138675 Zionist_AR09 color.indd - Zionist Council of Victoria

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President’s Message Dr Danny Lamm President The Zionist character of our community, which we have been proud to champion, has been statistically verifi ed. The Jewish Population Survey conducted by Monash University’s Centre for Jewish Civilisation has demonstrated that support for Israel is not only a unifying factor for our community, but indeed approximately 80% of people identifi ed themselves as Zionists, and only 2% of Melbourne respondents do not keep up with events in Israel at all. These fi ndings underscore the tremendous variety and amount of Zionist engagement and activity which is to be found within the Melbourne Jewish community. One need only scan through the ZCV’s weekly EventZ notices each week to appreciate how much is on offer, and how active our organisations are. Whereas 2008 was characterised by celebrations, 2009 was a year of advocacy, activism and challenge for the Zionist community in Melbourne, in Australia and worldwide. After sustaining 8 years and over 8000 rockets from Gaza into southern Israeli communities, Operation Cast Lead in December 08 – January 09 was launched with the express intent to protect the one million residents under threat, and disable the killing capacity of Hamas in Gaza. The ZCV took the lead in providing information to the Victorian community, and took a key role in supporting the grass roots-initiated demonstration in support of Israel, at which 4 I was privileged to speak. We maintained a constant fl ow of information alerts through our advocacy network, backed up with a very successful advocacy workshop during that time. The Durban II fi asco provided yet another impetus for intensive Israel advocacy work. We are grateful that the Australian government boycotted the conference, which degraded into yet more of a circus with Iran’s Ahmadinejad’s address. His fl agrantly anti-Semitic, holocaust revisionist and racially inciting diatribes have continued, and his pre-Rosh Hashana rant at the UN, followed by Iran’s testing of long range missiles which can feasibly reach Israel, underline the threat that Israel but the entire western world must take seriously. The Zionist Council of Victoria has retained its role as the producer and presenter of our community’s major events. The Yom Hazikaron Commemoration was, as always, a dignifi ed tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifi ce. This year, it was followed by a moving musical tribute in an Erev Shira, which was led by our Shlichim. The “Israeliana” Yom Ha’atzmaut concert was a resounding success, with overwhelmingly positive reviews from the audience of over 2200 people. The concert showcased over 150 local artists in a show which combined the best of tradition, modern interpretations and wonderful audio visual effects. The Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Cocktail Reception at the Windsor hotel, where we welcomed over 400 guests including political and general community leadership, was effective and enjoyable, and we acknowledge the staunch support for Israel and the Jewish community of both Premier John Brumby and Ted Baillieu, Leader of the Opposition. Yom Yerushayim was marked with an outstanding oration by Rabbi Lau, the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv – joining Yom Yerushalayim with a celebration of the centenary of Tel Aviv. Many other high calibre speakers were presented to the community by the ZCV in 2009. These include internationally renowned commentators Ehud Yaari and Emauele Ottolenghi, Professor Fania Oz Salzberger, Yael Dayan, Sderot’s Noam Bedein, Israeli PM’s spokesman Mark Regev and Michelle Rojas from StandWithUS to
name a few. We are grateful to our various community partners (who are acknowledged specifi cally elsewhere in this report) for their participation in our forums. The speakers covered a range of issues from the role of women in Israel, to politics and current affairs. As long as Gilad Shalit remains captive, the Zionist Council of Victoria will continue to maintain awareness of his plight within our community. To this end, we presented two screenings of the painfully poignant fi lm featuring Gilad’s mother, followed by debriefs and discussion. In May 2009, we acquired the Victorian rights to and premiered Alan Dershowitz’s fi lm, the “Case for Israel”. The premiere and repeat screenings have attracted large and interested audiences. Each screening is accompanied by a moderated discussion, and we have been delighted that several affi liate organisations have taken up our offer of hosting a screening for their own constituencies. The Monash Vice-Chancellor debate in which I participated in October 2009, was yet another opportunity put Israel’s case forward, this time to a very large and diverse audience.The ZCV is in the process of preparing a community debate to take place in December 2009. In 2007, the ZCV together with the Makor Library embarked on the process of producing a book to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary. After 18 months, the project reached fruition, with the publication of the two volume set “Memory Guide My Hand: Building a Nation”. The set contains contributions from thirty Melbourne community members and twenty Melbourne Olim and is a beautiful collection of autobiographical stories which demonstrates the Victorian Jewish community’s close connection with Israel. The anthology was launched in Melbourne to a capacity audience by the Hon Peter Costello, MP and will be formally launched in Israel in October 2009 by Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Yuli Edelstein MK, and the Australian Ambassador to Israel, James Larson. The ZCV is adapting to the technological imperative, with an active presence on facebook and twitter, as well as continually enhancing the interactivity of our email broadcasts and website. We look forward to yet more developments on this front in the coming year. On this note, I thank our 51 affi liate organisations for their activity, their engagement with various segments of the community, and their support of the ZCV. I also thank key organisations such as the JCCV, AIJAC and the ZFA with whom we work closely and collaboratively in many of our endeavours. I would like to pay a special tribute to key members of our Offi ce Bearers group, in particular to Vice Presidents Sam Salcman and Ron Finkel, whose experience, talent and advice is given generously and wisely. I thank Treasurer Robert Lissauer for his diligence and professionalism, and Honorary Secretary, Sharene Hambur for her commitment and contribution. Ian Samuel, who chairs our Information portfolio takes an extremely active and hands on role in our organisation, and has initiated and supported many of our efforts. I also thank Public Relations Chair, Sam Tatarka, who has taken responsibility for several speaking engagements and representations on behalf of the ZCV who carried these out adeptly. I would like to record the ZCV’s appreciation of the work of the Community Security Group, in particular to David Michelson who has also continued to serve as Beth Weizmann’s security chairman. The achievements of the ZCV would not be possible were it not for the dedication and competence of the professional staff. Led by Executive Director Ginette Searle, the team comprises Cathy Nemy (Executive Assistant), Margaret Fischer (Accountant), Elly Shalev (Public Affairs Director), Emily Chrapot (Israel Advocacy Analyst), Michele Benjamin (Administrative Offi cer) and Sandra Sochen (Advertising Executive). I thank the staff sincerely for their efforts and record my appreciation of the effi cient and professional way in which they undertake their respective roles. I express my gratitude to my wife, Rolene and our children, who have tirelessly supported and encouraged me in all my community endeavours. As we look towards 2010, a year which will no doubt bring with it signifi cant challenges for Israel and for our community, I am confi dent that we will continue to provide the community with the services, programs, information and events to fulfi l our mission of connecting you with Israel. Dr Danny Lamm PRESIDENT 5
Page 1 and 2: 2009 Annual Report 4th November 200
Page 3: Contents MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Page 7: BIALIK COLLEGE Mr Alan Miller BLAKE
Page 12: 12 MESSAGE FROM PHILIP CHESTER PRES
Page 15 and 16: 2009 Executive Director’s Report
Page 17 and 18: Media and Public Affairs The ZCV we
Page 19 and 20: Report of the Honorary Treasurer Th
Page 21 and 22: Makor Jewish Community Library Mako
Page 23 and 24: Zionist Youth Council of Victoria T
Page 25 and 26: In Memoriam The Zionist Council rec
Page 28: THE ZIONIST COUNCIL OF VICTORIA WEL

138675 Zionist_AR09 color.indd - Zionist Council of Victoria

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