FREE VOL. 117 Tuesday, 1 Sept 2026 / 19 Elul 5786
Fostering a closer Jewish community
May the new year bring you good health, happiness and peace. Shana Tova U’Metuka.
Preparing for Rosh Hashanah. From left, The King David School Year 2 students Hallie, Noah, Sadie and Ishai (see page 15)
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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COMMUNITY FIDDLER ON THE ROOF After a sold-out season in London’s West End, resulting in three Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Revival, Fiddler on the Roof can be seen at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne from 31st October to 27th December. The Jewish Report spoke to the performer who will play the lead in the Australian production, that of pious dairyman and narrator Tevye, Troy Sussman. Q: Congratulations on landing the pivotal role. Tell me about the upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof. It is one of the world’s most beloved and recognised musicals. What makes it so special? A: Fiddler is a timeless story about community and family. When it was first produced, in the mid ‘60s, it was the longest running show on Broadway for a decade. It is both funny and tragic, with wonderful songs and moving scenes. And for our community, it is our history. We see our grandparents and great grandparents, their trials and tribulations, their decisions and their journey to today. My Zeida – a pious man, a tailor, maybe like the person Sholem Aleichem based the character of Motel on – emigrated to Australia from a small town in Poland in 1926. So, this is my deeply personal story to tell. Q: What can patrons expect if they buy a ticket? A: Audiences can expect a world class production of the story they love. They will be entertained by the songs they know and a bottle dance, the
The welcome return of a musical favourite, but this is a new production
Images from the new production of Fiddler on the Roof
humour and beauty of community, and an understanding of a man and his family, and their growth through change. They will leave humming a tune, with their hearts touched. I believe that no audience comes into the theatre as a neutral canvas. Whatever is happening in our lives or our day will impact how we view theatre. To those that have seen and loved Fiddler on the Roof, I hope we entertain and exceed their expectations. To those who are new to this story, I hope we entertain, educate and touch them. Q: Are there any surprises in this production or is this the traditional story as we have known it? A: This a new, award-winning production, directed by the
incomparable, New York and London based theatre and opera director Jordan Fein. It is different to other productions audiences may have seen. He has put a contemporary lens on the story. We see the characters and their conversations, the daughter’s selfdetermination and a father having to make decisions through love, in the face of everything he has been taught and believed. And for me, personally, it is a way to show my Yiddishkeit and authenticity. I, like Tevye, have a daughter and it is not a far stretch for me to imagine having similar conversations down the track. And, like him, I learn from my daughter every day. Obviously, there is always
the shadow of the legacy of Fiddler of the Roof for me, stepping into the shoes of some of the greats: Topol, Mostel, Molina, Firestein, and this production Adam Dannheisser, who played the role in London. So, on one hand it is daunting, but on the other hand it is something I have waited a lifetime to do. Q: The cast has been announced. What can you tell us about them? Jordan and the producers have put together a wonderful group of all Australian talent, with a mix of very experienced performers and some exciting, new talent. Tevye’s wife, Golde, is being played by my friend, the amazing Alexis Fishman, who audiences may remember from her production of Anne Being Frank that played last year. Australian screen and theatre legend Sigrid Thornton is Yente, the elderly village matchmaker, while the talented John Waters is Lazar Wolf. It is a thrill to be working with and sharing the stage with them. The virtuoso Ben Adler is the fiddler, and in this production Tevye and The Fiddler have a wandering, symbiotic relationship. I am also thrilled to be working with some old friends and excited to be sharing the stage and this journey with a whole cohort of new and talented young Aussie performers. I speak especially of Freya Boltman, Ellen Ebbs and Caity Plummer, who are playing my daughters in the show.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
CO NS I D E RE D
OPINION
DR DVIR ABRAMOVICH I keep returning to this one image. On 31st January 2025, Gina Ferrer brought her child back to Mount Sinai College in Sydney. Overnight, the walls had been sprayed with the words “Jews are real terrorists” and “Jew dogs”. Police and private security were outside. And through that cordon walked small children, backpacks bouncing against their narrow shoulders, returning to class as if the world had not just tried to tell them that they did not belong in their own school. No student should need armed personnel to carry a pencil case through a gate. No parent should stand there wondering whether the simple act of sending their son or daughter to a Jewish school has painted a target on that small back. But Jewish children across the country are still strolling into classrooms, even as I write this, column. That is the story of the Jewish people since October 7 I want to tell. Yes, the hatred exploded into lecture theatres, workplaces, streets and the glowing screens of our phones. Jewish creatives had their names, photographs and workplaces published online. Some reported death threats. Synagogues were attacked. Students were spat at, blocked from parts of their university campuses, surrounded and told that the price of belonging was to cut away the part of themselves that loves Israel and their heritage. But this Rosh Hashanah, I will not write another catalogue of darkness. That is not the whole truth. The bigots wanted Jewish fear. What they got was Jewish organisation on a scale that has left me in awe. They demanded silence. We stood up and testified. They expected us to hide. We put the Magen David on our chests and wore it in public. They wanted Jewish life to shrink until it became a private memory, whispered behind locked doors. Instead, Australian Jews committed an act of communal refusal so stubborn and so alive that it deserves to be celebrated. After October 7, we could not simply return to who we had been on October 6. That world, with its assumptions about acceptance, friendship and safety, could not be restored. So, we, the October 8 Jews, fought back. Big time. That is why teshuvah is the right word for this New Year. This Hebrew word is often translated as repentance, but its deeper meaning is a return to the deepest part of ourselves, with our eyes open. The Jewish return after October 7 is not a return to innocence. It is a return to responsibility. We know more now about the cost of being Jewish in public, and yet we are choosing Jewish life with greater consciousness. I think of the hundreds of Jewish creatives and academics whose closed WhatsApp group was leaked in February 2024. A list identifying members, their professions, businesses, social-media accounts and images was published. Some reported death threats. Some businesses shut down, and some said career opportunities had dried up. They did not ask for pity. They documented the harm, organised support and demanded that the law change. In
They picked the wrong community to mess with
Dr Dvir Abramovich December 2024, federal offences targeting doxxing came into force. Three months after Adass Israel was firebombed on 6th December 2024, board member Benjamin Klein stood inside the damaged synagogue. The congregation was praying elsewhere, raising money and preparing temporary premises. Then Klein delivered the only answer the arsonists deserved: “We’re going to build bigger and better.” Those evil individuals lit the fire, but they did not get to write the ending. They wanted fear to decide the size of Jewish life. Our answer was simple and final. Not this year. Not any year. On 21st December 2025, up to 20,000 people returned to Bondi Beach. One week earlier, 15 people had been murdered at a Chanukah celebration there. The killers had tried to turn a Jewish festival into a date of terror. The community came back for the final night of Chanukah. The gunmen did not get to decide what the night meant. The Jewish calendar did. After protesters stormed Miznon for the crime of serving Israeli food, supporters filled the restaurant the following evening. One line captured the answer: “We are still here.” Then came the Year 12 students. Across our Jewish schools, they put their names to a statement ending with words that should make every Jewish parent stand taller: “Proud to be Jewish. Proud to be Zionist. Proud to be Australian. This is the generation the enemies of Jewish life never counted on. Prouder than we dared hope. Louder than we dared pray. We raised them to love being Jewish. They went one better. They declared it. And something else happened that has moved me deeply. Many Jews grew more Jewish. In the United States, 57 per cent of Jewish respondents told the American Jewish Committee that they felt more connected to Israel or to their Jewishness after October 7. In Britain, about one in three Jews reported becoming more involved in Jewish life, while only nine per cent
became less involved. The haters tried to make Judaism feel dangerous. Jews answered by making it feel precious again. Customs that had drifted into the margins became choices again. In France, a grassroots organisation arose with a clear pledge: Jews would no longer remain silent and would no longer hide. In Adelaide, a student helped establish a dedicated Jewish room on campus that had not existed before. In Argentina, young Jews built a union after October 7. Hamas terrorists turned the Nova festival into a killing ground. The Nova Exhibition, first shown in Tel Aviv and then taken to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Berlin and beyond, carried the names, faces and stories of the murdered across the globe, under a promise that was also a defiant vow: We will dance again. Antisemitism tries to take possession not only of Jewish space but of Jewish time. It wants every Friday night to become about security, every festival about danger, every gathering about whether we dare attend. Jewish ritual breaks that grip. A bar or bat mitzvah marks the next generation stepping forward. Rosh Hashanah comes because the Jewish year will not wait for the world to become kind. The antisemite says: today you will be afraid because I have chosen fear for you. The Jewish calendar answers: today we light the candles. Today we bless. Today we begin again. That is why Jewish joy in these years has carried such moral power. We decide what the day means. Rosh Hashanah demands an honest accounting. The shofar is not a soundtrack. It is an alarm. A summons. A demand that we wake up and tell the truth. So let us tell it. Jewish courage has been magnificent. The years since October 7 have exposed an ugly bargain many Jews never knew was being imposed on them. You may belong in Australia, but only if your Jewishness stays out of sight. You may enter the university,
the arts and the workplace, but only if you pass an ideological test. Only if you separate yourself from other Jews, Israel and Zionism on command. That is not equality. It is conditional citizenship. And refusing it has cost Jews invitations, friendships and career opportunities. In short, social exile. So be it. A place acquired through selferasure is not home. There is heroism in rejecting those poisoned terms because the price is often not physical danger but being frozen out of relationships, jobs and cultural circles. It is the courage to lose an invitation, a friendship, a professional opportunity. In this country, we are not guests on probation. Our belonging is not rented from a crowd or licensed by a government. It cannot be cancelled because we refuse to amputate part of ourselves. I am filled with a pride so deep that language struggles to contain it. After everything that has been thrown at us, our people have refused to shrink. Artists keep working. Families keep lighting Shabbat candles. Jewish Australians gather, teach, sing and insist on living openly as Jews. This is the quiet, daily and unyielding courage of those who love Australia and will not be driven from it. Israel belongs in this story not as a defence of every government decision, but as the great modern proof that Jewish helplessness would not be permanent. Antisemitism wants Jewish life smaller. We made it larger. The answer to antisemitism is that we remain Jewish in what we learn, practise, teach and pass on: memory, language, ritual, argument, obligation, humour and belonging. I do not want a generation that knows only how to defend Judaism. I want our children to inherit the faith, fire, wisdom, humour and joy that have made the Jewish people impossible to erase. Antisemites may force us to defend who we are. They will never be allowed to decide who we are. Living openly says: “We are here. ”Jewish knowledge and practice say: “And we know exactly why!” This new year, I want us to honour those who reclaimed, rebuilt and refused to disappear. They are the guardians of Jewish continuity. The antisemite has always had a plan for us: disappear. We have one for ourselves: STAY. This Rosh Hashanah, I will hear the shofar as the sound of a people refusing to whisper. Jewish tradition does not silence the shofar’s broken cry. It commands us to hear it. This is the judgment of Rosh Hashanah I want to carry into the year ahead: we bore terrible pain, but it did not make our souls smaller. Shana Tova to the bravest people I have ever known. They wanted you smaller. I have never seen you stand taller. You are the quiet army of Jewish continuity. May you be inscribed not only in the Book of Life but boldly, visibly and permanently in the story of the nation we call home. Dr Dvir Abramovich is Chair of the AntiDefamation Commission and the author of nine books. His latest is The Heart of Amos Oz: Love, War & Grief.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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NEWS
RAMONA FREEDMAN TELFED The New Year is a time of renewal, sweetness and growth. We gather with our nearest and dearest to celebrate all that was and all that will be, while dipping those Aussie Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples in bush honey. And this plays out simultaneously on both macro and micro levels. Over the past year, Telfed, an organisation based in Ra’anana with decades of Aliyah and absorption experience, has strengthened its longstanding connection with Jewish Australians. More conversations have given us the opportunity to listen, learn and continue expanding the support we offer, both to those considering Aliyah and to Australians already building their lives in Israel. In many ways, it has been a sobering and challenging year. The uptick in antisemitism on Aussie soil has been alarming, distressing and deeply concerning. The tragedy of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack was beyond
Rosh Hashanah dream heartbreaking. Devastating. The Royal Commission has brought important issues to the fore and yet has been exhausting for so many too. And sadly, so much more. Yet, the conversations we are having about Aliyah are not driven by fear alone. We are hearing from Australians who are looking towards Israel and seeing opportunity: school-leavers considering their next step, university graduates beginning their careers, young adults looking for adventure and connection, and couples and young families thinking about where and how they want to build their future. For some, recent events have brought Israel closer into focus. For others, Aliyah is a dream that has been taking shape for years. So many within the Telfed team have themselves made Aliyah, and each celebrates their own ‘Aliyahversary’. They know what it is like to move countries, to adapt to a new culture, a new landscape, a new world. And so, there is a seamless blend of both personal and professional perspectives that is warmly shared. This past year has been busy at Ben Gurion Airport. Week in, week out, members of the Telfed team have
