|
Sydney Jewish Museum misses out on lost Schindler's list
SYDNEY - The Sydney Jewish Museum is upset that a
newly discovered copy of Schindler's list - which saved 801 Jewish lives during the Holocaust - has ended up in the hands of the NSW State Library.
A library researcher recently stumbled upon the 13-page list while combing through six boxes of Tom Keneally's manuscript material relating to his best-selling novel Schindler's Ark. Keneally apparently sold his manuscript, including the carbon type-script copy of Oskar Schindler's list
of Jewish workers he helped to escape death, before the library acquired it in 1996.
The list - believed to be one of the few remaining - went on display for the first tine along with Keneally's manuscript in the library recently. But Sydney's Jewish Museum's Norman
Seligman said the document belonged in a Holocaust museum, not a public library. While recognising that Keneally had the right, as owner, to decide what he wanted to do with it, he said he was "disappointed that it was offered to a document dealer, rather than a Holocaust Museum".
"The most appropriate place for such a document in a Holocaust Museum, such as the Sydney Jewish Museum, where the document can be viewed in the right historical context", Seligman said. Anna Reich, 88m who is believed to be the last surviving Schindler Jew in Sydney, also sided
with the museum. "Keneally made lots of money from the film and the book. He could have given the list to the Sydney Jewish Museum. It would have made more sense" she said.
But the State's Library researcher Dr Olwen Pryke, who discovered the copy said "The significance of the document lies in the fact that it inspired Tom Keneally's novel, which
really brought Schindler's story to the world. As he's a prominent NSW author, I believe the material makes sense here"
Pryke, however hasn't ruled out the chance of the Sydney Jewish Museum acquiring the list on a short-term loan from the library.
"It's difficult for me to say, but we certainly have a history of loaning significant items to other institutions, and I can't see why we wouldn't be willing to loan this one also," she said.
Plan for a partnership
MELBOURNE - After more that two decades of independence, Melbourne's two Jewish museums have
announced an intention to increase their collaboration.
Dr.Helen Light director of the Jewish Museum of Australia and Bernard Korbman, director of the Jewish Holocaust Museum, both believe that despite the museums' different subjects themes, they share a common role.
The two directors said the museums were both dedicated to promoting respect between individuals of different races, cultures and faiths. The organisations are also dedicated to
fighting racism and furthering understanding between different cultural groups. Dr Light and Korbman nominated several ways to bring the two museums closer. They would include of holding events together for the staff of both museums, sharing archive resources and working together on education and programs.
According to a statement released by the museums, the directors have agreed to work to "provide our community with stronger integrated museum services."
"To these ends, the museums have signed an agreement about complementary collecting of our public's programs and planning events to complement each other's exhibitions". Dr Light said the move was "not competing, but cooperating", and that it was important for museum visitors - the bulk who are not Jewish - to get an all-encompassing view of the Jewish
community. A snapshot of community life without the Holocaust, or an understanding of the Holocaust without any knowledge of the local Jewish community, was not a mutual goal.
Korbman added the museum's model of collaboration could be replicated across the community. With increased expenses and a competition for donor's dollars, the Holocaust Centre director said other oganisations should look at a model based on a middle ground between total amalgamation and total separation.
The Jewish Museum of Australia was established in 1982, by the late Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky. The Jewish Holocaust Centre was established two years later in 1984 by Holocaust survivors, observing its 25th anniversary this year.
Schools miss out on
long-awaited security grant
MELBOURNE - Five Victorian Jewish schools have failed to receive any funding for security under the federal Government's Secure Schools Program.
The $20 million program, which was announced during the 2007 election campaign, was initially aimed at providing assistance to schools assessed to have terrorism or national security-related risks.
However, in the first of four rounds of allocations announced by Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus on Monday, five Jewish schools completely missed out on funding.
After school representatives slammed the allocation, but following further represntations, it is understood the Government will now amend the criteria.
Of the $5 million awarded this week, Jewish schools received $3.2 million - the remainder going to Islamic and some government schools.
However, Mount Scopus Memorial College, Leibler Yavneh College, Sholem Aleichem College, Yesodei HaTorah and the Adass Israel School did not get a cent.
It is understood the money was awarded based on the number of threats a school has received previously, rather than an assessment of its potential risk.
Some school presidents have criticised the allocations, but praised Melbourne Ports MP Michael Danby for working to rectify the situation.
Danby released a statement saying "The office of the Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus has now said that the criteria used to assess whether schools faced securiity threats was set too narrowly and will be revised."
"Leibler Yavneh and Mount Scopus must apply again, and I will help them steer through the funding application process, so that they receive a just amount of funding," Danby said.
Mount Scopus president Lisa Kennett said the school "is mystified as to why five of the eight Jewish day schools in Melbourne did not receive an allocation of funds for security needs".
Yavneh president Mark Joel added his school was "reassured" by Danby's statement.
The AJN requested an explanation about the reported error from Debus' office, but there had been no response at the time of going to press.
Moriah College principal Kim Fillingham said the funding for his school would help ensure the safety of students, staff and the community.
Carmel principal David Taylor said the grant would be used on perimeter fencing. "The primary campus is separate from the high school campus, so perimeter fencing is quite extensive."
Australian Council of Jewish Schools co-chair Susi Brieger said Jewish schools would work with the Government "to ensure an equitable allocation."
Go to top of right column
|
|
"Notwithstanding the existence of some anomalies, Jewish schools have received over 60 per cent of the moneys allocated in this round."
