Calendar

Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.

Aug
12
Sun
CHRISTCHURCH: Rami Sherman: August 12 @ Sidney Goldsmith Hall, Beth El Synagogue
Aug 12 @ 2:00 PM

Operation Entebbe after 40 Years: A personal recollection

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

In 1976, when an Air France place was hijacked and rerouted to Entebbe, Rami was the Operations Officer of the unit, under the command of Yoni Netanyahu.

In his capacity as Operations Officer, he was in involved throughout the week, preparing the unit for the Operation.

Among other things, he coordinated with Dan Shomron, the Commander of the Operation, and the Israeli Air Force.

Within the Operation, Rami was part of the 33 officers and soldiers who freed the hostages at the Entebbe terminal. He arrived with the first Hercules that landed in the airport, and was in the car that was driving behind the famous Mercedes.

After Yoni Netanyahu was injured, he drove him to the Hercules, where a team of medical professionals were waiting, but unfortunately they could not save Yoni’s life.

Later, Rami was the commander who led the rescued hostages to the Hercules.

Upon returning to Israel, Rami continued to serve in the unit, and was a Special Operations Commander until 1980.

After he was released from active duty, he helped establish the reserves unit.

Rami Sherman was born on 4 April 1953. His parents were Holocaust survivors and came to Israel in 1945.

Rami grew up on Kibbutz Lehavot Habashan, which is in the north of the country and was on the Syrian border until the Six Day War in 1967. He was educated in the Kibbutz system.

In 1972, Rami enlisted in the army and was accepted into an elite special forces unit, which today is allowed to be named – Sayeret Matkal (the Chief of Staff’s Special Forces). He successfully completed the combat soldier course and was sent to Officers’ School in order to return and receive command of a squad within the unit.

At age 50, he was released from doing reserve service.

Rami is married, has two daughters and grandfather to five grandchildren.

In 1990, Rami finished his studies in physiotherapy at the University of Tel Aviv, and since that time he has worked as a physiotherapist in various positions, including, among other things, as a physiotherapist for the Israeli Olympic team.

In 1993, Rami and his family moved to Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael, where they still live today.

RSVP – Limited Seating.  Book ahead.  SOLD OUT

Apr
7
Sun
GORE: Passover Demonstration: April 7 @ Calvin Community Church
Apr 7 @ 7:00 PM

See the source image

Have you ever wondered why Christians are instructed to regularly use bread and wine to remember the death of Jesus? Explore Jesus’ last Passover meal and find out!

This demonstration of the ancient Passover meal powerfully reveals the sacrificial ministry of Jesus as the Lamb of God, and uncovers the roots of the Christian communion, using the very elements God prescribed for the Seder itself. The 1-hour demonstration is an unforgettable journey through the “Last Supper,” which was, in fact, the Messiah’s last Passover meal…until He returns!

Apr
12
Fri
AUCKLAND: PASSOVER SEDER BANQUET: April 12 @ Northcross Intermediate School
Apr 12 @ 5:00 PM

Have you ever wondered why Jesus used bread and wine to talk about his sacrifice for us? Explore Jesus’ last Passover meal for yourself and find out!

See the source image

This demonstration of the ancient Passover Seder meal powerfully reveals the sacrificial ministry of Jesus as the Lamb of God, and uncovers the roots of the Christian communion, using the very elements God prescribed for the Seder itself. The 3-hour experience is an unforgettable journey through the “Last Supper,” which was, in fact, the Messiah’s last Passover Seder…until He returns!

Join Scott Brown and discover how this ancient holiday is GOOD NEWS for us today.

We will enjoy a shared dinner and dessert, so please bring a plate if you are able.  Hot and cold drinks will be provided.  A donation toward the venue hire and a gift for the speaker will be appreciated.

RSVP Sue Whitcombe at office@jesusfirst.org.nz or 027 663 5009.

NELSON: PASSOVER SEDER BANQUET: April 12 @ St Peters Anglican Church
Apr 12 @ 5:30 PM

See the source image

Have you ever wondered why Jesus used bread and wine to talk about his sacrifice for us? Explore Jesus’ last Passover meal for yourself and find out!

This demonstration of the ancient Passover Seder meal powerfully reveals the sacrificial ministry of Jesus as the Lamb of God, and uncovers the roots of the Christian communion, using the very elements God prescribed for the Seder itself. The 3-hour experience is an unforgettable journey through the “Last Supper,” which was, in fact, the Messiah’s last Passover Seder…until He returns!

Join Zohar Gonen and discover how this ancient holiday is GOOD NEWS for us today.

RSVP to Christine Naseri at 03 545 2409.

Apr
13
Sat
TURANGI: PASSOVER SEDER BANQUET: April 13 @ River of Life Church, Turangi
Apr 13 @ 5:30 PM

Have you ever wondered why Jesus used bread and wine to talk about his sacrifice for us? Explore Jesus’ last Passover meal for yourself and find out!