Telfed assists olim to smooth the transition from Australia after making Aliyah
been welcoming Aussies and South Africans as they begin anew. Behind the scenes, Telfed has been building and developing tools to further expand its services in response to Aussie demand. Back in June, a Telfed representative participated in ‘Aliyah Week’ in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. It aimed to shed light on all things Aliyah. Generous feedback was shared and, in response, Telfed has hosted webinars helping future Aussie olim prepare for their integration, both practically and emotionally. More webinars are planned to better equip those planning for a new life in Israel. As is often heard: you can only really talk the talk if you’ve walked the walk. Telfed Chairman Maish Isaacson recognised the value of having an Australian olah working directly with prospective olim. I joined the Telfed team as pre-Aliyah advisor for Australasia, bringing both my experience working within the Australian Jewish community and my own recent experience of making Aliyah from Sydney. Maish said: “Every person considering Aliyah comes to us with their own circumstances and their own
dream. Our role is to help translate that dream into a tangible plan. Ramona understands the Australian community and the journey too. That first pre-Aliyah conversation is not a one-off meeting. It is the beginning of an ongoing relationship with Telfed that continues as future olim prepare, arrive and build their lives in Israel.” So, you can tap into all that Telfed offers, from professional support to services and more, whenever you want and need, now and in the future. Is Aliyah always sweet like honey for all? Honestly “no”, not always. That’s why the free resources Telfed has to offer are so helpful for a new beginning in a new (yet biblically old) land. As our founder of modern Zionism stated, “Im tirtzu, ein zo agadah (If you will it, it is no dream.)” Telfed is here to translate that Rosh Hashanah dream for so many into a rewarding reality, in the land of milk and honey. To learn more about Telfed visit www.telfed.org.il To contact Ramona Freedman, Telfed’s pre-Aliyah advisor, email: aliyahprep@telfed.org.il
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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OPINION
Rawan Osman
DAVID SCHULBERG Rawan Osman is a Syrian-born German activist, writer, public speaker and content creator focused on advancing ArabIsraeli normalisation and confronting antisemitism in the Arab and Western world. In 2026, she received the Moral Courage Award at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in recognition for her advocacy and public engagement. She is also the recipient of multiple international honours for her work, including the White Rose Society Award in the United States and the Oppenheimer Medal in Germany. Rawan was recently in Australia as a guest of WIZO. She spoke with David Schulberg. David I want to know how you transformed from being an admirer of Hezbollah, who hate Jews, to becoming an Arab Zionist who loves the Jewish state. Rawan It's quite simple. I grew up in Lebanon. My mum is Lebanese Shia. My father is a Sunni Syrian from Damascus. They raised us in Lebanon and sent us to a French Catholic school. My family was secular and religion was irrelevant in my upbringing. Much of Lebanon distanced itself from religion because sectarianism ripped the country apart. It claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Lebanese, those who supported the Palestinian cause against those who were against it and thought Lebanon has nothing to do with it. Growing up, we were not religious. It wasn't a radical society. Nevertheless, everybody hated Israel, the Zionists and the Jews. I make sure wherever I speak that I mention those three terms because in the Arab world they are used interchangeably. We do not make a distinction between Jewish and Zionist, between old and baby. Every Jew is our enemy and they are treated as such. The only heroes in my mind when I was a teenager, who dared defy the enemy in the south were Hezbollah, and I should remind those who might not know, Israel occupied south Lebanon. This is why we saw Hezbollah as heroes. Nobody told us why Israel was in south Lebanon; they omitted a minor detail for more than a decade. Palestinian armed factions abused Lebanese territory, trained together with their supporters from around the world, radical Leftists, be it from Germany or Italy or Red Army factions from Japan. Three members flew all the way from Tokyo and committed the Lod massacre in today's Ben-Gurion airport, killing mostly Christian pilgrims from South America. I grew up with Israel occupying the south, not knowing that militants infiltrated the borders occasionally, men and women with Palestinians and nonPalestinians committing atrocities against Israeli civilians. Eventually, Israel decided to create a buffer zone in the south, something Israel is still trying to do until this day, hopefully this time around with the help of the Lebanese armed forces. Not knowing this, I believed Hezbollah were heroes but luckily I grew up to move to Europe, to live among Jews to understand they do not bite and to eventually relearn the history of our region and to realise that the Jews were not the aggressors. They were not the assailants, that they were indigenous to our region,
Rawan Osman (photo by Aaron Zajonc, courtesy WIZO Victoria) which becomes obvious once you realise that. The Bible talks about those Jews, the Quran talks on and on about those Jews, so they might as well come from our region. Then my worldview shattered, and I understood that my side, our people, were the assailants. It is that rejectionist, entitled, maximalist attitude that led to many wars with Israel. David While working with the ‘Centre for Peace Communications’ in the US, you became involved with Sharaka, an organisation to promote peace and normalisation between the Arab world and Israel. Do you want to tell us about your involvement with Sharaka and whether you are still involved with it today? Rawan No. However, the two organisations you mentioned were part of my work when I understood who the problem is and what the problem is behind the Arab-Israeli conflict. I worked with organisations and I should emphasise that most of these initiatives you hear about were Jewish or Israeli; they are invested in seeking peace. The approach of most of those organisations was appeasement, public diplomacy, reaching out to the other side, trying to build bridges, even if fragile at times. Especially after the historic signing of the Abraham Accords, many Jewish and Israeli organisations thought it is time we should seize this opportunity to reach out and introduce the Israeli narrative. Not to brainwash anybody. Not to bribe anybody. Just to introduce the Israeli narrative and try to build the basis the foundation for a new reality. With Sharaka, I was part of the first Arab delegation to Auschwitz with the international March of the Living. That changed after October 7th because I personally decided to change my approach and to switch to fighter mode. After October 7th appeasement is not enough and the fragile bridges no longer stood; they were obliterated and a decision was clearly made by the enemies of Israel to launch this final war, to kick start a process that would drain Israel economically and psychologically. I understood that having lived in four different Arab countries. I was extremely concerned knowing that this war was inevitably going to expand. I might sound a bit melodramatic, but from the first moment, I warned people who knew me and then people who did not know me, who know me only on social media, that
this was going to expand. And this is what the third World War looks like. This is what we are seeing unfold in the Middle East, unfortunately. But I think it is time to uproot the problem and to bring an end to the so-called axis of resistance, led by the Iranian regime. The Iranian people deserve better. The Syrians, the Iraqis, the Lebanese, the Israelis, the Gazans deserve better than this backwardness. I am optimistic, although it's counterintuitive. I believe we're heading in the right direction. David I understand that you're going through conversion to Judaism. What aspects of the Jewish faith have you found especially fortifying? Rawan Growing up in Lebanon meant growing up between Islam and Christianity. The Christians told us the Muslims are lying and the Muslims told us the Christians are lying. You know, secretly, behind closed doors, they tried to make you join the club. As a child, I concluded both are lying. But in retrospect, I think as a child I did not want to take sides. I did not want to take a side because they were both my family members and my friends. I distanced myself and I was an atheist. I did not believe the simplistic versions they taught us as children. In my mid-30s, I went to university to study Jewish studies and Islamic studies. I wanted to understand how we can reconcile both Muslim and Jewish claims to end the war in the Middle East. I fell in love with Judaism because I realised all my life I associated Judaism with Christianity and Islam, at least the versions I was taught in Lebanon and Syria. I thought that the Christianity and Islam I was exposed to were the update of Judaism, so I wanted nothing to do with it. When I attended university, I realised that I'm Jewish. I wanted to know more about it, but on a less religious note. I was fascinated by how realistic Judaism is. You don't need to grow wings to fly to the moon and back. The prophets are not superheroes; they're not stories from Marvel. They are normal human beings who have sinned and have to repent if they want to repent and then you allow them that redemption (teshuvah). They are normal characters. They tell a human story. The values in Judaism are reasonable. You are speaking to me as a human being. You're not expecting the unnatural from me. I'm a human being and I have faults, and I
have to battle with my worldview, with my relationship between human beings and with G-d, and I'm allowed to ask questions and to challenge everything. I think the most fascinating aspect of Judaism is it nurtures critical thinking. In the Talmud you find comments around a central paragraph. Often, you see contradictory commentary and you ask yourself, why? Or you ask experts, even better, why are contradictory commentaries kept on the same page for centuries? It nurtures critical thinking. I did not know about this tradition. Now I see it from the windows in Jerusalem, in Yeshivot. Students fight like enemies, but they are best friends. They fight because ideas are so important and you must examine a thought from every possible angle, not because you hate one another, but because we are loyal to truth. We seek truth and we are allowed to use our brain because we have agency. We are born free and Hashem gave us a choice and we are held accountable for our decisions, not because we're going to burn for eternity. We are held accountable because our words, our actions have a weight and consequences on the lives of others. October 7 was a pivotal moment that changed our global reality. I want the world to stop treating the Palestinians as senile, stupid children, incapable individuals. Hold them accountable. Stop infantilising them. Tell them violence will only, and always, lead to violence. Here is where we draw the line as adults in the room, as adults in the world. It's enough. We're not accepting that this happens to anyone anymore. I apply the same logic to myself. That is what I love about Judaism. No, you don't get away with murder. You don't get away with mistakes. You don't get away with something that causes the death of anyone. I know that those who disagree with me will start associating or applying what I'm saying to the IDF. Nobody in Israel wakes up in the morning thinking let's kill another Palestinian today. If you believe this, you are antisemitic. If you believe this nonsense, you're a conspiracy theorist. People in Israel want nothing more than peace when they put on their uniform, take their guns and drive to Gaza. They want nothing more than peace, but they also understand that this war has cost so much, so much even before it started on October 7th. This is not acceptable and this war will not end, short of toppling the Iranian regime and dismantling the axis of resistance that resists Israel's very existence. We owe that to our children, not only in Israel but also in Gaza and in Lebanon and in Syria and in Iran. See the beautiful young men in Iran hung on cranes. Who can imagine that this is a reality in 2026? Can you imagine your children arrested, tortured and hung from a crane publicly for protesting whatever your government does. Why do we allow this in Iran? Why is this allowed to happen to our people in the Middle East, in the name of the Palestinian cause? Enough already. This an edited extract from an interview with Rawan Osman that was aired on ‘The Israel Connexion’ program on J-AIR community radio. The full conversation is available as a podcast on the J-AIR website, on Omny Studio and other podcast platforms. David’s program can be heard weekly on J-AIR in Melbourne and 2TripleO in Sydney.
Perfect for Rosh Hashanah
Explore our range for Rosh Hashanah today. Visit woolworths.com.au/roshhashanah for participating stores and products.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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COMMUNITY
A strong program for JIFF 2026
JIFF Featuring more than 50 of the best new Israeli and Jewish-themed films, the Jewish International Film Festival returns to cinema screens in Sydney from 19th October to 26th November. The full JIFF 2026 program will go on sale on Thursday, 17th September, at JIFF’s program launch screening of Cancelled. From acclaimed director Danny Ben-Moshe, Cancelled follows musician Deborah Conway, visual artist Nina Sanadze, writer Joshua Dabelstein and circus artist Talia Sofizade as they navigate a rapidly shifting environment following October 7 and culminating in the Bondi terror attack. The film forges an intimate portrait of a community and a wider reflection on the proliferation of antisemitism in the arts sector, exposing its impact on cultural life, freedom of expression and social cohesion. The screening includes a question and answer session with the director, featured writer Joshua Dabelstein and the film’s producers. Additional screenings of the film will be held throughout the festival, including a special event screening with JewishAustralian filmmakers. Details will be announced in the full program. JIFF opens in Sydney on Monday, 19th
Cancelled
Just an Illusion October, with the lively, crowd-pleasing comedy Just an Illusion, from the directing duo behind The Intouchables. The film tells an authentic and relatable story about family, friendship and growing up. Set in Paris in the 1980s, Vincent is on the precipice of his bar mitzvah – no longer a child and not yet an adult. He fumbles through life’s big questions about identity, friendship and first crushes, and tries to find his own rhythm in a family that feels out of sync. The opening night event includes drinks on arrival, falafels from Mama Falafel
and live music before the screening from the JIFF Allstars, featuring Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier. JIFF features many special events, from community question and answer sessions to in-depth film discussions and a focus on Australian film and JewishAustralian filmmakers. To celebrate Mel Brooks’ 100th birthday, JIFF is presenting a retrospective of seven of his best films, including The Producers. So, check out the full JIFF program from 17th September at jiff.com.au
The Producers Melbourne festival venues: Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick Sunday, 18th October – Wednesday, 25th November Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn Monday, 19th October – Wednesday, 25th November
Experience over 50 of the best new Jewish-themed and Israeli films at the 2026 Jewish International Film Festival, screening only in cinemas from October 18. JIFF 2026 opens on Sunday October 18 with the Australian Premiere screening of Just an Illusion, a tender family comedy set in 1980s Paris.
