This week in Israel, I had the privilege of participating in the Ofir Program, an initiative that is far more than a leadership seminar. It is a living bridge between Israel and Diaspora communities, bringing together communal leaders from across the world to strengthen our shared purpose, responsibility and vision for Jewish life.

The program is established in memory of Ofir Lipstein, former Mayor of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, whose life and leadership embodied the very values the initiative seeks to cultivate. Ofir was not only a regional leader; he was a visionary committed to strengthening the south, investing in community infrastructure and advancing technological and social innovation in the Gaza envelope. He was killed on October 7 while defending his community. The program that bears his name honours both his legacy of leadership and his unwavering belief in the strength of Jewish communal responsibility.

At its core, the program is about defining and strengthening Jewish communities and Jewish identity globally. It challenges participants to think practically and strategically about leadership, continuity and responsibility, and about how we cultivate vibrant, connected and future facing Jewish life across the Diaspora.

Throughout the week we engaged with educators, social innovators and communal leaders whose work speaks directly to the future of Jewish peoplehood. The conversations were thoughtful, forward looking and grounded in both contemporary realities and long historical memory.

As part of the program we travelled south to the Gaza envelope, including visits connected to Kfar Aza and Kibbutz Ruchama, which is currently housing many residents displaced from Kfar Aza following October 7. Having spent time in the region previously, this visit focused on understanding the ongoing process of rebuilding community life.

We heard reflections connected to the Sha’ar HaNegev region that spoke to both the challenges and the vision shaping the south moving forward. Alongside the hardship sits a clear commitment to renewal, including the continued development of technological and entrepreneurial initiatives designed to strengthen the region’s future. It is a model not only of recovery, but of growth and long term investment in community resilience.

This coming week we look forward to welcoming the President of Israel, His Excellency Isaac Herzog. His visit is significant for the Australian Jewish community as it reinforces the relationship between Australia and Israel, expressed through decades of friendship, diplomatic partnership and shared democratic values.

For our community, the connection between Israel and Jewish communities, including here in Australia, is foundational to identity, continuity and collective belonging. Moments such as this reaffirm that bond and the central place Israel holds in our communal life.

It also provides an important moment of solidarity, particularly as we continue to honour and mourn those injured and murdered in the Bondi terror attack. The visit creates space to stand together, to acknowledge loss, and to affirm the strength and resilience of Jewish life in Australia.

Participating in the Ofir Program this week has reinforced the importance of investing in leadership, identity and communal responsibility. The work continues, and so too does the obligation we carry to build strong, confident and connected Jewish communities for the future.

Wishing you all a peaceful Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom!

Elyse Schachna

President, Zionism Victoria

Tu B’Shvat: Rooted in Memory, Growing in Hope

This week, our community gathered under a heavy sky but with a shared purpose. On this Tu B’Shvat, the "New Year for Trees," we looked beyond the traditional celebration of nature to address a profound communal ache.

We came together to honour the lives tragically lost in the Bondi massacre. By putting our hands to earth today, we chose to counter senseless violence with a symbol of life, growth, and enduring peace. In a moment of silent reflection, we transitioned from mourning to action – the kind of action that defines our spirit: planting for the future.

We were privileged to hear moving words from Sheina Gutnick, daughter of Reuven Morrison z"l, one of the victims of the tragedy. Her reflections provided a powerful bridge between our grief and our heritage.

Sheina reminded us of the vital connection between our people and our traditions:

"A tree cannot survive without its roots. So too, we as a Jewish nation cannot survive without our roots. That being, the Torah and the Land of Israel."

She spoke beautifully of her father’s legacy, noting that he "embedded himself in the life of Torah" and maintained a deep, unbreakable connection to the Land of Israel – the very place where the family will grant his final wish to be buried.

Hear more of Sheina’s words on our Instagram Highlights under ‘Community.’

A Living Tribute

In Jewish tradition, "a person is like a tree of the field." By planting this tree today, we ensure that the memories of those we lost remain rooted in our Victorian soil while their spirits continue to reach toward the light.

Just as a tree weathers the seasons, our community stands firm. This living memorial will grow as a testament to the strength of the Bondi community, the legacy of the victims, and the unbreakable bond of the Victorian Jewish community.

The State of Israel wants to hear from you!

The Prime Minister's Office together with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration are currently promoting a new initiative to develop solutions and incentives designed to help those interested in Aliyah make the decision to move to Israel.

In order for us to create new solutions for you that will truly make a difference – we need to understand what is of importance to you in moments of deliberation.

Take the survey and make your voice heard to help us build the bridge home: https://go.gov.il/israel-survey-en