ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND ////ANNUAL REPORT 2014 AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM UDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMEN DENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIEND AMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIA ETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRES, EVENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION WARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM, JUDAISM, HEBREW, ISRAEL, FRIENDS. CAMPS, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, FESTIVALS, AFTER SCHOOL CENTRE VENTS, CHAGGIM, ENRICHMENT, IDENTITY, BELONGING, SOCIAL NETWORK, FUN, LEARNING, CONNECTION, AWARENESS, IDENTITY, ZIONISM 2 ////CONTENTS President’s Report 2 Current Board of Management 4 Treasurer’s Report 5 Executive Director’s Report 6 Why Support UJEB? 8 Afterschool Centres 9 New Programs 10 Batmitzvah Program 11 Special Religious Instruction (RE) 12 JSN 16 UJEB and JSN camp 17 Preview of 2015 - Our 120th Birthday 18 Head Office 19 Thank you 20 Financials 22 ////ABOUT US WE PROVIDE THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO LIVE A CONNECTED JEWISH LIFE. THIS MEANS WE TEACH THEM THE SKILLS TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ENJOY THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR RICH CULTURE AND HERITAGE, AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH THE WIDER JEWISH COMMUNITY. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 1 ////PRESIDENT’S REPORT The year in review was one of continued challenges for UJEB, as well as one of significant achievement. We introduced two new and exciting programs that service groups of children previously unreached – our batmitzvah program and our new integrated offering at Glen Eira College. Strategically, the issues we faced in 2014 were not new, but had greater impact on our capacity to deliver for the community. Changes to the government’s policy on Special Religious Instruction (SRI) has certainly impacted on our 1,300 students in government primary schools, while increasing demand for our services continues to be met with flat growth in our revenue. This crossroad at which UJEB finds itself also presents opportunity for the organisation as we look to our operations in our 120th year and beyond. In keeping with the message of our 2015 Appeal, the Jewish 2 Mr Yossi Goldfarb community has changed significantly since UJEB began operations in 1895, and UJEB must continue to change along with the needs of our community – to maintain relevancy for our families and many generous and committed supporters. Our batmitzvah program, introduced for the first time in 2014, was an unheralded success. Credit for the initiative goes to our indefatigable executive director, Marlo Newton, for not only conceiving of the program, but also for its excellent delivery. Marlo was ably assisted by Naomi Chester who taught and led the girls on their transition to Jewish adulthood. The graduation ceremony was a genuinely impressive and enjoyable simcha, enjoyed by the girls and their families. No greater illustration of the program’s success is provided by the fact that before the 2014 cohort had completed their course, the office had already registered bookings for the next two years. Glen Eira College is fast becoming a central school for Jewish children. The introduction of Hebrew into the formal LOTE curriculum a few years ago has consolidated this position. Last year, UJEB began its Jewish Education @ Glen Eira program (JED), which provides regular after school classes on Jewish literacy for students as well as some wholeschool activities on significant dates such as Yom HaShoah and Channukah. JED would not have gotten off the ground without the efforts of board member Jeremy Leibler and the support of generous patrons The Pratt Foundation, Werdiger family and another anonymous benefactor. We look forward to continued growth in this developing area for our activities. Changes to the SRI framework – implemented by the previous state government in 2014 have brought significant challenges to our mission. At the beginning of 2014, we were reaching The world exists only because of the innocent breath of schoolchildren. - Talmud, Shabbat 1,300 Jewish children across 38 separate schools, and this number has decreased to around 1,000 students as a result of the changes. The extent to which these changes will impact our capacity to reach these students still remains to be seen. For example, the difficulty reaching children in the lead-up to our annual camp, impacted on the camp’s numbers. We have had productive discussions with government – across all levels – on this topic, although