Love is in the air

During his official welcome to Melbourne by major Jewish community groups, Israel’s ambassador Amir Maimon spoke about the importance of the calendar date – coinciding with a little-known Jewish holiday – Tu b’Av, the chag of love, often described as the Jewish counterpart to Valentine’s Day.

After explaining the origins of the holiday in biblical Israel, when young people gathered in the vineyards in search of a partner, Maimon turned to the present day, lamenting the geographical distance that limits his affection for his newborn grandchild to Zoom.

He then turned to “the love for Israel”. Of the recent Gaza hostilities, he said, “During the last few days, we read a lot about the Iron Dome … I want to talk about a different dome, the Jewish dome. I feel that since I arrived, I’m embraced, not just as Amir, but as the representative of the country that we all love.

“I was posted in quite a number of countries … in the United States … in the United Kingdom … in Turkey … and I never experienced such a warm, united, devoted and strong community. I cannot share in words what it means to me, as the official representative [of Israel] wherever I go.”

About his meetings with Jewish leaders around Australia, Maimon said, “Once we meet, you can immediately feel the connection, a true and real connection. And for that I would really like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

When he arrived in Australia during the COVID pandemic in January, Maimon told The AJN, “It’s very important for both parties, not just for Australia, to learn from the Israelis but also for us to learn from Australia. After all, your health system here is highly developed and highly respected.”

Delayed by the pandemic, the August 11 reception at Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre was finally an opportunity for an official welcome from Victorian Jewry by Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) president Daniel Aghion and Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb.

Goldfarb said afterwards, “Together with the JCCV, we were delighted to host the ambassador at a reception welcoming him to the community last week.

“In all our meetings, he has shown a real willingness to engage with the community. And we are truly excited and honoured that he will be with us for Israel’s 75th anniversary next year, helping us ensure this landmark occasion is celebrated in the style it deserves.”