UNESCO Must Choose – “Palestine” or the World?
February 17, 2012 by David Singer
The Obama administration formally announced its intention this week to ask Congress to waive a ban on American funding of 22% of UNESCO’s budget following UNESCO’s decision to admit “Palestine“ as its 195th member state on 31 October 2011…writes David Singer. Read more
A Pianoman with a Story to Tell
February 17, 2012 by Henry Benjamin
Gershon Wachtel is heading Down Under to appear at the Sydney Yeshiva’s Gala Dinner next week…he is a pianist for whom life has composed a sad sonata. Read more
Sydney Jewish Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary
February 17, 2012 by Henry Benjamin
The Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir has launched the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Sydney Jewish Museum. Read more
Last group leaves for Israel…and welcome Sarah
February 17, 2012 by Joshua Cole
The final group of this summer’s Taglit Birthright Israel program left Australia last week for Israel, completing one of the most successful years of the Australian Israel short term experience. Read more
Upton condemns attacks
February 17, 2012 by J-Wire Staff
Gabrielle Upton, the NSW Liberal member for Vaucluse, has condemned attacks on Israeli diplomats. Read more
Oprah Winfrey – “There’s more Chassidic Jew in me than I Knew”
February 16, 2012 by Henry Benjamin
Rabbi Motti Seligson who attained his smicha at Sydney’s Yeshiva Rabbinical College and worked for two years at Bondi’s Central Synagogue has interviewed Oprah Winfrey. Watch the video… Read more
2012 Law Service
Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence spoke to members of the judiciary at Sydney’s The Great Synagogue’s annual Law Service last week.
The Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation and Gilad Shalit.
February 15, 2012 by Henry Benjamin
More than 700 members of the Sydney Jewish community watched the film made by Tamar Pross as she chronicled four of the five tortuous years experienced by Aviva and Noam Shalit during which they fought a daily battle for the freedom of their son Gilad, held captive by Hamas for five years. Read more
Diplomats under attack
This week we woke to the news that two Israeli Embassies had been struck by car bombs, one in New Dehli, India and the other in Tbilisi, Georgia. ..writes Emily Gian. Read more
SBS Quizzed on “The Promise”
February 15, 2012 by J-Wire
Victorian Liberal Senator Helen Kroger has said that SBS has appeared to have made a business decision to screen the controversial series “The Promise” even though reports said “it was offensive to the Jewish community”. Read more
Ice Cream and Conversion
February 14, 2012 by Isi Leibler
When the Israeli Chief Rabbinate decreed that Haagen-Dazs ice cream is no longer kosher because it is not based on Chalav d’Yisrael – milk extracted under authorized Jewish supervision – it is imposing the most stringent interpretation of kashrut on all Israelis…writes Isi Leibler. Read more
Australian government condems attacks on Israeli diplomats
In a statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia has condemned the attacks on Israeli diplomat in India and Georgia. Read more
Back in Business
February 14, 2012 by J-Wire Staff
A revitalised NSW Parliamentary Israeli Friendship Group will be launched in NSW State Parliament next week. Read more
The Silence of the Greens
February 14, 2012 by J-Wire Staff
Melissa Parke, the Federal Labor Member for Fremantle moved a motion in Parliament last night on the subject of Human Rights in Iran. The Liberal Member for Higgins Kelly O’Dwyer, brought into play President Ahmadinejad’s views on Israel, the Holocaust and questioned the silence of the Greens. Read more
Australian intern at the Israel Securities Authority
February 14, 2012 by Adam Ross
A Sydney accountant has swapped the field of international tax at for a new set of challenges at the heart of the Israeli economy. Read more
CEO Cookout
February 13, 2012 by J-Wire Staff
Rabbi Mendel Kastel CEO of Jewish House was one of the CEO’s at Oz Harvest’s CEO Cookoff last week which fed 1000 disadvantaged people. Read more
Israel scores goals in Tonga
February 13, 2012 by Kevin Milstein
The Embassies of Israel in Australia and New Zealand in a joint effort with the ReaganMilstein Foundation have donates sporting goods to the people of Tonga. Read more
You’re in the army now
February 13, 2012 by Henry Benjamin
For the first time since 1947 the NSW Association of Jewish ex Servicemen and Women has updated its constitution and has welcomed the introduction of junior members. Read more
Apr-01 Sydney: Heritage Concert
February 13, 2012 by J-Wire
The Great Synagogue transforms into a concert hall for an amazing performance. Read more
Conversation with Daniel Gordis
February 13, 2012 by Henry Benjamin
Daniel Gordis is the president of the Shalem Foundation in Jerusalem, a prize-winning author, regular columnist for the Jerusalem Post and a respected commentator. He is currently in Australia. We spoke to him in Israel prior to his departure… Read more
Jews can afford taxis
February 12, 2012 by Henry Benjamin
A night at a Leonard Cohen concert resulted in a CityRail Tribunal after a Bondi couple was confronted by a rail official who repeatedly remarked that “they’re all Jews living in the Eastern Suburbs. They can afford to get a taxi.” Read more
Jewish House updated
February 11, 2012 by J-Wire Staff
Gabrielle Upton, NSW State Member for Vaucluse has visited Jewish House as it celebrate its refurbishment and recognises the NSW Government’s contribution to the costs. Read more
Abattoir used in part for Shechitah Shut Down
February 10, 2012 by J-Wire
ABC-TV’s Lateline broke a story last night on an abattoir near Sydney which authorities have shut down after hidden cameras had revealed alleged cruelty to animals. The abattoir in question is the source of Kosher meat in the Sydney region. Read more
Shnatties in Israel
February 10, 2012 by Joshua Cole
The 144 Australian Shnatties landed and started their gap year on a high at the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA)/Australian Zionist Youth Council (AZYC) opening seminar at the beginning of the month. Read more
Maccabi makes a difference
February 10, 2012 by David Weiner-Maccabi NSW
Before leaving Brazil at the end of the Pan America Games, the Maccabi Australia team donated its strips and medical supplies to underprivileged children. Read more
Friday the Ambassador Baked Challah
February 10, 2012 by J-Wire Staff
The United States Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey, Bleich, dropped in to Sydney’s Our Big Kitchen today…and prepared his Shabbat challah. Read more
Defining Morality
February 10, 2012 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
Most normal human beings have a desire to pursue moral behaviour..writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more
UNESCO on the Nose
February 10, 2012 by David Singer
UNESCO seems set to preside over a looming global humanitarian crisis as it continues to struggle in its efforts to cope with the loss of $260 million – 22% of its projected budget – until the end of 2013…writes David Singer. Read more
Climate change and the Negev
February 10, 2012 by J-Wire Staff
Climate change and the encroaching desert will be the topic for a public lecture hosted by the Jewish National Fund NSW next week. Read more
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Internship Program
February 9, 2012 by J-Wire
Two voluntary internship positions are available to university-aged members of the community. Gain work experience with the community’s pre-eminent public affairs organisation. Read more
