Wolfensohn Receives Honorary PhD
June 20, 2011 by Agencies
Former president of the World Bank, ex-Sydneysider Sir James Wolfensohn, yesterday received an honorary PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Read more
Chazan tells why BDS is counter-productive
June 17, 2011 by Agencies
Professor Naomi Chazan, president of the New Israel Fund, spoke this week at the Newtown Synagogue, Sydney on why the global BDS is counter-productive. Her address was titled “The Other Israel, BDS and the Quest for a Two-State Solution”. Read more
Limmud-Oz: The organisers report
June 17, 2011 by Agencies
On a rainy and windy long weekend, over 1000 people heard over 200 presenters talk, act, sing, and argue about everything from Israel to asylum seekers. Read more
The Legacy of William Cooper
June 17, 2011 by Agencies
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd spoke last night of the legacy of William Cooper, the Aboriginal who lead a group of indigenous people in a march from Footscray to the German Consulate in Melbourne in1938 to lodge a protest against Kristellnacht…the only protest recorded world-wide. Read more
$100,000 for Queensland Flood Appeal from Jewish Aid
June 16, 2011 by Agencies
Jewish Aid Australia CEO, Gary Samowitz, met with Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh yesterday handing over a $100,000 cheque for the QLD Flood appeal . Read more
Changes at the ZCV
June 15, 2011 by Agencies
The Zionist Council of Victoria is entering a fresh era of professional and lay leadership with newly-appointed executive director Jane Rapke at the helm in the Beth Weizmann office, working together with president Sam Tatarka, who began the honorary role late last year. Read more
In Search of Arrow-minded Jews
June 15, 2011 by Agencies
The Israeli Archery Association has contacted J-Wire hoping that Australia may be able to send an Archery team to the 2013 Maccabiah in Israel. Read more
Hebrew University awards Honorary PhD to Wolfensohn
June 14, 2011 by Agencies
Former president of the World Bank and special envoy for the Quartet on the Middle East, Australian-born Sir James Wolfensohn KBE AO, will receive an honorary doctor of philosophy degree at the opening session of the meeting of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Board of Governors. Read more
IPO and the Flamenco Dancer
June 13, 2011 by Agencies
Deanna Blacher was awarded an OAM in today’s Queen’s Birthday list…but her skills with the castanets have been acknowledged by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Read more
Russell says sorry
Australian icon Russell Crowe has apologised for an anti-circumcision thread of comments on his Twitter thread. Read more
Austen asks the question Q&A cannot answer
June 7, 2011 by Agencies
Jewish comedian Austen Tayshus, aka Sandy Gutman, was on the front foot against Greens senator-elect Lee Rhiannon on ABC’s Q&A program on Monday night. Read more
Tutu praises Marrickville mayor
June 7, 2011 by Agencies
Marrickville Council, which joined the Israel boycott last year but abandoned it in April amid intense pressure, is back in the spotlight after a letter emerged today from Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu praising Mayor Fiona Byrne. Read more
ADC at work
June 6, 2011 by Agencies
Melbourne’s Anti-Defamation Commission has resolved two matters of concern to the community – racism within the AFL and the distribution of the Hipster Hitler T-Shirts on the RedBubble web site. Read more
Bishop questioning of Labor’s support for Israel answered
June 3, 2011 by Agencies
J-Wire published a statement by Shadow Foreign Minister Julie Bishop questioning Labor’s support for Israel following a Labor blocking of a Coalition motion condemning Marrickville Council. A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd responds… Read more
Secord’s Maiden Speech
Walt Secord is from Canadian Indian stock but has had a long and strong connection with the Sydney Jewish community including a stint with the Jewish media. Community identity Josie Lacey is his”number one mentor”. He is now a member of the Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament…and has delivered his maiden speech. Read more
Chomsky awarded Sydney Peace Prize
June 3, 2011 by Agencies
Arch Israel critic Noam Chomsky has been awarded this year’s Sydney Peace Prize “for inspiring the convictions of millions about a common humanity and for unfailing moral courage”. Read more
Community leaders visit Canberra
Australian Jewish community leaders met this week in Canberra with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Shadow Foreign Minister and other senior Members of Parliament to discuss issues of interest to the Australian Jewish community. Read more
Yom Ha’azmaut in Melbourne
June 3, 2011 by Agencies
The Zionist Council of Victoria and the Jewish Community Council of Victoria held a cocktail party in Melbourne to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel….. Read more
Danby explains Obama’s position to Parliament
June 2, 2011 by Agencies
Federal Labor MP Michael Danby has addressed Federal Parliament focusing on the current situation in the Middle East. Read more
Pratt Foundation aids the aider
June 1, 2011 by Agencies
Sir Bob Geldof , the renowned Irish musician, humanitarian activist and producer of Live Aid and Live 8 was a panelist at an international conference in Herzliya: “Israeli involvement in Africa: Past, Present and Future”. The conference was organised by IsraAID, the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid with funding from the Australian-based Pratt foundation. Read more
Chazan to speak in Marrickville
June 1, 2011 by Agencies
Professor Naomi Chazan, a three-time Knesset member and former Deputy Speaker of Israel’s parliament, will speak in Marrickville – the scene of a recent bitter battle over whether to boycott Israel – during her visit to Australia this month.
The Merchant of Menace
May 31, 2011 by Agencies
Sydney-based comedy star Sandy Gutman, popularly known as his alter ego Austen Tayshus, has launched his biography…”The Merchant of Menace” Read more
Australia ups the sanctions against Syria
May 29, 2011 by Agencies
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, has announced an increase in sanctions against Syria. Read more
Tourism to Israel at an all time high
Figures released by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics for the 2010 incoming Tourism sector show an impressive increase in the number of incoming tourists to Israel, making it a record year with a total of 3.45 Million tourists, a 26% annual growth compared to 2009…and a similar trend was reflected in the Australian market, as the number of Australians who chose Israel as their holiday destination increased by 32% compared to last year. This makes Australia the third largest market for Israel from the Asia-Pacific region (following India & Korea). Read more
Improving Australia-Israel Relations
May 27, 2011 by Agencies
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was handed three key recommendations for improving bilateral relations with Israel from the Australia Israel Leadership Forum (AILF) at a function at Parliament House on Tuesday night. Read more
Israeli Embassy releases Netanyahu’s speech
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered his speech to the U.S. Congress on May 24. The Israeli Embassy in Canberra has released the full text. J-Wire publishes it. Read more
The New Israel Fund and the Coalition of Women for Peace
The reported support of the NIF for the CWP which advocates boycotts against Israel is an issue demanding clarification. J-Wire has received the following statement from the New Israel Fund…. Read more
A message to the NIF from CWP
May 25, 2011 by Agencies
CWP to New Israel Fund: ’our most important asset is the solidarity and commitment to shared values of freedom of expression and association’ Read more
Limmud withdrawals
May 25, 2011 by Agencies
Two presenters have withdrawn from Limmud-Oz in protest at the executive’s decision to ban any presenters who support the Israel boycott. Read more
Law firm drops Hitler t-shirt client
May 24, 2011 by Agencies
Arnold Bloch Leibler, the well-known Australian legal firm, has ceased to act for Melbourne-based Red Bubble, an online arts community, after it was revealed that the company is selling T-shirts glorifying Hitler. Read more