where the issue will eventually settle remains unclear. What is clear is that, consistent with our 120 year history, we must identify new opportunities to connect the Jewish children for whom we are responsible with their community. In that light, we are considering new options for service delivery that we hope to announce later in 2015. Our after-school centres are one option for dealing with the opportunities presented by the changes to SRI. From the end of 2014, we were able to offer parents the advantage of claiming the child-care rebate as part of their fees for Merkaz Bentleigh. This resulted in a net reduction for most parents, which was welcomed by all. 2015 sees the end of our threeyear agreement with BPS, and we will look to continue Merkaz’s operations at a site where we can provide maximum value to our students. We have been fortunate to receive support for Merkaz from Gandel Philanthropy, for which we continue to be grateful. Our 120th anniversary next year provides pause for reflection, celebration and reinvigoration. Our mission remains as it has for much of our 120 years, but the delivery will change as our community, and its needs, change too. It is a continued honour to serve as UJEB’s president. I have committed to remain for a further year and the board’s focus must now turn to succession. The board’s commitment to UJEB and its mission remains strong and I would like to thank my fellow board members for their ongoing, tireless, and often thankless efforts. The office team, able led by Marlo Newton also makes a contribution that is greater than the sum of its parts. Having completed well over a century, we now enter our “second lifetime” as an organisation. The future holds great promise, and we will continue to realise that promise for the sake of our children. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 3 The more schooling, the more wisdom. - Avot 2:7 PRESIDENT: Yossi Goldfarb IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT : LIFE VICE PRESIDENT: (ACTING) TREASURER: Arnold Dexter Jonny Caplan Daniel Jenshel 4 BOARD MEMBER: BOARD MEMBER: BOARD MEMBER: Tania Burstin Tony Fell Jeremy Leibler ////ACTING TREASURER’S REPORT For the year ended 31 December 2014 UJEB incurred a net operating loss of $47,392. The 2014 results are summarised below. $ 2014 $ 2013 Total 619,452 744,597 Income Total 666,844 771,226 Expenses Net Profit / (47,392) (26,629) (Loss) Non-cash expenses in the Profit and Loss include: • depreciation $14,411 • annual leave accrual $566 • doubtful debts $1,500 At 31 December 2014 UJEB had reserves of $153,045 (2013: $191,310) represented mainly by cash held with banking institutions. Jonathan Caplan Some of UJEB’s major donor pledges had come to an end of a cycle pre January 2014 with uncertainty as to ongoing agreed commitments. As can be seen above, UJEB’s expenses reduced significantly during the 2014 year mainly due to the saving on wages from religious education in relation to the SRI decisions by Principals of our main schools. Cost control and sustainability has been the continued focus in 2014. This is evidenced by continued financial review of each program, whether it being our camps, bat-mitzvah or Hebrew Centres. The decision to relocate to smaller offices within Beth Weizmann Community Centre at the end of the year was triggered by this exact reason. Donor income and community engagement with UJEB is now critical to ensure UJEB survives beyond our significant upcoming milestone this year. UJEB’s role in the community has never been more important. As UJEB enters its 120th year of operating, the requirement to provide Jewish education to our children comes at a great cost. The continued support of our major donors, bequests and the annual Yom Tov appeals will help drive UJEB into the future. Once again special thanks to Hilton Miller, our auditor and Julian Isaacs, UJEB’s bookkeeper for their assistance with the audit. Marlo and her team continue to manage the efficient level of cost control and her commitment to meeting very difficult budgetary costs should be endorsed. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 5 ////EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 2014 was memorable in a number of ways. We added a brand new Batmitzvah program, a High School Jewish Studies class, and complete revamped our internal administration and location. On the other hand a major challenge to the existence of our religious education program in primary schools occurred with changes in delivery of Special Religious Instruction (SRI) from July onwards. While the repercussions are still being felt, it is incumbent on us to respond to this trial with creativity, on behalf of the 1,500 students who rely on us for their Jewish education. ADMIN A not for profit often uses both hardware and software that is either “hand me down” or past its “best by” date. We ran an audit of our office systems, especially focusing on fundraising, reports and data retention and decided we needed to move to a cloudbased system. Over the first three months of 2014, Salesforce was customised for UJEB, then installed and staff trained in its 6 use. Personally, I have gained a lot from being able to run reports as required, and to track projects and appeals in real time. We also installed a new phone system and computer backup process. I feel confident that UJEB is now at best practice in record keeping and security. In a final audit of office issues, we took the decision this year to move back into Beth Weizmann. We are looking forward to new opportunities arising from sharing space in the communal building. GOVERNANCE This year saw a major communal focus on Child Protection. UJEB completed five sessions on Child Protection with Kate Levi, through the JCCV. We rewrote our Child Protection policy and believe we are proactive in our approach and thorough in our application of policy. We shared the communual sorrow at revelations of abuse heard at the Royal Commission and urge anyone who has experienced abuse to contact the police. PROGRAMS Over the past three years we had assisted parents of Glen Eira College to establish Hebrew as a language offered on campus. In 2014 we aimed to take the next step in supporting parents there by establishing a Jewish Studies program after hours. The class runs for 1.5 hours on a Wednesday afternoon, and in its first year of operation has secured students from McKinnon and Brighton Secondary Colleges as well as GEC attendees. The program was funded by grants from the Pratt Foundation, the Werdiger Family Foundation and an anonymous donor. Our other major new program, was the first UJEB Batmitzvah program in five years. Our approach was predicated on the need for our students to have meaningful learning that connected them to the wider community. For that reason we sought partnerships with Stand Up, the Jewish Museum of Australia and the National Council of Jewish Women of What is the true national education? That which makes children absorb the national spirit unconsciously. - Achad Ha’am Australia. Each of the partner organisations co-teach a term with us, and young Jewish women are given different ways and means to connect with the Jewish community as they graduate out of religious school. Eleven participants joined our inaugural program this year. Our full report on our Hebrew Centres is included. My personal thanks go to our Roshim, or Heads of Campus. Limor Peretz ran Merkaz Bentleigh and worked closely with me all year to secure approval for the site as an accredited After School Care provider. We added an “ivrit b’ivrit” or Hebrew-only day on Mondays, in response to parent demand. Limor left in December to open her own art class business but will remain part of the UJEB family. Omer Rosinger began his UJEB career as an SRI teacher and occasional musician but in 2014 was promoted to run the CJC Afterschool site. His dedication and vigour have been apparent and we welcome him to our team. Our thanks to the Gandel Foundation for their ongoing support of Merkaz Bentleigh. The Special Religious Instruction program in public primary schools in Victoria (SRI) or religious education as it was previously known received a thorough overhaul by the State government in July 2014. A full report is on page 12 My thanks go to our Coordinator of R.E. Becky Kiper-Fox and her team of teachers. Their ongoing commitment and the hours they log to reach as many of our students as possible is truly remarkable. The Jewish Student Network continued from strength to strength. In June our longtime Coordinator Dani Miller resigned to pursue her next adventure. Our maturity as an organisation was displayed when Beau Landes, a UJEB and JSN graduate, became the first participant to lead the program. Zac Blum joined us as Rosh Machane (Head of Camp) and we continued our programs at Glen Eira College, Brighton, Bentleigh and McKinnon Secondary colleges. Supported by a start up grant from the Besen Family Foundation, we began a Parents and Friends group this year on the model of state primary schools. Our first family function was held on Chol Hamoed Sukkot at Allnutt Park. Fifty people attended. As we move into our 120th year, UJEB is poised to reinvent itself once again, as an advocate for families outside the day school system, as a partner in government initiatives to make primary schools responsive to their local communities, and as a provider of Jewish education from Prep to year 12 and on into gap year programs. