Kaz Dalla Rosa (left) and Susan Wein with their artistic aprons. Photo: AJN file

AJN STAFF

AN apron might be a symbol of domesticity, but for a group of 13 women, it became a symbol of tolerance and diversity.

Women from Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Jewish backgrounds gathered for a two-day interfaith workshop last month facilitated by Jewish Care, Prahran Mission Multicultural Program and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

The women, who have all been touched by mental illness or have experienced some kind of abuse, designed and decorated aprons to represent their own personal journeys.

Jewish Care CEO Bruce Salvin said: “The workshop provided an opportunity to share experiences, tell stories and build trust.”

Among the events held in Melbourne recently was the Pink Ribbon breakfast in aid of breat cancer research, a Jewish Care awareness evening and UIA seniors outing.

Professor Andrew Markus.

NAOMI LEVIN

THE first round of results are in and Australia’s Jewish community is set to discover more than it ever knew about itself.

The preliminary findings from the Jewish Population Study were launched this week by Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation.

The study’s lead author Professor Andrew Markus said the findings provided a “rich insight into the various subgroups within the Jewish population, ranging from the strictly Orthodox to the disconnected”.

“We have been actively working on this project for more than two years, beginning with the establishment of advisory committees, proceeding to focus group discussions, finalising the content of the questionnaire, pilot testing, more than six months of surveying and then three months for this first stage of data analysis,” he said. Read the full story

AJN Staff

AT a time when unemployment is rising and many families are experiencing increased financial hardship, the ANZ Bank has launched a special savings program for low-income earners in the Jewish community.
Launched in conjunction with Jewish Care, the Savers Plus program matches savings dollar-for-dollar up to $1000.

The money provided by the ANZ, however, must be used for educational purposes, such as uniforms, books or excursions, and parents must also attend four Jewish Care workshops on financial management. “I am delighted we can be part of this excellent program,” Jewish Care CEO Bruce Salvin said. Read the full story

NAOMI LEVIN

USING data from the 2006 Census, Jewish Care has estimated that more than a third of Jewish families live on less than $1000 per week. This figure was calculated before the current economic crisis, which has already led to share market crashes and superannuation fund devaluation.

Australian families are also starting to feel the effects of job losses and the fall in property prices. To help alleviate the distress for Jewish families, this year Jewish Care is seeking to raise $2 million to assist low-income Jewish families during tough times.

Jewish Care president Robyne Schwarz said: “Over a third of families in the Jewish community are struggling to cover basic expenses such as food, housing, utilities, clothing and education.” A report by Access Economics late last year said that Australia’s worsening economic situation will “increase the incidence of financial and social stress”.

“As a consequence, the demands on the nation’s already overstretched social service sector [which includes Jewish Care] will significantly increase” the report said. In 2008, Jewish Care received 3500 calls for advice and assistance. During difficult times, the welfare agency provides services such as counselling, emergency financial aid, housing and accommodation, as well as job recruitment and training assistance.

“The distressed families in our community need to know that Jewish Care will be there for them, no matter how bad things get,” Schwarz said. “I urge everyone please to give generously to Jewish Care’s 2009 annual appeal.”

AJN STAFF

JEWISH Care proved recently that it was becoming far more than an aged-care facility, with two of its youth programs hitting high notes. Year 11 student Dean Levitan, a participant in Jewish Care’s YouthInspire program, was recognised early in December at the City of Port Phillip Civic Awards ceremony.

“I am proud of the way in which Jewish Care is engaging our youth,” Bruce Salvin, Jewish Care’s chief executive, said. “The maturity, calibre and passionate dedication, which these young people display, is a source of inspiration for us all.” Dean, the founder of Youth Against Genocide in Darfur (YAGID), received a certificate of recognition for his work raising public awareness for the conflict and subsequent humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Read the full story