UIA: The impact of our Victims of Terror Fund on Israeli lives
As the war against Hamas continues and more horrific stories emerge from Operation Swords of Iron, UIA remains fervent in its commitment to keeping its supporters up to date with timely information from credible sources whilst always supporting the People of Israel.
Doron Almog
With this in mind, UIA will be pivoting from its usual AGM event format and instead be focusing on a communal update. In NSW, the update will feature a live-streamed address by Major Gen (Res) Doron Along- Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. In Victoria, Amira Ahronoviz – CEO and Director General of the Jewish Agency for Israel, will provide a live-streamed address. Steven Lowy – Chairman Keren Hayesod-UIA World Board of Trustees, who has just returned from Israel to witness what is happening on the ground and to convey UIA’s support to those directly affected, will also give an in-person address at both events.
Doron Almog is a recipient of the 2016 Israel Prize, the country’s highest honour for lifetime achievement, and has a celebrated history as a leader in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and social activist. He led an operational task force against the terrorists who murdered the Israeli Olympic team in 1973; commanded the first task force to land in the 1976 Entebbe rescue mission; commanded a number of clandestine missions to bring Jews from Ethiopia to Israel and led an elite paratroopers’ brigade during the first Lebanon War. Upon retirement, Doron established the ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran rehabilitation centre for people with severe disabilities, named after his son Eran z”l.
Doron has been on the forefront since 7 October, meeting with the many victims of terror affected by the massacre. He has also been personally impacted, losing loved ones in the South.
Amira Ahronoviz
Named as one of the 50 Most Influential Jews of 2021 by the Jerusalem Post, Amira Ahronoviz has been working at The Jewish Agency for more than 28 years and was the first female CEO and Director General to be appointed in 2019. Amira has been successful in implementing strategic change and in leading the organisation through profound events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine-Russia crisis and an increase in immigration from Ethiopia, as well as initiatives to connect Jews to one another and to Israel.
Amira holds an M.A. in Business Management and has held a two-year fellowship at Jerusalem’s Mandel Educational Leadership Institute. She is also a founding member of the Keshet Community, a joint educational venture for religious and secular Jews.
The event will focus on the ways in which UIA has provided support to the Victims of Terror Fund which is currently providing immediate assistance to the People of Israel who need it right now.
UIA CEO Yair Miller said: “Australian donors have been inspirational in the way they have supported the victims of the horrendous atrocities in Israel since October 7 through UIA. The funds already deployed by our strategic partner, The Jewish Agency for Israel, have had a tangible impact on the ground and assisted thousands who have been impacted. This is an opportunity to hear from the most senior leadership of the Jewish Agency and Keren Hayesod-UIA about what the funds have achieved and where the greatest areas of need are emerging. I sincerely hope our community in Sydney and Melbourne will join us in a show of solidarity, unity and strength.”
UIA’s Update From the Ground events will take place in NSW on Monday 13 November and in Victoria on Tuesday 14 November.
To register for these events and for more information, see uiaaustralia.org.au/upcoming-events
