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Minutes of the ARZA AGM – 7 December 2022

Date: Wednesday 7 December 2022
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Chair: Steve Denenberg
Minutes: Cassandra Barrett
Location Online via Zoom

Meeting opened 7.00pm.

1.0 – Attendance

Persons in attendance (in order of joining):

Steve Denenberg; Helen Shardey OAM; Tony Leverton; Cassandra Barrett; Rabbi Dr John Levi; Philip Bliss; Philip Levy; Jerome Winston; Sefi Shalam; Kathy Kaplan OAM; Ayal Marek; Dr Sue Silberberg; Caroline Heard; Benjamin James; Janet Henrie; Rabbi Aviva Kipen; David Cohan; David Knoll AM; Alex Gajic; Howard Nathan QC.

Confirmed attendee numbers meet quorum requirements.

2.0 – Apologies and proxies

Apologies received from (in order of receipt):

Rabbi Fred Morgan; Dr Nick Dyrenfurth; Noa Abrahams; Charles Simon; Barbara Simon; Avishai Conyer.

One proxy received from Avishai Conyer, appointing Sefi Shalam.

3.0 – Approval of previous minutes

Motion: That the minutes of the 2021 AGM are accepted.

Moved: Philip Bliss
Seconded: Philip Levy
Passed unanimously.

4.0 – Matters arising

N/A.

5.0 – President’s Report

  • Annual report circulated and taken as read.
  • Recent activities of highlight include: Dr Sue Silberberg and Benjamin James recently attended the Arzenu seminar in Israel as representatives of ARZA Australia; Committee Member Ayal Marek has been exploring opportunities for programs that offer tools to challenge antisemitism; Avishai Conyer and Ben James have planned to co-develop a paper on Progressive Zionism; and the Progressive Taglit cohort will soon depart for Israel.
  • President expresses thanks to the Board, noting that herself and the Treasurer are completing the final year of their terms; to outgoing Progressive Shaliach Sefi Shalam for his enormous contribution to ARZA and Taglit; to Noa Abrahams, with congratulations her successful term as Federal Mazkira of Netzer; and to attendees for their ongoing support.

6.0 – Treasurer’s Report

  • Treasurer’s Report circulated with annual report, including statement of income and expenditure and auditor’s report.
  • Relatively minor change overall – a net loss of $2500 compared with net surplus of $2100 for previous year. Expenses are modest. Moratorium on membership fees the primary driver. Priority of Executive will be to drive membership in order to restore previous position.
  • Treasurer expresses thanks to Board colleagues, and to financial assessor Janet Henrie and auditor Debra Arnold – a pleasure to work alongside them and appreciate their advice and support.

Questions:

  • Dr Sue Silberberg: What did the Arzenu reimbursement relate to?
  • Treasurer: A one-off reimbursement of election costs that were paid in advance.
  • Philip Levy: Critical to reinstate collection of membership fees by shuls; is this under way? Have shuls agreed to do so?
  • President: Have recently spoken to Emanuel, who had stated that their policy is to include ARZA membership. TBI has reported that they will include in the next membership cycle – significant gain, as the decision to change under the tenure of the previous Board was impactful. President expresses appreciation for the support of the various synagogues in collecting membership dues.

Motion: That the Annual Report, including President’s Report and Treasurer’s Report, is accepted.

Moved: Steve Denenberg
Seconded: David Knoll AM
Passed unanimously.

7.0 – Re-appointment of Auditor and Honorary Solicitor

Motion: That Debra Arnold be appointed as honorary auditor.

Moved: Tony Leverton
Seconded: Philip Bliss
Passed unanimously.

Motion: That Janet Henrie be appointed as financial advisor.

Moved: Tony Leverton
Seconded: Philip Bliss
Passed unanimously.

Motion: That Norbert Schweizer be re-appointed as honorary solicitor.

Moved: Steve Denenberg
Seconded: Tony Leverton
Passed unanimously.