JIFF S CRE E NS AT —
Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick
Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn
OCT 1 8 — N OV 2 5 J I F F.C OM .AU TICK E TS ON SA L E SE PT E M B E R 1 7 Opening Film — Just An Illusion
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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COMMUNITY SHIR On Thursday, 22nd October at the Melbourne Recital Centre, former Israeli hostage Daniella Gilboa will perform her debut single, Where Everything Ends. She will appear as part as the headline act of UNBREAKABLE, a special evening celebrating Jewish music and culture, steeped in identity, resilience and hope, presented by SHIR. Gilboa's journey from captivity to freedom and healing has been followed globally. Now, through music, she is beginning to share another part of her story. At the heart of UNBREAKABLE is the idea that song can deliver stories that are difficult to express in words. For the audience, it will provide an opportunity to listen, reflect and connect. The concert brings together an eclectic group of performers, reflecting the breadth of Jewish musical tradition. The line-up includes acclaimed Australian pianist Simon Tedeschi AM, 2025 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition winner Sidra Nissen, awardwinning cellist Rebecca Herman and Carols by Candlelight vocalist Jemma Cher. Also on the program are Fiddler on the Roof star violinist and SHIR artistic director Ben Adler and the CHUTNEY ensemble, with guest violinist, SHIR assistant artistic director Lara Goodridge.
UNBREAKABLE: Jewish music and resilience
Daniella Gilboa UNBREAKABLE will have an extensive repertoire, spanning contemporary Israeli music, along with classical, liturgical, traditional and popular songs. The evening will also feature collaborations with guest artists from Indian, Iranian and Christian
backgrounds, reflecting the broader role of music in creating dialogue and connection between different cultural traditions. For Ben Adler, the title of the show carries two meanings. "The concert is ‘UNBREAKABLE’ in reference to the unbreakable spirit of the
Jewish people, epitomised by Daniella Gilboa, who has emerged from captivity and transformed into an extraordinary artist. And also in reference to the bonds that we share with our fellow citizens in this beautiful place I call home," he said. That idea of connection is central to SHIR, which celebrates Jewish music, culture, identity and connection through live performance, bringing together Australian and international artists to showcase the diversity and enduring power of Jewish music. Staging UNBREAKABLE at the Melbourne Recital Centre positions Jewish music in one of Australia's most significant cultural spaces. The concert will also be staged three days later, namely on Sunday, 25th October at the Sydney Opera House. At a time when questions of identity, belonging and cultural connection are deeply relevant, UNBREAKABLE offers an evening that brings together artists and audiences through the universal language of music. For more information and to buy tickets, go to https://www.shir.com.au/
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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COMMUNITY Significant visit to Magen David Adom HQ MAGEN DAVID ADOM Recently, 30 heads and members of the bi-national chambers of commerce in Israel, representing Poland, China, France, Malta, Hungary, Romania, Latin America, Sweden, Cyprus, Türkiye, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Australia, Canada, Greece and African countries, along with five representatives from the Ministry of Innovation and the Ministry of Economy, visited the MDA national headquarters in Ramla. The visit was held in cooperation with the Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Israel. During the visit, the chamber representatives and ministry officials were introduced to MDA's advanced command and control system, which includes the National 101 Emergency Dispatch Center, and is considered one of the most advanced of its kind in the world. Developed in collaboration with paramedics and dispatch personnel, the system integrates advanced technologies. That incorporates real-time location tracking, data analysis and decision-support tools. It enables the simultaneous management of thousands of incidents and the fast, precise dispatch of emergency resources in seconds. The visitors were also introduced to MDA's operational capabilities. These include its nationwide response network of thousands of ambulances and Mobile Intensive Care Units, hundreds of emergency medicycles and rapid response vehicles,
A goodwill visit to Magen David Adom headquarters by the heads and members of the bi-national chambers of commerce in Israel (caption by Eliran Avital) tens of thousands of volunteers deployed across the country, an advanced medical simulation centre, and MDA's blood services. These operate during routine times and in emergencies to ensure the availability of blood for Israel's entire healthcare system. Together, these capabilities enable MDA to provide a quick and professional response day to day and during mass casualty incidents and wartime emergencies. "The visit to MDA's facilities showcased the organisation's operational and technological capabilities in the service
of saving lives, capabilities that have proven themselves more than ever since the events of October 7, and continue to do so today, as MDA faces challenges across multiple arenas while simultaneously responding to routine emergencies," said Orly Ariel, CEO of the Israeli Friends of MDA. "We hope that the representatives of the binational chambers of commerce will serve as ambassadors for MDA in their respective countries and help promote the capabilities and systems we have developed around the world."
Yoram Eldar, CEO of the Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Israel, said: "The centre we visited is living proof of the combination of vision, professionalism and advanced technology. Through your work, you are not only saving lives but also providing security and national resilience. We left this impressive visit with a sense of pride and a commitment to serve as ambassadors for MDA in our respective countries and to promote partnerships that will strengthen your vital work." MDA Director General Eli Bin said: "We were delighted to host the heads and members of the bi-national chambers of commerce at the MDA national headquarters. Magen David Adom stands at the forefront of life-saving technology and Israel's national resilience. These technologies enable us to operate in the most efficient and effective manner to save lives during both routine times and emergencies. Our partnership with the international community and our ability to share our knowledge, experience and advanced capabilities with the world are an integral part of our mission, and we take great pride in doing so. I thank the heads and members of the chambers of commerce for their willingness to serve as ambassadors for MDA and Israeli innovation around the world."
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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Ask while you can
KATHY KAPLAN OAM DIRECTOR, BET-OLAM One of the privileges of being involved with a Jewish funeral organisation is hearing stories about people we've never met. Families gather to organise the funeral, meet with the officiant or rabbi and prepare their eulogies. Inevitably, someone says, "I'd forgotten about that." Then the stories begin. The grandfather who secretly paid a struggling neighbour's rent. The mother who always carried spare coins for parking meters (when parking meters actually accepted coins). The uncle who could fix anything. Rarely do people begin by talking about careers, qualifications or possessions. Instead, they remember moments. Habits. Acts of kindness. The little things that aren’t so little; the things that reveal a person's character. Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner. Most of us will gather around tables with children, parents and grandparents. We'll talk about work, travel, school, politics and sport. We might even argue about them. Actually, let’s be honest, we probably will. But I wonder how often we ask the questions that
actually matter: What was the hardest decision you ever had to make? What made you most proud? Who or what changed your life? What mistake taught you the greatest lesson? What do you hope your grandchildren will remember about you? These are the conversations that, too often, we leave until someone has died. We try to piece together their life from memories, photographs and story fragments. Sometimes we
life חיים life /lʌɪf/ noun
chayim /χaˈjim/ noun
1. The story we live, and the stories we leave behind.
See also: blessing family kindness memory
PERSONAL.
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JEWISH.
YOURS.
jewishfunerals.org.au (03) 9883 6237
discover wonderful things we never knew. Sometimes we realise there were questions we never thought to ask. Jewish tradition teaches that every life is unique and worthy of honour. A funeral is one of the moments when we try to tell that unique story with honesty, dignity and love. But perhaps the best time to discover someone's story isn't at their funeral. Perhaps it's over a cup of tea. Or while
washing the dishes after dinner. Or while shopping. During the High Holy Days, we’re invited to think about the Book of Life. From a religious perspective, we imagine God writing it. But in another sense, we write our own entry every day – not with dramatic achievements or headline moments, but through the countless ordinary choices that reveal who we are. Every act of kindness, every apology, every friendship, every moment of volunteerism or generosity, every cuddle given and received from a grandchild … Those are the entries that become the memories others will, one day, hold onto about us. This year, alongside the apples and honey, perhaps we should all make an effort to ask someone we love a question we've never asked before. A deep question. A real question. A question that may lead to a story or lesson you’ve never known. A story or lesson that will stay with you. A story or lesson you will want to pass on. A story or lesson that proves the Book of Life is still being written: one story, one lesson, one conversation at a time.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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OPINION
NOMI KALTMANN COURTESY: THE JEWISH INDEPENDENT Imagine if a Melbourne councillor spent every council meeting debating Donald Trump’s immigration policy, or a New South Wales State MP made abortion law in Texas the centrepiece of their legislative agenda. Most Australians would rightly ask what any of that had to do with their jobs collecting rubbish, improving roads, maintaining local parks or approving planning permits for new buildings. Yet over the past few years, councils across Australia and MPs in state parliaments have spent hours discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Gaza. Lobbying federal MPs on Australia’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Gaza or Australia’s position on Israel, is understandable. Federal elected representatives have some power to change Australia’s foreign policy positions. But local government and state MPs have no role in shaping Australian foreign policy on the conflict and the war in Gaza. State and local governments are there to maintain parks, open libraries, organise rubbish collections, approve planning permits and fix potholes. None of these jobs has any capacity to end a war more than 8,000 kilometres away from Australia. Their motions and resolutions on Gaza have never once shifted anything in Washington, Jerusalem or Gaza City. What these motions have done, consistently and measurably, is reshape the temperature for Jewish life in Australia. Recently, there have been two disturbing allegations of violence and threats against Jews in Australia. In Bentleigh, a young, visibly Jewish student from Canada was assaulted on the street, punched in the stomach, threatened with a knife and antisemitically slurred. In Sydney, Alex Ryvchin, co-chair of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and one of the country’s highest profile Jewish leaders, along with his employee Evan Zlatkis, who was shot and survived the Bondi Chanukah attack, were allegedly
From NY to Melbourne, local politicians are whipping up hate
antisemitically slurred by a woman at the site of the Bondi massacre. Since October 7, Australian antisemitism has surged to levels this country has never experienced before. We are more than eight months on from Australia’s worst terror attack, one that targeted Jews at a Chanukah party on Bondi Beach, and Jews still do not feel safe. The dynamic we are seeing in Australia is playing out across the world. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s recently released a video on X saying he had reviewed New York City’s capacity to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal and called on the US government to enforce the International Criminal Court’s warrant against the Israeli prime minister. Viewed by more than 100 million people, the video was pure showmanship. As a local mayor in New York, he never had the jurisdiction to arrest Netanyahu, and he and his campaign team knew that perfectly well. So, what did releasing that video actually achieve? It whipped up a
frenzy. Within 24 hours of it going live, a visibly Jewish man was stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver in broad daylight in the middle of Manhattan. I can’t prove causation, and the attacker is reportedly experiencing serious mental health issues, but as Jews, we know the pattern by heart. When you incite against Israel from a position of no actual power to influence anything in Israel, the local Jewish population cops the fallout. Every time a council chamber in Australia spends an evening arguing over a symbolic motion on the Middle East, it tells everyone watching that this is an acceptable, even admirable, use of their time serving the public. It also blurs a line that should remain unmistakably clear: the difference between debating a conflict overseas and making Australia’s Jewish community endure the reaction of the heightened tension at home. I do not doubt that many councillors and MPs who moved these motions believed they were acting from a place of principle. I would simply ask them to sit with the consequences for the Jewish community that are not theoretical,
but real and measurable. No council resolution has ever changed the reality in Gaza, and no state parliament motion has changed Israeli policy, but here in Australia these kinds of symbolic motions have added fuel to the fire of antisemitism, which many Australian Jews already feel is out of control. In less than two months, Victorians will go to the polls in the state election. I hope those who are asking for our votes remember that their words do not disappear once their speeches are over. Rather, they continue to shape the culture all Australians having to live in together. When elected representatives repeatedly elevate a conflict thousands of kilometres away, they should also ask who bears the weight of those discussions here at home. For many Jewish Australians, we know we do. For those fuelling debate, it may be purely theoretical, but for us it means wondering whether today is another that our synagogues could need extra security and our children could be targeted at their Jewish schools. And, if may mean another day concerning ourselves about whether wearing something visibly Jewish is worth the risk. What I am saying is not paranoia. It is the product of living through attacks in places like Bondi, of seeing several of our Australian synagogues targeted, and of watching antisemitic incidents become an increasingly familiar part of Australian Jewish life. Elected officials at local and state government levels have an important role to play in our community. In fact, their policies and legislation usually have the biggest impact on our day-today quality of life. They are the people who make sure our roads are safe for cyclists, our streets are clean, and our parks are renovated and beautiful for our children. They should stick to the important jobs they have and leave the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Gaza and the problems of the Middle East to the people who were actually elected to deal with it.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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The sweetness of new beginnings
UIA As we prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, dipping apples into honey reminds us of our hope for a sweet New Year. Yet, sweetness is not simply wished for – it is cultivated through patience, care and investing in the future. That lesson is being lived every day at the UIA-supported Hadassah Neurim Youth Village, which helps at-risk young people rediscover confidence, purpose and possibility. Many of the teenagers at Hadassah Neurim have experienced instability, struggled in traditional classrooms or lost confidence in their own potential. Through the village's agricultural centre, they discover a different way to learn – one grounded in responsibility, resilience and achievement. One of the centre's most inspiring initiatives is its honey project. Made possible through the generosity of UIA donors, the program is about far more than beekeeping. Students learn to care for hives, understand the rhythms of nature and experience the satisfaction of creating something of real value. As they harvest and bottle their own honey, they learn that patience is rewarded, hard work has purpose, and what they create is valued by others. In the process, they develop practical skills, emotional resilience and, perhaps most importantly, belief in themselves. The success of the project has now
