Chag Ha’atzmaut Sameach

From ZFA President Philip Chester

Philip ChesterIsrael at 65 has evolved significantly since the new-born, rough-around-the-edges state of 1948. The Israel of the 21st century is a first world economy and a sophisticated society, complete with a unique culture, dynamic politics and a robust and vigorous democracy.

However, Israel continues to face formidable challenges on the security front, due to the instability of many neighbouring regimes and leaders and the grave threat from Iran.

Israel’s recent elections saw new parties including Yesh Atid and HaBayit HaYehudi securing significant representation in the Knesset and forming part of the coalition government. It is clear that Israeli politics continues to be Continue reading »

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Yom Ha’atzmaut 2013 Greetings

Participants on ZFA Israel Programs gap-year programs send greetings from Israel to family and friends in Australia.

To find out which Israel journey is right for you, visit http://www.israelprograms.com.au

Videos produced, edited and filmed by Yigal Sela.


Greetings to Melbourne



Greetings to Sydney



Greetings to Queensland



Greetings to Perth


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Reflections on Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut

14 April 2013

With the approach of two of the most important “secular” days in the Israeli calendar, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, I have been reflecting as usual on what Israel means to me personally and to we, as a Zionist Community in the Diaspora.

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Did your server not redirect you? Go here for the latest information from the ZFA

ZFA News: Yom Ha’atzmaut Edition 2013

We’re less than a week away from the most important days of the Zionist calendar:

- 14 April evening, Erev Yom Hazikaron, day of commemoration of fallen soldiers and victims of terror. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the Yom Kippur War.
- 15 April, Yom Hazikaron
- 15 April evening, Erev Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day.
- 16 April, Yom Ha’atzmaut

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PM Gillard’s Yom Ha’atzmaut Message 2013

PM GillardOn behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, I extend congratulations and good wishes to the people and Government of Israel on the celebration of Yom Haatzmaut – Independence Day.

Israel is 65 years young, even as the State fulfils a dream of faith and rebirth that is over 3000 years old.

We cherish Israel as a democracy in a region facing profound upheaval. It is a society, as I have noted previously, based on liberty, justice and peace and which has guaranteed freedom of religion, language and culture to all its people.

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Click here for Yom Ha’atzmaut activities in your area…

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Young adults celebrate Israel Independence

About 900 attend Hagshama events across Australia

 

Melbourne:  Yiftach Nenner, standing next to Dana Aboaf, channels Theodore Herzl during "Out of the Blue," Hagshama Melbourne's Yom Ha'atzmaut party at Boutique Nightclub, 25 April 2012

They were nights that would have made Theodore Herzl happy – in fact, he was happy, beaming through his beard as he danced to the beat of Israeli music and posed for pictures under the blue and white lights and balloons that were celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

Herzl (rather, a likeness of him) was one of about 900 young adult Australian Zionists who attended parties across Australia that were organised by Hagshama, the young adult branch of the World Zionist Organization – Department of Diapora Activities and overseen in Australia by the Zionist Federation of Australia.

More than 400 partygoers each in Sydney and Melbourne Continue reading »

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2012 Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut Events in Australia

Yom Ha'atzmaut

Find out where you can commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Heroes and Remembrance Day) (April 18), Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror) (April 24) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) (April 25) in your area.
Yom Hazikaron Continue reading »

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Aussies take on the world

Top Australians prepare for World Bible Quiz

Update below

Zahava Rosenblum, 16, of Beth Rivkah Ladies College, and Matthew Lichtig, 14, of Leibler Yavneh College, are competing in the World Bible Quiz this month. Photo by Peter Haskin

Photo by Peter Haskin

The two Australian representatives for the World Bible Quiz have left Australia and are on their way to Israel, preparing for the final rounds of the competition.

Zahava Rosenblum, 16, of Beth Rivkah Ladies College, gained first place and Matthew Lichtig, 14, of Leibler Yavneh College, gained second place in the Zionist Federation of Australia’s (ZFA) national finals in October 2011.
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