8.0 – Motion to amend Constitution [clause 25.1 (c)]

Background to proposed amendment:

  • Role of second Vice President has been vacant for some time.
  • The current constitution restricts the Vice President role to representatives from Melbourne and Sydney – an historic clause that was intended to ensure shared representation across Victoria and NSW.
  • Feel that the current clause is discriminatory, and not in the spirit of a national organisation. The proposed amendment enables all states to be represented at the leadership level. It also supports greater participation in leadership by younger people.

Motion: That the proposed amendment to the Constitution [clause 25.1 (c)] is accepted.

Moved: Helen Shardey OAM
Seconded: Philip Bliss.
Passed with majority.

Comment: David Knoll commends the cooperation between NSW and Victoria, and affirms the importance of supporting inclusion and representation of other states. The approved amendment is aligned to the UPJ’s efforts to seek active participation by smaller states and the Asia-Pacific.

9.0 – Election for the office of one [1] Vice-President

  • Following approval of proposed amendment, Ben James (South Australia) stands unopposed as candidate for Vice President. Mazal tov Ben.

10.0 – Election for the office of up to four [4] Ordinary Committee Members

  • One nomination received by Ayal Marek. Mazal tov Ayal.

Comment: Helen Shardey OAM notes that Avishai Conyer, who was previously an ordinary committee member, now becomes an Ex-Officio member as Netzer Federal Mazkir. Additional committee members, particularly from un(der)represented states, are welcome.

11.0 – General Business

  • Kathy Kaplan OAM: Reminder re: upcoming workshop on organisational governance and communication. Free for all PJV members.
  • Howard Nathan: Kehilat Zdot Zadav (Bendigo) recently unveiled a chanukiyah as part of a multifaith ‘peace park’ initiative.
  • Rabbi Aviva Kipen: Highlighted need to cultivate ongoing conversations re: political challenges in Israel that are balanced and respectful. May form the basis of some programming for ARZA in anticipation of the next World Congress. Helen affirmed importance of maintaining strong representation at WZC, particularly given loss of some mandates in the US. Possibility of an election at the local level – important to ensure that ARZA membership is strong in order to maintain or improve our mandates.

12.0 – Close

Chair congratulates President Helen Shardey OAM for her hard work.

Chair thanks all in attendance for their continued support and affirms invitation for additional committee members to support the current Board. Congratulations to Helen for her hard work.

Meeting closed 7:40pm.

2023-11-16T08:57:50+11:00November 16th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Minutes of the ARZA AGM – 25 November 2021

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Reform Zionist Association Inc. (ARZA) held at 8 p.m. on Thursday 25 November 2021

ARZA Australia
Annual General Meeting 2021
Meeting open 8pm

Minutes taken by: Alex Knopoff

1. Attendance

R. Aviva
C. Barrett
P. Blaschke
P. Bliss
S. Castle
A. Conyer
R. Cussel
S. David
S. Denenberg
K. Ettlinger
J. Figgis
R. Gilbert
D. Graff
R. Gross
C. Heard
J. Henrie
D. Hochberg
J. Jhirad
E. Jilovsky
K. Judah
J. Keren-Black
D. Knoll
A. Knopoff
D. Kram
M. Kramer
M. Kramer
M. Laloum
Y. Lazarow
M. Lemuel
T. Leverton
P. Levy
L. Lockshin
J. Loewy Irons
J. Lopis
A. Maradeen
A. Marek
B. Meijer Verbrugge
R. Mendelssohn
F. Morgan
H. Nathan
J. Ninio
J. Robuck
B. Rosen (Shanghai)
M. Sacks
B. Samuel
J. Schneider
J. Selby
J. Shah
S. Shalam
H. Shardey
M. Shnukal
S. Silberberg
R. Silk
M. Smith
M. Sobey
C. Tzivah Batya
L. Ward
P. Wilton (Auckland)
S. Zablud
Michael ?
Mavis (Beit Or v’Shalom)

2. Apologies

Peter Kahn
Pam Spiegel

3. Adoption of the minutes of the AGM held on Tuesday 17 November 2020

S. Silberberg moves minutes, H. Shardey seconds. Minutes accepted.

4. Matters arising

None.

