Blumgart Gets a Chance to Shine
February 28, 2011 by Ashley Shenker
Mount Scopus graduate, Alon Blumgart was one of four Australians given the opportunity to participate in Nike’s ‘The Chance’ soccer training program in London, involving soccer guns from 47 countries around the world. He has returned to Melbourne where he will train with the new A-League side, Melbourne Heart. Read more
Earthquake: How You Can Help
February 28, 2011 by J-Wire Staff
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Auckland Jewish Council have issued instructions on how to financially support those affected by last week’s earthquake in Christchurch. Read more
Israeli officially dead in Christchurch
February 27, 2011 by Henry Benjamin
Ofer Mizrahi has been officially identified and declared dead. The 23-yr-old Israeli was in a car with three of his friends when the earthquake struck last Tuesday. Read more
Help on the Way to Christchurch
February 27, 2011 by J-Wire Staff
Israel will send sanitation and water purification equipment to the stricken city of Christchurch in New Zealand. Read more
From Israel – a sister’s cry for help
February 27, 2011 by J-Wire Staff
We are looking for my brother, Ofer, and his friend, Gabi, who are trapped somewhere in the center of Christchurch. Read more
Eyewitness account from Christchurch
Christchurch Chabad Rabbi Shmuel Friedman was at the scene moments after Israeli Ofer Mizrahi was killed in the Christchurch earthquake. Read more
Communique from the Israeli Embassy in New Zealand
February 25, 2011 by Agencies
Israel’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Shemi Tzur, has sent a message to the New Zealand community updating the situation in Christchurch…12 Israelis remain unaccounted for. Read more
Our Big Kitchen Helps Out
February 25, 2011 by Henry Benjamin
When the NSW Counter Disaster Unit flew out to aid the search and rescue for survivors in Christchurch, they took with them biscuits, toys and toiletries from Our Big Kitchen. Read more
Australia’s Oldest Jew to Turn 110
February 25, 2011 by Agencies
Australia’s oldest Jew, who lived half her life in England and made hats for the Royal Family, will celebrate her 110th birthday next weekend. Read more
Fears for Missing Israelis
February 25, 2011 by J-Wire Staff
Teddy Poplinger, Israel’s consul in Wellington New Zealand is on the ground in the earthquake-shattered city of Christchurch and has expressed fears for the lives of missing Israelis. Read more
Keep Laughing
February 25, 2011 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
The Talmud relates that the great sage Rabbah had the following practice. When he lectured in Talmudic law he would always begin with a joke, causing the students to laugh, after which he would continue with a serious presentation of in-depth analysis of Jewish Law. Read more
Rudd on his way to Israel
Australian Foreign Minister leaves the country today on a visit to South Africa, Europe and the Middle East which will include meetings in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Read more
Word in from Christchurch
February 24, 2011 by Agencies
Tonny de Vries has filed a report from Christchurch on the activities of the Canterbury Hebrew Congregation following this week’s earthquake… Read more
J-Wire Meets HonestReporting
February 24, 2011 by J-Wire Staff
J-Wire has spoken with Joe Hyams, the joint Manging Director of Israeli-based international media watchdog HonestReporting during his visit to Sydney … Read more
THE OTHER FUTSAL SUCCESS STORY …
February 24, 2011 by David Weiner-Maccabi NSW
Another popular member of Maccabi and Australia’s futsal community has enjoyed a stellar season too. Read more
Israel still searching for Nationals in NZ
February 24, 2011 by Henry Benjamin
The Israeli Government remains highly concerned as to the whereabouts of its citizens as yet unaccounted for in New Zealand following this week’s catastrophic earthquake in Christchurch. Read more
I Am Number Four *+
February 24, 2011 by Arts Editor
For someone who has never seen another movie, I Am Number Four might be an astounding experience, cobbling together bits and pieces of other, better productions as it does. It’s very loud, very fast paced, and very derivative. Read more
Conviction **+
February 24, 2011 by Arts Editor
Take a real-life feel-good story about personal heroism and use it as the basis for a generic screenplay. Lather on some prestige. Hire an Oscar-winning actress and a bunch of supporting performers with nominations on their resumes. Promote the hell out of it using words like “inspirational”, “incredible”, and “uplifting”. What’s the result? Read more
Danby and Marrickville Preferences
February 23, 2011 by J-Wire
Dear Editor,
The NSW Opposition apparently plans to issue no preferences in the coming State election in the seat of Marrickville. This is a marked contrast to the Liberal policy in Victoria at the recent State election which the Liberals won. The Liberal decision not to issue preferences against the Greens is made possible by the optional preferential voting system. It will mean that the chief proponent of the Watermelon faction of the Greens, Fiona Byrne, the woman who has driven the boycott Israel policy as Mayor of Marrickville may well be elected to the NSW Parliament.
Remember Marrickville General Manager Ken Gainger revealed that 86.25 hours of staff time have been devoted to trying to implement an anti-Israel resolution plus an unspecified amount of ‘unrecorded time’. The cost is said to be ‘unquantifiable’ because Council staff do not operate according to a time costing system (informally we have heard that the cost to date is well over $30,000 – and that’s even before the formal report about implementation has been completed).
