also provided valuable
team so that the benefits of existing
insight into what the Maccabiah experience
Maccabiah knowledge is passed on.
is like from the athletes’ perspectives after
hearing from Australia’s inspirational 2019 Pan American Games captain, Barry Carp. Nominations to participate as an athlete (which close on April 30, 2020) have been strong and over 70 quality coaches and team managers have already been appointed for Maccabiah 2021. Head of Delegation, Barry Smorgon, said, “I am delighted at the positive attitude and the collective view taken by every member of the Maccabiah 2021 Leadership Team. We are all aligned with our objective of achieving the best possible outcome for the athletes." "There is great energy amongst the team and I’m looking forward to working alongside such a passionate group of people.” To nominate to be an athlete or express your interest in joining the media or medical teams, visit the Maccabiah website. Athletes from Western Australia interested in Maccabiah 2021 are encouraged to attend the Information Session running on 8th March. To register, please visit Event Information.
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