5. Message from ZFA (Jeremy Leibler)

It is with great pleasure that I extend warm greetings on behalf of the Zionist Federation of Australia to ARZA Australia on the occasion of its 2021 Annual General Meeting.

The COVID-19 pandemic and continued lockdowns in Victoria and NSW certainly had an enormous impact on all of our activities. After 73 years, Israel’s very right to exist is still questioned and, apart from the global pandemic, the threat of terrorism in Israel remains real and constant. The conflict with Hamas terrorists in Gaza in May presented challenges both on the ground in Israel, and for Jewish communities around Australia with increased antisemitism and threats to the local Jewish community. It was encouraging to see the community come together for solidarity rallies, to demonstrate that members of the
Australian Jewish community desire peace between Israel and its neighbours.

Locally, Jewish communities around Australia face a number of challenges, but we nevertheless continue in our efforts to nurture and cultivate a sense of being Jewish that celebrates our rich traditions and proud values, and that will inspire and sustain future generations of Jewish Australians. Despite ideological differences across the community, there is clear consensus on many important issues, including our absolute commitment to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, the need to advocate for and ensure religious equality in Israel, and to oppose discrimination against minorities. The ZFA has worked hard to ensure that all streams of Judaism have a place around the table, and we will continue to express our views on issues to the Israeli government to ensure that all Jews feel at home at religious spaces in Israel too.

The worrying increase in terrorism around the world – including in Australia – has reinforced the need for the Australian Government and major institutions, such as universities, to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. That antisemitic incidents spike during periods of Israeli–Palestinian confrontation shows that much more education is needed about what constitutes legitimate criticism of Israel and what constitutes racist attitudes about Israel. The working definition is a tool to provide that education, and the ZFA was pleased when the Prime Minister announced last month that Australia would be adopting the definition.

I wish to acknowledge the close cooperation between the ZFA and ARZA on a number of issues relating to the local Jewish community and Israel and I look forward to continuing the close and productive relationship between our two organisations. I congratulate President Helen Shardey and her executive on another successful year in office and for your efforts in representing the voice of Progressive Zionism in Australia. Let us hope that the coming year will bring health, peace and happiness to the Jewish people and all of humanity.

6. President’s Report

The last two years over the Covid pandemic have been challenging and difficult for all Jewish organisations. We have all striven to ensure continued support and involvement in those organisations representing our core Progressive Jewish and Zionist beliefs and values.

I thank our community for the way in which it has demonstrated its unfailing belief in the values of equality, pluralism and Tikun Olam. For the support that has been shown to the Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) and the Australian Reform/Progressive Zionist AssociaLon (ARZA). We only maintain our strength through this level of support and involvement.

ARZA Australia was most successful last year in reaching its 2020 goals and building its membership to ensure the maintenance of the mandates it held for the World Zionist Congress. Unfortunately, the congress had to be held virtually. The Reform/Progressive movement in other parts of the world was not as successful in maintaining its mandates. This had a detrimental effect on positions the Progressive/Reform/Conservative Coalition was able to achieve in the World Zionist Organisations and institutions.

ARZA Australia has maintained a strong relationship with the world body ARZENU and its president Rabbi Lea Muhlstein through online board meetings and communications. We thank her and the ARZENU CEO Dekel Houmash.

During the year 2020-21 ARZA put a moratorium on the payment of ARZA membership fees in recognition of the financial burden of Covid and the need for ARZA to maintain its membership for the World Zionist Congress. This year from the end of June 2021 ARZA has re-introduced membership fees in consultation with Australian Progressive congregations. We look forward to our balance sheet being reflective of this come 2022.