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 7 ////WHY SUPPORT UJEB? UJEB SHARES SOME GREAT STORIES OF OUR SUPPORTERS WINTER BLOWOUT Hayley Southwick of Ice events supported UJEB with funds raised from her annual Winter Blowout event. Her disco for years 3 to 6 children from all schools. The event raised $ 4120 and we would like to thank Ice Events for selecting UJEB for 2014. RENA ADLER MEMORIAL Rena’s part time occupation as a religious instructor for UJEB lasted nearly 30 years Over the years with UJEB, Rena taught at more than a dozen state public schools ranging from Doncaster Park in the east to Oakleigh Sth. & numerous others in between with class sizes ranging from two dozen to just one or two. In those years 100’s of children learned a little of “Judaism” from Rena. She was particularly proud of her work with special needs students. Rena’s cancer finally put a stop to teaching early in 2013 and following her passing her family decided to financially support the ‘Rena Adler Inclusion Fund’ which commenced from her ‘Yarzeit’ in October 2014. The income raised from this Fund will be used to extend the education programs of the United Jewish Education Board to children with special needs. GEORGE KURAN Mr George Kuran was born in Bialystock, Poland in 1920 and arrived in Australia thirty years later. A successful businessman, George is most proud of his family, a wife Lusia, sadly deceased, and two children. During the 1960s George’s son attended UJEB at South Caulfield and George was very involved in the shule and appreciative of the education provided. He planned to leave UJEB a bequest in his will. Recently, George’s rabbi convinced him to give his donation to UJEB “with a warm hand”, in other words, while he was still alive. Were so grateful to have the chance to thank George in person for his generous gift. Mazel-tov on your decades of community involvement. 8 ////AFTERSCHOOL CENTRES AFTER SCHOOL UJEB runs Jewish learning and Hebrew language centres for primary school students at two different locations after school. Each centre’s curriculum provides a full Hebrew language and Jewish studies program that covers traditions, customs and festivals. By attending our programs our students develop a lifetime of knowledge and skills in a dynamic educational environment which ensures their ability to participate in Jewish communal life. UJEB runs an integrated Jewish Studies and Hebrew Program which includes Jewish festivals, customs and beliefs, and incorporates Hebrew in a meaningful way. Students study Jewish history, Israel and contemporary Jewish and Israeli culture. The Hebrew Program is aimed at giving children the ability to read, speak and write Hebrew, and develop their vocabulary to engage in basic conversation. The program includes Hebrew letter recognition, reading and writing as well as preparing them to participate in important Jewish festivals and rituals. MERKAZ BENTLEIGH AFTERSCHOOL Situated in the growth corridor of Bentleigh, where the demand for UJEB’s services has doubled over the last three years, MERKAZ BENTLEIGH is at 549 Centre Road Bentleigh. Merkaz Bentleigh is supported by Gandel Philanthropy. The Rosh of Merkaz Bentleigh was Limor Peretz. GRADUATES Orly Golod Tomer Singer Sharon Fleischer CAULFIELD AFTERSCHOOL Caulfield classes take place at Caulfield Junior College. There are two options on the Tuesday: Jewish Studies and Hebrew runs from 3:30pm to 5:30pm Jewish Studies only – runs from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. UJEB thanks principal Tim Douglas of CJC for his support over many years and wishes him well in retirement. The Rosh of Caulfield is Omer Rosinger GRADUATES Jesse Wundheiler Daniel Adey This stand-alone centre delivers a multidisciplinary educational program from 4:00pm – 5:30pm. Monday – Hebrew only classes. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are Jewish Studies and Hebrew Classes. Merkaz Bentleigh was approved as an outside school hours care facility in 2014. This enables us to offer child care benefit and child care rebate at this location. