Jewish House Gala Dinner
Over 350 guests sang Ma’oz Tzur as Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel lit the Menorah at the care organisation’s gala dinner.
Minister Senator Marise Payne All photos: Nadine Saacks
Rabbi Mendel Kastel lights the Menorah
In a unique approach to raising awareness of the homeless, the audience heard the voices of those Jewish House had helped in a specially prepared video.
The NSW Minister for Human Services Senator Marise Payne spoke about the importance of the social work carried out by Jewish House explaining that the range of services offered falls within her portfolio.
In a room is Sydney’s Sheraton Wentworth Hotel designed to give the feel of New York, complete with pretzel and hot dog stands, Rabbi Kastel gave details of some of the cases dealt with by Jewish House during the last year.
He told of a 92-yr-old Holocaust survivor who was facing serious challenges in the late stages of his life and how Jewish House seeks to intervene in cases where people are assisted in avoiding a homeless situation.
Rabbi Kastel spoke about the Jewish House project to help 2,500 people either homeless or at risk over the next three years, a project which would save NSW between $80 and $250 million.
He told J-Wire: “We are helping beyond the Jewish community which has brought us incredible partnerships and hopefully government support. We are also finding more Jewish clients than ever and them getting referred from our partners as well. This bodes well for the future as we are reaching distressed people earlier so we can start helping them earlier. We hope to have the government help with this project (part of which we have been offered to tender for) and we need the community to help support us.”
Entertainment was provided by Jacqui Loeb and Steve Clisby from The Voice.
Steve Clisby
Jewish House board members Roger Clifford and Gary Cohen
I was homeless in my youth, and have decided to help others in similar situation, and have lots of practice experience on street level, and.found it hard too get more work doing similar, i’m so happy that Jewish House has given me an opportunity to work with them now as assistant project person. Everyone so passionate genuinely, this is rare in this work. Thank you