L’Shana Tova from Michael Danby
I am once again pleased to extend my greetings and best wishes for a Shana Tova.
After 20 years, retiring as your representative in Federal Parliament, I find myself thanking Hashem that I was able to achieve things for all within the electorate, for the wider community and for the State of Israel. It has been an honour and a privilege and may the Melbourne Jewish Community to thrive as a community and contribute to Tikkun Olam.
Michael Danby
After the continuing events on the boarders of Israel and the damage done to the nation’s eco-system, we should all take a moment over these High Holydays to not only pray for ourselves and our families, and atone for our own sins, but also pray for the safety of Am Israel and Eretz Ysrael. We should also spare a moment of consideration for the Jews in less fortunate communities than our own & for all other people around the world who do not enjoy the freedom and security as is available to all in Australia.
As a community we should also pray that B’Ezrat Hashem, 5779 will be the year in which a lasting negotiations & meaningful peace can be reached in Israel. Supporting a lasting two state solution has been an imperative of my 20 years in Parliament. It is also a view shared by other members of the opposition Labor Party and new Labor candidate for Macnamara, Josh Burns.
It has never been a more important time for Australian Jews to be advocates for Israel and to stand up to the anti-Israel biased rhetoric. Social media has provided a wider audience for Holocaust deniers and anti-Semites and we should not be silent.
Finally, together with Amanda, I would like to once again wish you all a Shana Tova, well over the fast and may you enjoy the company of your family and friends over these forthcoming High Holydays.
