Masada College honors Frank Lowy
Philanthropist Frank Lowy has been made a Life Governor of Sydney’s Masada College.
School captains Tahlia Bleier and Jarron Aizen with Frank Lowy
Frank Lowy received the Life Governorship from Masada President Marlon Teperson
More than 500 parents, teachers and pupils together with leading members of Sydney’s Jewish community packed the Lynette Phillips Hall for the ceremony.
Rabbi Paul Lewin parodied Frank Lowy’s support of Jewish education with the biblical story of Zevulun and Yissachar…two brothers, one who studied as the other one worked and how they supported each other.
School captain Tahlia Bleier told the story of Lowy’s life from his childhood days in Slovakia to wartime Budapest and the 73 missions he fought with the Golani Brigade in 1948 as Israel battled for her independence. She mentioned the foundation of the Westfield Shopping Centre empire and his early days with co-founder John Saunders and brought the audience up to date by mentioning Lowy’s current commitment to the Socceroos …and his absolute support for Israel.
Following a rousing performance by the Junior School Choir accompanied by the Senior School Orchestra, Masada President Marlon Teperson made the presention of the Life Governorship of the school to Frank Lowy.
Lowy told the audience that it had been difficult to start the Jewish education system in Sydney but now “it is the envy of the world”. He added that the the children experiencing the Jewish education system are “the future upholders of Yiddishkeit”.
He made mention of a recent memorial dedication at Auschwitz and that the Sydney Jewish education system avenged the death of the Hungarian Jews in the Holocaust and that he felt “humble and proud to accept the honour”.
The school also presented the shopping centre magnate with his specially prepared family tree.
The school’s principal, Wendy Barel, said the evening was a celebration of the whole Masada community and made mention of its vibrancy and inclusiveness. She also paid tribute to Frank Lowy’s wife, Shirley, calling her “the power behind the man.”
great post as usual!