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 9 ////NEW PROGRAMS JED – JEWISH EDUCATION CLASSES FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS A Jewish Studies Centre for Years 7-10, started this year. It takes place at the Glen Eira College Language Centre, Booran Road Caulfield on a Wednesday from 4-5:30pm. This exciting initiative is open to all Jewish Secondary students of government and independent schools. The principle aim of this landmark program is to provide students with a Secondary Jewish Studies unit. This course builds upon any prior learning and engages the students with our rich heritage. The UJEB Afterschool Program has a Spiral Curriculum i. Year 1 - “Jewish Time” - understanding Judaism through History, Yearly Cycle, Life Cycle Events ii. Year 2 - “Jewish Text” - understanding Judaism through Torah Stories, Jewish Heroes, Jewish people around the world. PARENTS AND FRIENDS UJEB’s Parents & Friends group is a new initiative that was developed to build on the services we provide for children. The aim of this group is to build a committed UJEB family who invest their time and energy into making UJEB a leading educational and community-driven organisation. The committee was developed to help run events and hold fundraisers. The first event was a Shavuot Party afternoon tea party at Allnut park with a portable sukkah. The plan is to have one festival each term and to have the parents involvement with planning and running the events. This will ensure commitment to UJEB and complete the SRI program with celebrating Chaggim for family and friends throughout the year. Parents and friends of UJEB is supported by the Besen Family Foundation. JED is supported by The Pratt Foundation, the Werdiger Family Foundation, and a private benefactor. CREATING BUILDING BLOCKS TO LIVE A CONNECTED JEWISH LIFE UAGE LANG N ITIO TRAD TORY UJEB @ GLEN EIRA COLLEGE NEW IN TERM II, 2014 JEWISH STUDIES AFTER SCHOOL FOR YEARS 7 - 10. • You can now study Jewish history and text plus... • Hebrew language (run by GEC) • Jewish festival celebrations • Jewish Student Network lunchtime sessions • Year 10 Israel trip To enrol and get more information about the course visit us online at www.ujeb.org.au or call the office on 9038 5028 10 HIS IVALS FEST T TEX URE NT CULT AEL ISR ME CH ENRI TITY IDEN ////BATMITZVAH PROGRAM 2014 saw the introduction of an exciting new Batmitzvah program run by UJEB in conjunction with the Jewish Museum of Australia and the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (Vic). The girls learnt about and experienced social action, Zionism, Torah, Jewish History and Culture, and their own emerging identities as young Jewish women. This program has proven to be different from all others in the marketplace. We are the only organisation specifically set up to cater to students in government and independent schools. We know that a Batmitzvah year is a major turning point in a child’s Jewish identity. The girls have formed a strong social bond and made some friendships that will last for decades. This experience has equipped girls to develop strongly rooted Jewish values, and the confidence to take flight and enjoy their lives as young adults. The topics included in the program were: SOCIAL ACTION Students participated in Stand Up’s social justice program for B’nei Mitzvah-aged students. During the term students explored and addressed 21st Century challenges such as poverty alleviation and human rights. Students had an opportunity to complete their own Action Projects and to regard themselves as change makers for a better world. ISRAEL & TORAH Classes were held exploring our historic and current connections to Israel. Highlights included participation in communal Yom Ha’atzma’ut event at Beth Weizmann. Girls also researched the parashah that falls on their 12th birthday, and wrote a d’var torah based on themes from it. HISTORY & CULTURE In Term Three the classes met at the Jewish Museum of Australia, and focused on Jewish history, art and culture. Highlights included an exploration of the Australian Jewish story. The girls also had the opportunity to complete a Jewish art project with Artist in Residence Nikki Green. This term culminated in a roots project investigating the girls’ individual family stories of migration and settlement. JEWISH WOMEN The final term at NCJWA (VIC) explored a wide variety of influential roles that Jewish women have undertaken throughout the ages. The participants met with inspirational young Jewish women who are active in making a difference in the Jewish and broader community. The program concluded with a moving ceremony and afternoon tea where the girls shared what they had learnt with family and friends in a joyous celebration. Thanks to Nom Orelovitz, our wonderful UJEB Batmitzvah teacher, and her gifted partners: Ari Rutman from Stand Up, Shira Appelboom from the Jewish Museum of Australia and Frances Prince from NCJWA (VIC). The UJEB Batmitzvah program is supported by the Phillip and Vivien Brass Charitable Foundation, Frances Prince and Steven Kolt. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 11 ////SPECIAL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION (FORMERLY RE) UJEB has been running Religious Education since 1895. In early May of 2014, UJEB supplied Special Religious Instruction (SRI) to 1,300 students in 37 primary schools, including two special schools. Our numbers had grown at an average of 5.5% per annum each year of the last decade. In May of 2014, the Department of Education and Training, who supervise UJEB and the other faith providers, began an overhaul of the program. They were concerned to crack down on reports of prosletysing by some instructors, and on bribes of lollies that were given as inducements for students to participate in religious events outside school. Their policy update was released as Ministerial Directive (MD) 141. Importantly for UJEB, it included in its first draft in May a requirement for parents to opt in to the program each year, and the ability of Principals to decline to provide SRI if “not enough” students opted in to it. After securing a meeting with the Minister of Education Mr Martin Dixon MP, President Yossi Goldfarb, Executive Director Marlo Newton and Board member Jeremy Leibler presented the difficulties that this presented to UJEB as a minority provider. Thanks to their efforts, and those of local member for Caulfield David Southwick MP, the language was changed in a July version of MD141. The requirement for “enough” students to opt in was dropped, but the requirement for annual opt in remained. This led to widescale confusion in July and August 2014, as parents were asked by their school to “opt in” to SRI again for 2014. Some schools communicated these changes more effectively than others. In addition, principals were reminded of their duty of care and the requirement to have one of their own teachers in every classroom where SRI ran. Principals who could not comply with this could not run the program. 12 “The Department,” said President Yossi Goldfarb in a press interview at the time, “has claimed that the policy sent to Principals was developed to make sure appropriate resources and facilities were in place for SRI. It didn’t mean that Principals could simply stop the program, or use it as a tool to do so.” UJEB wrote to all of our SRI parents, explaining the changes that occurred, and tried to assist parents to find their school’s timetable and paperwork to opt in. The variety in school response was instructive. Principals who had been historically reluctant to run SRI were quick to respond that “not enough” students had opted in and that they did not need to run the program. When we responded that the phrase “not enough” had been dropped from the directive, they immediately wrote back saying “I cannot provide appropriate duty of care for this program.” In an interesting case study, parents of South Caulfield Primary called for a meeting with us when their Principal claimed that not enough students had opted in to run SRI. We held a parent meeting, and a delegation of parents asked to meet with the Department of Education, claiming that the Principal had not given sufficient time to respond to the opt in form and that she needed to be responsive to her school community. Following a meeting between the Principal and UJEB’s Executive Director, we received a strong indication that SRI would return to South Caulfield Primary in 2015. We would like to thank all the parents who have written to us with their concerns especially those who attended the parent meeting and who have expressed their willingness to become more involved with UJEB. In particular we would like to thank Natalie Joffe, Tali Joffe, Leana Fink and Andi Lentin who met with Carole Kelly, head of SRI in the Department of Education. Our deep thanks also to our local Member Mr. David Southwick who supported us during our meeting with the Minister Mr. Martin Dixon and who has worked hard on this issue and helped us to achieve this great result. HANS AND ROSI RUSKIN ANNUAL COMPETITION The competition for Years 3 to 6 has been a UJEB staple for three decades. The students made a wrote an essay on one of the following topics: 1. What does Israel mean to me? 2. My Jewish Superhero is …. 