UIA Victoria launches record 2026 campaign
UIA Victoria launched its 2026 campaign after already surpassing the community’s 2024 fundraising total.
The United Israel Appeal Victoria launched its 2026 campaign at its AGM on Sunday evening.
So far this year’s campaign has already raised $18.1 million, surpassing the $17.8 million raised for the entire 2024 campaign.
Victorian President David Slade told the gathering that UIA Australia has raised more than $140 million since October 7, with Victoria alone contributing $60 million.
During the recent Iran war, the Melbourne community raised $1 million in one week to support affected communities.
Slade said that while the living hostages have returned home, UIA’s work continues as Israel faces long-term rehabilitation challenges.
“In the South, 95 per cent of residents have returned home, but 30 per cent are considering leaving because they feel unsafe. The North is even more challenging, where communities were evacuated earlier in the war and still have not returned,” Slade said.
He outlined UIA’s priorities which include rebuilding communities, addressing psychological trauma through early intervention programs for returning reservists and civilians, supporting Aliyah and absorption, and providing care for Holocaust survivors.
“As the largest remitter of funds to Israel from Australia, we carry the weight of this responsibility with deep care and deep pride,” Slade said.
He told the audience UIA has a unique position with “a seat at every table of decision-making authority mandated to rebuild the country from the north to the south.”
At the national level, outgoing UIA Australia President Esther Frenkiel is stepping down after serving since 2021, with Andrew Boyarsky from NSW succeeding her.
Frenkiel said the last two years have been “the most challenging and defining” years in collective memory.
“Since October 7, the needs across Israel are enormous, and I’m so proud that UIA has been on the ground since day one. Over my six visits since that dark day, it has been wonderful to see how each and every one of our projects have had a transformative impact on so many lives,” she said.