Message From The President

Welcome back to all our members, committees and volunteers from your summer break. I hope you are invigorated and enthusiastic to work and help us in our many faceted organization throughout Australia.

 2008 is a very exciting year for the Jews all over the world. Unfortunately it is also a difficult time for those who are suffering the daily rocket attacks from Gaza. At the same time we want to celebrate and salute Israel on its 60^th Anniversary of Independence.

NCJWA was well represented at a historical event in Canberra on 12^th March at Parliament House, to witness a bipartisan motion by the Hon. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Hon. Dr. Brendan Nelson, Leader of the Opposition. We were very proud to be part of this celebration.

All NCJWA Sections are organizing many events to mark this special occasion, culmination in our proposed tour to Israel. NSW Division held a most successful evening last November to launch the 60^th year, with His Excellency, the Ambassador of Israel and former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, as well as many political and community leaders attending. Congratulations to you all.

March is NCJWA membership month, please use this opportunity to welcome as many new members as possible - members are our lifeblood. We need each and every one of you to bring a friend and make a member.

Professor Haya Itzhaky, School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University will be the NCJWA Visiting Scholar in Australia, arriving early April on her Sabbatical. She is happy to give lectures on various topics. We welcome Professor Itzhaky and hope we will all benefit from her visit.

I am proud to inform you that the NCJWA website is LIVE!

Our address is: www.ncjwa.org.au.

Sincere thanks to Sue Levy, Marcia Pinskier and Natasha Languiller of MoretoDesign.

In February, I attended the Australian Women’s Coalition Conference in Sydney and had the pleasure to meet with Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Office for Women. I discussed with her NCJWA’s concerns for Durban II, scheduled 2009, being a repeat of Durban I, a most anti-Semitic and anti Israel UN Conference. On our behalf, Dr Geulah Solomon OAM, our ICJW Vice-President, has approached the Australian Government for their support to help stop the racism emanating from this conference once again.

‘The JAMMED’, a locally produced video on “Trafficking of women”, is being shown in many Sections, resulting in wide discussions on that horrific topic as part of  NCJWA’s Status of Women agenda.

I look forward to visiting you in your Section later this year, joining you at your Annual General Meetings or special celebrations.

 Rysia Rozen  OAM, National President

Editorial

Dear Friends,
WELCOME to the first issue of our On-Line Council Bulletin.
We hope you enjoy the convenience of being able to access this on-line publication. The hard copy version of the Council Bulletin will of course continue to be available to all our members.  For those who, in the interests of sustainability or for any other reason, may prefer to access solely through the internet, please let your local Section organisation know and we will note this on our data.
New members can also let us know when you join up on-line whether you would prefer to receive the Bulletin hard copy, or catch up with us on-line at your own convenience.
In the meantime, many thanks to all our contributors whose efforts have enabled us to deliver to you a fascinating issue.  We look forward to receiving future submissions at National Office. Many thanks also to Aimee Mazza and the Editorial Committee.             A Healthy and Happy Pesach to all,

Marcia Pinskier
On-line Editor
Council Bulletin - April 2008

COMMUNITY SERVICES

At the 2007 Conference, we were privileged to hear from a group of young women, who spoke very enthusiastically about an area of community service in their section.

I urge you to visit our website at www.ncjwa.org.au and check the community services in your section. You will be amazed at what is on offer. NCJWA prides itself on its community service.

Please contact me at angelad@ati-mirage.com.au. I am particularly interested in new services being offered in your section and or s of new and current community projects.

Tubishvat 2008 is the first event we have been involved in this year.  The phone-athon for JNF was once again supported by our very reliable fourseome, Luba Braude, Eve Cohen, Rhoda Berman, and Lucille Walters. Our thanks go to them once again for giving up their time to assist this great environmental cause for Australia and Israel.

TU BISHVAT

The following weekend we were invited to participate in a community fair to celebrate Tubishvat as well as Israel's 60th Anniversary. Despite the short notice we once again excelled joining forces with WIZO in providing a very different experience for children who attended.  Whilst both organisations are renowned for their culinary skills, we handed over to tiny hands and let the children make their own pita bread ably assisted by Sue Sander, Sue Willner, and other members.  We were very fortunate that our tent was one of the ones that did not blow away!  Children received a colouring-in sheet of a tree and  to encourage them to think about their environment, we gave away a small seedling to take home and look after.

It is becoming harder to attract younger women to Council as more and more of the younger women are working, are single mums or are involved in the school or local synagogue. As a result our playgroup has been closed for several months and the early learning centre at the school may also be a contributing factor.  The fair was geared up toward children with a variety of activity stalls.  I had the opportunity to talk to the parents face to face about Council and was able to hand out information about how to become a member and volunteer and about our services and projects helping needy Jewish families in the community. The fair was a great opportunity to meet and interact with young families.

