MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Members, Hope you are all in good health - and have had a good start to 2016. Although it has been holiday time, some of us have continued to meet and focus on the needs of B’nai B’rith Victoria – with the aim of growing and strengthening the organisation. Pop Up Barista – this event is to take place at the end of January and aims to interest those in the 40’s to 50’s age group. Although the evening will focus on promoting two of BBVic’s key projects: Courage to Care and the Raoul Wallenberg Yad Vashem Studies Grants – attendees will also find out more about B’nai B’rith. BBYA - Ilana Silver and a group of young people are planning a future event for those in their 20’s to 30’s. The event is to have a focus on Mental Health issues and its impact on young people. Stay tuned for further details. February Workshop - B’nai B’rith Victoria with Jewish Care are providing a Job Seeking Development Workshop for members wishing to re-enter the workplace. This is to be held at the B’nai B’rith office on Thursday 18th February from 9:30-2:30 pm. The cost is $20 per person including material as well as morning tea and lunch. The workshop still has space for a few more people – if you wish to attend or know of anyone who might be interested to come along, it is not too late to register (but must be asap). Topics likely to be covered are: Job search – tips for job seekers; New technology (Linked In, SEEK Profiles); Networking your way into jobs; Connecting with other job seekers and sharing experiences; Forming Job Clubs Combined Meetings – Our Combined meetings over the past year have gone extremely well, providing exceptional speakers and entertainment. We had 150 attend the December 2015 event and feedback has been excellent. On Sunday, 21st February at 3:00 pm, we have the first Combined Meeting for the year and this also promises to present B'nai B'rith with quality entertainment by Nathan Lay, Encouragement Award Winner of the 2015 Harold Fisher Memorial Opera Scholarship and our guest speaker is well-known Author, Producer and Presenter on Radio National - Dr Rachel Kohn. Her topic is: “Saints, Sages and Charlatans - a life in The Spirit of Things.” Rachael is coming from Sydney to join us for the afternoon. (See flyer for details). It should be an interesting and special afternoon and I hope you will all come along – also keep in mind that if it is a hot day, Beth Weizmann is well air conditioned and the cooling is great. In One Voice Festival - Sunday, 20th March – an all-day event which brings our community together is to be held within the Elsternwick Cultural Precinct. Last year it was a wonderful day, great fun and a terrific opportunity to promote B’nai B’rith Victoria and its projects. Once again BBVic will be represented and we will have a stall (including umbrella) which will need to be “manned” by B’nai B’rith members - a roster will need to be organised; so please inform Frances if you are interested in helping for a few hours. Raoul Wallenberg Commemoration – on Sunday 17th January, I attended the annual Raoul Wallenberg Commemoration which is sponsored by The City of Port Phillip at the St Kilda Town Hall. It is always very special. The guest speaker was Dr Avril Alba - Lecturer in Holocaust Studies at the University of Sydney. She was excellent and the stories presented were very moving. It is with great thanks to the City of Port Phillip for its ongoing support and to the members of Raoul Wallenberg Unit for their efforts to ensure that the work of Raoul Wallenberg lives on. Office shredder looking for a home - recently our office shredder was replaced with a new more easily movable and lighter shredder. The old shredder is in good condition and works well, but is heavy at the top (when emptying). To make it easier for our volunteers who help in the office we have purchased a new one. Please let Frances know if you are looking for a “give away” shredder. If we are inundated with interest – we may need to look at a hat draw. BBVic Units’ activities over the December, January holiday period - this is a time when organisations stop for a break and it can become quiet and lonely for some. I did note in Preview that throughout this time there were many activities for our members to attend – as outlined below: Chanukah parties, a visit to the Jewish Museum, brunches, walks, picnics, Fressers & Shmoozers, dinners, calico doll making – and not to forget New Year’s Eve. I certainly had a wonderful time sharing this night with Unit Akiba who were dinner and dancing until after midnight and what fun it was. If any member needs respite from the heat - the BBVic office is air conditioned and also has cold water in the fridge. You are more than welcome to pop in - read (we have various reading materials), chat and most of all, be cool. B’nai B’rith is not only an organisation to be proud of, but also an organisation well aware of its “family”. Warmest wishes for the year, Faye
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Faye DubrowinPresident B'nai B'rith Victoria Archives
August 2016
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