An award for Sam
Sam Steif has become a ‘Theodor Herzl Founder’ in recognition of his long-standing service to Israel and the Jewish People through the United Israel Appeal of NSW.
Irit Barash, Sam Steif and Penny Hurst
This award was presented to Sam by Irit Barash, KH-UIA Director on her recent visit to Sydney.
Sam was born in Romania in 1923. After spending three and a half years in forced labour camps the Russians liberated Romania from the Germans. Sam married his childhood sweetheart Toni in 1946. After their arrival in Australia, Sam and Toni were blessed with a son Charles and a daughter Sharon. Today Sam is the proud grandfather of a granddaughter and grandson.
Once settled in his new homeland Sam became active in the Jewish Community of Sydney in order to maintain his connection to the State of Israel.
On his retirement from the engineering department of a large woollen mill in November 1989, Sam joined to the UIA in a voluntary capacity as a host as well as trying to secure Bequests for the organisation. Through Sam’s persistence and hard work, the position of Director of Wills and Bequests was created for Sam in the UIA office in Darlinghurst. The UIA has reaped the benefits of Sam’s dedication and hard work over the last 26 years. The seeds he has planted in that time will bear fruit for many years to come as will the Seniors Study Missions he initiated and led.
Sam’s involvement in the community and his connection to Israel is undying. His contribution to communal organisations is not only through the UIA but also through other prominent organisations.
Sam’s strength lies in his dedication to the UIA and the State of Israel. Sam has an ability to communicate his passionate belief and is aware of the importance of the continuity of the Jewish People. Through Sam’s hard work the continuity of the Jewish people and the Jewish State is ensured.
Sam is a true asset to the Sydney Jewish community and the Jewish people.
UIA is most grateful to Sam who to date has brought in multi millions of dollars to the organisation from bequests.
