Tag Archives: australia
Recognition for B’nai B’rith stalwart
A young Heinz Gerstl went along to his first B’nai B’rith function because his mother wanted him to socialise with Jewish girls. Now, the long-time stalwart has been honoured by B’nai B’rith International for 70 years of dedication to the organisation and its causes. Gerstl has held numerous positions in the organisation. Read more » »
Calls for unblocking of latest film
Documentary filmmaker Saulius Beržinis was recently presented with a B’nai B’rith Australia New Zealand (BBANZ) Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the body of research, study, and documentation of Lithuania’s Jewish population during the Holocaust. Read more » »
Iconic Catholic priest ‘didn’t judge, he just tried to help’
Jewish figures joined a groundswell of praise, as Australia mourned the passing of Father Bob Maguire, 88, an iconic Catholic priest, known simply as “Father Bob”, who devoted his life to social justice. Read more » »
Australian state of Victoria bans display of Nazi swastika
B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission chairman hails legislation banning the public display of the symbol as a “thunderous blow” to neo-Nazis. (June 23, 2022 / JNS) Victoria has become first Australian state to ban the display of the Nazi swastika, the BBC reported on Wednesday. Read more » »
Climate tops agenda at plenum
“A phenomenon that is challenging our political system, our environment and our existence on this fragile blue orb” is how Social Justice Committee chair Liam O’Callaghan described climate change at last week’s Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) plenum. Read more » »
‘Champion and hero’
LOVED ones are supporting and caring for George Stein (pictured), 95, Holocaust survivor and icon of Brisbane’s Jewish community. Born in Romania in 1927, he grew up in Oradea, where his father was president of a synagogue. With the town falling to Hungary under the Nazis, the family was transported to Auschwitz in 1943. Read more » »
Evidence heard
A crucial crossbench vote has been secured to boost the chances of legislation banning the display of Nazi symbols passing the NSW Parliament. Read more » »
Mazal tov to the Changemakers of 2021!
MELBOURNE mental health campaigner Cassandra Barrett has been named the winner of the inaugural Joshua Levi Young Professional Award at this year’s B’nai B’rith and JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards. Read more » »
‘Leader, doer, achiever’ mourned
TRIBUTES have flowed for communal icon Phil Symons who passed away last month. In a long and diverse communal career, Symons, 93, served as a president of the Victorian Jewish Board of Deputies – predecessor of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV), – Mount Scopus Memorial College and Mizrachi, and was strongly involved with B’nai B’rith. Read more » »
Second-hand shop becomes a second home
SINCE its inception, B’nai B’rith’s Bargain Bazaar charity shop in Surry Hills has become an institution – a major social hub where all members of society interact. For some, it is a bargain hunter’s Aladdin’s cave and a place to stock up on household goods; for others, it is a second home. Read more » »
