From Strength to Renewal
Shana Tova to you and your families. As we enter 5786, we do so at a time of both challenge and responsibility. The past year has tested our people in profound ways. Yet Rosh Hashana calls us to reflect, to renew, and to carry forward our collective strength with hope, resilience and purpose. It is a time to draw on faith and community, to affirm the bonds that unite us, and to look ahead with determination.
On Sunday, the ZFA Plenary set the tone for the year ahead. The message was clear: Zionism today must be lived, expressed in action, unity and purpose. ZFA President Jeremy Leibler urged us to hold the centre, to resist wedge politics and to keep our communal table strong. True Zionism, he reminded us, requires holding multiple truths at once, defining our story on our own terms, not solely through the lens of antisemitism, and turning shared purpose into practice together. The discussions challenged us to move from resilience to agency, ensuring that our institutions, students and activists work in partnership to lead in this critical moment.
On Monday and Wednesday evenings, Zionism Victoria, Habayit and the ZFA were honoured to host Dr. Yoaz Hendel. He shared reflections on Israel’s security, democracy and the moral tests facing the Jewish people. His words struck a powerful chord, reminding us of both the challenges ahead and the opportunities to strengthen Israel–Diaspora bonds in meaningful ways.
As we approach the new year, let us carry forward the lessons of Rosh Hashana. Just as the shofar calls us to awaken, so too are we called to strengthen our community, deepen our unity, and live our Zionism with purpose and pride. May 5786 be a year where challenge is met with courage, where despair gives way to hope, and where together we write the next chapter of our people’s story with resilience and pride.
May this new year bring peace, healing, and the safe return of all hostages to their families and to our people.
Shabbat Shalom
שנה טובה ומתוקה
Zionism Victoria
70 Young Leaders Unite at AZYC Bogrim Seminar
Last weekend, AZYC held its annual Bogrim Seminar in Sydney, bringing together more than 70 Bogrim from Zionist youth movements across Australia and New Zealand. Against the backdrop of nearly two years since October 7, the program offered historical context on the legitimacy of Zionism, space for honest dialogue, and a strong social framework that fostered connection and resilience in a young, vibrant setting. For more than 20 years, this annual seminar has helped cultivate the next generation of Zionist youth movement leadership.
The seminar included workshops, keynote speakers Gil Troy and Yoaz Hendel, a panel hosted by Zionist council of NSW, Havdalah hosted by Mizrachi Synagogue NSW, and more.
Some selected leaders later joined the annual Plenary held by the ZFA, and got a chance to represent their movements.
Conversation with Yoaz Hendel in Hebrew
This week we hosted a fascinating lecture with Yoaz Hendel. It was wonderful to see the Hebrew-speaking community come together, listen, and even ask (sometimes tough) questions about Israel’s future.
We hope you enjoyed the event and found it thought-provoking. Looking forward, we plan to continue bringing more speakers and diverse perspectives to our community here in Victoria.