Former PMs to headline UIA Victoria’s Campaign Events
Australian former Prime Minister John Howard and Canadian former Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be the keynote speakers for the UIA’s Victorian campaign.
Director General of the Jewish Agency Alan Hoffmann
UIA Victoria finished 2016 with its Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 1 December. The event saw over 100 people attend to hear from Director General of the Jewish Agency Alan Hoffmann and Director General of Keren Hayesod Greg Masel. Both speakers gave insight into the important work their respective organisations do and the strong and vital connection and relationship between the two. They emphasised the need for continued support of Jewish Communities around the world. Hayley Southwick was the MC for the evening and did a fantastic job.
The AGM also was the official farewell for our President of 10 years, Shlomo Werdiger. At the AGM Shlomo was presented with a Federal Askan Award by UIA Australia President Harold Finger. Only 12 people have previously received this Award in UIA Victoria’s history. Greg Masel presented Shlomo with a Key to Jerusalem Prize. Both
Director General of Keren Hayesod Greg Masel presenting Shlomo Werdiger with The Key to Jerusalem Award.
awards recognised Shlomo’s dedication and loyalty as President of UIA Victoria. We wish to take this opportunity to thank Shlomo for his wholehearted devotion, support, guidance and exemplary leadership throughout his Presidency. On behalf of UIA Victoria we wish him well for his future endeavours and thank him and the entire Werdiger family for their support of UIA and Shlomo during this time.
UIA Victoria is pleased to announce Nathan Shafir as our new President. Nathan is no stranger to UIA, in fact he recently was presented with an award for 45 years of continued volunteer service. Nathan started his involvement with YoungUIA and recently served as Vice President. We have no doubt that under Nathan’s leadership UIA will continue to grow from strength to strength.
2017 is already upon us and we are excited to be able to share our exciting events with you all. On Thursday 2 March our Women’s Division will be holding their annual campaign Breakfast. We are pleased to be hosting The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister as our guest speaker. Mr Harper held the position of Prime Minister from 2006 to 2015, before making his decision to retire. When he finished his term the Jerusalem Post wrote “What is unlikely is that anyone in the near future will outdo him regarding the passion, consistently, sincerity and intensity of his support of Israel”. We have no doubt this will be an incredibly exciting event and invite the wonderful women of our community to join us on the day. Please call Simonne on 1300 ISRAEL (1300 477 235) to book your spot today!
On Wednesday 22 March, UIA’s Gala Dinner will take place, our biggest fundraising event of the calendar year. We are excited to have as our guest speaker The Honourable Mr John Winston Howard. As we are well aware, Mr Howard served as Australia’s Prime Minister from 1996 to 2007. Mr Howard has always been a strong supporter of Israel and was never afraid to voice his support of Israel and the Jewish people. In 2003 he was quoted in a Parliamentary speech having said that “Israel has no stauncher ally than Australia in its pursuit of the right to exist within secure and internationally recognised borders.”
Guests will also be fortunate to hear from the World Chairman of Keren Hayesod Mr Eliezer (Moodi) Sandberg, former Knesset member for 14 years and Minister of a number of important portfolios. Mr Sandberg is travelling to Australia especially for this event. This will be an engaging and wonderful evening and we encourage you to join us on the night. Please call Henry on 1300 ISRAEL (1300 477 235) to book your place today!
We hope to see you at these two events, we thank you for your support, especially in making 2016 a successful year and we look forward to your continued dedication to UIA and Israel in 2017.
Both are conservative former PM’s too.
What does Michael Danby think?