Students inspired by the new honey project at the UIA-supported Hadassah Neurim Youth Village created opportunities for growth. With continued support from UIA donors, the program will expand to welcome more students, increase honey production and provide even greater opportunities for vocational learning and personal development. This Rosh Hashanah, the honey on our tables carries a deeper meaning. It reminds us that the sweetest
outcomes are not measured only by what we produce, but by the lives we help transform. For more than a century, UIA has invested in the People of Israel, creating opportunities where they are needed most. Whether helping young people rebuild their confidence, strengthening communities or supporting the next
generation, every act of generosity helps create a stronger, more resilient Israel. That is the true sweetness of the New Year – and the lasting impact of UIA. This Rosh Hashanah, support UIA projects like these by sending an e-card in lieu of gifts at uiaaustralia.org.au/ ecards
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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OPINION
Audrey Hepburn
SHARONNE TIDHAR When I think of Audrey Hepburn, I don't immediately think of the Holocaust. I think of little black dresses, strings of pearls and oversized sunglasses. Like countless other women, I've often wished I could wear a silk scarf with the effortless elegance she somehow made look so easy. While reading about her recently, I discovered another side to Audrey Hepburn's story that stopped me in my tracks. Perhaps it resonated more deeply because my own father survived the Holocaust by being hidden in different attics around Maastricht in the Netherlands. So, when I learned that Audrey Hepburn, born in May 1929, just five weeks before Anne Frank, spent the war helping the Dutch Resistance and supporting families hiding Jews, I realised there was far more to her than at first meets the eye. Long before Hollywood discovered Audrey Hepburn, she was another teenage girl trying to survive Nazioccupied Europe. Like Anne Frank, she spent the war in the Netherlands. Both watched their childhoods disappear under German occupation. Yet, as we know, history had very different plans for each of them. Audrey Kathleen van Heemstra Ruston came
from an aristocratic family. Her Dutch grandfather was Baron van Heemstra, a former governor of Surinam and mayor of Arnhem, while her English father claimed descent from James Hepburn,
the third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. It really does sound like the beginning of a fairy tale and, according to biographical accounts, her parents mixed with prominent British fascists, and even met Adolf Hitler in Munich in 1935. Her mother, Ella, reportedly wrote admiringly about Hitler before the realities of occupation transformed how she really saw things. Reading more, I learned that Audrey's ballet teacher, Winja Marova, was Jewish and was forced to conceal her identity. Then, in August 1942, the Nazis executed Audrey's beloved uncle Otto, a court prosecutor. His death shattered the family and, according to historians, became the turning point that drew her parents in the opposite direction, right into the Dutch Resistance. The family relocated to the village of Velp. Much of what we now know about Hepburn's wartime years comes from Robert Matzen's acclaimed book, Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II. Drawing on archival material, interviews and family records, Matzen describes how Hepburn reportedly carried messages for the Resistance and assisted Dr Hendrik Visser 't Hooft, who helped shelter hundreds of Jews. Being a young ballerina she also danced in private homes with the curtains drawn and the windows blacked out. These performances – known as “zwarte avonden” or "black evenings" – raised money for the Dutch Resistance and for families risking their lives to hide Jews, performances where applause could be fatal so everyone was quiet. Despite the extraordinary courage of the Dutch Resistance, the outcome was devastating. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, only around one in four Dutch Jews survived the Holocaust. While Audrey did, the Hunger Winter of 1944-45 left her severely malnourished. She later recalled surviving on tulip
bulbs. Those experiences stayed with her for the rest of her life. After the war, Audrey and her mother reportedly lodged in Amsterdam with an editor working on publication of Anne Frank's diary. In 1958, Hepburn was invited to play Anne in the film adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank. She met Anne's father, Otto Frank, but declined the role because the story was too close to her own experiences. Years later, she said that revisiting Anne Frank's story was emotionally overwhelming because she felt an extraordinary kinship with her. Having lived through the same occupation, she came to think of Anne almost as the sister she never had. Perhaps all of this explains why, decades later, Audrey devoted herself to UNICEF, travelling to some of the world's poorest regions on behalf of children affected by war and famine. She understood something that cannot be learned from a script: children often pay the highest price for decisions made by adults. As we know, Audrey Hepburn became the Oscar-winning actress who charmed audiences in Roman Holiday, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady, but behind the pearls, glamour and fame was a young woman who had carried messages, danced for the Resistance, helped families hiding Jews and survived one of history's darkest chapters. As she once said, "As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." Most people assume she learned that lesson in Hollywood. I suspect she learned it much earlier, as a frightened teenager living under Nazi occupation. If you'd like to read more about this remarkable chapter of Audrey Hepburn's life, I highly recommend Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen, with a foreword by Luca Dotti, Hepburn's son.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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COMMUNITY THE KING DAVID SCHOOL Literacy at The King David School’s Junior School is grounded in proven principles in the science of learning. SOLAR (the Science of Language and Reading) is a dynamic structured literacy approach, transforming how Prep to Year 2 students master the English language. Rather than relying on guesswork, children receive explicit instruction in phonological awareness, learning to hear, blend and segment the 44 foundational sound combinations that unlock literacy. Through high-energy daily reviews, Prep students practice matching sounds to letters, reading aloud and writing words, building crucial decoding skills alongside rich vocabulary immersion. "Within just two weeks, we see students reading and writing words, including those who wouldn't typically pick it up quickly," said Prep teacher and curriculum specialist Rebecca Fiala. “Daily retrieval practice is essential for reinforcing students’ understanding and building fluency." This structured approach delivers an undeniable edge, as reflected in our
Literacy transformed: The King David advantage outstanding national NAPLAN results. It establishes a solid foundation in these formative years, demonstrating clear academic excellence. By mastering this early, The King David School Junior students are building the confidence to thrive in every area of their learning journey. To enrol for Prep 2027, please email admissions@kds.vic.edu.au
From left, Poppy and Lila (both in Prep)
Zachary (Prep)
Emily (Year 1)
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Come and speak to us about the financial options. A Jewish education is possible. Places are limited. Enquiries: 03 9527 0102 or admissions@kds.vic.edu.au
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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OPINION
XYMENA MANASTERSKA COURTESY: AISH.COM
In Poland, even Winnie-the-Pooh has a Holocaust story
A childhood copy of Winnie-the-Pooh unlocks a hidden history: forged papers, buried names, and the Jews who survived the war in Poland by disappearing. The book is thin, the spine coming apart. On the cover is a bear every child in the world knows. Under the title is a name almost nobody knows: Irena Tuwim. She gave Polish children their Winniethe-Pooh. Her brother Julian gave us "The Locomotive", the poem I learned to read on. Their mother, Adela, was shot by the Germans during the liquidation of the ghetto in Otwock, outside Warsaw. I put the book back on the shelf. This is a story about the Polish Jews who did not die and did not leave. A minority survived the war here, on baptismal certificates forged by Catholic priests, hiding in other people's apartments, under other people's names. Many of them kept those names afterward. They did not tell their children, and in 1968, when the government turned on its Jews again, that silence proved to be the right call. Three generations later, their grandchildren are finding out the truth, in a culture their own families helped build, where almost no one can see a Jew standing in front of them. Not everyone died, and the ones who lived learned not to talk "Polish Jewry was destroyed." That sentence is true, but it’s not the whole truth. Before the war about 3.3 million Jews lived here – one in 10 citizens of the country. Warsaw alone held close to 370,000, making it the second largest Jewish city in the world after New York. Around 350,000 survived, most of them waiting out the war deep inside the Soviet Union. Many survivors kept their Jewishness a secret for the rest of their lives. A baptismal certificate was not a conversion Catholic priests issued baptismal certificates to people who were never actually baptised. There was no ceremony and no profession of faith; just a slip of paper and an entry in a parish register. Sacramentally, nothing happened. On paper, everything did. About a thousand priests took part in helping Jews. The parish office of All Saints Church on Grzybowski Square, a church that stood inside the Warsaw ghetto, issued hundreds of forged certificates and its parish priest, Marceli Godlewski, has been recognised as Righteous Among the Nations since 2009. Any Pole who helped a Jew faced the death penalty. Thirty priests were murdered for hiding Jews. The certificate worked on a German checking papers in the street. It did not work on a neighbour who remembered living with them in the building before the war. It did not work on a blackmailer. Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński, a poet Poles memorise in school, survived the occupation with his mother on Aryan papers. Stefania came from an assimilated family named Zieleńczyk.
Jewish status passes through the mother. Either you know the answer or you don’t. But for many Jewish Poles, the papers were destroyed and the traces covered so well that 20 years in the archives brings no clarity. Their grandparents hid it well, in order to survive. The Warsaw Jewish community, however, accepts anyone with a single Jewish grandparent – the standard of Israel's Law of Return. And anyone without papers is invited to sit down with a rabbi.
Baczyński himself was killed as a soldier of the Warsaw Uprising on August 4th, 1944. In 1942, in Lwów, today Lviv, in Ukraine, Zuzanna Ginczanka ran into a neighbour. He was the caretaker of her building and denounced her to the Germans, but she got away. She hid for two more years and in the spring of 1944 the Germans shot her at the Płaszów camp outside Kraków; she was 27. After the war a Polish court sentenced the caretaker to four years for collaborating with the Germans; the evidence was a poem in which Ginczanka had named him. Many survivors never went back to their own names. Author Jerzy Kosiński was born Józef Lewinkopf and survived the war on a certificate issued to him by a priest named Eugeniusz Okoń. The name from the forged papers stayed with him for good; he published "The Painted Bird" and "Being There" under it. 1968 proved that hiding had been the right call The ones who had not hidden their origins after the war learned, 23 years later, that they had made a mistake. On March 19, 1968, Poland's communist leader, Władysław Gomułka, spoke at the Palace of Culture in Warsaw and announced he would hand out exit passports to anyone who "considers Israel their homeland". He had already called the Jews who celebrated Israel's victory in the Six-Day War a "fifth column". That was the end of organised Jewish life in Poland. Between 1968 and 1971 about 13,000 Jews left the country. They did not get passports. They got a "travel document" stating that the holder was not a citizen of the Polish People's Republic. It was a one-way ticket. About 500 scholars left – the sociologist Zygmunt Bauman and the philosopher Leszek Kołakowski among them – along with some 200 journalists and nearly a hundred artists. One of them was Aleksander Ford, born Mosze Lifszyc. Eight years earlier he had directed "Knights of the Teutonic Order", still the best-attended Polish film ever made, with more than 32 million tickets sold. There is no more patriotic
picture in the history of Polish cinema. In 1968 the man who made it was thrown out of the country. Poland reads its Jews and does not see them Jews made a sizeable impact on Polish culture. The Tuwim siblings are only the start of a long list. After Pooh comes "Professor Inkblot's Academy" – a fairytale yeshiva run by a tzaddik (righteous sage) named Inkblot, written in 1946 by Jan Brzechwa, born Jan Wiktor Lesman, a cousin of the poet Bolesław Leśmian. Then "King Matt the First", which is to Polish children roughly what Peter Pan is to American ones, written by Janusz Korczak, born Henryk Goldszmit. Then, in high school, the stories of Bruno Schulz and the science fiction of Stanisław Lem. Warsaw's main artery is called Aleje Jerozolimskie, Jerusalem Avenue – after New Jerusalem, a Jewish settlement founded in 1775 and wiped out by court order six months later. The settlement lasted a few months. The name has lasted two and a half centuries. Almost every Polish town has a Tuwim Street or a Zamenhof Street, named for the man from Białystok who invented Esperanto. Many have a street named for the poet Antoni Słonimski. His grandfather Chaim Zelig founded "HaTsefira" in 1862, the first Hebrew weekly of popular science. Łódź has a monument to Artur Rubinstein and a room devoted to him in the museum that occupies the palace of the Poznańskis, a family of Jewish industrialists. In Poland we have a deeply Jewish culture in which Jews are almost invisible. They are looking for a name their grandparents did not leave I know people who, in the third generation, are starting to notice that something in the family story doesn't add up. A photograph in which no one can be named. A grandmother who would not say where she came from. A surname that stops somewhere. Some run toward Polishness to be left in peace. Others go looking for ancestors so they can stop being strangers in their own lives. Sometimes they live on the same floor. For the ones who go looking, a particular cruelty is waiting. In Judaism,
Poland feeds half of Europe kosher, and Warsaw has one store It is not easy to be a Jew in Poland today. There is not a single Jewish town left here, and barely a handful of working synagogues. The Jewish communities counted 1,704 members in 2021 and estimates of all the Jews in the country run from 8,000 to 40,000 – which means nobody knows. The Jewish Theatre in Warsaw has had no building of its own since 2016. In Warsaw, a city of two million, there is one kosher store, with prices that belong to a richer country. And Poland's chief rabbi does not eat meat. Meanwhile about 30 percent of Polish meat exports come from ritual slaughter, halal and kosher – a segment valued at close to $1.8 billion a year. Poland exports kosher and has almost none of it at home. Why I keep the book At my first Hebrew class, at the Moses Schorr Foundation, I sat wondering who the other students were and why they had come. Nobody volunteered it, and nobody asked. But when the teacher read the first words out loud, half the room had wet eyes. It is 2026. A party whose leader emptied a fire extinguisher into a Chanukah menorah in the Polish parliament and who is now on trial for inciting hatred against Jews, has been polling around 10 percent. My Hebrew class meets in the building beside the Nożyk Synagogue, and there is a guard at the door and a police patrol outside it. I understand generations of silence better than I did a year ago. And it frightens me. They were not traitors. They chose life, which is exactly what the Torah requires. I take the Winnie-the-Pooh book down off the shelf and read it to my little cousin. I don't explain yet who Irena Tuwim was, or what happened to her mother in Otwock –she is too small for that. But one day I will tell her everything. Xymena Manasterska studied Hebrew for three years at the Professor Moses Schorr Foundation in Warsaw and is beginning her studies in Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the University of Warsaw. Her interests include the history and culture of Jewish communities in Central Europe, both before the Holocaust and in contemporary society.
