Melbourne remembers Rabin
More than 200 people have filled Melbourne’s Beth Weizmann for a moving commemoration marking the 18th Remembrance Day for assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Lighting a candle
Youth remember
Young members of the community, representing the Zionist youth movements, performed a touching tribute to the late Prime Minister of Israel through song and oration.
Neta Even Tzur, Shlichah of The Jewish Agency for Israel said: “The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin is an event that shook up Israeli society 18 years ago. It raised a lot of questions and I believe we should remember what happened and to continue to learn lessons for the future.”
A live link-up with Yuval Rabin in Israel was a highlight of the day. “I think 18 years is a reasonable time to start looking, in a more rational and less emotional way, at the tough decisions my late father made as Prime Minister.” He said.
Mr Rabin discussed the current situation in Israel. “We have an amazing country and amazing potential. It is mindboggling to see what people are creating on a daily basis.” He also emphasised the important of education and living conditions as issues which were central to his father’s commitment “to make the country attractive, liveable, flourishing and the centre of Judaism.
The audience was intrigued by the journey of Yitzhak Rabin’s life during the screening of Noemi Schory’s documentary ‘The Generals’. The audience deepened their knowledge of what inspired Yitzhak Rabin to become leader of the nation. The film emphasised his life as a soldier, a peacemaker and a brilliant decision maker.
President of the Zionist Council of Victoria, Sam Tatarka said: “The Commemoration of Yitzhak Rabin transcends all ages, personal opinions and political and religious affiliations. It was touching to share this chai commemoration with members of the Melbourne community, united in the memory of Yitzhak Rabin and the hope for peace in the future.”
The event was jointly organised by the Zionist Council of Victoria, Australian Friends of the Hebrew University (Vic), Lamm Jewish Library of Australia, Haseret Film Club, “Habayit” Home of Hebrew and Israeli Culture and The Jewish Agency for Israel.
“Even those who disagreed with him from time to time, always appreciated his profound loyalty to the State of Israel. Rabin knew how to stand determinedly for Israel’s interests as he understood them, and he represented the country with pride.” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, October 16, 2013.
”Yitzhak knew that the path of peace was the hardest of all. He never lied to himself but he believed that the Zionist interest, the national interest… was based upon reaching a peace deal with our neighbors and especially with the Palestinians.” President Shimon Peres, October 15, 2013.
