ZFA Conference in Melbourne
The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) will host its 2016 Biennial Conference in Melbourne on the 4th December at Beth Weizmann Centre.
Allan Hoffman
The full-day conference will be focused on Zionist activity in Australia with strong representation from the West Australian, South Australian, Victorian and ACT Zionist councils and diverse affiliates coming together to discuss, connect and plan for the future. The ZFA is proud of the range of issues and programs provided to implement its vision of developing, enriching and supporting a meaningful relationship between the Australian Jewish community and the State of Israel.
A large youth delegation from the Australian Zionist Youth Council (AZYC) and the Australasian Union of Jewish Student (AUJS) will be in attendance and for the first time the ACT community will be represented as an official member body of the ZFA.
The feature media panel will be moderated by Australian Jewish News National Editor, Zeddy Lawrence and will feature Rita Panahi; Herald Sun columnist with a reputation for saying it like it is, joined by James Campbell, Herald Sun Political Editor; and Jamie Hyams, AIJAC Senior Policy Analyst;.
We’re delighted to be welcoming special guest speakers:
Alan Hoffman, the CEO and Director General of the Jewish Agency for Israel will visit Australia and be a special guest speaker at the Conference. The Jewish Agency for Israel works in partnership with the ZFA on key initiatives and enterprises, such as maintaining 18 shlichut positions across Australia, training and bringing out Zionist Seminar teams to work with Jewish Day schools in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Aliya, Masa Israel Programs, working with the Russian Speaking Jewish community as well as Partnership2Gether – which in Australia is implemented via our Arava Australia Partnership. The relationship between the Jewish Agency, the ZFA and our community is pivotal and highlights the strong connection between Australia and Israel.
Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, Liberal Senator for Victoria is the keynote speaker representing the government. He is the Minister for Communications and Minister for the Arts and also serves as a member of the Prime Minister’s Leadership Group and the Senate leadership team as Manager of Government Business in the Senate.
We are also delighted to be welcoming the Ambassador for Israel to Australia, H.E. Shmuel Ben-Shmuel who will address the event.
ZFA President Dr Danny Lamm reinforced the importance of the National Biennial Conference: – “The ZFA Biennial Conference is of vital importance in maintaining and enhancing our connection between interstate councils in Australia and the Jewish community with Israel. As we head into 2017, this milestone year will mark 120 years since the first Zionist Congress, 100 years since the Battle of the Lighthorse Brigade in Be’er Sheba, 100 years since the Balfour Declaration – the publication of intent for a Jewish homeland which galvanized Zionism. It will be 70 years since the United Nations voted for the establishment of the State of Israel and 50 Years since the 6 Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem and it will also herald our 90th anniversary.
In all this time and predating the establishment of our Jewish State, The Zionist Federation of Australia has been the strongest organisation to lead the Australian Jewish community in its support for Israel. We will celebrate 90 successful years of the Zionist Federation of Australia, the Zionist roof body in Australia.”
