Tomorrow’s leaders gather in Israel today
FIVE Australians joined 45 Jewish leaders from around the world in the 23rd Nahum Goldmann Fellowship in Israel.
FIVE Australians joined 45 Jewish leaders from around the world in the 23rd Nahum Goldmann Fellowship in Israel.
Dover Heights Shule president Avron Newstadt, Zionist Council of Victoria project coordinator Keren Smolarski, Shalom Institute director of young adults Brandon Srot and ACT Jewish community president
Manny Waks were accompanied by NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president Yair Miller, who participated as an alumni advisory board member.
The fellowship aims to nurture the next generation of Jewish communal leaders by providing an intensive experience of Jewish learning, living and leadership for those aged 25-40.
Newstadt described the experience as amazing. “It was a great opportunity for me to be involved in discussions with other community leaders from around the world,” he said.
This year’s speakers included Stephen Bayme from the American Jewish Committee, Professor Ruth Gavison from the Hebrew University and Jewish Agency for Israel chairman Natan Sharansky.
“It was the quality of the speakers that was able to give you a really up-to-date view about current challenges within Israel and outside of Israel as well,” Newstadt said.
“Like social aspects that are currently going on in Israel in relation to conversion, [and] the relationship between Diaspora communities and Israel and vice versa.
“The take-out [message] for me from the course was that for me, particular to my role, was that the shul can be grown as a source, as a place where the whole family is immersed in Jewish identity.”
He said it was beneficial to interact with leaders from around the world.
“One of the things it got me to realise is we’re actually very fortunate in Australia that we’ve got very strong communities.
“[In] places like Serbia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia they’ve really got small communities and they’re struggling to survive.
“[There are] very high rates of intermarriage and disengagement and it’s really left a few young people that are trying to keep those communities alive and going,” Newstadt said.
“It’s fortunately less of a problem in Australia … but that’s more of a reason why we’ve got to try and get more programs going and just help the community get immersed it, and wanting to be immersed in it.”
GARETH NARUNSKY
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