MAZEL TOV

Valentine’s Day was very special for the Levy and Rockman families.  Mazeltov to Sue and Julian Levy and Helen and Ian Rockman on the birth of grandaugher Emma Sophie to proud parents Sharon and Daniel Rockman. 

COMING EVENTS

NCJWA & National Council of Women’s special viewing of 'the JAMMED': A chilling story based on real life events on the topic of Trafficking of Women in Australia.  April 14th Jewish Community Centre 61 Woodrow Ave, Yokine.  Tickets from the office 92768040 .  Yom Hatzmaut Sunday May 4th Israel Celebrating 60 Years - come along to the concert, picnic and food fare and support NCJW. 

Angela Davis

Executive Member

After a late start for the year Gold Coast Section is looking forward to some very interesting functions.

Starting the year with Council Month - we will be giving out our annual donations to both the Jewish and non-Jewish organizations.  We have a special guest speaker - Stephanie Cook from Wellington, New Zealand.  Stephanie is a Councillor with the Welllington City Council and is also a single mother to two Russian sisters.

In April, we will be showing the film 'The Jammed'.    We also have a panel of speakers from the Immigration Department, Bond University and the Co-ordinator fron the Sisters of the Good Samaritans Working Against Human Trafficking.  This should be a very interesting afternoon.

On behalf of the gold Coast Section, we would like to wish the National Board and members a very 'Happy and Healthy Pesach'.

VICTORIA...OFF AND RUNNING WITH ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM.

Victoria Section is vibrant and active.  We look forward to seeing all our interstate colleagues … please let us know when you’re coming so that we can warmly welcome you – either at Council House or at any of our many activities

Our Seniors and Russian friends met in our Golden Age Clubs with our fantastic volunteers during January before the regular programs

began. All the regular programs are now in full swing. Sage & Thyme (at Council House) and Classic Residences (off-site), are current affairs discussion groups. There are also plans for two new ventures: a choir and a Games Club, both hopefully to start within the next few months.

Late last year we introduced the Nance Beris Volunteer of the Month Award. Anyone can nominate another volunteer for excellent service and they are rewarded with a book or membership and profiled in our Council clips. The first recipient was Caulfield Senior Citizens Club Co – ordinator, Mary Freeman, having volunteered for Council for 20 years.  Another of our volounteers we were thrilled to see acknowledged was Doreen Beckwith, who at the end of 2007 received the JCCV Recognition Award for Community Service (see photo with Susie Ivany).

March is membership month. We will celebrate Council Shabbat at three Melbourne shules and commencing the new programs. To celebrate Israel’s 60^th birthday the Israeli Heroines Education Series, focusing on women who have stood out in areas of policy making, opinion shaping, creative arts, women patriots and nation makers. We have resurrected the Status of Women Group “Celebration of our Women” dinners. The first speaker is Julie Czego, Age Journalist. The Jewish Breast Cancer Support Group now meets at Council House fortnightly.

For our promotion and PR we are publishing our Council Clips on a two-month basis. Our latest publication featured a “Keen to go Green”, asking our members if they wish to  receive an email version.

Talking about promotion, we have supplies of our latest book – Our Great Cooking Adventure – available from the office.  This book will make an excellent gift for Pesach and throughout the year. We promoted the book at the recent Kosherfest held in Melbourne and we’ll be doing the same at the “Chometz in the Park” event in early April.

On Interfaith - Di Hirsh led at the recent JCMA Women’s Conference (Jewish Christian & Muslim) which was attended by many of our members.  She is hosting a Women’s Interfaith Model Seder at Council House in mid-April just prior to Pesach.

Our Oppe Shoppe goes from strength to strength. Recent renovations look great and revenue from sales help deliver our programs to those in need.

We have 2 new faces in our office: a new Executive Director – Annette Sweet, and a new Office Support Worker (part-time) Ray Javen. A warm welcome to both. And we wish to acknowledge our wonderful volunteers who “answer the call” regularly to come and pack envelopes, etc, whenever we need these jobs done.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, kosher Pesach.

UNIFEM  BREAKFAST

VALDA HEYMAN - HONORARY LIFE MEMBER

1918 - 2007  

Valda was the first born child to Lilly and Isaac Rose in a hospital in South Yarra in June 1918.

 At that time they lived in Balaclava then moved to 4 Nyora Grove Caulfield, where she lived approximately 85 years until her death.

Her mother was an original member of NCJW in 1927, so Valda grew up in Council House. In her very early teens a new group called “Council Buds” was formed and she was one of the original members. As she grew older their interest waned and membership ped.

Fanny Reading visited Melbourne and Valda told her the problem was social and suggested that they incorporate boys, thus the C & Y Juniors were formed.

They worked under the umbrella of NCJW and the three point plan, and they were very successful.

When war was declared a Group which was called “Social Set” became involved in helping in places where the soldiers clubs were formed- serving food and helping organize the kiosks etc. and also meeting refugees and giving help, entertaining those in need.

One of the pre war refugees happened to be a man named Manfred Heyman who had come from Germany and who Valda married in 1943.

