UIA

The United Israel Appeal –  supporting Israel

UIA NEWS

UIA Melbourne campaign launched

United Israel Appeal Victoria has launched its 2010 campaign at Crown’s Palladium Room.

Over 1000 guests heard special Guest Speaker, The Hon Wayne Swan MP, Federal Treasurer, reconfirme the government’s traditional strong support for the State of Israel.

The dinner featured Dr Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, an American author of a number one international bestseller who speaks on three most interesting topics for Jews today: Israel, the Holocaust and anti-Semitism.

Photos: Sam Okun Progressive Photography

Goldhagen discussed the genocide and anti-Semitism that is present in the world today and the effects that this has had on State of Israel. He also emphasised the importance of a strong Diaspora community uniting in support of Israel.

Ziv Bitton, an IDF parademic who related his story of how he saved the life of Aaron Karov in January 2009 just after Operation Cast Lead when he was stationed in the Gaza Area. He explained that the army service plays a significant part in his life, as he believes this is the one and true asset in Israel, that unites, protect and bonds us all together for a single purpose – the continuation and prosperity of the Jewish and Israeli people. This cemented the importance of UIA’s mission of saving Jewish lives and this year’s UIA campaign theme: “Israel Still Needs You.”

The evening  featured the Daniel Zamir Jazz Quartet, a prominent musical group from Israel.

UIA – Melbourne Women off to a great start

The 2010 Women’s Division Campaign Launch breakfast has hit new high spots.This year took on a fresh new look with the venue being changed to the International of Brighton. Over 350 women attended the morning.

Photos: Peter Haskin

The theme for the morning’s breakfast was “What does Israel mean to you?” As part of the event, a video centered around this theme was produced which highlighted the women of the community’s thoughts and feelings about Israel and what it means to them. This video set the tone for the function as it was both uplifting and inspiring.

The first speaker was Mirla Gal, who served as the Director General of the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, Israel. She held this position from 2003-2006. Prior to this, she held a senior managerial position in the securities services in the Prime Minister’s Ministry where she served for more than 20 years.  She is currently the Chairperson of Fidel – Association for Education and Social Integration of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Mirla discussed what it is like to be a woman in government and in the Mossad and the challenges she faced during her positions.

The Women’s Division have again chosen to support the Keren Hayesod approved project Youth Futures. The second speaker for the morning was Hila Amos, the Director of the Youth Futures Program in Kiryat Gat. She discussed the work that she does with her team and how the money raised helps youth at risk. Her speech was accompanied with a presentation featuring 4 students for whom Youth Futures has turned their lives around and given them a second chance.

The event was a wonderful confirmation of the strength and unity amongst the women of the Melbourne Jewish community.

Melanie and Vladamir appeal to UIA women

The New South Wales Women’s Division has reported highly successful functions featuring UK journalist Melanie Philips and  Russian émigré  Vladamir Milner.

Judy Stromer and Bev Michaelis report:

We have had an awesome and awe inspiring week with the wonderful award-winning Britishjournalist Melanie Phillips complimented by the delightful and remarkable Vladimir Milner, a Russian youth who emigrated to Israel without his family and found the emotional support he received from the Jewish Agency to be invaluable.

Melanie Phillips held 900 women enthralled with her analysis and opinions of the situation in Britain and its relationship to Israel due to the threat of radical Islamism. Vladimir told the emotional and personal story of his Aliyah exemplifying the work of the UIA and the programs we support.

It was announced that Australian Federal Women’s Division have undertaken to fund the construction of an outdoor fitness centre for the disadvantaged boys at the Ben Yakir Village who all come from severely compromised backgrounds.  The plan is to take a Women’s Division mission to Israel next year to attend the official opening.

At the same time our support of the Nurit Absorption Centre and the KH Orphans project continues to be the main focus of our Campaign.  A visit to Nurit to see the results of our fundraising efforts is in itself a validation of the importance of our support.

We would like to thank everyone who attended the various events and we are sure you will agree that the speakers were excellent.

A spokesperson for UIA told J-Wire: “The speakers were so well received that the Q &A session at the Le Montage function went 35 minutes over its allotted time.”

New Campaign Chairman for NSW UIA

Danny Taibel has been elected Campaign Chairman for New South Wales United Israel Appeal.

The auctioneer is also Vice-President of the Central Synagogue in Bondi.

A spokesperson for UIA told J-Wire following Monday’s Annual General Meeting : “In spite of the Global Financial Crisis, UIA continued to enjoy wonderful support from the community.”

Former Campaign Chairman Darryl Jackson remains on the board as an executive member.

Melbourne seeking names of fallen IDF soldiers and victims of terror

Melbourne’s annual Yom Hazikaron Communal Commemoration is the time our community collectively grieves and honours Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror and can offer some solace to bereaved families and friends of the fallen.

The planning for this year’s Yom Hazikaron Commemoration is underway by a committee of communal co-hosts: Am Echad; AUJS; Caulfield Hebrew Congregation; Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Victoria (COSV); Hagshama; Hamerkaz Ha’Israeli; JNF Victoria; Magen David Adom Victoria; UIA Victoria, the Victorian Union for Progressive Judaism (VUPJ) and WIZO Victoria, under the auspices and coordination of the Zionist Council of Victoria.

The Commemoration will be held on Monday April 27, 2009 at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Clayton Campus. A particular feature of this year’s program will be the 40 year anniversary of the War of Attrition. The War of Attrition officially began in March 1969 following sustained conflict along Israel’s southern, northern and eastern fronts following the 1967 Six Day War. 1,424 Israeli soldiers were killed in action during this terrible period of war.

A most important aspect of the Yom Hazikaron Commemoration is direct involvement by community members who have lost a family member or friend in one of Israel’s wars or terrorist attacks. The sensitivity involved in this occasion means that participation in the ceremony will of course depend entirely on the family and may include the lighting a candle which is accompanied by the reading of a biography of the fallen, a photo in the program which every attendee receives and organised seating in the hall.

In order to include as many bereaved families and friends as possible, the co-hosting organisations invite you to contact Elly Shalev at the Zionist Council with information about the fallen family member or friend, ateshalev@zcv.org.au or call 03 – 9272 5519.

If you know of someone who has lost a member of their family or friend please forward them this message so that they too can be involved.

For more information contact:

Elly Shalev – Public Affairs Director, Zionist Council of Victoria 9272 5519