Easy ways to improve your conversation…suggested by Odile Faludi

In February we discussed the power of quality conversation.  No, I don’t mean texting, emailing or Facebooking. I actually mean picking up the phone and starting a conversation with someone who you would like to get to know better. If you missed that article here it is. Read more

Don’t let your first words be your last…writes Odile Faludi

If you are single and looking for love why not choose the language of quality conversation. Read more

Where is Australian Jewry heading?

Last year we all filled out the ABS Census 2011 form. But what did the research say about the Australian Jewish community and what are the trends around the world? In this special interview, David Graham, Senior Research Fellow for the Institute for Jewish Policy Research [JPR] and JCA Demographer outlines the findings to Odile Faludi. Read more

$350,000 donated to charity – Merelyn Frank Chalmers turns passion into fashion

The cookery book, Monday Morning Cooking Club, (MMCC) has had phenomenal success with $350,000 already donated to charity and over 13,000 copies sold worldwide. Odile Faludi recently interviewed Merelyn Frank Chalmers, a member of the Monday Morning Cooking Club…writes Odile Faludi. Read more

Rabbi Ritchie Moss finds love in under four weeks

Odile Faludi interviews charismatic Rabbi Ritchie Moss… Read more

Speed Dating in Chatswood

Thirty singles recently braved the elements to meet in a cosy café in Sydney’s Chatswood to make new acquaintances and j-junction and Shore Thing delivered. Read more

Meet Toby Green

Odile Faludi interviews Toby Green, relationship psychologist and acclaimed author. Read more

She’s sizzling hot – meet Luda Kroiter

Odile Faludi recently interviewed ex- Emanuel College student, Luda Kroiter discussing a host of topics.  She reports…You always think that everyone on television has so much on-set grooming they really can’t look that good in person. Let me tell you, Luda is gorgeous and for all her male fans, she is simply lovely on the eye! Read more

Local businessman on Playing for Change Global Board

Playing for Change is a multimedia global movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music…writes Odile Faludi. Read more

How to avoid toxic relationships

Odile Faludi catches up with Rabbi Michoel Gourarie…and they discussed toxic relationships. Read more

Calling all Jewish Singles – Australia awaits you!

Australia is the land of plenty and when it comes to single Jews we have many…writes Odile Faludi. Read more

The First Few Seconds

As I sat waiting in a noisy and busy coffee shop in the heart of Edgecliff, I was wondering to myself, how on earth would I conduct this interview with Greg Weiss amongst all this hullabaloo…writes Odile Faludi. Read more

J-Junction Grooms Tell All

In an exclusive interview, two best friends, Danny and Michael describe to Odile Faludi how their lives have changed for the better since finding “the one” through j-junction. Read more

Up Close and Personal with Bettina Arndt

Odile Faludi recently interviewed Bettina Arndt, aged 63, renowned sex therapist and social commentator. She has spent over thirty years writing about sex and relationships for Australian newspapers, magazines and appearing on radio and television. Read more

Less is more when it comes to exercise

Odile Faludi, recently, spoke to James Strider, personal fitness instructor, aged 38, who recommends less is more when it comes to your workouts. Read more

Cooking for Love

Are you looking for an ice-breaker, a way to really get to know someone?…writes Odile Faludi. Read more

Matchmaker, Matchmaker…

What makes women leave their sleeping babies, flee their husband’s company and add to their already busy lifestyles to meet total strangers in coffee shops? It is currently happening  across the Sydney and Melbourne Jewish communities. Read more

Life’s Road Together – Julie & George Faludi

Sixty one years together, Julie Faludi, 76, and George Faludi 79, still say, “We love everything about each other.”  Celebrating their 56^th wedding anniversary in June, the hurdles of life haven’t tarnished their devotion or love for each other. From surviving the ghetto in Budapest, Hungary as teens, to both of them suffering mid life threatening illnesses parking them very close to death’s door; their relationship has only continued to thrive. Read more

A night to remember

Sydney women came out in force last night to support the Jewish Communal Appeal and to listen to the extraordinary, Jacqueline Pascarl.