The frequent level of communication to the Progressive movement has continued throughout the last two years with articles in relation to Israel and Progressive Judaism on a near weekly basis being sent to congregations through the UPJ News and Drash, emailed to the more than two and a half thousand ARZA  members and posted on the ARZA Australia website and Facebook page.

The topics for communication have been many and varied. They include: the new Coalition Government in Israel and some of its achievements, issues of gender segregation in Israel, reform to Kashrut, the future of civil marriage in Israel, the phenomenon of Sinat Chinam – baseless hatred, the election of Rabbi Gilad Kariv to the Knesset, the work of IRAC in the Israeli High Court, the Israeli budget, the adoption by the Australian government of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and many other interesting topics.

In closing I would like to bring attention to two projects ARZA Australia is looking to promote. The first is the participation of the Progressive Movement in the Israel Taglit Birthright program providing a ten-day educational tour of Israel for those 18 to 26 years of age. This program has been financially supported by Gandel Philanthropy, offering the program free of charge to participants. ARZA and the Progressive movement would have to be accepted as local organisers and find funding for that activity. The program had to be postponed because of Covid but hopes to resume in 2022.

The second program ARZA Australia is seeking to promote, is the twinning of Australian Synagogues with Israeli synagogues and the introduction of programs to better educate Australians about Israeli life. For example, the Beit Haam program which runs successfully in Canada.

Finally, I thank the ARZA Australia board: Sue Silberberg, Steve Denenberg, Tony Leverton, Alex Knopoff, Cassandra Barrett, Lior Kalisse, Rabbinic Adviser Rabbi Fred Morgan and Ex Officio members Sefi Shalam, Noa Abrahams, Michael Sacks and David Knoll. I also thank the UPJ board and the Assembly of Cantors and Rabbis for their ongoing support, advice, and encouragement.

Discussion

C. Heard – Helen has done an outstanding job keeping us all informed succinctly. Providing quick and meaningful reads.

P. Bliss – Shlichot program has increased tremendously in past year by almost 30%, delighted that WUPJ delivered a substantial grant. ARZA & UPJ should be thinking about how they will help fund the shaliach program post February 2023.

H. Shardey commends Sefi for his hard work and involvement in the Jewish community and suggests board training for Netzer leaders so they are better prepared when they enter the next stage of leadership in the community.

H. Shardey moves her report. D. Knoll seconds. Report accepted.

7. Treasurer’s Report & appointment of auditor

1. INTRODUCTION

This report covers the financial year 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

2. BACKGROUND

ARZA Australia is a not-for-profit organisation, affiliated to the Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) and the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA), that works to represent and promote the views and values of Progressive/Reform Jewish Zionists who want to help ensure that Israel lives in peace and security and that it is the democratic and egalitarian society described in its Declaration of Independence.

ARZA undertakes to use its best endeavours for the realisation of a full and free religious life for all Jews in the State of Israel. ARZA also works to strengthen the Progressive Movement in Israel, Australia and worldwide.

ARZA continually looks at expanding our membership numbers within Australia and, through our world parent body ARZENU, promoting Progressive Jewish values and ideals at the international level with the World Zionist Organisation – founded by Theodore Herzl in Basle, Switzerland in 1897.

The 38th World Zionist Congress was held on Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 October 2020. ARZA representatives participated in this via online links. Mazeltov to ARZA President Helen Shardey for appointment to the World Zionist Organisation’s General Council as an ARZENU representative.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Membership of ARZA is open to any Jewish person who subscribes to the principles of Progressive Judaism. Membership may be gained in two ways: 1. direct application / renewal, and 2. application / renewal associated with annual congregational membership payments. The latter is our preferred approach. We are, of course, most appreciative of the continuing co-operation with synagogues who support us in this way.

Our membership number last year stands at 2,676 and is in the process of being updated.

4. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021 Result:

The Statement of Financial Performance for the year ended 30 June 2021 shows a net surplus for the year of $21,193. This compares with a net surplus of $34,339 for the year to 30 June 2020.

