Mr Peter Costello MP to launch anthology of Australian community members’ contributions to Israel

The Makor Jewish Community Library and the Zionist Council of Victoria will launch a very special anthology authored by members of our community who have contributed to Israel. The 2 volume set, entitled “Building A Nation” will be launched on Sunday August 2nd at 11am, at the Beth Weizmann Community Centre.

Keynote speaker at the launch will be former Federal Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello MP, a long-time supporter of Israel and close friend of the Jewish community. Mr Costello has just returned from a visit to Israel where he was part of the Australian delegation in the Australia Israel Leadership Forum.

The “Building A Nation” anthology can aptly be described as a significant piece of our community history, featuring the autobiographical experiences of 30 Melbourne community members and 20 of Australian Olim, each of whom describes their own unique relationship with Israel.

Contributions from the Australian Olim feature brilliant images, “before and after” photos – from when they first made Aliyah and today.

The Zionist Council of Victoria and the Makor Jewish Community Library have worked continuously on the project since it was first conceived to celebrate Israel’s milestone 60th anniversary of independence.

The 50 contributors worked with professional editors to bring their stories to fruition in the pages of the anthology.

In his foreword for “Building A Nation”, ZCV President Dr Danny Lamm writes, “This wonderful book of recollections, tributes and historical record demonstrates that the bonds between our community here in Australia and Israel are strong, multi layered and genuine. They are stories of struggle and hardship, of idealism and politics and ultimately of fulfilment and actualisation. The common feature among them is that they are intimate, personal stories of people within our community whose lives have somehow contributed to or been affected by the State of Israel in its first 60 years.”

Dr Lamm also writes of the results of this special project exceeding its expectations, “Even we did not expect the depth and range of writers who have put on record in such descriptive and evocative ways their exceptional experiences” he reveals.

Further events for “Building A Nation” will include featured readings at the Melbourne Writers Festival on August 30 and a launch in Israel on October 23.

For more information contact:
Ginette Searle – Executive Director, Zionist Council of Victoria 9272 5544
Leonie Fleiszig – Director, Makor Jewish Community Library 9272 5611
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The Zionist Council of Victoria leads and encourages Jewish and Zionist activity and expression within Victoria, to represent the Jewish community, to promote and communicate Israel’s interests within the broader Victorian community and to promote Victoria’s relationship with Israel. For more information, visit the Zionist Council of Victoria website www.zionismvictoria.org.au