On the 27 of July, Jews from all around Sydney flocked to the Opera house to hear the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra perform Beethoven’s fifth and sixth symphonies. The theatre was filled with the old and young alike, with young families and an overflowing bus with the residents from the montefiore home. No doubt when the audience was searching for there seats they were talking the latest news and their expectations for the afternoon. From the beginning of the performance to the last standing ovation, this concert was no less than magnificent and never to be forgotten.
The theatre was adorned with delicate blue and white flowers, which added even more to the grand atmosphere. Under the guidance of the world renowned musician Zubin Mehta the IPO began the matinee with a superb performance of Beethoven’s sixth symphony. The audience was awestruck – and it showed with countless standing ovations. At interval you could distinctly hear the words “wonderful”, “splendid” and “glorious” being passed around the chatty masses of people. The audience excitingly reentered the theatre in anticipation for the musical wonders which would follow.
The IPO performed Beethoven’s famous Fifth symphony with energy and power. When they had finished the last movement, there was a clear and pure silence with the audience struck for words. Finally the theatre erupted in cheers and applause as Zubin Mehta exited the stage.
When Mehta reentered he uttered five single words which got quite a few laughs from audience. “A little bit of Mozart” The IPO finished the concert with three frivolous pieces evocative of Vienna which were enthusiastically received by the audience.
This was an inspiring performance marking Israel’s 60th anniversary celebrations. The orchestra has made a remarkable journey from its origins as a group of European musicians escaping Nazism by migrating to Palestine in 1936 to become the world renowned musical ambassadors of Israel.
By Ilana Gottlieb
Runners Up
Your Inner Jewish Princess
Can it be possible? Has every woman got a little bit of JP inside them? Well the truth is, under all the piles of schnitzel, chalah, chicken soup and bagels, somewhere inside us there is a live and living Jewish Princess.
First thing’s first….for those of you who are not educated on this subject, a JP is of cause an abbreviation for a Jewish Princess. What is a Jewish Princess, you may ask. There are many answers to this question, but I do believe after reading the ‘Jewish Princess Cookbook’ (By Georgie Tarn and Tracey Fine) that the main principles of being a Jewish Princess are the three P’s. A JP is: Positive, Productive and Princess like in everything she does. Being a JP as said in this book, is all about Having your cake and eating it!
Being fortunate enough to go to a Jewish day school, there are many JP’s amidst my peers and I can proudly say I am one of them! My first act, as a Jewish Princess is to spread awareness of why being a JP is certainly not a bad thing at all. Being a Jewish Princess is not about being a bimbo as the typical stereotype suggests. A love of life, a love of family, a love of your jewish background and a love of yourself, is all you really need to be a JP, but a love of shopping does help! I strongly urge all of you to find your inner JP’s and let them all loose so every day can be a JP Party! Treat yourself, look after yourself, and make your family, friends and most importantly yourself happy. Raise your glasses to make a toast, to our inner Jewish Princesses who bring enjoyment to every second of our lives……
Lechaim!
By Annabelle Klimt
On July 16th 2008, Israel alongside the whole Jewish world were astonished and filled with feelings of, grief, sadness and humiliation whilst learning of the deaths of the two Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev who were kidnapped two years ago by the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah. It had been a part of an exchange agreement with Hezbollah, the return of the soldiers for the release of 5 terrorists (including the child murderer Samir Kuntar) and 200 dead terrorist bodies. When first hearing this from my parents, I was in shock, I didn’t know what to say: two dead bodies of innocent soldiers who protected Israel, in return for five very much alive terrorists that have murdered hundreds of Israeli men, women and children, all of that plus 200 more bodies. In one way, I thought that Israel was kind of unwise for going with the exchange, but when thinking more thoroughly about it, Israel has always been facing big moral dilemmas when it comes to captives exchange deals. Despite constant pressure not to compromise with terrorist demands – Israel has always prioritised its Jewish moral value of pidyon shvuyim, redeeming its captives, in the highest regard. So as I see it now, Israel was facing a very difficult choice to make. As an Israeli born living in Australia, I am sharing similar feelings. I feel sorry for what Israel and the rest of the Jewish world have been going through; and at the same time I am feeling the pain of humiliation for being beaten once more by terror. In the end, I am glad that Israel has made the more moral decision and am proud to come from a country that had so clearly shown its great respect, dignity and commitment for its soldiers and their families and by doing so - winning the most crucial battle.
By Shir Dekel
ETHIOPIAN IMMIGRATION AND INTEGRATION
The 5th and 6th of August marked the end of the period of Ethiopian aliyah to Israel which began in 2003, in an effort to remove Ethiopian Jews from Ethiopia and bring them to Israel in order to begin a new life.
The campaign that began 30 years ago is thought to have ended, but Israeli advocates have hinted that the aliyah will continue in order to reunite the remaining Jews with relatives already living in Israel.
The focus on the standards of Jews living in Ethiopia has not been great in the past few months; however the recent waves of Ethiopian immigrants to Israel will present new challenges for the immigrants and long-time residents.
One of the many reasons which presented a need for a major Ethiopia-Israel aliyah was the fact that Jews living in Ethiopia were presented with various problems which challenged their ability to practice their religion openly, and their freedom in the political and religious world.
The official name given to these Jews is “Falasha”, a word derived from the Ethiopian language, meaning “stranger”. This word can be said to sum up the way in which Ethiopian Jews have been treated in their own land.
The first major rescue operation was Operation Moses, in which more than 12,000 Jews were air lifted and transported by sea from Ethiopia in order to escape the famine they would have inevitably faced.
An anonymous source has confirmed that we will no longer be seeing operations of the same scale as Operation Moses and Operation Solomon (another major operation) but Jews will continue to trickle out of Ethiopia.
Although the grass may really be greener on the other side for these immigrants, there are concerns that they will face challenges concerning integrating themselves into Israeli society.
As the saying goes, only time will tell.
By Nechama Basserabie
Countdown to the Olympics
After 4 years we are finally here. The 2008 Olympic Games! The 42 member team was announced at a press conference in Tel Aviv just days before the Opening ceremony. This Israeli team includes 4 time Olympian shooter Guy Starik. He was actually out of the Olympics until a lenient IOC (International Olympic Committee) allowed him in through his outstanding effort in Munich, where he shot a perfect score of 600 in Munich last month.
Among the Jews going to the Olympics there is 27 year old, Australian Jew, David Zalcberg. He is representing Australia in Table Tennis. This renowned Australian started playing Table Tennis at 12 and continues to play the high standard game that could possibly win him a gold medal. Zalcberg specializes in doubles play and had a ranking of 1st in this area in 2005.
The Israeli team after first competing in the Olympics in 1952 in Helsinki, Finland have only won 1 gold medal. That medal came in the 2004 Olympics when Gal Fridman won the Mistrail sailing event. The Israeli team look to better that effort in Beijing this year.
We hope to cheer Israel on as they look to better their results at past Olympics. On behalf of Israel and Jews around the world, Good Luck Israel.
By Jared Engelman