This decrease came about because of an Executive decision in June 2020 to waive ARZA membership fees for the 2020/21 financial year. Residual membership fees of $16,800 were received from congregations, compared with $53,080 in 2019/20.

Our financial performance was underpinned by the receipt of unbudgeted income (ARZENU grants and ZFA election reimbursements) together with a decrease in expenditure.

Income:
Income for the year came primarily from ARZA membership fees collected on our behalf by congregations. The timing of this fee income reflects the differing financial years that congregations work to and their timetables for membership fee collection and passing on to ARZA.

ARZA also received income from Grants ($10,132) and Other income ($2,364).

  • Grants received were from ARZENU (2 grants), being reimbursement of ARZA costs associated with reviewing processes and compiling the
    membership rolls in preparation for the WZO delegate elections.
  • Other income represented the reimbursement of a part of ARZA’s capitation levy charged by the Zionist Federation of Australia in preparation for a WZC delegate audit (which did not eventuate).

Expenditure:
Expenses for 2020/21 ($8,159) reduced from the 2019/20 level ($18,830).

In 2019/20, Affiliation Fees was our largest expense item was Affiliation Fees. This item reflected two expenses – affiliation to the Zionist Federation of Australia and payment of a capitation fee to the ZFA, covering the preparation, conduct and audit of organisations’ membership rolls.

In 2020/21 we recorded just the affiliation fee to ZFA ($605).

This year, our three largest expenses items were: website, accounting fees and advertising and marketing.

Website costs represented regular updating by our consultant, Uptime Computer Services, of the existing website and Facebook page (including posting articles and videos), together with associated expenses, membership list updates and mailouts.

Accounting fees represented our bookkeeper fee (Bookkeeping.com Pty Ltd), the Financial Statement audit fee, and financial system management fee (MYOB).

Advertising and marketing costs were for New Year greetings, with the UPJ, in the Australian Jewish News ($528) and an advertisement in the SZC (South Australia) calendar ($100).

Statement of Financial Position:
Our bank balance at 30 June 2021 was $130,374 (30 June 2020 – $110,631).

At the end of the financial year there was a Current Liability of $308. This represented an accrual for an invoice from Uptime Computers, the company that handles our website and related updates.

5. CONCLUSION

We have again been most fortunate to obtain the services of Janet Henrie, Immediate Past President of Adelaide’s Beit Shalom Synagogue, as financial assessor, and Debra Arnold CPA RCA (Director, Third Sector Management Solutions) as independent auditor of our accounts for this financial year. I am deeply indebted to both for their professionalism, patience and persistence in ensuring our financial activity is correctly reported. It is of significant help to us. Debra’s report, together with the Statement of Financial Performance, is attached to these documents.

I take this opportunity to record my sincere thanks and appreciation to them for their technical support and sound advice. I am delighted to report that Debra Arnold is agreeable to being appointed ARZA Auditor, and Janet Henrie financial assessor for the financial year 2020/21.

Our accounts have been soundly managed over many years by Fran Freiman, Bookkeeping.com Pty Ltd, in Sydney. I am deeply grateful for her continued professional assistance.

And finally, I take this opportunity to express my thanks to our President Helen Shardey and to all my fellow Board members for their support, advice and guidance.

Discussion

T. Leverton moves that the audited financial statements be adopted. P. Bliss seconds. Reports accepted.

T. Leverton moves that Debra Arnold be appointed as auditor for the 21-22 FY. H. Shardey seconds. Motion accepted.

Thanks to all synagogues who have supported ARZA membership registrations by including on their invoices, particularly those who have adopted an opt-out method.

P. Bliss asks what membership numbers are, to our best knowledge numbers are similar to last year (2676) which is good. May change with reintroduction of fees.