Read more

Michael Wrublewski – the funeral service and eulogy

Thousands today, 2^nd September, flocked in a sea of sunshine to The Temple Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra, Sydney, to pay their final respects, to the King of Hearts, Michael Wrublewski, OAM. Read more

NSW Maccabi News June 20

BEHIND EVERY GREAT MACCABI VOLUNTEER THERE IS A GREAT PARTNER

Picture L-R Craig, baby Ashley, Emma, baby Chloe, Sandra, Darren, Zoe, Elliot, Lauren and Barry

Picture by Nadine Saacks

BARRY SMORGON, CHAIRMAN, MACCABI AUSTRALIA

Barry Smorgon participated in his first Senior Carnival in Athletics as a 14 year old.  He competed for Maccabi Athletics from 1962 till 1970, winning many awards as Jewish Champion, and went on to the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 1969 as a member of the Athletics Team.  Barry also played Australian Rules Football for AJAX Football Club from 1970 to 1978, playing 100 games.  He served on the Committee of both clubs as Vice President, as well as on the Maccabi Victoria Executive.  Barry was Patron of MAIG’s in Sydney 2006 and will again be Patron in 2010.  He joined the Executive of Maccabi Australia in 2006, and created the Board of Governors in 2007, serving as Founding Chairman, as well as chairman of MAI.  He is a member of the Justification Committee for the Maccabiah Games 2009. Barry’s voluntary work does not stop there. Barry was Campaign Chairman for the JCA Appeal for over 10 years in Sydney. Barry’s wife, Sandra also shares Barry’s beliefs about Community and the essential need to “give back”. Barry continues to be heavily involved with JCA & AIJAC.

In business, Barry serves as Executive Chairman of the Jalco Group, employing over 600 people, and Sandbar Investments, a private investment company. He is a Director of DBR Corporation as well as several other private companies.

Odile Faludi candidly speaks to Sandra Smorgon and it was no surprise to find out the following:

Sandra is a woman in love. She respects not only Barry but respects the organisation he works so hard for being Maccabi. For Sandra, Maccabi has always been part of their life as long as she can remember. This week they celebrate 37 years as husband and wife. Sandra has many fond memories of watching Barry play football for AJAX in the freezing cold in Melbourne as a love struck girlfriend. She always knew Maccabi would be part of their life together and says openly, “I am incredibly proud of Barry and respectful of his voluntary work and accomplishments”.

Sandra believes in the philosophy of Maccabi and agrees that there is no better way to bring a community together but through the common love of sport. Barry’s sense of community has always attracted Sandra to him and she believes makes him an even greater role model to their children and now grandchildren.

Barry’s love of Maccabi is a commitment and does take a lot of his time but Sandra is convinced it is time well spent. Their three children, Darren, Emma and Lauren have always thought their Dad’s involvement was important and deserved their respect and admiration as well. Darren played Football for many years for Maccabi and Emma did Athletics as well as Netball together with Lauren. All three children attended Junior Carnivals and Maccabi was very much part of their childhood and throughout their teens. The Smorgons are very proud to admit that all three children have a very strong sense of community and this was definitely instilled by their wonderful upbringing.

We can only conclude that behind every Great Maccabi Volunteer there is a Great Partner. There’s no doubt about it … the community is very lucky to have Barry but Barry is very lucky to have Sandra!

ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO RISE ABOVE A TRAGEDY

As we all know the Maccabiah Bridge Collapse was the catastrophic failure of a pedestrian bridge over the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 14, 1997. This resulted in the loss of Yetty Bennett, Warren Zines, Elizabeth Sawicki and Greg Small.

Suzanne and Rebecca Small share some intimate moments with Odile Faludi. With only weeks to Maccabiah World Games 2009 you can imagine their minds and hearts are spinning.

Picture L-R Rebecca, Suzanne & Josh Small

Suzanne’s thoughts in her words …

The year 2009 is a year of moving forward for the Small Family. In 1997, my husband, Greg and I went to participate in the Maccabiah Games, there was a tragic bridge collapse in which my husband died.

I survived, but now in 2009, 12 years later the Small Family is travelling back to the Maccabiah Games and it holds new highs for our family.

My son Joshua was 7 and my daughter, Rebecca, was only 5 in 1997.  At these Games myself and Rebecca will be standing proudly at the Opening Ceremony, up in the stands watching my son, Joshua, now 19 marching in with the Aussie team, he made it after much training and hard work.

