Maccabi Australia spreads its wings
Maccabi World Union has amended its constitution to include Maccabi Australia assisting with the development and expansion of Maccabi communities in New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and India.
Jeff Sher
The change was implemented at the annual MWU conference recently held at Kfar Maccabiah in Ramat Gan, Israel.
The Australian Maccabi Life program has been adopted as an important and strategic growth program for the global Maccabi community and in particular in some of the smaller countries where there is little or no opportunity for them to put sporting teams on the field.
Maccabi Life enables community connection through our advanced technology platform and the unstructured activity/programs we have developed. MWU has asked Maccabi Australia to lead this initiative and, in partnership with them, use Maccabi Life to broaden the scope of what Maccabi represents.
A Maccani spokesperson said: “Both of these decisions have placed Maccabi Australia firmly on the world stage and we are proud of the role we play in changing the shape of the movement.”
At the conference, Maccabi Australia’s president Jeff Sher was appointed to one of five MWU Vice Chairman roles representing the Australasian Confederation.
Other Australian appointments:
- After serving as Vice President of the movement for nine years, Tom Goldman’s term concluded, and Lisa Borowick was appointed as one of four MWU Vice Presidents for the next three years.
- Tom will now serve as Chairman of the MWU Council, and Harry Procel as Chairman of the Yakir Committee.
- Susannah Swiatlo – appointed to the Leadership/Education Committee
- Sam Gamsu and Lauren Ehrlich – appointed to the Maccabiah Sports Committee
- Sam Strunin –appointed to the Marketing/Digital Communication Committee
- Jason Rhine – appointed to Chair the Maccabiah IT/Innovation Committee
President of Maccabi Australia, Jeff Sher, said: “These appointments are just recognition for the role that our volunteers play locally and abroad. We are lucky to have such dedicated and committed people willing to contribute in such a meaningful way to the health and wellbeing of our community – we congratulate them all.”
Michael Siegal was appointed as the new president of World Maccabi Union.
He has served as the chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel as well as the Jewish Federations of North America. In other prominent leadership roles, he was chairman of Israel Bonds and the Jewish Federations of North America, and the Jewish Agency for Israel, among other organisations.
Michael received the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour and citation from President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence in December 202. In a statement released by the Maccabi World Union, chairman Amir Peled said, “We are honoured to have Michael at the helm of our movement.”
