The Israeli Film Festival in Wollongong’s special cause

From Wollongong, Chloe Saxby was diagnosed with Vanishing White Matter disease (VWM) a genetic, degenerative, terminal disease that affects mostly children, in 2012 when she was three and a half.

Professor Orna Elroy-Stein, molecular biologist at Tel Aviv University is close to finding effective treatment for VWM. She has been working on VWM research for over 15 years: “I feel that pursuing a cure for Vanishing White Matter disease is my purpose in life. I don’t dare stop and let these people (children and families affected by VWM) down…I am totally committed to them, emotionally and professionally.”

 

The Kibbutz Ex-Volunteers Association (KEVA), a small yet tenacious Israeli/Jewish community in Wollongong, will host the 16^th Israeli Film Festival at the University of Wollongong, August 5^th at 7pm. KEVA will provide a delicious Israeli-inspired supper.

The feature film is the adaptation of Amos Oz’s autobiographical novel, A Tale of Love and Darkness, directed by Natalie Portman. Also showing is the award-winning Wedding Doll, directed by Nitzan Glady.

All proceeds of the Film Festival will go the Australian registered charity, “Find a Cure for Chloe Saxby And Vanishing White Matter Disease“. The funds will directly support the research by Professor Orna Elroy-Stein.

The Embassy of Israel is paying the film rights. The distributors have given a generous discount. Spokesperson and cultural attaché of the Embassy of Israel, Dorit Herscovici, and Minister for the Illawarra, Gareth Ward, MP, will open the 16^th Israeli Film Festival in Wollongong.

KEVA has set up a Mycause fundraising website for those who cannot attend the festival and would still like to donate to Chloe’s cause.

Tickets are $20 adults, $15 concession, www.trybooking.com/287518