the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
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COMMUNITY JNF Rosh Hashanah encourages us to look ahead and ask what kind of future we want to create. For 125 years, the JNF Blue Box has embodied a powerful answer. A coin placed into a small blue box may have seemed like a modest act, but, when multiplied across generations, those contributions helped build the Jewish homeland – planting forests, securing water resources and establishing thriving communities. It was proof that extraordinary things happen when ordinary people act together. The devastation of 7 October went far beyond the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Communities were shattered, families displaced and thousands left carrying trauma that will take years to heal. “On 7 October, we lost so much that can never be replaced. But we cannot allow tragedy to define our future. Our responsibility is to rebuild our communities, restore hope and ensure that our children return to a stronger, more resilient Sha'ar HaNegev,” said Ori Epstein, Mayor of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. Epstein is visiting Australia as a special guest of JNF Australia, speaking at events in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, and sharing firsthand the challenges facing the communities of Israel’s western Negev and the determination to rebuild. JNF Australia’s 2026 Annual Campaign is supporting the Sha'ar HaNegev Community Village, a visionary regional centre
Every generation has its Blue Box dedicated to the long-term recovery and resilience of communities in the region. Set across 15 acres in Ibim, the village is planned as the first permanent regional campus of its kind, serving more than 20,000 people annually from more than 30 border communities. It will bring trauma treatment, holistic therapies, community support, professional training and research together in one place. A dedicated animal-assisted therapy centre will be among its most inspiring spaces. For children experiencing profound trauma, words are not always enough. Connecting with a therapy dog or caring for a horse can help rebuild trust, confidence and a sense of safety. These therapeutic environments will support residents of all ages on their journey towards recovery. This project reflects a mission JNF supporters have carried forward for generations – one that has always been about more than planting trees and developing land. It is about planting hope, strengthening communities and helping build Israel’s future Every generation has had its Blue Box moment. For our grandparents, it was helping establish a homeland. For our parents, strengthening a young nation. For us, it is helping Israel’s communities heal, recover and flourish. This Rosh Hashanah, the Blue Box reminds us that lasting change can begin with one act of generosity and that together those acts can help build a stronger future. To support this vital project, please visit https://jnf.org.au/ac2026/
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A boy from Sha'ar HaNegev making a friendship bracelet
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
CO NS I D E RE D
OPINION
Weaponisation of cultural heritage
DR HILLEL NEWMAN AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL TO AUSTRALIA Recently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) submitted a dozen sites for UNESCO world heritage status, attempting to claim exclusive cultural custody over Jewish historical sites. This is an attempt to revise history and erase Jewish culture. Among the sites they try to claim, in a clear denial and distortion of history, are Sebastia, the fortress of Herodium and the Hasmonean palaces. Cooperating with these efforts to obscure Jewish ties to the ancient biblical land of Israel, the United Nations body UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) accepted the PA’s claim. This is an additional step in the pattern of distorting facts and history for political purposes. It is the politicisation and weaponisation of history. One may disagree with Israeli policies in Judea and Samaria, but one should not distort history for political reasons. Peace and coexistence cannot be based on lies, fabrications and the denial of Jewish cultural heritage. Let us remember the facts. This is a story approximately 3,000 years old. Sebastia, known as Samaria, is the historic capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, built in the 9th century BCE. It appears in the Bible many times. The Book of Kings
Sebastia describes how the Jewish king, Omri, bought the hill where he built the city of Samaria, deciding to name it his capital, preserving the ancient name of Shemer. In the palace, archaeological artefacts like ostraca and pottery shards written in Hebrew were found. Later, it was expanded by the King Herod, the Jewish king of Judea, into a magnificent city. Any discussion of Sebastia must recognise explicitly the ancient Jewish presence and connection to this land.
The Palestinian submission deliberately ignores these historic facts. In doing so it seeks to erase the people of Israel’s connection to the land of Israel. The Hasmonean palaces were built in the first and second centuries BCE by the Maccabees. They house one of the oldest synagogues in the world. Herodium, the monumental palace fortress and burial site of Herod, is a crucial piece of classical Jewish and Roman history.
This UNESCO resolution highlights the hypocrisy of international bodies. The Palestinian Authority has caused damage to the ancient site of Samaria through construction projects, built a road and playground on parts of the site and has failed to prevent looting, yet the UN bodies were quiet. We did not see any resolutions of protection. For years the Hezbollah terrorist organisation systematically transformed the historic Beaufort Castle into a military stronghold, constructed a vast network of terror tunnels beneath the site, and launched hundreds of rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against Israel from the compound. It is outrageous that UNESCO has ignored the systematic abuse of this site. The eternal connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel will not be severed and distorted by Palestinian pressure and UN resolutions. This is a continuation of the long pattern of Palestinian attempts to disguise the fact that the people of Israel are indigenous to the land and to undermine the legitimacy of the existence of Israel as the national home for the Jewish people. Israel, on the other hand, remains fully committed to preserving the cultural heritage of all peoples and all faiths.
!!ומתוקה לשנה טובה ומתוקה
Wishing everyone a happy and sweet Jewish New Year!
May it be a year of healing, renewal and peace for the Jewish people, for Israel and for communities everywhere Subscribe to the Embassy of Israel in Australia newsletter for updates on current affairs, events, culture, innovation, and community news. To join our mailing list, email publicrelations@canberra.mfa.gov.il
the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
A RO UND
T H E
COMMUNITY
A step closer to walking again
DAVID SOLOMON, CEO AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY A year ago, The Jewish Report reported on an Israeli medical breakthrough that could one day enable people with spinal cord injuries to walk again. Now, the Tel Aviv University technology is taking another critical step towards its first potential use in a human patient. The significance is profound for more than 15 million* people worldwide living with spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord has no natural ability to regenerate, leaving people with serious injuries facing paralysis for which there is currently no effective restorative treatment. The objective is ambitious: to help people with paralysis stand, walk and regain greater independence. Israeli biotech company Matricelf has now signed an agreement with Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center to begin identifying and evaluating suitable patients for what is intended to become the world’s first implantation of an engineered spinal cord. Blood samples will also be collected to start producing personalised neural implants. Once a suitable patient has been identified and agrees to participate, cells from their blood will be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, which can develop into different
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A Matricelf researcher at work cell types. These will form the cellular component of an implant engineered individually for that patient. The technology was developed in the laboratory of Professor Tal Dvir from Tel Aviv University. Professor Dvir also serves as Matricelf’s chief scientist. Using the patient’s own cells and tissues to create what researchers describe as a biological “spare part”, it is implanted at the site of the injury. The implant is designed to replace damaged spinalcord tissue and restore the connection
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through which the brain communicates with the body. Using the patient’s own biological material is intended to reduce the risk of rejection and improve integration. Producing each personalised implant takes several months. Beginning to collect blood samples now will allow implant production and the regulatory process to advance simultaneously. Matricelf estimates that, subject to meeting scientific and regulatory milestones as planned, treatment of the
selected patient could start in the first half of 2027. Loewenstein, Israel’s largest rehabilitation centre and a world leader in spinal-cord injury rehabilitation, will provide the clinical expertise needed to identify, assess and support potential participants. The agreement complements Matricelf’s collaboration with Sheba Medical Center, where the first implantation is expected to be performed. Dr Dianne Michaeli, deputy director of its Orenstein Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Department said, “The collaboration connects Loewenstein’s clinical and rehabilitation expertise with innovative regenerative medicine technology. The partnership offers hope that new treatment options might eventually become available to people living with paralysis.” Matricelf noted that patient treatment can proceed once final approval has been received from Israel’s Ministry of Health. Success is not assured. But an idea that began in a Tel Aviv University laboratory is moving steadily towards a real patient – and towards testing whether an injury long considered irreversible might one day be repaired. * These are the numbers according to the World Health Organisation.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
CO NS I D E R E D
OPINION
After the slur
AB BOSKANY Antisemitism is easiest to condemn when it belongs to another century, another country or another political camp. At that distance, opposition costs very little. The harder test begins when hatred enters the ordinary world of friendship, work or neighbourhood, because recognition may then require something more expensive than opinion. A colleague finds a hateful slur across their desk. A Jewish student receives threats in a group chat. A neighbour finds their mezuzah torn from the door. Someone you know no longer feels safe wearing a Star of David in public. What should you do? Recognise what has happened. People hesitate because acknowledgement creates responsibility. Perhaps it was a joke, political anger or something else. Such thoughts become forms of retreat. Prejudice survives not only through those who practise it, but through those who avoid recognition when it would oblige them to respond. The immediate responsibilities are modest but important: acknowledge
Ab Boskany
the incident, preserve what may later be denied, and make sure the person is not left to confront it alone. Messages, photographs, dates, witnesses and screenshots may matter if a formal complaint or police report follow.
At work, school or university, offer to accompany the “victim” when the incident is reported. A Jewish person subjected to abuse should not suddenly be required to explain Israel. The intellectual error here is one of substitution: the individual Jew becomes a proxy for a government, an army or a geopolitical conflict in which he or she may have no part. Jewish people hold diverse political views, and none of them makes intimidation legitimate. Nor should antisemitism be quietly translated into something more comfortable. Threats become “passion”, conspiracy theories become “criticism”, Holocaust mockery becomes “humour”. Context certainly matters, but context does not abolish meaning. Calling hatred by a softer name does not make it less hateful. The problem is that it intensifies the moral language rather than deepening the thought. An intelligent paragraph needs an argument beneath the advice: it should identify the mechanism at work, expose a contradiction, or distinguish genuine solidarity from behaviour that merely resembles it. Practical solidarity begins with a simple test: who is being asked
to change? Check on the “victim” the next day. Sit beside them in the meeting. Challenge an antisemitic remark when they are absent. Do not make Jews responsible for explaining antisemitism; that turns prejudice into another burden for its target. Telling someone to remove a kippah or conceal a Star of David may be presented as concern for safety, but the source of danger remains untouched. The Jew changes; the environment does not. A society should be judged by whether minorities can remain visible without paying a price for being themselves. There is a second injury in antisemitism, quieter than the first. It is the moment a person discovers that the world around them has shifted by a few degrees: a joke is tolerated, an old friendship hesitates, a room grows careful, and belonging suddenly feels conditional. Hatred rarely arrives alone. It brings with it a small rearrangement of human relations, exposing who is still willing to see the victim as fully present, and who has already begun to look away.
K O S H E R
CROSSWORD Apples YONI GLATT
Across 1. Apt apple for Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw? 5. Word by David or Asaph 10. Apple to eat under the Arch of Titus? 14. End in _ _ _ (stalemate) 15. Major heart part 16. On any occasion 17. F itting apple for William Shatner or Leonard Nimoy? 19. Put up two fingers, perhaps 20. L.A.P.D. part 21. Grain bit 22. Gershon and Hecht 23. Like Jonathan to David 25. Appropriate apple for Joseph in Egypt or Daniel in Babylon? 26. Movie house 29. "How Can _ _ _?" (Freddie Mercury) 31. Arabian Peninsula native 32. Israeli diplomat Abba 33. H ighest grossing film franchise in history, for short 36. Apple that might describe Chanukah gelt? 40. B & O stop: Abbr. 41. Puts on 42. Dish out gazpacho, e.g. 43. David who wrote "The Verdict" 45. Jason of "The Muppets" (2011), and others 46. Assyrian or Babylonian apple? 49. Aseret Hadibrot parsha 51. Tavern salute 52. Tai preceder 53. Article on Mont Blanc
56. Rocker David Lee 57. Ideal apple for Rosh Hashana? 61. "The Tourist" novelist Steinhauer 62. Cease to be separate 63. 613 or 770, e.g. 64. Apple served at a synagogue dinner? 65. Shalit of note 66. Apple of the 10th Commandment?
