Lex Mrocki took this photo of Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner at the Yeshivah Centre in December 1993. Photo: AJN files

DALIA SABLE AND PETER HASKIN

THE AJN’s first staff photographer, Lex Mrocki, died last week following a short illness. He was 45.

Mrocki began working at The AJN in 1988, following the merger of the Sydney Australian Jewish Times and Melbourne’s Australian Jewish News.

He left 12 years later, but continued to provide his photos for publication in the paper up until his death.

Sam Lipski, AJN editor-in-chief when Mrocki was appointed, recalled the photographer as a cheery, courteous and committed colleague who worked above and beyond the call of duty.

“He put his body and soul into the paper. It was something he loved and it showed,” Lispki said. “People wouldn’t start an event if Lex wasn’t there to document it.”
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Marek Edelman … tributes for Warsaw Ghetto leader.

NEW YORK — Tributes poured in following the death of Marek Edelman, the last surviving commander of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising against the Nazis.

Edelman died on Friday in Warsaw at the age of 90.

“He will remain in my memory as a fighting hero, a man of great courage,” said Shevach Weiss, former Israeli ambassador to Poland and former head of the Knesset.

“He never ceased in his struggle for human freedom and for Poland’s freedom.”

A cardiologist who after World War II lived and worked in the central city of Lodz, Edelman joined the anti-communist Solidarity movement in 1980 and later fought for other civic and human rights causes, becoming a moral authority in Poland.
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THE biopic Milk, about the life and death of gay Jewish San Francisco city councilman (“supervisor”) Harvey Milk, is both highly conventional and a fascinating example of how mainstream gay and lesbian life has become in American culture. 

It is also one of the films of the year, and destined to join Brokeback Mountain as the gay film that garners a wide general audience. Directed by gay film-maker Gus Van Sant (To Die For, Elephant, My Own Private Idaho, Drugstore Cowboy, Good Will Hunting), Milk stars actor Sean Penn as Harvey Milk in a moving and convincing performance, which should certainly achieve his fifth Academy Award nomination and just possibly his second win. Read the full story

Violence, abuse - it’s just not on

THE Australian Jewish community is bracing for an upsurge in vandalism, violence and verbal and written abuse, as Israel’s Operation Cast Lead proceeds in Gaza. This week, a Sydney food outlet supplied by a Jewish-owned food company was plastered with anti-Semitic hate messages.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Jewry has become a prime target for hatemongers. A war memorial in Caulfield Park had anti-Israel graffiti spray-painted on it, Temple Beth Israel’s exterior has been plastered with extremist material, worshippers have been verbally abused as they left shul on Shabbat, mourners have been abused by passers-by following a funeral minyan, and a group of young Jewish women on a beach have been accosted by youths claiming to be Muslims. And while we feel downcast at these developments, we should spare a thought for Jewish communities in other parts of the world, where conditions have been far worse. Read the full story

Why Israel must press ahead

THAT Israel has followed up its aerial assault on Gaza with a ground invasion is most regrettable. But it is entirely justified. Easing the daily trauma suffered by the residents of Sderot, and other southern Israeli towns, who have lived through the daily barrage from across the border is, in our opinion, reason enough for Israel to launch a ground invasion.

As Israeli figures have made clear on numerous occasions, the Jewish state is absolutely entitled to take the necessary steps to protect its borders. How many countries would sit idly for eight years before making such a move? To put it into more context: Would the Australian Government wait for eight years before taking action if, say, East Timorese rebels fired long-range missiles into Darwin? We suggest that action would be taken within days. Read the full story

AUSTRALIAN Defence Department statement on behalf of the Sher family, released on January 7, 2009

GREG’S entire family and his many friends are devastated by his untimely death. Although the family of any person in the military is aware of the possible risks involved, it is not until the worst happens that you realise the real danger our armed forces personnel face.

Greg, for all who knew him, was a man of purpose and committed determination. He was an extremely positive person with a kind soul. He was the sort of mate who would do anything for anyone, and his friends knew him for the great guy that he was. He was a loyal and loving family member who always put his family high on his list of priorities.

His decision to serve his country was a true indication of his character. He always wanted to help and be of assistance, and he had this opportunity on a previous deployment to East Timor. Greg was much admired by his Army colleagues and was seen as a quiet achiever who always got the job done. His mates have described him as the best operator they have ever known. We wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who have shown support at this very difficult time. Most importantly, we ask to be left in peace in order to grieve in private.