I am thrilled for my son and very proud of him.  Josh is a Champ in his own right and trained long and hard to get selected for the team. As he wears the Aussie colours of Maccabi in Israel, he will wear them in honour of his Dad. Josh has a dream, maybe from a different angle and a different age, but the dream is the same as his Dad’s was. It is now my son’s time to shine. You try bowling 15 games straight with a 7  kilo ball, bowl after bowl.

Our family will catch up with many Maccabi members from all over the world, the experience will be amazing. I have not been able to do sport since 1997 due to injuries, but we are still very involved with Maccabi, we have Maccabi friends, who have become Maccabi family.  The tradition follows on … what an incredible year Josh at Maccabiah, the start of a dream and Rebecca completing High School the end of a chapter.

By Rebecca Small written in 2004 aged 12

Simply My Dad

I loved the way you held my hand, when I was afraid or scared.

I loved the way we played with sand, it showed how much you cared.

I loved it when you tucked me in at night, you always said “I love you”, you took your time to make it right, sweet dreams they’re always about you.

I love the fact that when we’re apart it feels like we’re together.

I love the way you’re in my heart, always and forever.

I hate the fact we’re always apart, but know you’re always in my heart.

RUNNING YOUR CLUB … IT’S YOUR BUSINESS!

Is your Club finding it hard to find a pulse? … over the coming months Maccabi News is going to give you useful ideas on how to kickstart your Club and reminders that like any business you need to give it the occasional health check! Considering we are suffering a Global Financial Crisis it may be a good time to discuss tips on obtaining Sponsorships for your Club:

Your important checklist is:

• Offer a win/win proposal NOT a problem;
• Target companies with the “right fit”;
• Offer rights that the company can exploit;
• Stand out from the clutter – make sure your proposal is addressed and delivered to the person who has the power to say “yes”;
• Be professional – always present your proposal in a professional manner and understand what is required of a commercial relationship;
• Be persistent, not a pest – following up a sponsorship request is necessary, but don’t become a pest! It takes time for the potential sponsor to come to grips with what you are offering and for a relationship to grow and develop. Open transparent communication is important at all times.

We hope these tips are helpful and if you would like to have further discussion about sponsorships always feel free to contact the editor Odile at [email protected] for further assistance.

MISSED OUT ON MACCABIAH FEELING BLUE?

MAIGS has got you covered!

With only weeks away till Maccabiah 2009 commencing in Israel you may be feeling depressed that you have missed out in competing in your favourite sport. Not to worry as MAIGS, Maccabi Australia International Games is around the corner and it’s in Sydney. Dates are December 26, 2010 to January 2, 2011. Countries who have registered their interest to date are: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, England, Europe, Israel, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Venezuela.

MAIGS 2006 Opening Ceremony
L-R Elan Miller, Mike Galgut, Rozanne Green, Alex Berkowicz Back Row centre Gil Sher

Whatever your favourite sport is we have it covered. There are over 20 sports on offer.

This event is open to males and females in three categories: Youth born 1992/1993, Open and Masters.

Keep Saturday evening February 13th 2010 free for the Official launch of MAIGS. Heads of Delegations from some of the participating Countries will be here in Sydney and it should be a very interesting evening.

For all details contact Jeff Houseman on 0438-692-810 or register your interest at[email protected] or if you want to contact Jeff directly at [email protected]

Stay tuned NSW Maccabiah Team 2009 to be announced next week in a very special edition of Maccabi News – we are so proud of all participants! All participants have been invited to a formal farewell Reception being hosted by The Honourable Nathan Rees, MP on Monday 22nd June. Full report to follow next week.The 18th Maccabiah World Games will take place in Israel between July 13-23, 2009. Maccabi News will keep you up-to-date on all the highlights.

MACCABI JUNIOR SOCCER PROVIDES NEW INITIATIVE

Picture by Alan Charack
Alan Charack reports …

This year Maccabi Junior Soccer Club has launched its own Football Academy, for boys and girls looking to develop their skills that one step further.  The Academy is the brain child of Club President Danny Hochberg and is headed up by Coaching Director Andy Prentice who also coaches the men’s first grade.

Every Monday approximately 40 boys aged from 9 to 12 years and every Wednesday approximately 40 girls aged from 11 to 16 years assemble at Barracluff Park in Bondi for specialised sessions with professional coaches in addition to their regular team training session.  The focus is on developing the whole range of skills, from passing and dribbling to advanced ball control.  The Academy operates under lights and has continued to run over recent weeks through rain and shine!