Australians mourn a friend
SYDNEY - Frank Stein, a man who touched the lives of hundreds of Australian Jews, passed away from cancer in Israel on Monday (March 30).
Stein, 52, was the director of the Zionist Federation of Australia's (ZFA) Israel office for many years. He stepped down last year and was replaced by Yigal Sela.
Close friend and former ZFA president Dr Ron Weiser was among the hundreds of people mourning Stein from afar.
"He was a tremendous friend and he was somebody who befriended, not only people he knew, but every Australian who came to Israel, either on programs or aliyah," Dr Weiser said. "There are hundreds of people who are sad. hundreds of people
who knew him as a personal friend, someone who they could rely on at any time."
Current ZFA president Philip Chester also paid tribute to Stein.
"Frank devoted his life to the Zionist cause, always giving of his heart and soul," Chester said.
Stein began his lifelong commitment to Zionism as a member of Betar in his hometown of Brisbane. In 1985 he moved to Israel.
A Facebook group was set up as a memorial to Stein, and more than 250 people have paid tribute to the man they called "Franki".
One friend wrote: "I will always remember how incredibly giving Frank was - how he would send our office presents for every farewell and every chag, how he would insist on Tel Aviv airport
pickups, no matter the time of night, and would ensure that on every one of my visits to Israel he treated me to a great meal."
Others have suggested renaming the annual youth movement leaders' camp -- the bogrim seminar -- in honour of Stein.
Stein never married, and is survived by his father in Brisbane and his siblings. Several hundred Australians in Israel attended his funeral in Jerusalem.
Bank chips in to help needy families
MELBOURNE- At a time when unemployment is rising and many families are experiencing increased financial hardship, the ANZ Bank ( one of the four major Australian banks) has launched a
special savings program for low-income earners in the Jewish community.
Launched in conjunction with Jewish Care, the Savers Plus program matches savings dollar-for-dollar up to $1000.
The money provided by the ANZ, however, must be used for educational purposes, such as uniforms, books or excursions, and parents must also attend four Jewish Care workshops on financial management.
"I am delighted we can be part of this excellent program," Jewish Care CEO Bruce Salvin said.
"Saver Plus is empowering families to make a brighter future themselves."
Applicants for Savers Plus must hold a healthcare card, at least one member of the family must have a job and the family must have at least one school-aged child.
The Jewish Care-ANZ program will operate in the St Kilda, Balaclava, Caulfield, Elsternwick and Bentleigh areas.
"We have a very large Jewish population here in Elsternwick," Elsternwick ANZ manager Lisa Sheridan said.
"This program is a great way for us to get more involved and demonstrate our commitment to our local community."
Initially, Saver Plus was a program operated by the bank, in conjunction with the Brotherhood of St Laurence. But it has since expanded to include Jewish Care.
In 2008, a Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology study found that Saver Plus had the highest level of success of any international savings program of its type, with 96 per cent of
participants meeting or exceeding their savings goals.
Strong Pesach sales
MELBOURNE- Despite Pesach prices increasing this year, kosher retailers have reported a jump in the number of customers. This has been attributed to fewer people going away
for Pesach, due to the tougher economic climate.
While items, such as matzah meal and honey, have increased by 40-50 per cent on last year, customers have still been purchasing these items at the expense of less necessary products, such as potato chips and confectionery.
According to Alex Spitalnic, owner of Melbourne's Alex's Kosher and Continental Mart in Caulfield South, local products, such as Yumi's dips, Tempo dairy product and locally made juices have been selling well, while "higher echelon items," such as imported wines, have slowed.
"I have had to pay 30 per cent more on most items and if it's gone up on us, I have to put it up," Spitalnic said.
"Matzah, for instance, has increased by 30-40 per cent this year because of currency conversion and a higher price of flour because of drought.
"Some matzah has now been discounted because the importers ordered too much stock and now are stuck with it."
For Judith Lewis, owner of Sydney's Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Bondi, orders have increased.
"We have had a lot more orders this year," Lewis said. "People say they are happy to pay that little bit extra for items, which are better quality and particularly for traditional things."
While items, such as gefilte fish have increased, Lewis has noticed customers saving money by buying cakes in halves rather than whole.
|
|
JERUSALEM—When people agree, they do not need politicians. One of the things that politicians do is to arrange deals when there are disagreements.
COSTA MESA, California—Richard Greenberg is somewhat of an icon at The South Coast Repertory Theatre. He is referred to as the ‘quintessential SCR playwright’. Over the years (since 1988) he has been the author of eight previous SCR world premieres and has been the recipient all sorts of awards including The Oliver, Drama Desk and Pulitzer Prize finalist. Just recently his ninth, Our Mother’s Brief Affair, in another world premiere, opened on the Segerstrom Stage and will play through May 3rd. 
could envision to tell her children as a lasting post script to her life. She wants an obituary written about her, one that will make the papers.
SPRING VALLEY, California — Holocaust Remembrance Week with David Faber, author of Because of Romek. Polish born Holocaust survivor; Nazi victim from 1939-45; survivor of nine concentration camps; witness to the Nazi murders of his parents, brother Romek, and five of his six sisters; partisan resistance fighter at age 14, liberated from Bergen-Belson 1945, age 18, weight 72 pounds; author and award-winning lecturer and educator. Please arrive early, seating is limited there will be complimentary light refreshments served. Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 4:00 pm. Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton Street. (619) 463-3006.