H. Shardey comments that due to changes in invoicing system we have lost approx. 700 members but hope to reconnect. C. Heard offers to do an endorsement to

J. Irons says that TBI has given members a button on Shulcloud to join ARZA, suggests this method may work well for other synagogues.

8. Appointment of honorary solicitors

S. Denenberg moves that Norbert Schweizer be the honorary solicitor for 2021-2022. H. Shardey seconds. Motion accepted.

9. Election of members to the Executive Committee

Nominations received
President – Helen Shardey
VP – Sue Silberberg
Treasurer – Tony Leverton
Secretary – Cassie Barrett
Ordinary members – Avishai Conyer & Ayal Marek

Ex-officio
David Knoll
Sefi Shalam
Michael Sacks
Steve Denenberg

10. Other business

R. Aviva notes that website doesn’t have an easily accessible donation button.

Meeting closed 8:33pm.

2022-11-15T16:01:28+11:00November 15th, 2022|Uncategorized|

Minutes of the ARZA AGM – 17 November 2020

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Reform Zionist Association Inc. (ARZA) held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday 17 November 2020 via Zoom.

 

ARZA 2020 AGM MINUTES

November 17 2020

  1. Attendance: A. Knopoff, H. Shardey, P. Levy, S. Denenberg, T. Leverton, S. Silberberg, C. Barrett, S. Shalam, T. Bowen, L. Kalisse, J. Birkett, R. Gross, P. Dorey, D. Knoll, J. Barnett, B. Samuel, P. Lawrence, P. Kohn, J. Keren Black, J. Henrie, D. Hochberg, L. Lockshin, P. Bliss, A. Fellman, L. Levi, J. Levi
  2. Apologies: H. Nathan, N. Roberts, R. Silk
  3. Video presentation from Gusti 
  4. Adoption of the minutes of the AGM held on Friday 8 November 2019. Moved, P. Levy, Seconded C. Barrett. Approved.
  5. Matters arising: None.
  6. President’s report

 

It is with pleasure that I report on the activities of ARZA Australia to the Annual General Meeting for the 2019-20 year, being held on November 17, 2020.

I was delighted to be elected President of Australia’s Progressive Zionist organization at its 2019 AGM, and at the same time also elected as Vice President of the Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ.)

My predecessor, Steve Denenberg had devoted more than a decade to ARZA Australia both as President and CEO. He has continued as the Immediate Past President and been very active and supportive in that role. I thank him for all his support and assistance.

In building the new board, ARZA was fortunate that some experienced board members remained on the board providing expertise in financial reporting (thanks to Tony Leverton) and Membership list building (thanks to Philip Levy, who has also been a Vice President)). We were also fortunate to recruit some new and young members to the Board, with 40% now being under the age of 35 years. We are most fortunate that the Netzer Mazkir, Lior Kalisse has joined our board as an Ex Officio Member along with the Netzer Shaliach Sefi Shalam. It has been a pleasure working with them. They have joined Sue Silberberg, our other Vice President in forming a sub-committee to look at ARZA Australia’s role in the community going forward. A new member of the board, Alex Knopoff from Adelaide took on the role of Secretary and has done a great job. Our thanks go to her.

As you probably know, ARZA Australia is the Zionist/political arm of the UPJ. At a planning weekend of the UPJ held in Sydney in February 2020, an agreement was made that moving forward, the UPJ, ARZA Australia and the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors (ARC) would work together in mutual co-operation and communication. This was done to ensure that the Australian Progressive Movement as much as possible speaks in unison with one voice in support of Eretz Israel and our Jewish beliefs.

With the World Zionist Congress planned for October 2020, the Australian Progressive Movement hoped to maximize its voice in Israel in support of Pluralism and equality in the Jewish Democratic State. To this end ARZA Australia moved to encourage all Progressive Jews to join as members to ensure the four mandates held by ARZA at the 2015 World Zionist Congress would be maintained.

