Vale ‘Helsie’, Helen Brustman
Communal leader Helen “Helsie” Brustman remembered for decades of service to Melbourne Jewry and Israel.
Helen “Helsie” Brustman (nee Hampel), known for her dedication to the Melbourne Jewish community and Israel, passed away on Monday aged 79.
Brustman’s communal service included over 25 years in event planning and fundraising for the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), as the first female president of North Eastern Jewish Centre, and supporting Australian Friends of Shaare Zedek.
In 2008 she received an Order of Australia for service to the Jewish community, particularly AIJAC, an honour she wore proudly.
AIJAC executive director Colin Rubenstein told The AJN Brustman was “an irrepressible character, almost a force of nature, she knew everybody and everybody knew her”.
“She was much beloved by all of her colleagues at AIJAC, and we benefited enormously from the nearly three decades of tireless commitment she devoted to our efforts,” he said.
“Her passing leaves a void which will be impossible to fill, and she will be sorely missed by all of us.”
At her funeral on Tuesday, “Helsie” was described as “larger than life”.
Malvern Chabad’s Rabbi Shimshon Jurkowicz praised her as “an incredible person who lived an incredible life and achieved so much.”
“She had the gift to try to help others, particularly she loved to mentor rabbis … How appropriate is it that she passed away on Purim, and she’s buried on Purim … She was a giving person, and this really characterised her life,” he said.
Brustman’s sister Barbara Rozenes shared that their parents left Poland for Australia escaping the war, and they grew up in Carlton.
“Whilst my sister had no children of her own, Helen was never without family. She found her strength in our community and formed deep and enduring friendships throughout her life,” Rozenes said.
AIJAC Chairman Mark Leibler reflected, “She brought energy, warmth and unmistakable colour to every occasion, and for those of us fortunate enough to be counted as friends, her love and loyalty were boundless.”
Friend Ian Raizon, who helped look out for Brustman after her late husband John passed, said, “I am so very fortunate to have played a part of your life… and always remember we love you”.
Caulfield Shule’s Rabbi Daniel Rabin said, “I know that anyone who had a friendship with her would probably describe her in the same way, because she made all of us feel like we were her entire world.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry Hon. Secretary and past president Anton Block told The AJN, “With the passing of Helen Brustman, our community has lost part of its soul. Known to all of us as Helsie, in so many ways Helsie was the beating of heart of our community. She dedicated her life to making our community better. This she did with much colour and flare, determination and unparalleled steadfastness. We will miss her!”
Close friend and past president of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria Nina Bassat said “Helsie Brustman enriched our community for many decades and in a variety of positions. Whatever she did, she did with energy and generosity of spirit. She cared deeply for our community, and she cared deeply for people. I had the privilege of working with Helsie Brustman and greatly appreciated her dedication, her commitment, her loyalty and her friendship.”
Zionism Victoria reflected on her passing on Purim, “Today is meant to be a day of joy, and it’s impossible not to think of the joy Helsie brought into every room she entered: the colour, the laughter, the warmth that lifted us all. As we celebrate, may our joy be elevated by her memory. May we carry her spirit forward – louder, brighter, kinder – just as she did.”
Caulfield MP David Southwick honoured her memory in Parliament on Tuesday, “Melbourne’s Jewish community has lost one of its greatest and most passionate advocates, Helen Brustman OAM, the beloved Helsie. Helsie was larger than life. Whether she was running or attending many of our community events, she would arrive in the biggest hats and the brightest outfits. She always made everybody feel welcome. May her memory be a blessing, and may the extraordinary legacy of service continue to inspire all of us.”