Centenary of Anzac to be commemorated in Adelaide
The Jewish Community Council of South Australia will hold a Commemoration as part of the national Centenary of Anzac Jewish Program.
ROLL OF HONOUR
The Centenary of Anzac Jewish Program (COAJP) was initiated nationally by three peak organisations within the Australian Jewish community: The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the Federation of Australian Jewish Ex-Service Associations (FAJEX), and the Australian Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) and was established to assist the Australian Jewish community to commemorate the role that Australian Jews played in the nation’s military history, particularly World War I and at Gallipoli, to undertake associated educational activities and to recognise the significant contribution made by members of the Australian Jewish community who served in the Australian Defence Forces and, prior to Federation, the Colonial Forces.
Larger States held commemorations in 2015 and the smaller States are holding theirs this year so that patrons, chaplains and leaders can attend. Due to Passover being around Anzac Day, the SA commemoration is scheduled a week earlier has been organised by an SA committee chaired by Professor Larry Lockshin.
From a small South Australian Jewish community of only 600 people at the time, at least 86 men served in World War I, including 2 who died at Gallipoli and 7 who died at the Western Front. Some of their relatives will be present at this 2016 commemoration which will include a formal ceremony with local dignitaries and photographic exhibitions.
The key address will be given by (retired) Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce past Governor of SA. Guests attending will include the Honorable Martin Hamilton-Smith, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs representing Premier Jay Weatherill, Melbourne Jewish neurosurgeon Major-General Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld Patron of COAJP, Peter Allen National Coordinator of COAJP and Brigadier Tim Hanna the RSL SA President, among many members of Parliament, the Jewish community and special guests. The Beit Shalom choir will sing during the ceremony.
‘The Harold Collins Exhibition’ will be on display in the South Australia Jewish History Museum being developed in the hall at Adelaide Hebrew Congregation. Videos of films and photographs from the Australian War Memorial will also be featured.
In addition, exhibitions of further photographs from the congregation will be on display. David Benveniste is preparing a video on South Australian Jewish Anzacs with research by Dr Klee Benveniste, honorary archivist of the congregation for inclusion in the ceremony. Through research, many more Jewish soldiers who were born in or enlisted in Adelaide have been discovered. In one family a total of all six sons served in the imperial forces, including one killed in action in Belgium. In another example, an additional Jewish serviceman born in rural SA and unknown to the congregation was found to have been killed in action in France and buried with a Jewish headstone.
All relatives of South Australian Jewish service personnel are particularly welcome to attend and should express interest by contacting Adelaide Hebrew Congregation on 08-8338 2922 or by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible for details.
For security reasons, entry is by producing an invitation available from Adelaide Hebrew Congregation.
The event will be held at Adelaide Hebrew Congregation on Sunday 17th April,