Down 1. Slayer of Sisera, in older Bibles 2. "... _ _ _ extra charge!" 3. Clearasil targets 4. It's zed Down Under 5. Mango alternative 6. Ish 7. Nusach _ _ _ 8. Army 1sts and 2nds 9. Fannie follower, in banks
10. Step down, in a way 11. Like most shofars 12. Fox of "Transformers" 13. Surrealist Max 18. Dormmate, affectionately 22. Kind of politics 23. Advance credit to 24. Apple eaten when the Israelites left Egypt? 25. Rice-a26. Machine parts 27. Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah 28. Simba's mate 30. Ladies 32. Music's Brickell 33. Function 34. Carefully select 35. Manipulates 37. Bris assignment 38. Religious figure 39. Bird voiced by Gilbert Gottfried 43. Crucial work of Judaism 44. The Jewish Museum features it 45. Remained 46. Purchase made around the chagim 47. Dough 48. Dev who starred in 53-Down 50. "... _ _ _ man with seven wives" 53. Creditor's security 54. Grandson of Avraham 55. Agile 57. What you might do when seeing a bro 58. Lechem _ _ _ 59. 0 60. Bakery selection ANSWERS PAGE 26
the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
CO NS I D E R E D
OPINION
Judgement vs opinion in psychology
ANNE-MARIE ELIAS In therapy sessions clients are often reminded not to use judgement. This can cause confusion because, as psychologists, we do form opinions. So, what is the difference between the two? Is it simply semantics or is there a deeper meaning and relevance? Let’s explore some key differences and definitions. An opinion is a personal belief, view or interpretation about a person, situation or idea. Opinions are often influenced by an individual’s experiences, values, culture, emotions and background. For example, someone might have the opinion that a person who avoids social situations is unfriendly. This belief may be based on personal experiences, rather than psychological evidence. Opinions are not necessarily wrong, but they may not be supported by objective evidence. A judgement, on the other hand, involves assessing and reaching a conclusion about something or someone. In psychology, judgement is based on observations, evidence and
FOO D IE
CORNER ALAN BENDER SOUL GOURMET When I was researching a recipe for Rosh Hashanah, I came across a version of this one, but it used pears and pecan nuts, so with Yom Tom in mind I started modifying it. Firstly, I checked with my kashrut rabbi about nuts on Rosh Hashanah and was advised against it. Then, I decided to switch pears with apples. And, after a big meat dinner, no dairy, so I made a straight swap to pareve ingredients. Before moving it to print, I tested it with some Shabbos guests and they loved it. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes Number of slices: 10 to 12 Ingredients: Loaf 100 gms Nuttelex ½ cup honey ½ cup maple syrup 2 large free-range eggs 100 ml coconut cream 2 tsp vanilla extract 150 gms halva grated 1 cup self-raising flour 1 cup self-raising whole wheat flour ½ tsp salt ½ tsp cinnamon 500 gms peeled, cored and chopped Granny Smith apples Crumble topping 60 gms melted Nuttelex ½ cup self-raising whole wheat flour 2 tbsp brown sugar Sprinkle sea salt flakes, such as Maldon
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professional knowledge, but it can also be influenced by personal biases. The distinction between judgement and opinion is also important in everyday life. People are often quick to jump to judgement about others based on appearance, behaviour or limited information. These judgements may be inaccurate because they do not take into consideration the full context of a person’s experiences. Below are examples of judgements we see in our everyday lives: Frequent criticism: a person who points out flaws in others, such as criticising
someone's clothing choices or lifestyle decisions, without understanding their circumstances. Making assumptions: when someone quickly assumes negative traits about a person based on first impressions – it could include thinking someone is unfriendly because they don’t smile. Gossiping: engaging in conversations that undermine the reputation of others – an example of this may be spreading rumours. Exclusionary practices: judgemental individuals might avoid socialising with those they deem inferior based on superficial criteria, such as socioeconomic status or appearance. Shaming tactics: using humiliation, such as publicly calling out someone for their mistakes, to control or manipulate. Generalisations: categorising people as either "good" or "bad" without recognising the complexity of individual circumstances, leading to unfair assessments. Lack of empathy: judgemental individuals struggle to understand or relate to other peoples’ feelings, making it difficult for them to connect on a deeper level. Defensive reactions: when challenged, a judgemental person may respond defensively, showing insecurity rather than openness to discussion. In contrast, opinions may include:
Apple and halva loaf with honey and maple Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 160C and spray with cooking oil. Line a large loaf tin with baking paper. 2. Melt the butter in a medium-size pot and cook for about four minutes, until it starts to go brown. Then add the honey, syrup, coconut cream, vanilla and apple. Let the mix come to a gentle simmer. When simmering remove from the heat and allow it to cool. 3. Add the flour and crumbled halva and eggs. Then, mix with a whisk until smooth. 4. Empty the mixture into the lined loaf tin and spread it evenly with a spatula. 5. Make the crumble by mixing all the crumble ingredients in a bowl and spread this over the surface of the loaf batter. 6. Bake the loaf for one and a half hours or until the cake is done. The loaf should be firm to the touch. When a knife is inserted in the middle, it should come out clean. If it is not done, continue to bake until it is. If necessary, cover the top loosely with a piece of tin foil to prevent overbrowning. 7. When cooked, remove it from the oven. When still a little warm, gently remove it from the tin by pulling it up with the baking paper. Then, place the loaf on a cooling rack to allow it to fully cool. If you are not using it that night, wrap it up with Glad Wrap and it will last about three days.
Political views: Far Right, Right, Far Left, Left or somewhere in between – agreeing or disagreeing with current local, state or federal policies. Personal preferences: the right to make one’s own choices based on personal taste. Health decisions: a personal choice about what is important in all matters of health, include prevention and treatment. Cultural norms: opinions can shape societal norms, influencing how people perceive and interact with various cultural practices. Opinions can vary widely and reflect personal beliefs and experiences. Ultimately, we need to feel safe to express an opinion and not be judged for thinking or feeling that way. Consider that a judgement expressed by an expert in their respective field (medicine, law, horticulture etc.) is based on evidence. That is different from being personally judgemental, which can be hurtful to others and psychologically damaging. I take this opportunity to wish readers Shana Tova. May the year ahead bring you happiness, good health and peace. Anne-Marie Elias is a psychologist in clinical practice for 25 years.
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
CO NS I D E R E D
OPINION
Yalla balagan
RAMONA FREEDMAN ALIYAH ADVENTURES Recently, I was quietly working at an openplan desk at the Telfed offices in Ra’anana. In case you haven’t heard, Telfed is the organisation that helps olim, people emigrating to Israel from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Meanwhile that summer afternoon, within the grounds of the Telfed building, Aussie and South African volunteers were busy setting up for a huge event to pack 1,000 back-to-school gift bags. Each was filled with stationery, fun surprises and treats for Grade 1 students. All are about to start school within frontline communities across northern and southern Israel, located in the Gaza Envelope, Northern Galilee and Kiryat Shmona. The aim was to unite and pack them in one go and the event was energised and effective. The thing is, it was also hot, Ra’anana hot! And periodically, some cute kids were guided into the office kitchen to get ice blocks. I smiled seeing their fresh, flushed faces and, as I worked, I was barely listening to their conversation. Each child was offered one of four flavours. Each without fail, chose the same one with certainty: Ramzor. My internal dialogue went like this: Ramona, here you are thinking you are consciously improving your Hebrew daily and you just heard (or think you heard) kids ask for a ‘traffic light’. This Ra’anana heat must be melting your Hebrew lexicon. I kept working and then went downstairs to help the cause. I was chatting with an Aussie mum who made Aliyah a few years ago. I could see her primary school-aged daughter was wilting a little. I felt quite empowered to tell her we had a cool solution. “Come with me.” When I showed her the four frozen varieties, she looked and me and emphatically chose … Ramzor. Okay, I whispered to her in English conspiratorially, you need to be my teacher. Why are you all talking about loving traffic lights so much? I don’t get it. She looked at me, then she laughed in that way kids sometimes do when they think adults are … quite daft. She said, Ramona this is the most popular flavour of all – it is three colours in a single ice block. The top third is red, the middle is orange
Ramzor anyone? and the bottom is green. Ramona, it’s a Ramzor! How could you not know that? How indeed? Kids here are quite amazing. Recently, a fantastic fresh fish shop was renovated in Ra’anana. It is my instant favourite, and I went in and waited my turn. In front of me a boy of about 11 was effortlessly flicking from Spanish to Hebrew and back. He was facilitating a transaction between his immigrant grandfather and the owner. The owner was telling them both the fish in question was barramundi. The grandfather looked dubious. Neither had any idea what it was. As an anonymous Aussie watching this unfold, no one was pronouncing it ‘right’ either. I wanted to jump up and say: “Hey, I’m from Australia. We know and love this white fish with a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a flaky, yet moist texture. Well, clearly I couldn’t rattle that off in Hebrew, so I just nodded and smiled at the boy. It reminded me of my father telling me how he used to do the same for his parents who had arrived in Australia post Holocaust, back in the late 1950s. They only knew Yiddish, Polish and a little Hebrew. At the time they didn’t even know the English word for ‘apple’. This summer, my machatunim (my daughter’s dear in-laws), moved to an area called Neve Daniel. It is located on a hilltop in Gush Etzion, five minutes from Efrat and 20 minutes from Jerusalem. The views are biblical and beautiful, and I spent Shabbat with them. I was invited to attend a women’s shiur at the shul on Shabbat afternoon. I was happy to go. I was marvelling at the
abundance of fruit growing on the short walk there. I saw grape vines groaning with clusters of green and red grapes, fig trees, pomegranate trees and more. Sitting in shul, I quickly realised the entire talk was in Hebrew and pious women were nodding and absorbing every word. Okay Ramona, focus! Speed up that quasitranslation in your brain. I really tried. I caught the first part – ‘ladies, the King is in the field’. I had heard this one before. It was a famous metaphor used in Jewish thought to describe the spiritual accessibility of God during Elul, the final month of the Hebrew lunar calendar, all in the lead up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. After that, I confess, I lost the plot, but I could tell everyone else was appreciating it. As much as I try, I am not fluent in Hebrew yet. Against my will, my mind started wandering and I began marvelling at the different ways the women chose to cover their hair in this religious community. Wigs, scarves and everything in between. Then I realised that a lovely lady who had made Aliyah from Sydney a few years ago was sitting two chairs away from me. We chatted after. “Small world”, she said. “You want to hear how small?” I replied. “Your granddaughter is eating at my house in Ra’anana today with my kids and their friends.” Hebrew. Seemingly small wins are celebrated. I needed to book in to see a medical specialist. Sounds simple. Well, that requires going into the medical App of one’s health insurance and figuring it all out. All in Hebrew. Well, obviously I threw a few screenshots into Google Translate. I had to really concentrate. A few minutes passed and the appointment was secured. Jubilation. Celebration. I smiled to no one in particular and was in a good mood the rest of the night. Proud. The same thing happened with filling up the car’s petrol tank. In Ra’anana, at the local petrol station, there is a little friendly square on the petrol pump’s screen that says ‘English’. A quick click and you are on your way. Easy peasy. Well, that Friday afternoon en route to Neve Daniel, I had forgotten to fill up in Ra’anana and had no choice. I stopped at a petrol station and cars were jostling to get ahead of one another to fill up quicker. No decorum. I couldn’t help but smile. Also, no English. Ramona, this is it. They have no patience for you to fumble. Read these Hebrew words and fill up that tank. Was it a balagan? Why, “yes”. Yet it was also my success. My tiny triumph.
On the way back after Shabbat at a security checkpoint, it was practically comical to see six cars attempt to merge simultaneously into one lane. The two vehicles on my left and right were each approximately a single centimetre away from me, so I acquiesced. They both moved forward and I was honked mercilessly by the van behind me for being too slow. I munched on my chocolate snacks to keep me going. There’s a lot of talk about Christopher Nolan’s epic, recently released, actiondrama film, The Odyssey. There’s global chatter about how it was shot utilising cutting-edge, new IMAX film technology. Well, I determined, this must be seen in IMAX. A quick search revealed there are only three IMAX theatres in Israel. No problem, a second quick search revealed it would be in screened in English with Hebrew subtitles. Phew. Israel is so modern in so many ways. I proudly booked. But then it occurred to me: are all IMAX theatres around the world the same proportions? Let’s check. Another search revealed that the Israeli IMAX theatres are only approximately one-third of the size of purpose-built IMAX theatres. One-third! Oh, my! And yet, no one seems to be bothered. They are just so excited they can go to the movies with quiet skies, no war drama unfolding that day. Priorities. Of course, an entire candy bar filled with kosher treats doesn’t hurt either. And “yes”, the screen is bigger than a regular one. Having said that, if I were in Melbourne or Sydney, I’d opt to see it at a flagship IMAX theatre. Rosh Hashanah is almost here and what a year it has been. On the home front here in the Holy Land, are people organised with their New Year table menus, guests and plans? Not really. Will it be a balagan – undoubtedly. As my Sephardi dance teacher yells just before the first song is played in our Zumba classes: Yalla Balagan! Let’s go crazy. It’s the inimitable Israeli way. Chag Sameach. For now, it’s over and out from Ramona in Ra’anana. To learn more about Telfed visit www. telfed.org.il To contact Ramona Freedman, Telfed’s pre-Aliyah advisor, email: aliyahprep@ telfed.org.il
Rosh Hashanah greetings BY DORRON KLINE CEO TELFED As we approach Rosh Hashanah, I would like to extend warm wishes to the Jewish community of Australia on behalf of our Chairman, Maish Isaacson, staff and our many volunteers across Israel. The Jewish New Year is a time of reflection, but also a time to look forward. We ask ourselves what kind of year we hope to build – for ourselves, for our families, for our communities and for the Jewish people. For Israel, the past year has again reminded us of our people's strength, resilience and extraordinary generosity. The challenges have been enormous, but so too has been the commitment of Australian and South African Jewry to stand with Israel and with one another. At Telfed, we see this connection daily. Our
work is about much more than helping new olim (immigrants) settle into Israel. It starts long before that, with expert pre-Aliyah planning, and extends to strengthening the Australian community in Israel through our bi-weekly events. Thanks to our solid partnership with the ZFA and Jewish Agency, over the past 15 years Telfed has welcomed hundreds of olim from Australia, helping them find homes, employment, education social networks and a sense of belonging. We are proud that our relationship with Australian Jewry continues to grow. As we enter 5787, may we all have the courage to hope, the strength to act and the compassion to support one another. May the coming year bring peace to Israel, security to the Jewish people and renewed commitment to Australian Aliyah. Shana Tova U’Metuka!