See the source image

This demonstration of the ancient Passover Seder meal powerfully reveals the sacrificial ministry of Jesus as the Lamb of God, and uncovers the roots of the Christian communion, using the very elements God prescribed for the Seder itself. The 2 1/2 hour experience is an unforgettable journey through the “Last Supper,” which was, in fact, the Messiah’s last Passover Seder…until He returns!

Join Nigel Christensen and discover how this ancient holiday is GOOD NEWS for us today.

Cost: $15 single / $25 couple (no children)

RSVP by 10 March to  Pastor Steve Hollis at 021 074 6435 or hollissm@xtra.co.nz.

Feb
28
Sun
AUCKLAND: Purim Carnival Feb 28 1pm @ Bayview Primary School
Feb 28 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
CHRISTCHURCH FEBRUARY GATHERING FEB 28: The Iran Nuclear Deal @ Halswell Centre
Feb 28 @ 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

CHRISTCHURCH FEBRUARY GATHERING: THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

2.30pm, Sunday, February 28

Hao Rm, Halswell Centre,
341 Halswell Rd, Christchurch

From 6:30 am Sunday, February 28, Christchurch will be in a Level 2 Lockdown. Under Level 2 rules, attendance will be limited to a maximum of 100.

NZ Friends of Israel invites you to a discussion on the issues arising from renewing the Iran nuclear deal.

            • What was the original nuclear deal?
            • What was learnt from it?
            • What are the risks to Israel if Iran successfully develops a nuclear weapon?
            • What can be done about it?
            • What can we do about it?

Admission: Bring a plate of finger food, please no pork or seafood products.

Mar
21
Thu
CHRISTCHURCH: Sheree Trotter: Indigenous Peoples and Israel @ Te Hapua Halswell Centre
Mar 21 @ 7:30 PM

Dr Sheree Trotter

Indigenous Peoples and the Middle East Conflict

Today, one hears that the Palestinians are an indigenous people that is having their homeland stolen from them by the white settler colonialists, the Jews.  Is this true?

The events of October 7 have divided New Zealanders.  The connection to indigenous rights has created fault lines for our Maori community.

On Thursday, we are delighted to welcome Dr Sheree Trotter to talk to us about the establishment of the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and her views on how the Middle East Conflict has impacted her Maori Community.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr Sheree Trotter is a researcher, writer, and co-director of the Indigenous Coalition For Israel. She also co-founded the Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation, Aotearoa New Zealand (formerly Shadows of Shoah). Sheree is Māori (Te Arawa) and earned her PhD in History at the University of Auckland.

May
4
Sat
CHRISTCHURCH: Golda the Movie Saturday May 4, 4.45pm @ Silky Otter, Wigram
May 4 @ 4:45 PM – 6:30 PM

CHRISTCHURCH: We’re organizing a group to go and see Golda Meir at the Wigram Silky Otter Theatre at 5pm on Satuday. See you there! Just turn up and buy your ticket. 5pm is the beginning of the session time, so you might like to turn up a little earlier.

Jun
15
Sat
WELLINGTON: Limmud NZ: June 15-16 @ TBC
Jun 15 – Jun 16 all-day

Limmud

Limmud is a cross-communal ‘festival of learning’ which last year attracted over 25000 participants to its events, held across five continents, in almost forty countries. It started in the UK 30 years ago where the annual five-day event now attracts 2,500 people from across the religious spectrum and boasts 350 presenters offering some 900 sessions.

Limmud aims to enable each participant to go one step further on their own Jewish journey.   One of the key principles behind what has now become an international cross-communal movement is that we all have something to contribute and can learn from each other.  Presenters are treated as part of the community, they are volunteers like those who organise the events and all are rewarded by the opportunity to learn from each other.  Becoming Limmud NZ makes us part of an exciting worldwide movement.

Limmud has core principles that we feel reflect our community. The catchphrase behind Limmud is “Every Jew should be a student and everyone can be a teacher”. This seems very much to capture what our organizing committee believes, and we are eager for more local presenters to put themselves forward and to encourage people to volunteer. Even an hour will make a huge difference to the success of the first Limmud conference on 18/19 August.  Expanding Jewish horizons, empowering individuals to contribute to their community and enabling connections to be made between individuals and across communities are the values behind Limmud International and behind Limmud NZ. We also love the emphasis on ensuring all participants feel equally respected and comfortable at Limmud, no matter which shul they go to, or don’t go to.  All Limmud events will be strictly kosher to enable participants to eat and enjoy together.

Limmud, of course, means learning and it is about learning but not in a formalized way. The great thing about the format is it is “pick and mix”. Each session runs for an hour, and there are five different streams to choose from.You just pick what you want to go to – discussion of an ethical dilemma with local and international experts, an intimate text study, a film discussion, or sessions relating to parenting issues. If you need a break for a session, grab a coffee and schmooze. The only thing we can’t do for you is arrange for you to be at two sessions at once – although some sessions are repeated.

Keep these dates free, more information to come.