Jewish Online News from Australia and New Zealand
The State Zionist Council of New South Wales is the roof body of 48 Zionist organizations in New South Wales.
We lead and encourage Jewish and Zionist activity and expression in NSW, we represent the Jewish Community, promoting and communicating Israel’s interests within the broader NSW community and promoting NSW’s relationship with Israel.
More than four hundred community members attended the State Zionist Council of NewSouth Wales’ Yom Hazikaron ceremony at the National Council for Jewish Women in Woollahra.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy Eli Yerushalami addresses the meeting
The function, honoring the memories of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror was supported by Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation.
On the 9th of August 2006, two days before his 23rd birthday, Nir Cohen, reservist tank driver, was killed by an anti tank missile in Southern Lebanon.
Nir had finished his service a year and a half earlier and had since been working on Machon L’Madrichei Chutz L’Aretz. Nir was a Madrich on Machzor 114, a key part in the shnat program for most Australian Zionist youth movements. His Shnat chanichim wrote: “We were privileged to encounter a person who loved his country with such an inspiring passion. He spoke excitedly about the culture, the humour, nature and his army experiences. Nir was a true young Israeli: wild hair, Turkish coffee kit and dreams of study and travel, especially down under.”
Faces in the crowd
Asaf Ramon by Jonathan Baker, Netzer
It was a sunny June day in Jerusalem, and 25, or so, Pilots strutted onto the machon campus where 50 naive and innocent Australian and South African watched in quiet awe. One of those pilots was a young man named only as ‘Asaf’. Approximately an hour later we found ourselves no longer looking admiration of them but goofing around with them, making strange video’s on the differences between Australians and Israeli’s. Topics included maturity, road rage and the ability to consume beverages. After the humorous set of shenanigans were done and dusted, we sat down and the atmosphere changed. “We’re not trying to be heroes” said Asaf. “We’re just trying to be the best so that we can do the best.” On the 13th of September, 2009, the Ramon family, the Israeli family, and the global Jewish family was devastated as an F-16 hit the ground, taking with it a young pilot named Asaf Ramon. He left behind a proud mother, four siblings and a struggling nation. Why this young man received a large amount of attention was that his father tragically was taken from this world in a similar fashion 7 years ago. Ilan Ramon was the first Israeli astronaut in history, sadly he was also a member of the crewmen that lost their lives on the Columbia into outerspace.
The tekes was followed by the Torch of honour ceremony, where thirteen people were awarded for their commitment to Zionism, the Jewish community and the State of Israel.
The audience listens to the speaker
Editor’s note: Tekes is Ivrit/Hebrew for ceremony/ritual
April 18, 2010 by Henry Benjamin
Around 5000 members of Sydney’s Jewish community celebrated the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel.
They packed the grassy grounds of Randwick race course, strolling and browsing the broad variety of goods and services on offer in the colourful stands especially built for Yom Ha’azmaut.
The choirs combine for Oseh Shalom and the Hatikvah all pix: Henry Benjamin
Adina Herz
The betting pavilion at the famous race track was turned into a concert hall as singers from Emanuel Synagogue choir, the Sydney Jewish Choral Society, Masada Choir, Emanuel School Choir and the Mt Sinai Choir performed in the final event…Sydney sings for Israel hosted by Geoff Sirmai. They took to the stage to entertain the crowd with nine-year-old Reddam House student Adina Herz giving an outstanding performance of Yerushalim shel Zahav. The huge crowd got into the swing of things with the song and dance routine from the girls of the Emanuel School.
Aviva Kogus, Executive Director of the State Zionist Council of New South Wales, told J-Wire: “For me, the highlight of the day was the combined choirs singing Oseh Shalom and Hatikvah…and the fireworks. Fireworks play an important part in the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations in Israel. Our day was very successful and I would like to thank publicly all the communal organisations who helped make it the success it was.’
Shula Endrey-Walder gets her blood. 36 times!
The Gift of Life organisation was not after money…they were literally after the crowd’s blood. Organiser Shula Endrey-Walder told J-Wire: “We have had thirty-six people donate blood today for our stem cell/bone marrow match program…it’s been exhausting, but worth every second.”
Shir Madness had well-known musicians on its stand. Later this year, they will present Sydney’s first Jewish music festival…
The celebrations ended with an outstanding fireworks show as young and old stood entranced as the knockout display lit the night sky.
Check our video of the singing event….
J-Wire has received a special Yom Ha’atzmaut message from Israel’s Prime Minister.
March 9, 2009 by admin
Tel Aviv-Yaffo celebrates it centenary this year and has been adopted as the theme for this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations by the SZCNSW…and the Israeli Government has followed suite.
Executive Director of the State Zionist Council told J-Wire: “It was an obvious collaboration to us. After the success of the 60th Yom Ha’atzmaut we wanted to continue to make celebrations that were both exciting and relevant to this community, promoting the centenary for city of Tel Aviv was just obvious.” Already at the end of 2008 the State Zionist Council adopted a new colour scheme for their logo incorporating the colour’s of the internationally used Tel-Aviv 100 logo. The major Sydney celebration, to take place on April 28th at Royal Randwick Racecourse, will imitate a Tel Aviv Street fair, incorporating traditional aspects such as street theatre, busking, poetry readings and Israeli dancing, as well as contemporary aspects such as arts and crafts markets, beach culture, live music and cafes and food stalls. The Young Adult party, TLV100, planned for April 29th, will adopt the dress theme of ‘White Tel Aviv.’ “It is exciting that what we are celebrating here in Sydney will also be celebrated on the streets of Israel and in Jewish communities around the world. As the cultural, intellectual and business capital of the Israel, the relevancy of Tel Aviv’s centenary reaches everyone in our community,” said Kogus. “We want people’s experience to be as authentic as possible without actually being there, they will come and hear the sounds of Tel Aviv, taste the foods of Tel Aviv, buy the arts and crafts of Tel Aviv, but most importantly, feel the modern Mediterranean vibe of Tel Aviv.”
The Israeli cabinet has decided to officiate ’100 years of the First Hebrew City” as the theme for this year’s 61st Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations.
February 9, 2009 by admin
Forty two New South Wales teenagers left Sydney on Australia Day to spend a year in Israel on the Australian Zionist Youth Council promoted Shnat program which offers time in the army, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem or work on a kibbutz.
Most of the participants will take advantage of a combination of the programs on offer.
January 6, 2009 by Community Editor
Israeli rock artist performs at the Bondi Pavilion for Hagshama
