Eshkol mayor delivers powerful message

An empowering speech from the heart by Michal Uziyahu, the mayor of Eshkol – one of Israel’s hardest hit regions on October 7, 2023 – deeply moved the audience at the sold-out UIA Australia Gala at Sydney’s Royal Randwick last Sunday, and at the equivalent event in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

“I came here two years ago [for a visit via UIA] and I don’t remember much of it, because my heart was crushed then,” Uziyahu said.

“But UIA Australia – you’ve been there big time for us, and you made me feel that I’m not alone.

“When Sydney was hurting, it was our turn to stand with you, to return the love that you gave us in our darkest time … and it is because we are one people.

“There are no shortcuts for what you’re going through, and what we are going through – we [in Eshkol] have 102 orphans under the age of 18, and a rise of 90 per cent in children with special needs.

“But a crisis … is an opportunity to grow. We didn’t choose it – it chose us – but we can choose what to do with it.”

UIA NSW president Gary Perlstein said Israel faces “a real mental health crisis right now, which if not handled appropriately, will create problems for generations.

“This is why we activated the Victims of Terror Fund, and why we’ve now initiated the Rebuilding Israel Fund.

“It is our collective responsibility to help them rebuild and thrive,” he said, adding “perhaps the person who understood this better than most was Stanley Roth (z”l).”

Stanley Roth passed away in late December in Sydney. He was a UIA Australia life member, communal stalwart and philanthropist.

“To honour Stanley in a way that will be perpetual and befitting … tonight we launch the Stanley Roth Leadership Mission,” said Perlstein, “a biannual mission to Israel for emerging leaders within our community.”

Ron Dermer – in conversation with world chair of Keren Hayesod-UIA Sam Grundwerg – was generous with his time in an off-the-record segment, providing a broad picture of the changing Middle East and Israel’s place within it, from his perspective as Israel’s former Minister for Strategic Affairs.

Israel’s new ambassador to Australia, Dr Hillel Newman, made a brief address, and singer-songwriter Lior performed a haunting rendition of Avinu Malkeinu.

Thanking the audience, chair of Keren Hayesod-UIA’s World Board of Trustees Bruce Leboff said, “The commitment, leadership and responsibility shown by this community is truly exceptional.”