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Zionism Victoria fosters a deep connection between the Victorian Jewish community and Israel, as well as facilitating a bridge between the Jewish community and the extended general community.

Our Mission

  • To develop deeper connections between the Victorian Jewish community and Israel, in particular attempting to include a wider cross section of the community in our activities.
  • To actively engage with the general Victorian community with a view to expressing, explaining and promoting Israel's interests.

Zionism Victoria's mission of connecting Victorians with Israel is bolstered by its Jakob Frenkiel Connecting Cultures program.

It is a free service offered to all Victorian schools and communal organisations aiming to foster cross cultural awareness. By educating and informing students and their teachers, Zionism Victoria enriches their understanding of Jewish culture and history, the Jewish connection to Israel and helps cultivate the values of tolerance and respect.

Established over twenty years ago, by Zionism Victoria, Jakob Frenkiel Connecting Cultures has provided informative, educational and entertaining discussions and lectures to thousands of Victorians each year.

Initially launched as the Public Speakers Bureau, and then the Public Speakers Service, our service was revamped in 2016 to give it a fresh new look and more meaning. Connecting Cultures was reborn.

Zionism Victoria is the roof body of 56 affiliate organisations. We strive to represent these Zionist and Jewish organisations within the Jewish and wider communities. Check out their websites and social media pages to see what exciting things these diverse organisations have to offer.

Board

PresidentElyse Schachna
Vice PresidentLexi Kowal
Immediate Past PresidentYossi Goldfarb
Honorary treasurerJonathan Black
Honorary secretarySharene Hambur AM
Chair of Beth Weizmann Community CentreTony Aarons
Chair of the Lamm libraryRolene Lamm
MemberAmie Rochman
MemberDavid Michelson OAM
MemberDavid Cohen
MemberDarren Gerber
EX - OFFICIOJeremy Leibler
EX - OFFICIORonit Chrapot

Staff

Executive DirectorZeddy Lawrence
Executive AssistantJodi Liebenberg
BookkeeperRina Retman
habayit directorHallely Kimchi
engagement officerNatalie Gunn
grants managerCynthia Pollak
306 Hawthorn Rd
Caulfield South VIC 3162