Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.
We are honoured to have Sarri Singer talk to the Zionist Federation of New Zealand direct from New Jersey.
Join us at 6pm on Sunday 7 March on Zoom (details below) to hear Sarri talk about her first hand experience of Palestinian terrorism and how from this she has set up the organisation Strength to Strength.
This will be a fascinating and no doubt emotional talk as Sarri recalls what happened as she boarded bus number 14 in Jerusalem.
To join the Zoom Meeting, please use the link below
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89508695325?pwd=eTR6Y2hEMUE3U0NudndjSlFhb2dZZz09
Meeting ID: 895 0869 5325
Passcode: 441936
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Sarri Singer, born in Lakewood, New Jersey, is the daughter of New Jersey State Senator, Robert Singer. Until 9/11, Sarri worked a few blocks away from the World Trade Center. Deeply moved by the tragedy of 9/11, Sarri decided to resign from her position in December 2001 and move to Israel to help victims of terror. While there, Sarri volunteered with various organisations working with victims of terror.
On June 11, 2003, Sarri was on Bus 14 in Jerusalem when an 18-year-old Palestinian terrorist dressed as a religious Jew boarded and blew himself up. 16 people were killed, including all those seated and standing around her, and over 100 people were injured. Sarri was hospitalized for two weeks and then returned to New Jersey to be with family. Her story became high profile. She appeared on television stations such as CBS, FoxNews, CNN and radio interviews. She spoke before Congressmen and Senators in Washington, D.C. and politicians in New York and New Jersey. In September 2003 she returned to work and volunteering in Israel. In June 2004, she returned to the United States to take care of ongoing medical issues associated with her attack.
Sarri is the Founder and Director of Strength to Strength (www.stosglobal.org), which focuses on bringing together victims of terrorism together from around the world and assisting with long term psychological needs. Sarri has addressed audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and Israel and continues to share her unique insight into the ongoing struggle for victims of terror in Israel and around the world.
Hi Folks
Are you shocked by the killing of innocent civilians? Are you feeling conflicted as to who is “in the right” in the Israeli-Gaza conflict? Why as a Christian should you care about a dispute on the other side of the world? Are you puzzling over what a Christian response should be? If any of these questions resonate with you, then this event is for you.
Hope Presbyterian in Amyes Rd Hornby, has invited us to join a discussion panel at their evening service, this Sunday at 7pm.
The topic is: What should be the Christian attitude toward Israel and Gaza?
They have already had two sermons over the last two weeks on the history of Israel for background, and the sermons can be found here (click the image):
You’re invited to take part in this fascinating discussion. The Q&A session is going to be informative and rewarding. Even more so, if you have thought about it already so bring some questions with you.
See you there!
Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, holds deep significance for Israelis. It is observed on the fourth of Iyar, the day preceding Israel’s Independence Day. This day commemorates those who lost their lives in the struggle that led to the establishment of the State of Israel and all military personnel who were killed while in active duty in Israel’s armed forces.
Unlike the American Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron has a distinct character and mood. For 24 hours, from sunset to sunset, all places of public entertainment are closed, including theaters, cinemas, nightclubs, and pubs.
The most poignant feature of the day is the sound of a siren heard throughout the country twice: once at 8 p.m. to mark the beginning of Memorial Day, and again at 11 a.m. before the public recitation of prayers in the military cemeteries. During these moments, the entire nation observes a two-minute “standstill” of all traffic and daily activities.
Radio and television stations broadcast programs that honor fallen soldiers, often featuring Israeli songs that convey the somber mood of the day.
Yom Hazikaron serves as a powerful reminder of the price of Israel’s independence and the ongoing challenges it faces. It fosters a sense of unity and collective responsibility as Israelis come together to honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
By the time of Yom Hazikaron in 2024, the commemoration honored over 24,000 fallen individuals.
Hi Folks
Because it looks like our June 7 mail out of our newsletter wasn’t received, we’ve decided to call off tomorrow night’s meeting.