One of the aims of the Academy is to bring kids up to a standard where they can compete at an elite level.  In particular many of the boys are looking to participate in the Maccabi-Hakoah Youth Development League teams which go from U13 to U18.  The girls also have occasions to participate at an elite level at tournaments organised by Football NSW and others, such as Champion of Champions, North Harbour, State Cup and Kanga Cup.

Whilst this is the first year that the Academy has been offered it is hoped that the Academy will grow and develop over coming years attracting the most committed and talented kids, developing their skills, providing enjoyment and fanning their passion for the game.

A PASSIONATE DAD

Picture by Norman Orly
Harry Rosen Maccabi Under 14A’s

Norman Orly is a Maccabi parent who just loves to watch his son, Josh play in the Under 14A’s so he can just snap away these amazing action shots!

Maccabi Soccer has unleashed the photographer within him! It has become his “passion”.

HERE COMES THE GIRLS …

Courtesy of Henry Benjamin Maccabiah Media

The Women’s Football team spent a weekend together in Melbourne … their third training retreat to prepare for the 18th Maccabiah World Games.
They travelled from Sydney and Perth to join their team-mates in Melbourne under the tutelage of coaches Martin Cohen and Robi Roth.

The highlight of the retreat was a friendly game against local side Cairnlea who hold top spot in Victoria’s Northern Region State League.

It was a wonderful confidence boosting finish with 5-0 triumph for the Maccabiah Team.

POWERGOLF QUEENSLAND CLASSIC – COOLUM AUGUST 19-23

We need to confirm rooms with the Hyatt Regency Coolum at the end of this week and also relinquish air tickets.  If you are still thinking of coming please contact Barry Zinn ASAP at  [email protected]

GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND

Sunday 21 June Reserve grade Maccabi Hakoah vs Roosters FC at ES Marks Field at 1.00pm

Sunday 21 June First grade Maccabi Hakoah vs Roosters FC at ES Marks Field at 3.00pm

ES Marks Field – Cnr Alison & Anzac Parade, Kensington enter through Boronia Street Gates.

SAVE THIS DATE – Saturday 27th June

The Rugby Club is putting on a “Ladies Day” promotion at it’s next home fixture, being Saturday, 27 June, 2009. The event starts from 1.30pm and is being held at the home ground, “Fortress Lyne Park”, New South Head Road, Rose Bay. The event co-incides with the match against arch-rivals, Dee Why, who beat us in the Grand Final last year. Kick-off is at 3.15pm. Our 2^nd XV also has a game scheduled, with kick-off at 2pm.

HAKOAH THIS WEEK

Friday 19th June

11:55pm           LIVE: UEFA U21: Sweden  V  Italy

Saturday 20th June

5:30pm             LIVE: Union: New Zealand  V  France

7:30pm             LIVE: Union: Australia  V  Italy

Sunday 21st June

2:00pm             LIVE: AFL: Sydney  V  Collingwood

Monday 22nd June

6:45pm             LIVE: Monday Night Football

9:00pm             LIVE: WIMBLEDON – Day 1

Wednesday 24 June

8:00PM           LIVE: NSW Origin v QLD Origin

TWO GREAT SHOWS

Y-Love

Black Hasidic rapper Y-Love will be performing at Hakoah along with amazing Jewish support artists to promote love, unity and the ultimate in Peace!  This is the only night you will be able to connect to this amazing artist in an uplifting and “off the hook” atmosphere.

Saturday 20th June at 9.00pm. Tickets at the door $20.00

“KUGEL!”

If you enjoy larger-than-life characters like Shirley Valentine, Effie from “Acropolis Now” and Fran “The Nanny” Drescher, then this unique   production of  “KUGEL by South African satirist Illana Klevensky will make you screech with laughter!

2 Shows – Saturday 29th August 2009 at 8.00pm  – Sunday 30th August 2009 at 3.00pm

Tickets now on sale $35.00 at Hakoah Club – Ph:91303344

Hope you all enjoyed this week’s Newsletter!

Maccabi Greetings,

Mick Vasin, CEO, Maccabi NSW
Check out our website www.maccabi.com.au

Happy families head for Maccabiah

MACCABIAH BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER IN AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME … Read more