Telfed helps Australians who choose to make Aliyah
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
RABBI NI C
THOUGHT RABBI GABI KALTMANN “Be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish.” Rabbi Eli Schlanger HYD Whenever I sit down to write my Rosh Hashanah message to the community, I try to choose a quote that captures something essential about the year that has passed and offers guidance or inspiration for the year ahead. Usually, I spend weeks thinking about what that quote should be. This year, however, the choice came to me immediately. Rabbi Eli, who was my madrich at Camp Gan Israel many years ago, was murdered in the horrific Bondi Chanukah terror attack in December 2025. The words of Rabbi Eli Schlanger HYD have stayed with me ever since I first heard them in the days after his murder, and in the current climate of rising antisemitism in Australia his words now feel even more powerful. The past 12 months have been among the darkest and most painful that Australian Jewry has ever experienced. I have always loved being Australian. On my mother’s side, my family arrived in this country during the Ballarat Gold Rush in the 1860s. Australia has always felt like home to me, a place where Jewish life could flourish openly and proudly. Yet in the past year, Australian Jews endured the worst antisemitic terror attack in our nation’s history. Fifteen innocent people were murdered at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, simply because they were Jewish. Whether you live in a large Jewish Australian community like Melbourne or Sydney, or in smaller communities, in places like Darwin, or Launceston, every Jew in this country felt the impact of that attack. We are one people and an attack on one Jewish community reverberates through all Jewish communities. Many of us have felt frightened and vulnerable in ways we never imagined possible in Australia. And yet Jewish history teaches us something important. The Jewish response to tragedy has never been to quieten our Jewish practise or to make ourselves smaller. We do not respond to darkness by extinguishing our own light. After the burning of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, Rabbi Eli was interviewed about how the Jewish community should respond to antisemitism and violence. He did not hesitate, and he certainly did not tell Jews to hide their Judaism or keep it private. Instead, he said: “Be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish.” Those words feel especially poignant now. Rabbi Eli was a husband and a father of five children. He was deeply devoted to his community and to Jewish life. He was murdered while
Be more Jewish attending a Chanukah party – cut down in the prime of his life. But there is also an obligation that comes with grief, because we become obligated to honour those we have lost not only through mourning, but through continuing the values they believed in so passionately. So, what does it actually mean to be more Jewish? I think it means leaning more deeply into Jewish life and allowing Judaism to shape the rhythm of our days. It means embracing the Jewish calendar and attending synagogue a little more often. It means buying the extra honey cake for Rosh Hashanah and it means inviting a few extra guests to your sukkah. It means purchasing your own lulav and etrog for Sukkot. It means lighting your Chanukah candles proudly in your window. To act more Jewish means carrying Jewish values proudly into the world around us. Judaism is ancient, but it is not outdated. In a world where technology is moving at dizzying speed, Shabbat remains radical in its insistence that human beings are more than productivity machines. To act more Jewish means turning off our phones each week and stepping away from work, gathering around a table with family and friends, singing the same songs our grandparents and great-grandparents sang, and participating in traditions that have sustained the Jewish people for thousands of years. And what does it mean to appear more Jewish? For some that may mean visibly wearing Jewish symbols. Men may choose to wear a kippah, put on tefillin or wear tzitzit openly. Women may choose to light Shabbat candles or proudly wear a Magen David necklace. It means speaking openly about our Jewish identity, our traditions and our connection to our peoplehood. As we reflect on a year marked by grief and uncertainty, I want us to also reflect on resilience. The Jewish story has never been easy. Ours is a history marked by survival against extraordinary odds. Again and again, Jewish communities have faced hatred and violence, and again and again we have rebuilt, continued and refused to surrender our identity. In memory of Rabbi Eli and the fourteen other victims murdered in Bondi, let us respond not by retreating from Judaism, but by embracing it more deeply. Using his words as inspiration, let us refuse to cower in the face of hatred. Let us enter this new year with greater pride, greater faith and greater commitment to Jewish life. May this Rosh Hashanah bring healing to those who are hurting and comfort to those who are grieving. Shana Tova U’Metuka.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann (right) with Rabbi Eli’s father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman at Chabad Bondi
JEWISH SONG SPELLING BEE How many common words of five or more letters can you spell using the letters in the hive? Every answer must use the centre letter at least once. Letters may be reused in a word. Find the name of a well-known Jewish song using each letter at least once. Proper names and hyphenated words are not allowed. Score one point for each answer and three points for the Jewish song that uses all seven letters. Rating: 9 = Good; 11 = Excellent; 14 = Genius
Yoni Glatt has published more than 1,000 crossword puzzles worldwide, from the LA Times and Boston Globe to The Jerusalem Post. He has also published two Jewish puzzle books: "Kosher Crosswords" and the sequel "More Kosher Crosswords and Word Games". ANSWERS PAGE 26
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the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
RABBI NI C
THOUGHT
Standing tall and speaking out
RABBI YAAKOV GLASMAN AM Recently, I spent time with a SlovakianCanadian international model, a former Miss Slovakia and political scientist whose life has taken an extraordinary turn from the world of fashion to the front lines of Jewish advocacy. Her name is Miriam Mattova. Miriam has appeared on the pages of publications including Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and L’Officiel. She won Miss Universe Bikini in 2013 and built a highly successful international modelling career. Yet, what struck me most about her was not the glamour of her résumé, but the clarity, courage and conviction with which she now uses her platform. Since October 7, Miriam has become an outspoken advocate for Israel and against antisemitism. That advocacy has come at genuine personal cost. After refusing to remove pro-Israel and #BringThemHome messaging from her social media, she lost the support of a PR agency that considered her posts too political. Rather than retreat, Miriam became more determined to speak out. Her resolve is deeply personal. Miriam’s grandmother survived the Holocaust, while other members of her family did not. The lesson passed down to her was
Miriam Mattova and Rabbi Yaakov Glasman AM simple and haunting: terrible things are enabled when good people remain silent. It is a message Miriam has made central in her own life. That conviction was tested dramatically when, in Toronto, Miriam said she was ordered out of an Uber after the driver discovered that she was Jewish. The incident became
international news and, rather than allowing herself to be defined by what happened, Miriam used it to force a wider conversation about antisemitism, accountability and the responsibility to confront hatred. Perhaps the most powerful part of Miriam’s Australian visit for me has been watching her speak to Jewish day-
school students. I witnessed young girls absolutely captivated by her. They were hanging on her every word. Here was someone who could easily have spoken to them about fashion, modelling and magazine covers, yet instead she talked about identity, resilience, rejection, Jewish pride, social media, courage and the responsibility to stand up for others. What made her message so effective was that she never spoke down to them. She challenged them. She reminded them that popularity is not identity, that a hashtag should never do their thinking for them, and that strength does not require being the loudest person in the room. Miriam’s journey carries a lesson far beyond antisemitism. Each of us has a voice, choices and influence. We may not control what happens around us, but we can control whether we stay silent, whether we act with integrity and whether we use our individual strength to make a difference. What Miriam demonstrated so powerfully is that courage is rarely one dramatic moment. It is built through countless smaller choices: to speak, to question, to resist pressure, to remain proud and to refuse to surrender one’s values. Sometimes change begins with one person deciding not to look away.
Laughter is the best medicine Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are serious days. They ask us to examine
RABBI DANIEL RABIN Recently, Young Adults Caulfield Shule (YACS) hosted a comedy evening. It was one of those nights when you looked around the room and saw people simply having fun. There was laughter, energy and a wonderful sense of community. It got me thinking about the place of laughter in Jewish life. One of the most significant names in the Torah is Yitzchak, which comes from the Hebrew word tzchok (laughter). Think about that for a moment. Avraham and Sarah had waited almost an entire lifetime for a child. They had experienced disappointment, uncertainty and years in which the promise of a future seemed increasingly impossible. And when that child finally arrived, he wasn’t named after struggle or perseverance. He was called Yitzchak. Sarah explained the name beautifully: “God has made laughter for me; whoever hears will laugh with me.” Perhaps there is something deeply Jewish contained in that name. Without losing the capacity for joy, we are a people who have always understood that life can be serious. In fact, sometimes laughter is precisely how we declare that difficulty will not have the final word. There is a famous Talmudic story of Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues standing
our lives, acknowledge where we have fallen short and consider what needs to change. But Judaism does not leave us there. Just a few days after Yom Kippur, we enter Sukkot, which our tradition calls zman simchateinu, the season of our joy. There is a progression here. Reflection is important, but it is meant to lead to renewal. Judaism does not ask us to spend our lives weighed down by everything that is wrong. It asks us to recognise what needs fixing and then continue forward with faith, purpose and joy. That feels especially relevant for the Jewish people right now. There is plenty to worry about. We should never ignore the challenges facing Israel or Jewish communities around the world. But neither should we allow those challenges to define the
From left: Rabbi Rabin, with comedians Nick Schuller, Gilli Apter and Gene Efron at YACS among the ruins of the Temple. When
the
they see a fox emerging from the place
Jerusalem would one day be rebuilt.
of the Holy of Holies, the other rabbis cry.
If one prophecy had come true, he
Rabbi Akiva laughs.
believed the other would as well.
Not because the destruction was
destruction
also
promised
that
His laughter was an expression of hope. message
feels
We still gather. We still celebrate. We still build community. And “yes”, we still laugh. Perhaps that evening at Caulfield Shule was a small reminder of something our people have known for thousands of years. The first Jewish child was named
particularly
Yitzchak, because whatever chapter
any less deeply. He laughed because
powerful as we approach the High
we are living through, Jews have always
the same prophets who predicted
Holyday season.
believed that there is still laughter ahead.
funny. Not because he felt the pain
That
entirety of Jewish life.
25
the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
RABBI NI C
THOUGHT RABBI DR BENJI LEVY The Hebrew word for Rosh Hashanah comes from rosh, the head. Not new. Not fresh. The head. Almost every other culture marks its new year with a word for beginning. We mark ours with a word for thinking, and I don’t think that’s accidental. Each year, I find myself asking the same question in the days before this one arrives. Who would have ever thought, this time last year, that we’d be living through a year like this one? It never fails. Something always catches us off guard, some turn we didn’t plan for, some challenge that reshapes how we see the months ahead. The Rambam describes the sound of the shofar as a wake-up call: “uru yesheinim mishnatchem, wake up, you who sleep, look at your deeds, return.” Not a fanfare. An alarm. It isn’t meant to make us feel good. It’s meant to interrupt us, to cut through whatever we’ve been telling ourselves and force a moment of honesty. A head decides before the body acts. Nothing moves without the mind moving first. Rosh Hashanah holds that same place in the year. It is the decision before the doing, the pause before the motion.
Rosh Hashanah: the head of the year
Rabbi Benji officiating at a wedding in Israel recently In ordinary life, we rarely work in
once a year, and put the thinking back
that order. Most of us live reactively,
where it belongs. Before the doing, not
responding to whatever the day throws
after.
at us, rather than deciding in advance
Most years, that quiet thinking gets
who we want to be inside it. Rosh
crowded out. Food to prepare. Family
Hashanah asks us to reverse that, just
arriving.
happening around us that the day washes over us, instead of sinking in. We sing the melodies we know. We eat the apple and honey. We hear the shofar. We don’t always listen to it. There’s a difference between the two, and the difference is everything. Underneath the noise, one question is still waiting. “How do I want to be different this year?” Not a resolution we’ll forget by Cheshvan. A question worth sitting with long enough for it to actually change something. We can’t control what happens out there. What we can control is what happens in here, within ourselves, in the decisions we make before we act, rather than after. Let’s use the head of the year properly. Let’s take the time before Rosh Hashanah, and the day itself, to actually think. Not to perform reflection. To do it. To ask the honest questions and sit with the honest answers, even when they’re uncomfortable, even when we’d rather not. Shana Tova.
much
You can find more of my thinking on Rosh Hashanah at rabbibenji.com/ roshhashana
only a very small section of the larger picture. So much of what happens in our lives makes little sense to us. But nothing is random. Every occurrence, interaction, conversation and experience is part of a grand divine plan. Everything happens by G-d’s word. We intend to make honey, while G-d intends that, through us, apples will be made too. Indeed, the Hebrew word for bee is Devorah. It can be divided into Devar
Heh, meaning “the word of G-d”. There are no coincidences. It’s all by the word of G-d. So, if you ever feel that your wings are being weighed down by an unwanted load, remember, perhaps you are cross-pollinating someone else’s flower. Beautiful fruit may eventually grow from your toil, whether you see it or not. It was meant to bee.
