Zionist Council of NSW

Israeli ambassador to Australia Mark Sofer with NSW Premier Gladys
Berejiklian and leaders of the Jewish community. Photo: Giselle Haber

May 17, 2019, 12:00 am

ISRAELI ambassador to Australia Mark Sofer announced unequivocally at Israel's 71st Independence Day celebration on Tuesday evening that the Jewish community of NSW is one of the best, if not the best, community he has worked with during his 39 years in the foreign ministry.

Central Synagogue chazan Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff at last week’s Yom Hazikaron service.
Photo: Nadine Saacks

May 16, 2019, 11:45 am

Our failure to honour Israel’s fallen

Last Tuesday night our Sydney community marked Yom Hazikaron. I was once again shocked and saddened to see the relatively poor turnout of people to this important annual event.

By Naomi Balkin

Zionist youth movement and Australasian Union of Jewish Students flag
bearers at Tuesday’s Yom Hazikaron ceremony in Melbourne. Photo: Peter Haskin

May 10, 2019, 12:00 am

Yom Hazikaron: ‘Because of them, we are alive’

TUESDAY night’s Yom Hazikaron commemorations in Sydney and Melbourne struck a particularly emotional chord, following the loss of four Israeli lives over the weekend as a result of Hamas rocket fire from Gaza.

By Rebecca Davis

An Israeli house hit by a Hamas rocket this week. Photo: Israel Police

March 28, 2019, 12:00 am

Australian Jewish leaders condemn Hamas attacks

JEWISH community leaders in Australia have condemned a barrage of Hamas rocket attacks against civilians in central Israel this week.

By Peter Kohn

Participants on ZCNSW's Yesh program in Jerusalem.

September 4, 2018, 12:00 am

Young adults say ‘Yesh’ to Israel

The third group of young adults to participate in the Zionist Council of NSW's Yesh program returned from Israel last month after a memorable two-week, in-depth immersive experience.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaking at the Yom Ha'atzmaut cocktail reception. Photo: Noel Kessel

April 26, 2018, 12:01 am

Premier’s praise for Israel

SEVENTY years of independence for Israel – a state that embodies "the best of Jewish tradition, free speech and debate, innovation, ingenuity and above all else, resilience", according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian – was celebrated at a Yom Ha'atzmaut reception on Monday night with over 700 attendees including political figures and interfaith leaders.

Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff singing memorial prayers at the Yom Hazikaron service in 2016. Photo: Giselle Haber.

April 24, 2018, 3:12 pm

‘We will never forget’

MORE than 600 members of the community turned out to pay their respects to Israel’s fallen soldiers and terror victims at a moving ceremony on Tuesday evening.

By Gareth Narunsky

Children at Yom Ha'atzmaut last year. Photo: Noel Kessel

April 15, 2018, 12:01 am

Marking the Yoms

THE Jewish community will mark two inextricably linked commemorations – one celebratory and one sombre – next week.

By Gareth Narunsky

Dr Daniel Pipes speaking at Sydney's Central Synagogue on March 1. Photo: Shane Desiatnik

March 11, 2018, 12:01 am

Pipes packs a punch

A SLOW but noticeable declining trend in Islamist activity around the world, the strengths and vulnerabilities of an assertive Iran, and a different take on the Israel–Palestine conflict were addressed during a speaking tour of Sydney and Melbourne by Middle East Forum founder and president Dr Daniel Pipes, as a guest of the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC).

By Shane Desiatnik

Labour Party MK Michal Biran speaking at Double Bay Library on June 18. Photo: Shane Desiatnik

June 26, 2017, 12:01 am

Biran rings bell on inequality

ISRAELI Labour Party MK Michal Biran raised the issues of rising inequality and the unresolved Israeli–Palestinian conflict as key challenges facing Israel today.

By Shane Desiatnik

Raymond Bernstein honours the memory of his childhood friend and fallen soldier, Lieutenant Daniel Goldberg.

May 5, 2017, 12:00 am

Remembering Israel’s fallen

“Though Israel has had to fight many wars, from the very beginning it has sought peace,” Zionist Council of NSW president Richard Balkin said at the Yom Hazikaron commemoration for fallen soldiers and victims of terror at Moriah College on Sunday night (April 30).

By Yael Brender

Lieutenant Daniel Goldberg’s unit in Lebanon, 1982.

April 14, 2017, 12:02 am

Honouring Israel’s fallen

“THE one true comforting thought we can have is that Danny died defending the country that he loved, and the country that he knew from childhood would be his home.”

By Yael Brender

Josh Weinberger sings Hatikvah at the Shimon Peres commemoration in Sydney's Central Synagogue on October 26. Photo: Shane Desiatnik

November 7, 2016, 12:31 pm

Moving tributes to Peres

Moving tributes to the late former Israeli president Shimon Peres were held at communal events in Melbourne and Sydney last week.

By Shane Desiatnik and Peter Kohn

Richard Balkin signing the ZCNSW condolence book in honour of Shimon Peres.
Photo: Noel Kessel.

October 6, 2016, 12:00 am

Australia pays respects to Shimon Peres

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove told The AJN it was an “honour to express the condolences of so many Australians” at Shimon Peres’ funeral.

By Evan Zlatkis

JCA president Stephen Chipkin with 2016 Hal Goldstein Lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Jaku. Photo: Peter Philippsohn.

June 10, 2016, 12:00 am

Community champions recognised

The efforts of a lifelong supporter of the Sydney Jewish Museum, a champion for Kosher Meals on Wheels and two Maccabi movers and shakers have been recognised in the JCA’s 2016 Communal Awards.

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