New chairperson for AUJS
Isabella Polgar has been elected National Chairperson of The Australasian Union of Jewish Students.
Isabella is currently studying a Masters of Nursing at the University of Sydney and is currently the 2016 AUJS NSW Vice-President and will take over the reins from Michael Fisher in 2017.
Steven Hofman, Ariel Zohar, Zack Garkawe, Ariel Mekler-Peled, Cameron Graf, Daniel Brazil. Middle Row L-R: Joshua Moses, Isabella Polgar, Samantha Khavin, Jade Katz, Anita Berman, Erin Gordon, Michael Fisher. Front Row L-R: Elias Visontay, Alexandra Kowal, Ethan Kravietz
She paid tribute to the outgoing executive of 2016 saying “AUJS this year has shone, with record numbers at conferences, increased engagement in smaller regions, innovative campaigns and the launch of the exciting Susan Wakil Fellowship. Michael Fisher and Cameron Graf have successfully led a team of incredibly dedicated students to grow the Jewish student community. I am thrilled to be taking this opportunity on and cannot wait to continue on their stellar work.”
Alexandra Kowal, a 19-year-old Biomedical Science and Commerce student at Monash University in Melbourne will replace Cameron Graf as Vice-Chairperson after a successful year as Victorian President of AUJS.
The new executive: Ariel Zohar, Zack Garkawe, Ariel Mekler-Peled, Erin Gordon. Front Row L-R: Joshua Moses, Isabella Polgar, Alexandra Kowal, Jade Katz
Isabella Polgar and Michael Fisher
Joining Isabella and Alexandra on the executive for 2017 as National Treasurer is Zack Garkawe, current Monash University Jewish Students Society President, studying Commerce. To round out the executive, Ariel Zohar, current President of RMIT University Student Union and University Council Member, was elected Political Affairs Director. Jade Katz, 2016 Western Australian President, was elected Conferences Convenor. Ariel Mekler-Peled, 2016 Education Officer for NSW was elected Campaigns Coordinator.
A new executive position was adopted by the assembly; the Leadership and Development Officer, and will be jointly held by Joshua Moses, current National Political Affairs Director and Erin Gordon, current AUJS at The University of New South Wales President.
“The diversity of the incoming executive speaks to the diversity of the union, Polgar said “AUJS must continue in its efforts to engage all kinds of Jewish students on campuses, by providing a range of opportunities”.
“Isabella and Lexi will lead a team of exceptional young leaders, deeply committed to enhancing our community and creating more opportunities for Jewish students”, Michael Fisher says, “I have full confidence in their leadership, and look forward to celebrating with them the successes of next year”.
In addition to the elections, the more than 50 students at the National Assembly participated in policy discussions, constitutional amendments, a cocktail evening with a variety of community supporters.
Perhaps the new leader of AUJS will put together a plan to take on anti- zionism on Campus in a meaningful way and follow the lead of Students for Palestine try to form some political alliances . SFP have the Socialists, refugee / asylum seeker groups , all Palestinian Lobby groups and of course they have the full backing of the ARAB/Muslim community along with the Arab/Islamic study departments .
What alliances do AUJS have on campus to defend Israel
AUJS does not even have the backing of ACJC our largest Jewish study dept . to actively fight anti Zionism on Campus. It does not help when the majority of Jewish academia are either anti- Zionist, Leftist/Progressives who support anti zionist groups like NIF & J -Street.
I still remember when American Israel advocacy org. standwithus and their AIJAC representtive were thrown off Monash Campus and the head of ACJC said University was not the place to defend Israel.{ words to the effect] .
If AUJS continue argue their job is ‘not only’ to defend Israel on campus which is why they are not successful then perhaps it/s time to form a seperate of -shoot of AUJS just to tackle this problem, however if what I hear is true AUJS would struggle to get enough interested warriors to take on this job .