The start of the school year at Melbourne’s Jewish schools.

ADAM KAMIEN

TENNIS fans have shown their support for Israeli players competing at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Many Jewish fans wore Israeli T-shirts and caps, chanted in Hebrew for their hero and waved the Israeli flag in support.

Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela thanked the parochial crowd after his first-round exit on January 19, saying it is among the most supportive in world tennis.

Sela lost to Ukrainian qualifier Ivan Sergeyev in four sets in front of a packed court-19 crowd.

“It’s very special,” Sela said of the crowd support.

“The US Open and [the Australian Open] is where we get the most support. It’s bad for the supporters that I lost first round and they won’t get to see me again.”

Sela said he appreciated having 2008 Australian Open doubles winners Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich as well as Israeli ambassador Yuval Rotem watching on from the stands.

A CHANUKAH menorah lighting ceremony was held in Albury’s city square on December 17.

A large crowd joined in the celebrations, which were organised by the Albury Jewish Community Centre and Chabad.

Melbourne Jewish studies teacher Yehudo Heidingsfeld took charge of proceedings with Rabbi Moshe Loewenthal, who was in Albury with his family at the time.

Guests included the mayor of Albury, Cr Alice Glachan, and local MPs Greg Aplin and Bill Tilley.

Chanukah music played in the square, while a merry-go-round and jumping castle delighted the children.

About 160 people attended Melbourne’s Elwood Shule Chanukah celebrations on December 15 led by Rabbi Shmuel Karnowsky.

Among the events held in Melbourne recently were the UIA annual general meeting, Friends of Tel Aviv University cocktail party, Holocaust Centre conversation program, Jewish Aid farewell, Australian Jewish Medical Federation annual general meeting and the WIZO quest final.

The annual Chanukah in the Park celebration, which included the menorah lighting ceremony, rides, entertainment and spectacular fireworks, was held in Caulfield Park in Melbourne on December 13.

Among the events held in Melbourne recently were the Zionist Council of Victoria annual assembly, the JCCV’s interfaith dinner with the Anglican community and the Leo Baeck Centre’s 60th anniversary dinner.

STUDENTS at Mount Scopus Memorial College in Melbourne took part in the school’s first graduation ball on November 24, replacing the longstanding debutante ball that had been held annually by the college since 1956.

Among the events held in Melbourne recently was a cocktail party for the Living Trees Project, a UJEB function and an anniversary dinner for Brighton Hebrew Congregation.

Among the events held in Melbourne recently was the JNF gold patrons function, an exhibition at the Jewish Holocaust Centre, Mark Regev at a ZCV function, the Capital Jewish Forum lunch and a Mount Scopus College education evening.