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.

Jul
17
Sun
CHRISTCHURCH: Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease: What we know so far: Part 2 @ To be confirmed
Jul 17 @ 2:00 PM

Barak, Yoram

Join us for a highly informative and interactive presentation by acclaimed Professor Yoram Barak on a survey of the available evidence, observations and hypotheses on how Alzheimer’s Disease might be prevented. This is the second in a 2-part series of lectures.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr. Yoram Barak is an assistant professor of Psychiatry at the Sackler School of Medicine of Tel-Aviv University, and director of the Psychogeriatric Department at the Abarbanel Mental Health Center. Trained in medicine and psychiatry at the Sackler School of Medicine, he became an Israel Medical Scientific Council Specialist in Psychiatry in 1993, and was awarded a Masters in Health Administration from Ben-Gurion University of Beer-Sheva, Israel in 2004.

Dr. Barak is also a consultant for the National Multiple Sclerosis Center in Israel and a special consultant on Positive Psychology for the Israel Defense Forces. He was president of the Israeli Association of Old-Age Psychiatry, and is currently on the editorial board of the Israel Journal of Psychiatry and the Open Psychiatry Journal. Research interests include multiple sclerosis, cancer, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive–compulsive disorder, suicide and geriatric psychiatry. He has published extensively in these areas, and is author and co-author of over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles.

He is currently on Sabbatical and teaching at the Otago University School of Medicine in Christchurch.

VENUE:  Northwood Villa Clubrooms, Northwood Villas Cres, off O’Neill Ave, Northwood, Christchurch 
WHEN:  2pm, Sunday, July 3, 2016 

ADMISSION: Please bring a plate of finger food, we’d be grateful if you could avoid pork or seafood products.

FEEL FREE TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Sep
23
Sun
AGM @ Northwood Villa Clubrooms
Sep 23 @ 2:00 PM

It’s that time of the year.  If you would like to nominate another member for the committee, please send your nomination to our secretary, Rebecca (contact details below).

After the AGM we will be showing a hilarious episode of “Yes Prime Minister”, the episode when PM Jim Hacker discovers what his Ministry of Foreign Affairs really thinks about Israel.

Please bring a plate of finger food.  Of course, please exclude any pork and seafood products.

May
14
Thu
Nations Bless Israel: 9:45pm, 14 May 2020 @ Zoom meeting and Facebook (see below)
May 14 @ 9:45 PM

NATIONS BLESS ISRAEL 

CELEBRATING ISRAEL’S RESTORATION

I will bless those who bless you, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:1-3)

You are invited to join with us and Nations Bless Israel Melbourne to celebrate the restoration of the State of Israel.

THURSDAY 9:45PM (NZST) ON MAY 14TH 2020

This Thursday evening we are invited to join the Aussies in celebrating Israel’s 72nd birthday.           It will be a special event featuring a range of distinguished speakers from various walks of life in Israel and elsewhere. It starts 9.45pm NZ Time, but can be viewed later on Facebook.

This event is a fundraiser for the Rambam hospital and is in honour of the late Peter Kentley. Peter was a Messianic Jew who lived in Melbourne and led the planning for the Australian San Remo commemorations before he became too unwell. He loved Israel dearly and I have happy memories of our times together over there. Sadly he went to be with the Lord earlier this year following a brain tumour diagnosis.

The Guest Speakers include:

  • Yuvat Rotem – Director General of Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and former Israeli Ambassador to Australia and NZ pre 2010) He now runs the foreign ministry and played a key role in brokering the resumption of our diplomatic relations and the return of Ambassador Gerberg.
  • Mark Sofer – Australia’s current Israeli Ambassaor; who was born in London.
  • Andrew Tucker – distinguished lawyer and Israel legal advocate (ex C4Israel in the Hague)
  • Zac Waller – Ha Yovel the organisation that encourages gentiles to help harvest crops in Israel fulfilling biblical prophecy.
  • Rabbi Tuly Weisz – an American rabbi who made Aliyah a few years ago seeking to build knowledge and bridges between those who love Israel and Israel itself via his Israel365 website.

This is a free virtual event hosted on Zoom in tribute to the late Peter Kentley who, in partnership with Rabbi Riesenberg, established the inaugural Melbourne Nations Bless Israel last year.

The event may also be viewed on Facebook  HERE

Mar
8
Fri
AUCKLAND International Women’s Day Vigil: Mar 8 @ QE2 Square (Near Starbucks)
Mar 8 @ 12:00 PM
May
30
Thu
CHRISTCHURCH: Israel Briefing & AGM: May 30. @ Hao Room, Te Hapua Halswell Centre
May 30 @ 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM

 

There has been a lot happening with Israel and Antisemitism since our last meeting.  To name a few:

  1. The ICC prosecutor announces he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.
  2. ICJ orders Israel to stop Rafah assault.
  3. Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognize Palestine as a state.
  4. A Christchurch teachers decides to go on a hunger strike hoping to pressure NZ’s government to push harder for a ceasefire.
  5. The US completes its kitset wharf and additional aid flows into Gaza.
  6. New evidence shows Hamas is diverting the aid so that it can profit by selling it on the black market.
  7. The Rafah assault continues in earnest.  Hamas is starting to show more enthusiasm for a ceasefire.

After the briefing and Q&A we will be holding our Annual General Meeting (AGM), a pivotal event in our calendar. Here’s why you should attend:

  1. Transparency and Accountability: The AGM provides a transparent platform where we share our achievements, challenges, and financial performance. Your participation ensures accountability.
  2. Shape Our Future: Your voice matters! At the AGM, you can contribute ideas, vote on key decisions, and help shape our strategic direction for the coming year.
  3. Community Bonding: Connect with fellow members, volunteers, and our passionate team. Forge new relationships and celebrate our collective impact.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 7.30pm, Thursday, MAY 30.  Hao Room, Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.

Together, let’s continue our mission of fighting racism and intolerance through raising awareness of Jewish history and culture. We look forward to seeing you!

DOWNLOADS

  1. AGM notice and agenda
  2. Proxy Form
  3. Annual Report
  4. Current Constitution
  5. Proposed Constitution
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.

Jun
19
Wed
Online: Screening of Screams before silence” @ Zoom call online
Jun 19 @ 6:00 PM

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

Jun
22
Sat
AUCKLAND: Ilan Wittenburg Kibbutz Be’eri Photographic Exhibition Opening Event @ Aucikland Hebrew Congregation
Jun 22 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

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

Jun
25
Tue
CHRISTCHURCH: We will dance again Tue June 25, 6pm @ Hoyts Entx
Jun 25 @ 6:00 PM

You are invited to the Premier of this documentary about the human stories that were tragically affected by the October 7 Nova Music Festival massacre.

There will be a 20 minute Q & A with Yariv Mozer, the Director of the film.

Tuesday, June 25, 6 pm, Hoyts Entx, Christchurch

See you there!

Jun
26
Wed
DOCEDGE: I shall not hate Wed June 26, 6pm @ Hoyts Entx
Jun 26 @ 6:00 PM

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!