This is a scandalous waste of resources. Marrickville Council has never received a mandate from ratepayers for this expenditure of their money which could have been applied to fixing broken footpaths, clearing dumped rubbish and upgrading the library and other local services. Voters in NSW do not need a ratbag local councillors in the NSW Parliament. Unfortunately the decision of the NSW Opposition to sit on the fence means that an avowed enemy of the Australian Jewish community maybe elected to Macquarie Street. At this eleventh hour, I hope the community can pressure the Libs to do the right thing and get them to stop this Green radical being elected.
Michael Danby MP
Federal Member for Melbourne Ports
Condolences for NZ from Israel and an offer of help
February 23, 2011 by Agencies
Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman has spoken with his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully. Read more
Israel, the Arab World – The Blessing and the Curse
February 23, 2011 by David Singer
“The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.”
“It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”
These two somewhat surprising statements by Winston Churchill – the savior of democracy in the Second World War – need to be revisited as civilian populations in the Arab world rise up to be allowed to exercise their right to determine their own futures – freed of the dictators and dictatorial rule that have dominated their lives for decades. Read more
Israel on the Ground in Christchurch
February 23, 2011 by Henry Benjamin
The Israeli Embassy in Wellington has sent its Consul to Christchurch to establish an emergency centre on the ground. Read more
Israeli killed in Christchurch
February 22, 2011 by Agencies
An Israeli backpacker is among the rising death toll following an earthquake in Christchurch.
Jewish Victoria supports M-E Democracy
February 21, 2011 by Agencies
The Victorian Jewish community supports the struggle for democracy and freedom in the autocracies of Egypt and the larger Middle East. Read more
Anti-Semitic Graffiti becomes Election Issue
February 20, 2011 by J-Wire
The NSW Labor Government has promised more power to judges to deal with racist graffiti if re-elected and mentioned that up to 20 serious antisemitic incidents are reported annually. Read more
Integration the Key to Multicultural Success
February 19, 2011 by Colin Rubenstein
Federal Immigration Minister Chris Bowen on Wednesday spoke at the Sydney Institute praising the “genius of Australian Multiculturalism”. Yesterday, he launched a new national multicultural strategy entitled The People of Australia. It was also announced that the government will establish a new independent advisory body to help implement and build on the policy. Meanwhile, Senator Kate Lundy has been named Parliamentary Secretary of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, and will now focus on implementing the new policy. Read more
Taking Action on Climate Change
February 18, 2011 by J-Wire Staff
Federal Labor MP for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus spoke to Melbourne’s CBD Chabad on “Taking Action on Climate Change” Read more
‘Nothing less than the premiership will do’
February 18, 2011 by David Weiner-Maccabi NSW
After years of empty rhetoric, Hakoah-Maccabi FC is making some serious strides forward in 2011. As the club’s players returned to Centennial Park for pre-season training last week, they were greeted by former Olyroo Mark Robertson, and all 7 Federation teams have already begun playing pre-season trials. The club means business this season and Maccabi News caught up with Robertson to get the first glimpse of what to expect in 2011. Read more
Maccabi running away with NZ futsal league
February 18, 2011 by David Weiner-Maccabi NSW
Maccabi Hakoah’s trip to Dunedin produced another stunning weekend of results, with the club claiming another five wins in round 2 of the New Zealand Futsal Championship.
Here’s how NZ Futsal glowingly reported about Maccabi across the Tasman:
“Nineteen year old Jarrod Basger (see golden boot chart, right) once again starred for the Sydney-based side, scoring seven of his side’s seventeen goals. East City and Red Sox meanwhile, were the top performing New Zealand sides, while Capital City Futsal also did enough to stay in the hunt for a spot in the play offs in Auckland in March.
“Only Auckland’s East City were able to provide a true test for the unstoppable Maccabi in Dunedin. Daniel Fulton, Denny Dutra and skipper Doron Pozniak all continued their red hot form from Series One, while the addition of Futsalroo veteran Simon Keith further strengthened the Australians as they marched to a virtually unassailable lead (10 points clear) in the minor premiership.”
John Myers singled the leadership of Pozniak and the first-team debut of 16-year-old Dylan Basger as highlights, while club president Gareth Naar praised the team’s rise in status.
“All the boys enjoyed it, it’s always great touring as a squad.
“I think its great exposure for Maccabi, and a great testament to our futsal club not only for competing, but for succeeding.
“The New Zealanders no doubt look at Maccabi as the benchmark – they love having us there. New Zealand futsal is developing at great pace through the support of the New Zealand Football Association – which is something we lack here in Australia.”
With the side now turning their attention to their NSW Super League premiership defence this weekend, the club’s first team is on the cusp of a dreamy double. They take on Northern Breakers in the grand final, coach Steve Knight’s former side.
“Look it just shows the quality of our men’s side and the quality we’ve got there,” Naar added. “Now we’ve got to try to bring that performance to the juniors, and we’re already looking towards next season and we’re going to implement changes so the longevity is there at the club beyond this team.”
A Maccabi legend calls it a day
February 18, 2011 by David Weiner-Maccabi NSW
This article was meant to come a few weeks earlier, when Beverley Bos OAM (pictured with Maccabi NSW Swimming President Anthony Goodridge) thought the Maigs swim meet would be her final involvement in Jewish swimming. Read more
