Large man with a larger heart
TRIBUTES have poured in this week for former NSW Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women (NAJEX) president Warwick Abadee, who passed away on Sunday aged 80.
TRIBUTES have poured in this week for former NSW Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women (NAJEX) president Warwick Abadee, who passed away on Sunday aged 80.
A former national serviceman who joined the NAJEX board around 15 years ago and served as president for five years, Abadee was awarded Honorary Life Membership of NAJEX upon his retirement from the board in 2012.
Remembering Abadee as “a polished statesman who always persevered to do what was right”, Maroubra Synagogue’s Rabbi Yossi Friedman, who was encouraged by Abadee to apply to become a military chaplain, told The AJN: “Warwick was a large man with an even larger heart. He cared deeply for his family and for the causes that he was a part of. He was a proud Jew who throughout his life contributed greatly to the Jewish and wider Australian community.
“From his immaculate dress to his deliberate speech, he was always well put together and persistent in his desire to achieve his aims. I enjoyed spending time with him and relished our discussions around military matters.”
Rabbi Friedman said that becoming a military chaplain “enriched my life”, and Abadee “supported me the entire way through this process and I owe him a great debt of gratitude”.
“It has opened me up to life beyond civilian duty and allowed me to share of Judaism’s riches with those of other faiths. I see this role as a deep privilege – to serve alongside incredible men and women in protecting our Australian values and way of life,” he said.
Current NAJEX president Charles Aronson told The AJN Abadee’s foresight in broadening the NAJEX membership base has ensured a strong and vibrant organisation for the future.
“His amiable personality enabled him to build strong relationships with the members. He was instrumental in opening up membership of NAJEX to non-service and junior members, citing the need to perpetuate the memory of fallen heroes through education and commemoration,” Aronson said.
“He will be remembered by his affable nature and his dedication to the welfare of ex-servicemen and women.”
Abadee’s name appears on the NAJEX Honour Board housed in the Permanent Military Exhibition at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
He is survived by wife Yvonne, children Phillip, Geoffrey and Diana, and 12 grandchildren.
EVAN ZLATKIS
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