If you are aware of another member who receives the newsletter by snail mail, please get in touch and let them know.
We will be making this announcement on Facebook, Instagram and our website too.
In the meantime, we’ll investigate why the email might be in our “Sent Items” folder, it didn’t make it to our members.
Apologies for the inconvenience
Hi Folks
Our next meeting in Christchurch is on Tuesday, 7.30pm at the Halswell Centre, 349 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.
Our focus will be:
• The inside information about the rescue of the four hostages last weekend and how that gives hope for rescuing more hostages.
• Jordan Peterson and John Spencer on what urban warfare means and how that has shaped the IDF’s conduct in Gaza.
As always, admission is a plate of finger food, please no pork or seafood products.
See you there!
We are also raising funds for Moran (who will speak with us tonight). If you’d like to donate, please go to https://donorbox.org/donate-to-moran-stella-yanai
On the morning of October 7, Kibbutz Be’eri was struck by a devastating tragedy. Hundreds of Hamas terrorists invaded the community, unleashing a wave of unimaginable horror. Ninety-three members of the community had been brutally murdered. This horrific event claimed the lives of women, children, toddlers, and even an infant, amounting to 10% of the farming community’s residents.
Fire and gunfire destroyed thirty percent of the homes, leaving behind tales of survival marked by horror, abandonment, helplessness, and enduring pain. After capturing the kibbutz, the terrorists went from house to house, shooting or capturing residents while setting buildings on fire. They were accompanied by a camera team and a journalist who documented the attack. Many residents tried to hide in shelter rooms, but the attackers blew up the doors and killed everyone inside.
Nine members were taken into the Gaza Strip, five of whom have since died in captivity. 120 people are still held hostage, their fate uncertain.
The kibbutz is currently a closed military zone, off-limits to the general public. Created on February 7th, exactly five months after October 7th, this series has a significant historical value. In an era rife with disinformation, fake news and AI manipulated imagery, these documentary photos serve as a silent testament to that horrific attack.
Attendance by registration only, please click here to register.
Opening event: Saturday, June 22nd, 6-8pm with keynote speaker Juliet Moses
Exhibition Dates: Sunday June 23rd – Friday July 5th, 10am-3pm, excluding Friday, June 28th (public holiday)
Venue: Auckland Hebrew Congregation, 514 Remuera Road, Remuera
Phone: 09-373 2908
You are invited to the Premier of this documentary that tells the moving story of how a Gazan doctor, Dr Abuelaish dealt with the loss and grief of losing his 3 daughters during a war with Israel.
There will be a 20 minute Q & A with Tal Barda, the Director of the film, and Dr Abuelaish.
Wed, June 26, 6 pm, Hoyts Entx, Christchurch
See you there!
You’re invited to our next members’ meeting and we are privileged to have two guest speakers.
Juliet Moses
Juliet is a partner at TGT Legal, a leading boutique trust and private client law firm based in Auckland, New Zealand. She specialises in trusts, personal asset planning and superannuation and is a regular presenter of seminars and author of articles on issues arising in those areas. Juliet is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the chair of the New Zealand branch’s education committee. She is also a member of the International Academy of Trust and Estate Law.
Juliet is honorary solicitor to the Auckland Chevra Kadisha and Benevolent Society and the Aorangi Club.
Outside of her legal roles, Juliet is the spokesperson for the New Zealand Jewish Council, the representative body of New Zealand’s Jewish community, and a trustee of the Astor Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to achieve a peaceful and harmonious New Zealand society, including by addressing extremism and ethnic and religious hate, and by promoting the human dignity of all faiths, cultures and ethnicities.
In her spare time, Juliet is the mother of two teenage sons.
DATE AND TIME: 7.30pm, July 30, 2024.
VENUE: The Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.
ADMISSION: Please bring a plate of finger food. No pork or seafood products, thanks.