Elyse Schachna to take the reins
She replaces Yossi Goldfarb, who stood down after four years at the helm.
Elyse Schachna was elected as the new president of Zionism Victoria at its 86th annual assembly on Tuesday night.
She replaces Yossi Goldfarb, who stood down after four years at the helm.
Schachna is a law lecturer who is active in the Jewish community, sitting on the Technion Australia board and Mount Scopus Memorial College council and has been involved in the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A) and Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation Beit Halochem Australia.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be elected as the president of Zionism Victoria,” she told The AJN. “I pay my respects and gratitude to those who have come before me and stood in this role to serve the community to lead and encourage Jewish and Zionist activity and expression within Victoria.
“I stand upon the shoulders of giants who have led and represented our community. I look forward to leaning in and learning as much as I can from our community stalwarts.”
She believes that the future of the community requires renewal and that the new board represents this.
“It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle, the new Zionism Victoria board represents this,” she said.
“I am thrilled to announce that Amie Rochman, Jonathan Black and Darren Gerber have joined the Zionism Victoria board, which represents diversity and generational change, handing the baton to the next generation to take on lay leadership roles in our community.”
Schachna is also looking forward to working with Zionism Victoria’s 60 affiliates.
“I hope we can break down the barriers between our organisations, work more collaboratively and unite to better our community,” she said.
Goldfarb, who steered Zionism Victoria through difficult times from the COVID pandemic to the aftermath of October 7, hailed the vibrancy and strength of the organisation.
“I feel really privileged to have led Zionism Victoria for the last four years, and proud of how we’ve helped more than 25,000 members of our community strengthen their connection to Israel since 7 October, 2023,” he commented to The AJN.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with other community leaders, our board and staff, and I know that under Elyse Schachna’s leadership ZV will continue to make a meaningful impact on and for our community.”
At the assembly there were also farewells for others stepping down – treasurer Michael Spiegel, honorary secretary Simon Rubenstein, board members David Opat and Atida Lipshatz and chairperson for Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre, Baron Katranski.
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