Adelaide’s Jewish School facing closure
Masada College in Adelaide has run out of money and faces permanent closure on December 17.
Norman Schueler pic: Henry Benjamin
The Government has promised financial aid…but only if the local community is seen to be raising funds for the beleaguered institution.
Norman Schueler heads the Jewish Community Council of South Australia. He told J-Wire: “Most of the community who made big money in Adelaide have left the State and we are having great difficulty in raising the necessary funds locally.”
Adelaide’s Jewish population was around 2000 when Masada College was founded 28 years ago. The population has halved since then.
“What’s more,” Schueler added “more than 45% of the community today is over 60. But it is essential we maintain Jewish education here. South Australia is the Defence State and we have over 400 Israelis here mostly on temporary IT contracts. For some, the existence of a Jewish day school forms part of their decision-making although it must be said that most of the Israelis do not identify with the community.”
If community funding is not forthcoming by December 17, government support will not happen and the school will close its doors.
Masada College shares its campus with the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation. There are 30 pupils on the school’s roll with another 12 in the kindergarten. Schueler told J-Wire: “The kindergarten will most probably go, too. But I will do all I can to raise the funds needed to ensure government support.”
Help Save Massada College Adelaide. You can donate via the Facebook site just established by the College Board at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/415947/43561983?m=9e4cc0c7&ref=mf Your donation will be managed by the Jewish Community Council of South Australia.