ARZA successfully participated in the Area Election Committee and maintained the current number of WZC delegates, with a 30% increase in membership numbers making ARZA the largest Zionist organization in Australia. It was disappointing that the congress could not take place in person, but through the hard work of our world body, ARZENU, we were able to participate in the proceedings and a wonderful pre congress program provided by ARZENU. We now look forward to a gathering in Israel in 2021.

Through the tireless efforts of Philip Levy, our retiring male Vice President from Sydney, ARZA now has a comprehensive membership list. This means we can provide a weekly communication to all ARZA members and members of UPJ Congregations.

It is published in the UPJ News and Drash and emailed to ARZA members. It forms the basis of regular posts to the ARZA website, Facebook and Twitter. Statements on key issues such as annexation, normalisation with Arab States, gender equality, equality in Israel for the varying streams of Judaism and other issues are published, often jointly with the UPJ and ARC.

ARZA Australia has now established a sub- committee which is in the process of examining our role in the community going forward. With an increased membership and good relations with Zionist roof bodies, such as the Zionist Federation of Australia, State based Zionist organizations, our world roof body ARZENU, the World Union of Progressive Judaism and the World Zionist Organization, we look forward to broadening programs of interest to our members.

We welcome any suggestions from our members in relation to what you would like us to consider providing and how you view our current communications. Currently our work is only done by volunteers as we decided to put a moratorium on fees until next June because of hardships caused by Covid 19. However we are grateful to our partner, the UPJ for including our weekly communication in the UPJ News and Drash.

Finally, I thank the ARZA Australia Board, our members, the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors of Australia and New Zealand and the Union for Progressive Judaism for your ongoing support, assistance and encouragement in the continued growth of ARZA Australia.

Discussion

  • ARZA is more than double the size the second largest Zionist organisation in Australia
  • Formed a coalition with Masorti in response to Hatikvah being formed and seeking registrations
  • Discussion on process of assigning delegates
  • We went from 4/13 to 7/13 delegates in our block due to Helen & Steve’s good work negotiating and aligning with other orgs
  • Note from Sefi that ZFA did nothing to help during the crisis

7. Treasurer’s report

Thanks to Janet Henrie for her work on the financials

Shardey moves that the Treasurer’s Report be received and the Financial Statement be approved. T. Leverton seconds. Reports are passed.

Tony moves Debra Arnold CPA be appointed as auditor & Janet Henrie as financial assessor, Sue seconds. Motion passed.

8. Membership report

2676 Members at June 2020

9. Netzer report from Lior

  • Moved camps online in Winter
  • Will hope to have some sort of in-person activities to continue providing Zionist education to youth
  • Netzer Appeal was immense success, enabled by support of ARZA
  • Lior thanks everyone in the meeting who made donations or reached out on Netzer’s behalf
  • Community engagement – Sprout, Working to reestablish Tamar in Australia
  • Lior to remain on board as well as 2 Netzer reps & Sefi
  • Pleased to continue to represent young people in our community
  • Unable to travel to Israel, unable to bring new Shaliach to Australia
  • Helen thanks to Netzer, shoutout to Lior’s moustache

10. Other business

H. Shardey moves Norman Schweiss be reappointed as our honorary solicitor, P. Dorey seconds, motion passed.

Cassie’s nomination is accepted

With Phillip’s retirement we do not have a VP, constitutionally we should have one from NSW to replace him. Will work with UPJ to find someone suitable to co-opt.

Helen thanks Sue for accepting Vic VP position, discussing future ARZA programming

Steve congratulates Helen.

Incoming board 

President: Helen Shardey
Immediate Past President: Steve Denenberg
Vice President: Sue Silberberg
Hon. Treasurer: Tony Leverton
Hon. Secretary: Alex Knopoff
General members: Cassie Barrett, Lior Kalisse
Ex. Officio: Mazkir and Shaliach of Netzer Australia

Meeting formally closed 6:40

2021-11-02T19:03:27+11:00November 17th, 2020|Uncategorized|
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