Melbourne’s Mount Scopus major presence is Israel
In what is expected to be the largest gathering of Australians ever to take place in Israel, more than 1100 will gather next week at a celebration hosted by Melbourne’s Mount Scopus College Foundation.
The Scopus Foundation is renowned for its high-profile philanthropic endeavours. Its major supporters include members of the Gandel, Lew, Liberman, Besen and Smorgon families.
Mount Scopus College is set to make history as its entire cohort of Years 10-12 (over 330 senior students) will be in Israel on extended school Israel Programs. This will be the first time that three year levels participate in Israel Programs at the same time.
This year, Mount Scopus students and graduates will also have the privilege of taking part in the Mount Scopus College Foundation’s celebratory event, shared alongside Scopus alumni and community members.
The Australian Jewish community is renowned for its strong Zionist ethos, and the College estimates that close to 1000 of its graduates have made aliya over its 74 years of existence.
Some of its most well-known graduates include Mark Regev, former Israel Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Professor Nathan Cherny (head of pain and multidisciplinary Palliative medicine for cancer in Shaare Zedek Medical Center), Dr. Michael Harari (from The Rebecca Sieff Hospital), Dr. Eve Finkelstein (senior dermatologist at Hadassah Hospital), Greer Fay Cashman (journalist at The Jerusalem Post) and Dr. Deborah Gershov West (head of the emergency department; Assuta Ashdod Hospital).
The event will be held on 3 January 2023 with the guest of honour, President Isaac Herzog. The evening will include musical performances and videos and a special concert with Idan Raichel. Already, more than 1100 Scopus students, alumni and families have registered to attend.
“We truly value and recognise the significance and importance of the Mount Scopus Ulpan Program. The Foundation is proud to partner with Birthright and the Zionist Federation of Australia to ensure our Year 12 students have the opportunity to visit Israel with their cohort and enjoy a meaningful Israel experience. It is typical of the Scopus ethos that we have enabled every child who graduates from Scopus to take part in an Israel experience even with barriers such as high costs and significant global events like Covid-19. We are also excited to share a night in Israel with all the Scopus students, graduates and the wider Scopus community for our celebratory event.” David Gold – Scopus Foundation President.
The Scopus Year 10 and 11 Ulpan Programs have been made possible thanks to some generous Foundation donors. The Year 12 Ulpan Program has been funded in partnership between the Mount Scopus Foundation, the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Taglit Birthright Israel organisation.
The Scopus Foundation looks forward to welcoming all Scopus families, olim, alumni and the entire community to their event in Israel for a night of gratitude and celebration!
