Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela has crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round, losing to Ukrainian qualifier Ivan Sergeyev 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, on January 19.

Shahar Peer in action. Photo: AJN file

ISRAELI Tennis player Shahar Peer lost the final of the Hobart International, going down 6-2 6-4 to fourth seed Alona Bondarenko on January 16.

Peer was the second seed in the tournament, but could not continue her winning form.

Earlier this month, Peer made the semifinal of the ASB Classic in Auckland and appears to be in sparkling form ahead of the Australian Open.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Noam Okun was bundled out of the Australian Open qualifying tournament in the second round after losing to Polish player Michal Przysiezny 2-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Mendel Schmukler enjoys Chanukah in the Park. Photo: Peter Haskin

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THOUSANDS of people attended Chanukah in the Park to take part in the menorah lighting ceremony and watch the spectacular fireworks display on December 13.

The event also featured children’s rides, food stalls and entertainment from Dov Farkas and the Schnapps Band.

The annual event at Caulfield Park in Melbourne was organised by Chabad House of Caulfield.

Photo gallery
Chanukah in the Park

Alfred “Uncle Boydie” Turner speaks at the UIA's AGM in Melbourne on November 26. Photo: Peter Haskin

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ABORIGINAL elder William Cooper’s grandson, Alfred “Uncle Boydie” Turner, was the guest speaker at the UIA’s AGM in Melbourne on November 26.

Cooper, of Yorta Yorta descent, spent most of his life in the Cummeragunja community where he was a spokesman for the Yorta Yorta in their ongoing battles for land justice against the New South Wales government. Late in life, he resettled in Melbourne.

In 1938, following Kristallnacht, Cooper petitioned the German Consulate over the Nazis’ treatment of the Jews, the only such recorded protest in Australia at that time.

In May 2009, the State of Israel commemorated the brave actions of Cooper.

The Embassy of Israel and United Israel Appeal flew Turner to Israel for this commemoration and he spoke to the AGM about his trip.

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.

From left: Becky Robinson, Chloe Gregor, Natalie Rathner, Olivia Kenny and Yael Hammerschlag enjoy the Mount Scopus Memorial College graduation ball. Photo: Peter Haskin

AJN STAFF

STUDENTS at Mount Scopus Memorial College 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.

Described as a “celebration of our graduates”, the new format saw students individually presented with their graduation certificates.

The graduation ball broke with tradition — graduates no longer attended in couples and formal, choreographed dance routines were replaced by simcha-style dancing.

Gone was the tradition of female students wearing only white dresses, with both male and female graduates having the choice of wearing either all white or all black.

More ball photos

The Zionist Federation of Australia’s (ZFA) 2009 national Bible Quiz final was held at Beth Weizmann community centre on November 8.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria hosted their Anglican dinner in Melbourne on November 11.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria held their annual community awards in Melbourne on November 9.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swann was the keynote speaker at the Zionist Council of Victoria’s 71st Annual Assembly on November 4.