Jewish community pauses to remember fallen soldiers
AT the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people around the world will stop to remember the moment when World War I came to an end.
AT the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people around the world will stop to remember the moment when World War I came to an end.
In Melbourne, the Victorian Association of Jewish Ex and Servicemen and Women (VAJEX) will commemorate Rememberance Day at Melbourne General Cemetery in Carlton this Sunday.
“It is very important to remember those who fell for our country,” VAJEX president Ben Hirsh said.
“It is a day to pay respect to those who fought so that we can enjoy the freedom that we take for granted.”
Hirsh said 82 Victorian Jews died in World War I and a further 60 did not return after World War II.
“We have a lot of members from as young as 25 to over the age of 90.
“Some of our members were in combat areas, and we also have three Vietnam veterans,” Hirsh said.
For Sydney’s Jewish community, Remembrance Day commemorations began last Sunday when 150 people packed the Benefactors’ Hall in Darlinghurst for the NSW Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women’s (NAJEX’s) annual commemoration.
“Remembering those who went to war and laid down their lives for our country is one of the most important days of the year,” NAJEX president Warwick Abadee said.
“We sent people, including Jews, overseas to fight wars a long way from Australia, he said. “The number of Jewish ex-servicemen is dwindling, but there are also people, like myself, who are ex-national servicemen. And of course we have a strong number still serving with the Australian Defence Force overseas in peacekeeping missions.”
Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) president Ken Doolan addressed the remembrance ceremony and highlighted some of the Jewish soldiers who have made a great contribution to Australia.
He also spoke about the tragedy in Afghanistan late last month, in which three Australian soldiers were killed.
For more information on VAJEX’s Rememberance Day ceremony, call Ben Hirsh: 0412 307 031.
JOSHUA LEVI
Ben Hirsh (right) said it is important to remember those who fell for our country
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