3. My favourite Jewish Holiday is ….. This year’s overall winner was Orly Golod with her piece on What Israel means to me. This outcome has indicated the way forward to deal with this challenge to SRI. Parent commitment to the program and a willingness to speak up to their Principal and the Department of Education can help guarantee the continued success of this weekly class. Photo of Hester Ruskin and winner Orly Golod UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 13 ////GRAPH DISPLAYING CHANGES IN SRI OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS 1300 1250 1200 Number of kids enrolled in RE 1150 1100 1050 1000 950 900 850 800 2004 Years 14 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2014 Before July After July RAN ALL YEAR CEASED ////JEWISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 15 ////JEWISH STUDENT NETWORK (JSN) JSN – ON THE ROAD IN 2014 JSN went flying into action at our four schools: Brighton Secondary, Mckinnon Secondary, Bentleigh Secondary and Glen Eira College. The programs ranged from exploring the importance of and connection to their own Jewish identity, to whether factors of their personality and actions within their own lives were related to identity. Other major programs consisted of looking at the Chaggim throughout the Hebrew calendar and having different perspectives on and insights into how they are celebrated/commemorated with multiple cultural observances. A highlighted program for the students was looking at the “trolley problem” where they needed to make a moral decision on whether they would pull a lever attached to a railroad line choosing to either save five lives or one. This moral dilemma was both fun and engaging for the students as it brought up topics of discussion based on how we interact with other people and whether we have a choice in the way we act around certain people. From this it became an interpretation of whether in Jewish texts it asks us to act a certain way and whether this Jewish morality is embedded in us or something that we choose to have or not have. 16 JSN ran two major celebrations this year at Glen Eira College - Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah. For the celebrations we had cake and food stalls and fun activities and stations. One included a massive ring toss competition with getting the hoola-hoop over the menorah candle run by our leaders and some helpful volunteers from youth movements. The best things about the days were that they were open to the whole school allowing for our festivities and culture to be shared and explored by all students. The highlight of the year was our Spring Camp shared with UJEB which was a COMPLETE SUCCESS! The madrichim worked very hard to produce top quality programs which engaged all the kids with the theme of being active in the community. The camp was a unique opportunity for all the students to participate and meet each other and build friendships for years to come and to set up plenty of JSN camps down the track. It was fantastic to see everyone so respectful to each other and have a positive spirit for the whole of camp. I would like to give a special thanks to our leaders; Zac Blum, Naomi Cherny and Gaby Lefkovits, for being my partners this year. We couldn’t have done all this without you. ////UJEB AND JSN CAMP Spring Camp was held from the 5th to the 7th of September at Mount Morton camp site in Belgrave. For the first time, UJEB (Primary) and JSN (Secondary) camps were held at the same time, sharing the beautiful Dandenongs campsite. The common theme was community. Younger campers learned what makes a Jewish community, and the older students investigated the diversity of our community and how they can find their place within it. Rosh Zac Blum put together an amazing team of madrichim, including the core JSN leaders, Beau Landes, Naomi Cherny and Gaby Lefkovits. A highlight was Shabbat dinner. The sumptuous food was provided by UJEB regular Yirmi Michell, but the ruach (spirit) was brought by the whole camp singing and chanting for hours. A flying fox adventure completed three days of awesome fun. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 17 ////PREVIEW OF 2015 – OUR 120TH BIRTHDAY UJEB GOLDEN YEARS If a Golden Anniversary is 50 years, what do we get for 120? UJEB was founded in May 1895, making it the oldest continuously operating Jewish educational institution. The reason we were founded remains our mission today, to provide Jewish education for the Jewish students in government schools. How we do that looks different in each generation, but we feel a continuing responsibility to provide for the students of our entire community. Our first President was Sir Isaac Isaacs, and we were initially funded by a levy on all members of the then three Melbourne synagogues: Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, East Melbourne and St Kilda. In 1907 we had 80 students in Rathdowne St and 90 who came Sundays only. In addition we ran in Faraday St, West Melb, Lithgow St, Lee Street, Sth Melb, and Sth Yarra. One of the services we performed consistently in the 1930s to 1960s was teaching Hebrew for Matriculation and University entrance. In 1935, for example, we had 15 students present for examinations. We are still teaching Hebrew in both our afterschool programs, and by supporting the Glen Eira Hebrew program in high school. Rabbi Raymond Apple, Rabbi