A
packed
shul.
So
A Rosh Hashanah riddle RABBI ARON MOSS Here is a riddle that will catch most people out: What bee product do we make a blessing over on Rosh Hashanah night? I bet you said honey. Right? Wrong. We do not make a blessing over the honey. The correct answer is the apple. An apple is a bee product? In a sense, “yes”. An apple tree cannot produce apples without the help of bees. Yet the bees themselves have no idea that they are performing the vital task known as cross-pollination. It goes something like this. While busy feeding on nectar from a flower, an unsuspecting bee gets pollen stuck to its feet, legs and wings. The bee then flies to another tree in search of more nectar. As it lands on another flower, some of the pollen falls off. Quite unintentionally, that pollen reaches exactly the right place to pollinate the second flower, which will eventually bud and grow into fruit. The bee thought it was merely eating lunch. The pollen stuck to its feet seemed like nothing more than an unwanted nuisance, an irritating burden picked up along the way. No one watching the bee would ever guess that the fruit appearing weeks later was partly the result of its journey. Sometimes we are like that bee. We think we are making honey, when in fact we are also making apples. There is the life we consciously live: the tasks that
occupy us, the things we believe we need to accomplish and the immediate results we hope to achieve. Then there is the vast and mysterious web of life of which we are a part. Without even realising it, we contribute to that bigger picture, creating chain reactions the results of which we may never see. At the Rosh Hashanah table, we eat apples and honey. As the new year begins, we acknowledge that we see
26
the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026
COMMUNITY The Simcha Dignity Fund launched AROUND
T H E
our brethren, no single person or organisation in this space can fulfill all the needs for a wedding, a bar or bat mitzvah or a brit milah. This is something we can do." The congregation’s president Michael Krape said this initiative aligns with the values of the shul, which opened in 1949. "Many of our original members were Holocaust survivors or were able to leave Europe before the catastrophe struck," he said. "This shul wasn't just a place to practice one's religion, but somewhere to associate with likeminded people who knew what it was like to be marginalised. Our shul has always been a place of safety and support for spiritual, cultural and social connections." He said that any person of the Jewish faith is eligible to apply, irrespective of whether they are members of, or associated with another congregation, or the branch of Jewish observance they feel connected to. Anyone interested should reach out to the Kew Hebrew Congregation via email at rabbifeldman@khc.org. au and/or president@khc.org.au The shul is currently seeking a principal patron for the Simcha Dignity Fund. Donations of all sizes would be warmly welcomed and will directly support this vital community initiative.
KEW SHUL Jewish families experiencing financial hardship for an upcoming Jewish lifecycle celebration, can now seek support from the Kew Hebrew Congregation. The modern Orthodox synagogue and community centre in Melbourne's inner east has created The Simcha Dignity Fund (Kavod HaBriyot) to provide Jewish families with a fully subsidised event for an upcoming simcha. This 'one-stop-shop' is offered free of charge to eligible families. Every application will be treated in confidence and judged on its merits. The fund will provide the Kew synagogue, the rabbi, the service (including a minyan if required), a full seudat mitzvah (an obligatory festive meal to celebrate the fulfillment of a religious commandment or a major life-cycle event), musical entertainment (when not held on Shabbat) and local accommodation for those who observe Shabbat, if the event falls on a mandated day of rest. The congregation's rabbi, Shmueli Feldman, said the Jewish community's
From left, Judy Krape, Michael Krape and Rabbi Shmueli Feldman at Kew Shul
needs have grown significantly since the ground-breaking Gen08 report in 2012. The report was written by Monash University's Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation and Jewish Care Victoria. It revealed that "a number of indicators point to a level of poverty and near poverty, which is likely to be above 20 per cent of the Jewish population, with higher levels
CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES Friday, Sep 4, 2026
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Melbourne Jewish Report Disclaimer: Except where expressly stated otherwise, content in The Melbourne Jewish Report is provided as general informations only. The articles in this paper have been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content here are presented solely by the author, and The Jewish Report assumes no responsibility for them. It is not intended as advice and must not be relied upon as such. You should make your own inquiries and take independent advice tailored to your specific circumstances prior to making any decisions. We do not make any representation or warranty that any material in the papers will be reliable, accurate or complete, nor do we accept any responsibility arising in any way from errors or omissions. We will not be liable for loss resulting from any action or decision by you in reliance on the material in the papers. By reading the papers, you acknowledge that we are not responsible for, and accept no liability in relation to, any reader’s use of, access to or conduct in connection with the papers in any circumstance. Photographs submitted by individuals or organisations are assumed to be their property and are therefore not otherwise credited. All articles in this paper have received the expressed consent of the author to publish in this paper. The Jewish Report; ISSN 2204-4639 Publisher: The Jewish Report Pty Ltd (ACN 167302981) Distributor: TJR Distribution Pty Ltd ACN 165158029 Comments or suggestions to: editor@thejewishreport.com.au Article submissions to: www.thejewishreport.com.au/article-submission-guidelines Advertising: editor@thejewishreport.com.au Website: www.thejewishreport.com.au Printer: Spotpress Pty Ltd
in Victoria than New South Wales." "Judaism teaches that human dignity is sacred, and it is incumbent on all of us to protect that dignity," Rabbi Feldman said. "We know that many Jewish people in our community live on or below the poverty line. While generous philanthropists and supportive community organisations assist
Spelling bee answers Jewish Song: TOV LEHODOT (Aryeh Kunstler/Six13 spelling). Here is a list of some common words (“yes”, we know there are more words in the dictionary that can work, but these words are common to today’s vernacular): DELVE, DELVED, DEVOLVE, DEVOLVED, DEVOTE, DEVOTED, DEVOTEE, EVOLVE, EVOLVED, HOOVED, HOVEL, LEVEE, LEVEL, LEVELLED, LOVED, TOVEL, TOVELLED, VELVET, VETTED, VETOED, VOLTED, VOTED and VOODOO. Questions/comments/compliments: email Yoni at koshercrosswords@gmail.com
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20
the melbourne jewish report | sept 2026 the melbourne jewish report | November 2024
THE AT R E
Song sung blue
CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
REVIEW
Friday, Nov 22, 2024 A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: Shabbat ends, Nov 23, 2024 THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL ALEX FIRST Friday, Nov 29, 2024 With the reason only revealed late in the Shabbat ends, Nov 30, 2024 piece, global superstar Neil Diamond is Friday, presentedDec as a 6, tortured 2024soul in the superbly written, directed and produced Shabbat ends, Dec 7, 2024 musical A Beautiful Noise. AggressiveDec and recalcitrant, Friday, 13, 2024an older Diamond (played by Terence Crawford) ends,toDec 14, 2024 is Shabbat in therapy, pushed undertake soul searching by his third wife, Katie. Friday, Dec 20, 2024 Incidentally, while no actor plays Shabbat ends, Dec 21, 2024 Katie in the show, to wide applause on
8:00 PM 9:04 PM 8:07 PM 9:12 PM 8:13 PM 9:19 PM 8:19 PM 9:25 PM 8:23 PM 9:29 PM
With his attractive, guttural, baritone voice,
Swenson
superbly,
channels
including
Diamond
transitioning
For those who meanDiamond’s the world apprehension to you, into confidence, as the narrative develops. only the finest will do.
He also benefits from the musical
arrangements
by
Sonny
Paladino,
expertly realised by musical director Nigel Ubrihien and a nine-piece band, who we see in all their glory in a two-tier setting in Act II. The big hits, including Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rosie, Song Sung Blue, You
Don’t Bring Me Flowers, America, Love opening night, the real Katie, who had on the Rocks, Cherry, Cherry and I Am … flown over from the US, appeared on Melbourne Jewish Report Disclaimer: stage at the curtain call. I Said, are all there. The in the Exceptstory wheretold expressly statedmusical, otherwise,with content in The Melbourne Jewish Report is provided As is mentioned early on in the show, as general informations only. Theand articles in this paper have been contributed by a third party. book by Anthony McCarten music Diamond’s output has been prolific: 39 The opinions, facts and any media content here are presented solely by the author, and The and lyrics by Diamond, poignant for and Jewish Report assumes noisresponsibility them. It is not intended as advice and must not be albums, 120 million album sales and 40 powerful. relied upon as such. You should make your own inquiries and take independent advice tailored to Top 40 hits. your specificiscircumstances priorittoquits making any decisions. We do not make any representation Diamond ready to call with or warranty that any material in the papers will be reliable, accurate or complete, nor do we I also appreciated the dynamic the docany (Monica Sayers), when she accept responsibility arising in any waypulls from errors or omissions. We will not be liable for loss between Terence Crawford and Monica resulting fromsongbook any action or decision by you out a thick containing all in ofreliance on the material in the papers. By reading the papers, you acknowledge thatabout we are not for, and as accept liability in in relation Sayers as patient and doctor. As the Sharp Jewellery Craftsmanship Diamond’s lyrics and asks theresponsible Will Swenson NeilnoDiamond A Beautiful Noise (photo by JeffIan Busby) to, any reader’s use of, access to or conduct in connection with the papers in any circumstance. feelings behind them. older Diamond looking back, Crawford Photographs submitted by individuals or organisations are assumed to be their property and are iansharpjewellery therefore otherwise credited. All articles in this paper have received the expressed consent of So it is not that Diamond takes a walk shows his emotional range, while as the author to publish in this paper. record producer Ellie down memory lane, recalling the pain, slaving away in Tin Pan Alley (in New York American the medico, Sayers pushes Diamond’s (Hannah Fredericksen) perseverance andISSN heartbreak The Jewish Report; 2204-4639of a star- City) where he has been writing songs Greenwich buttons with aplomb. Publisher: The Jewish Report Pty Ltd (ACN 167302981) trying to replicate The Everly Brothers changed his fate. studded career. 65 Toorak Road, South Yarra,radiant, VIC 3141 Looking Ashleigh Rubenach Distributor: TJR Distribution Pty Ltd ACN 165158029 While Diamond started writing hits for That is also when a to:younger, nervy and Buddy Holly for seven years. Comments or suggestions editor@thejewishreport.com.au artists, it 4983 took Ellie to shines as important influence Marcia P: 03 9866 e: sales@iansharp.com.au Already married to Jaye Posner (Alana other big-name Diamond (Will Swenson) – a prolific Article submissions to: www.thejewishreport.com.au/article-submission-guidelines recognise that with his unique voice, Murphey, introducing light and shade Advertising: editor@thejewishreport.com.au songwriter from his teen years with that Tranter) with a baby on board, he www.iansharp.com.au Website: www.thejewishreport.com.au he should become a singer songwriter. into memorable duets and a stirring solo, attractive gravel Pty in his Printer: Spotpress Ltdvoice – enters the desperately needed a break. frame. The journey begins with Diamond That is when a meeting with legendary Although he was continually plagued by with back up singers. negative thoughts, she got him to play a A few early numbers showcase the live gig at a famous small venue called purity of sound that is evident in Alana The Bitter End. Tranter’s vocals as the hapless Jaye That was also where he met and fell in love with the woman who would Posner, who I couldn’t but help feel very become his second wife, Marcia sorry for. Murphey (Ashleigh Rubenach). I enjoyed the role played by Hannah She encouraged him to step out from Fredericksen as the personable Ellie behind the dark clouds that enveloped Greenwich. him. It is quite a contrast to the authoritative Still, candidly, the situation between Rose Diamond, Neil’s mother, who the two women in his life – Jaye, to whom he was initially married and with whom Fredericksen doubles up as. he had two daughters, and Marcia – Backed by a superb cast and ensemble, was messy. Steven Hoggett’s choreography shows In time, Diamond signed a record a deft touch throughout. contract with a bad crowd that could As scenic designer, David Rockwell have ended dreadfully. works with vertical batons of colour and Still, he went on to become bigger and bigger, touring the world extensively, industrial style staging after interval. working continuously and enjoying the adulation that went with it. That, too, took a toll on his personal life and after 25 years of marriage, he and Marcia, with whom he had two sons, divorced. Diamond felt obliged to keep up the frenetic pace he maintained because while he was making heaps of money, his entourage had grown and grown too. And then the therapist doubles back to the words of a song that Diamond point blank refused to talk about earlier. It would provide the insight into his upbringing (of Polish and Russian descent, he was born to Jewish parents) and the anxiousness that he had carried with him his entire life. I was greatly moved. Through it all, the story unfolds with 29 of the great man’s legendary songs. Many have Will Swenson front and centre, and he nails their vocalisation magnificently.
The bold pops of colour introduced by lighting designer Kevin Adams in Act II are a highlight, as is the splendid sound design by Jessica Paz. Emilio Sosa’s costuming ranges from subdued to glittering and spectacular. Bling still goes a long way and Diamond’s quick-change costuming during the second act is something to behold. Director Michael Mayer has given us a most engaging and memorable production that I really enjoyed, delving into the life and times of one of the world’s greatest singer/songwriters and performers. Two and a half hours, including interval, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is on at Princess Theatre in Melbourne until 7th November, 2026. For more of Alex First’s reviews, go to https://www.itellyouwhatithink.com
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