Jewish leaders join ADF at commemoration

Senior Jewish leaders and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel represented the community at a Sir John Monash commemorative service held recently in the Legislative Assembly Chamber at Parliament House.

The service brought together representatives of government, the ADF, veterans, cadets, schools and members of the wider community to mark the life of Monash.

Hosted by the Spirit of Australia Foundation, the service reflected on Monash’s contribution as a soldier, engineer, scholar and nation builder. Monash commanded the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade at Gallipoli and later the Australian Corps in France, where his leadership contributed to the Allied victories of 1918. After the war, he served as chairman of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and was one of the founders of the Zionist Federation of Australia.

The service included reflections on Monash’s life, the James E. Barry Oration, musical items, the Ode, the Last Post, a minute’s silence and the laying of wreaths.

ADF chaplain Rabbi Dovid Gutnick recited a memorial prayer for Monash in Hebrew and English, followed by a prayer for Australia. Retired Major Jeffrey Rosenfeld served as master of ceremonies. Victorian Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women (VAJEX) representative Janice Furstenberg laid a wreath in Monash’s memory.