Buzz Birthright reunited – film premieres in Sydney and Melbourne
The first ever Buzz Taglit Birthright Israel trip for young adults with a disability returned from Israel in December 2017, but the excitement of the participants and their buddies continues.
Shosh, Lyndi Adler, Ron Weiser and Chana
Sydney participants and buddies and their families joined on Sunday 11 March to view the Sydney premiere of the Buzz Birthright movie – a wonderful and heart-warming reminiscence highlighting all that made the trip so memorable. The Melbourne screening took place a few weeks earlier.
Buzz participant Jamie Lee Pashutt spoke of the trip at the reunion event, reminiscing on her personal highlights, anecdotes and the group experiences. Music featured strongly in her presentation – she said: “I love Hebrew songs. When we drove into Jerusalem I started singing Yerushalaim shel Zahav. I love this song, but not as much as I love the song Havana (gila).” She also reflected how special it was to meet other people from Melbourne and Perth and concluded by saying “It was very sad to say goodbye to Birthright Family. But I will never forget my trip to Israel.”
Shosh, Jamie Lee and Maxine Lorge
The Buzz Birthright trip was 18 months in the planning. The Zionist Federation of Australia, the Australian Partner of Taglit Birthright Israel, was approached by Lyndi Adler with the idea and Lyndi’s passion, drive and commitment to the project, from its very inception, was inspirational. Together with Friendship Circle NSW, Flying Fox and Access Inc, every detail of programming and support was planned to ensure that the 14 participants, 14 buddies and 5 staff from across Australia would have a meaningful, enjoyable and ultimately, transformative experience – building their connection with Israel, to the Jewish community and to their own Jewish identities.
This free, 10 day trip was generously supported by the Australian Principal Supporter of Taglit Birthright Israel – Gandel Philanthropy, who matched dollar for dollar funds raised from the community, particularly through Sydney’s Friendship Circle.
Lyndi Adler reflected on the journey to create the program and on her experience as a program parent:
“I am so proud to have been a part of the team that enabled this trip to go ahead. I am grateful to my committee members, the donors, the madrichim, staff & buddies. I believe that it is Romi’s Birthright, as well as all young adults like her, to go on these programs to Israel. I look forward to ensuring that other groups in the future have this amazing experience”.
ZFA Public Affairs Director, Dr Ron Weiser was at the Sydney reunion and film premiere event. He said: “What a fantastic initiative to be a part of. Buzz is possibly the most moving and important of all the many Birthright groups to date and all involved deserve the biggest kol hakavod”.
ZFA Executive Director, Ginette Searle, said: “The Buzz trip exceeded not only our expectations but also our dreams. We are profoundly grateful to Gandel Philanthropy, the Principal Australian Supporter of Taglit Birthright Israel who matched community donations dollar for dollar to make this possible. Of all the many Israel trips that are organised through the ZFA, this particular one was unique and for me, a professional and personal highlight.”
