‘Founder’ honoured on Israel’s birthday

MORE than 2500 students from every Jewish school helped Sydney celebrate Israel’s 63rd birthday at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday evening.

The Yom Ha’aztmaut bash featured Israeli music, dancing and food, as well as rides and other entertainment. “It was the biggest assembly of all of the Jewish kids from the schools and it was very powerful,” Zionist Council of NSW executive director Aviva Kogus said.

The students were joined by Zionists of all ages in the evening, as Dennis Rudnick, who fought during the 1948 War of Independence and played a key role in the establishment of El Al, was honoured as part of the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations.

Rudnick was one of 800 South African volunteers who travelled to Israel to defend Israel from its hostile neighbours. “This is a meaningful link to those unforgettable months in 1948,” he said.

“What I, and many other South Africans, were able to achieve in 1947 and 1948 to assist in establishing El Al Airlines and the Israeli Airforce was a tremendous joy to us all, and it is very special to have my contribution recognised.”

Israel Embassy spokesperson Einat Weiss said it was an honour to meet Rudnick. “He represents the heroism, the bravery and the sacrifice of our soldiers along the years.”

Presenting Rudnick with a certificate, she added, “Without people like yourself I would not be here today and we would not have a State of Israel.”

Only one thing marred the event, a live hook-up with the Jewish State that would have seen the community in Sydney sing Israel’s national anthem together with revellers in Tel Aviv, failed to work.

However, Zionist Council of NSW honorary life president, Ron Weiser reminded the audience that despite the glitch, Hatikvah translates as the hope. “The hope that we, the Jewish people, after 2000 years of having other people determine how and what we will do, will finally realise on this, the 63rd year of Israel’s independence, that our future is now in our own hands,” he said. “The hope that we will be able to turn this future into an even brighter future as we go forward.”

JOSHUA LEVI

Adam Shul (left) and Daniel Franc flying the flag for Israel