Zionist leader’s Jerusalem gong
NAOMI LEVIN
FORMER Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) president Dr Ron Weiser has joined illustrious company as a recipient of the Jerusalem Prize.
ZFA president Philip Chester said: “The Jerusalem Prize is awarded by the ZFA and the World Zionist Organisation to outstanding personalities who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to Israel, Jerusalem and Zionism.
“In deciding to award this year’s prize to Ron Weiser, we could think of no-one who, in their very long and distinguished service for Israel and the Jewish people, better exemplified the objectives of this prestigious honour.”Previous recipients of the prize, which is awarded annually by the ZFA, include former governor-general Sir Zelman Cowen, former prime minister John Howard and former foreign minister Alexander Downer. In announcing him as the winner, ZFA assistant director Dara Podjarski said Dr Weiser was one of the Jewish community’s most prominent members due to his 40-year commitment to Zionism and community affairs.
“Ron’s 10-year presidency saw the ZFA emerge as a powerful, positive force in many areas, including formal and informal Jewish education, Israel programs and youth,” Podjarski said. “He also greatly enhanced the quality of the Jewish community’s representations to government, the media and the wider community.”
She was particularly praiseworthy of Dr Weiser’s involvement in seeking justice for the victims of the 1997 Maccabiah Bridge collapse. One of the largest challenges Dr Weiser faced at that time was making sure the Australian Jewish community remained united with Israel and didn’t use the tragedy as an excuse for the relationship to sour. Dr Weiser was only the third ZFA president to serve for 10 years or more.
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