Lesley Sachs to headline UIA Progressive Appeal

Lesley Sachs, chairperson of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), will speak at this year’s UIA Progressive Appeal events after original guest speaker Anna Avital was unable to leave Israel due to the war with Iran.

Avital, IMPJ’s deputy director of resource development and international relations, remains in a safe room in her hometown of Modiin in central Israel.

“I have four children, all of whom are combat soldiers. One of them is in an elite unit and has just returned after spending six weeks in an enemy country,” Avital said. “I am sorry to miss the trip to Australia but relieved to be staying close to my children in this testing time.”

Sachs, who was visiting family in Melbourne when the war broke out, has also had her travel plans derailed and is unable to return to Israel.

“If I am here, I intend to be useful, and I can think of no more important mission than to represent the IMPJ at the upcoming appeal events,” Sachs said.