Jewish Care’s 2013 Appeal
Around 400 philanthropists and supporters have attended a function in Melbourne to raise money for Jewish Care Victoria’s 2013 Annual Appeal.
Tammie and David Slade
Under the banner of “Celebrating 165 Years” of Jewish Care and its predecessor organisations, the audience at Leonda by the Yarra in Hawthorn, was treated to an evening of tender emotions, warmth and laughter which showcased the heart of Jewish Care and its importance in the community throughout the generations.
The night opened on a humourous note with a short video of aged care residents telling jokes. This was followed up later in the evening with an equally amusing video of residents reacting to the popular music video ‘Gangnam Style’.
Entertainment was provided by Eva Migdalek who sang in English and Yiddish. Eva, who regularly sings for Gary Smorgon House residents, including her husband who suffers dementia, brought tears to many eyes. The home grown theme continued as Eva was joined on stage by talented Young Achievers Program graduate Ilana Charnelle.
Kate Weiss
Guest speaker Kate Weiss gripped the audience with her heartfelt story of daughter, Amy, who lives with a disability and attends Jewish Care’s Children’s Respite House and how the service has allowed her family to have “a life” again. She also conveyed the importance of Jewish Care in providing her family much needed ‘time out’ to rest and re-energise.
Melissa Davis, Appeal Dinner Chair challenged guests with an honest comparison of ‘first world problems’ versus ‘real world problems’, and rallied them to give generously to those less fortunate. In keeping with the generational theme, Davis urged the younger generation to recognise that it is now their turn to “take the baton” from our elders.
Other highlights of the evening included the Appeal video titled ‘I Found a Fruitful World’, which recounts the captivating story of the Victorian Jewish community’s growth over the generations using interviews and authentic images of past and present.
Past President of Montefiore Homes for the Aged, Barry Fradkin OAM was awarded the newly-named Leo and Mina Fink Community Service Award, for his outstanding – and long-standing – service to Jewish Care and the Jewish community of Victoria. The award was presented by Leo and Mina’s son Nathan.
Jewish Care’s Appeal slogan this year is Our Community. Our Responsibility, which asks every person within the Victorian Jewish community to be responsible for each other and for our future wellbeing. Bill Appleby, Jewish Care CEO says “It is incumbent on every person to evaluate what they can give to this year’s Annual Appeal to ensure we can continue the vital services for the coming 12 months.”