As Manfred was classed as a German alien, she (Valda was a second generation Australian) lost her Australian Citizenship, and had to be naturalized.

Valda was passionate about NCJW and Manfred was always very supportive. He was a true Council husband.  Her home was always open, and many happy evenings and afternoons were held there.  Valda hosted  Hostess Luncheons for seventeen consecutive years. She was on the Victorian Board for many years and participated in all facets of our activities.

Valda was a very generous, optimistic person especially with Council.   

She received her Honour Badge in 1970 and wore it very proudly.

 Other than her family, she had three passions, firstly NCJW, secondly music and thirdly travel

Diana Gelfand

NCJWA NSW DIVISION REPORT

March 2008 marks the launch of the 85^th Anniversary Celebrations of NCJWA, founded in Sydney in 1923, five years prior to the first International Women’s Day, marked by Australian women in Sydney. For decades women have been campaigning for change in every aspect of life: for equal opportunity for better working conditions and more.

It is exciting to start NCJWA NSW celebrations with the news that Ruth Wilson, (see photo) has been honoured as one of 12 finalised (out of 98 nominees) for the NSW Parliament 2008 NSW Woman of The Year Award, in recognition of her outstanding achievements, on the occasion of IWD.

Ruth joins many women within Council who have been recognized within the Jewish and general community in Australia for their untiring work, contribution and for making a difference.

NSW Division continues to introduce new programs which empower women to succeed in their roles at work and at home. This month Mum for Mum 7 volunteers have started the training sessions with Lea Gilad, program coordinator, and flyer have been circulated to kindergartens, medical centers and others inviting new mothers in need of support to enter the program.

Marketing through advertising and articles in the press has indeed resulted in much interest in Council. We are delighted to have a wave of new members who are interested in helping where and when they can and Council is certainly transforming back to its old good days with lots of activity and interest.

I would like to convey a special invitation to all to attend events scheduled throughout the year.

With warm Council greetings

Dalia Ayalon Sinclair

President

NCJWA NSW

85^th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

Section Report

We had a quiet opening to the start of 2008. Our first meeting was held on the 6^th February where we discussed our possible plans for the forthcoming year.

The March meeting was cancelled due to the extreme heat wave as some of our members have to travel by bus.

Our NCJW Shabbat is being held at Beith Shalom Synagogue on the 15^th March. I hope we will have more to report in the next issue of the Bulletin.

With Council Greetings, Trudy

SECTION REPORT

Last year finished on a busy note. We had a movie night featuring German film Go for Zucker on 18 November at the National Jewish Memorial Centre, we enjoyed meeting British actress Miriam Margoyles  (extreme right in photo) after her one-woman show Dickens’ Women on 20 November, and we celebrated the 60^th anniversary of the UN partition vote on 29 November at a local restaurant with Israeli embassy members, including Israeli ambassador’s wife Miri Rotem. Mrs. Rotem supported us again by presenting the Olive Tree Sunday School prizes during the ACT Jewish community’s annual Hannukah party in December 2007. NJCWA Canberra donates these prizes are donated each year in honour of local and national leaders of NJCWA.   (Photo Below:  Cohava Rubenstein receives her cheder prize from Mrs Rotem)

The first function for 2008 is the Council Shabbat on 1 March 2008. In Canberra the community has two minyanim, Orthodox and Progressive that worship in different parts of the one building, the National Jewish Memorial Centre. Last year we attended the Orthodox service in the downstairs shul where Professor Kim Rubenstein gave the drosha and we hosted a combined cholent lunch and discussion for all congregants. This year members and families are being encouraged to attend the Progressive Shabbat morning service upstairs in the Dr. Fanny Reading Auditorium. The hall is named after NCJWA’s founder in recognition of the generous donation from NJCWA National towards the building of the Centre in 1971. A kiddush and lunch will follow, sponsored by Earle Hoffman OAM whose late wife Anne was a founding member of NJCWA in Canberra (1955) and a president and secretary.

Our membership function will be on Thursday 6 March 2008 at the home of NJCWA Canberra president Janet Frommer. It will be a women’s only social gathering for members and prospective members. Guest speaker is a young Jewish diplomat Jonatan Weinberg, from the German embassy. He will be speaking on Jewish life in modern Germany.

As always, we shall have a cake stall at the ACT Jewish community’s major fundraiser, the Food Fair on Sunday 6 April. Other plans for 2008 include participation in the Yom Hashoah commemoration and Yom Haatzmaut celebration. We hope to welcome Scholar in Residence Professor Haya Itzhaky in May, possibly in conjunction with her Sydney trip. Our AGM will be in July, followed by our big annual fundraiser, the quiz night on 26 July. We hope to have an event in November for White Ribbon Day, for the elimination of violence against women. We shall again hold a dinner to celebrate the anniversary of the UN partition resolution on 29 November. The year will end with the cheder prize-giving at the community’s annual Hannukah party.

Sylvia Deutsch