For the People of Israel at UIA NSW 2023 Gala Event & Celebration for Israel’s 75th
UIA NSW hosted over 1200 Sydney supporters at its 2023 General Division Gala Event and celebration for Israel’s 75th on 26 February, with guest of honour, the 13th Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett.
The event featured The IDF Ensemble as well as dinner in the UIA Shuk.
Former Prime Minister of Israel Bennett began by thanking the “remarkable” Jewish community of Sydney for their love of Israel and warm hospitality.
Naftali Bennett
Bennett then went on to captivate the audience with stories of his term as Prime Minister. This included forming an emergency cabinet which he personally ran to save the Jews of Ukraine and Russia, together with Keren Hayesod-UIA and The Jewish Agency for Israel, and his pride in the fact that “Israel was the first country on earth to build a field hospital in Ukraine.”
“This connection – Keren Hayesod-UIA – what you’re doing here is more than the particular activities… it’s a way for us to connect. It’s a way for Am Yisrael to connect. And that’s why I encourage you to strengthen this remarkable organisation.”
When describing his commitment to forming a government with left and right; religious and secular and, for the first time in Israel’s history, an Arab party, Bennett explained that he’s “doing [it] from the right place; for Am Yisrael.” He also spoke about meetings with Israeli-Arab politician Mansour Abbas in the Knesset and standing up to terrorists.
In conversation with UIA NSW CEO Yair Miller, together with Executive Director and Shlicha Jasmine Malul, Bennett spoke about the craziest moments while in cabinet including meeting with Russian Politician and President Vladimir Putin, as well as the dangers of social media.
The IDF Ensemble entertained supporters with Israeli classics like ‘Ani Noladeti Lashalom’ – I Was Born for Peace – as well as a blend of ‘Lu Yehi’ and ‘Let it Be’ by The Beatles. Combined with the mouth-watering tastes and smells that arose out of the UIA Shuk that offered authentic shuk lollies direct from Israel, as well as an Israel-inspired dinner, supporters felt as if they had been transported to the bustling streets of our Homeland.
“I am humbled to stand before you tonight at my first appeal function as President of UIA NSW. To lead Keren Hayesod-UIA’s largest campaign globally is something that gives me a feeling of real inspiration and motivation. Inspiring because, what this means in real terms, is that I am standing before one of the most amazing and supportive communities in the world and that makes me so proud – proud to work with each and every one of you to collectively support Israel,” UIA NSW President Gary Perlstein said.
Members of Parliament were in attendance at the Gala, as well as CEO and Director General of Keren Hayesod-UIAAlon Futterman, who was visiting Australia for the first time since assuming his role. Chairman of the World Board of Trustees of Keren Hayesod-UIA Steven Lowy was also there to enjoy the evening’s events.
Diana Bukhman, who fled from Ukraine and made her way to Israel with the help of Keren Hayesod-UIA, was also a guest speaker and expressed her gratitude for being able to start her life in Israel anew. “I never imagined I would be in the situation I found myself in just one year ago. My children and I became refugees who needed to be saved. And as Jews in Ukraine we were the lucky ones. We were the lucky ones because of Keren Hayesod-UIA. We were the lucky ones because of people like you. If you had not supported Keren Hayesod-UIA, who knows if I would have been standing here tonight.”
Moving from the emergency rescue phase of Jewish refugees from Ukraine and Russia to the long-term integration phase into Israeli society through KH-UIA’s programs and services requires substantial funding. This will ensure the smooth absorption of Olim like Diana into their new home. Funds raised at the Gala Event will support this national priority – Aliyah and Absorption. Keren Hayesod-UIA is proud to be part of this process.
To book for UIA NSW’s other 2023 Campaign events, visit uiaaustralia.org.au or contact info@uiansw.org.au / 9361 4273
