"Forging the future"Zionist Federation of Australia

Leaders come together

“Forging the future - redefining Jewish identity and Zionism in a post October 7 world”.

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews toasts Israel at a Yom Ha'atzmaut cocktail reception. Photo: Peter Haskin
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews toasts Israel at a Yom Ha'atzmaut cocktail reception. Photo: Peter Haskin

More than 150 Jewish leaders from across Australia will come together in Melbourne this Sunday for the Zionist Federation of Australia’s (ZFA’s) biennial conference and Jerusalem Prize award evening.

Elad Simchayoff, Israel’s number one-ranked podcaster, will deliver the keynote address, titled “Forging the future – redefining Jewish identity and Zionism in a post October 7 world”.

Attendees will also hear from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Simon Birmingham, and Ambassador of Israel to Australia Amir Maimon.

The Conference will also include two panel discussions.

The first panel, “The Israeli Diaspora pre and post-October 7 – connection, perception, opportunity,” will be joined by Gusti Braverman, member of the World Zionist Organisation (WZO) executive board representing ARZENU – the political body of the Reform Movement within the WZO and its subsidiaries) – and Head of the Department of Irgoon and Connection with Israelis Abroad.

Author and journalist Julie Szego will join the second panel, “Now what? Models for meaningful engagement”.

Following the conference, the Jerusalem Prize will be jointly awarded by the ZFA, WZO and Zionism Victoria to Daniel Andrews, the former Premier of Victoria and an inaugural patron of Labor Friends of Israel.

The Jerusalem Prize was last awarded to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Also during the evening, former ZFA CEO and community stalwart Ginette Searle will be awarded the inaugural Julie Herzl Award for her lifelong contribution to the Jewish community and Israel.

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