Emeritus of the Great Synagogue in Sydney, was taught his Matriculation Hebrew after hours at Melbourne High through UJEB. U.J.E.B. Choir at the U.J.E.B. 95th Anniversary Celebration 18 We began our sleep-away camp in 1982, which is now an annual fixture. Noticing the dearth of post B’nei Mitzvah programs, the Pratt Foundation helped us launch the Jewish Student Network in 1991. By 1993 we were working in McKinnon, Wesley, Melbourne High and Balwyn Secondary School. Our first field worker was Lisa Farber. Today, we are still at McKinnon, but also at Bentleigh, Brighton, Glen Eira and Sandringham secondary colleges. In this generation our challenges include a dispute over religious instruction in schools, but our main concern is that 40% of Jewish preps are in the government school system. We want to be there for them, today and tomorrow. We are in the midst of collating a 120th book, including archival material, and historic photos. We will also be holding a Gala Dinner in October. If you were a UJEB student or have any UJEB memorabilia, we are keen to hear from you. If you are a UJEB graduate or past teacher, give us a call on 9523 6844. Annual Prizegiving at Brighton Centre, 1968 ////HEAD OFFICE UJEB gratefully acknowledges the hard work of the office staff for 2014: Marlo Newton Executive Director Lisa Baron Marketing and Communications /Parents & Friends liaison Becky Kiper-Fox Education Administrator Until October 2014 Julian Isaacs Bookkeeper Rochelle Kotek Office Manager Dani Miller JSN Coordinator until Until June 2014 Beau Landes JSN Coordinator from July 2014 Riva Cohen Afterschool Coordinator from October 2014 Becky Kiper-Fox resigned in October 2014. Amongst other achievements she had been responsible for two years of curriculum writing that reinvigorated the SRI program. Riva Cohen acted as Afterschool Coordinator for Term IV 2014. ////STAFF CHANGES 2014 Dani Miller resigned in June 2014 and was replaced as Jewish Student Network Coordinator by Beau Landes. Dani had shaped the JSN internship system and been an integral part of the UJEB team. Beau is the first graduate of JSN to lead it. Zac Blum acted as Rosh Machane (Head of Camp). Scholars enhance peace in the world. - Talmud, Berakhot UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 19 ////THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF UJEB WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE TRUSTEES OF THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS FOR GRANTS AWARDED IN 2014: Anonymous Phillip & Vivien Brass Charitable Foundation Jagen 6A Foundation Besen Family Foundation The Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation Pty Ltd Lazarovits Foundation B’nai B’rith Foundation P & S Bassat Charitable Foundation Spotlight Stores Dina & Ron Goldschlager Family Charitable Foundation VMC Castan Family Gandel Philanthropy Rena Adler Trust Fonda Charities Pty Ltd Bendigo Bank - CPCB Bequest Naomi & Samuel Stopnik The Pratt Foundation ////WE THANK ALL OUR DONORS FOR THE SUPPORT THAT ENABLES US TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. THE FOLLOWING DONORS CONTRIBUTED $1000.00 OR MORE DURING 2014: Anonymous Matt Cohen Trevor and Heather Cohen Dipvis Pty Ltd The Grant Foundation Michael Dubs Tony Fell Leo & Mina Fink Fund Leojohn Pty Ltd - Barry Fink Karl Ginzburg Leon Goldman (Tabir Pty Ltd) Joseph Grynberg Robert Hain Rachel M Hornung Susan Ivany David Lamm Lazarovits Foundation Sara Lederman Charitable Foundation Mark Leibler Jeremy Leibler C & L Justin David and Leonie Koadlow Kornhauser Foundation George Kuran Mark Montag Dennis Nassau I became wiser from every teacher. - Psalms (Tehillim) 119:99 20 Richard Nossbaum Orloff Family Charitable Trust Piny Paneth Nir and Lai Pizmony Gayle & Carl Sachs The Silberscher Family Foundation Sandra G Sloane Jonathan Shafir Gregory Shalit & Miriam Faine Ron Tatarka Werled Foundation Abe Zelwer ////WE THANK THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR INKIND SUPPORT: abCreative Productions Arnold Bloch Leibler Besser & Co Kay Burton Bustin Simon Real Estate Hocking Stuart Ice Events Jemark Imports Luxe Property Hilton Miller & Associates Mycause.com.au Octopus Media Gary Peer Rodney Morley Perschetti ////MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR TEACHERS: ////MANY THANKS TO THE AFTERSCHOOL TEACHERS: ////MANY THANKS TO THE JSN MADRICHIM: Lauren Aarons Elana Alford Deborah Amar Brocho Aron Dina Rosemary Burgess Naomi Cherny Gilad Cohen Riva Cohen Adiel Cohney Reuven Cooper Joel Aaron Diamond Lauren Dorfman Yitzchak Engel Talia Feigin Danielle Glick Miriam Gordon Andrea Gore Daniel Gould Chaya Grossbaum Adele Chayla Herzog Gaby Lefkovits Sarah Mandie Helen Menashe Naomi Morris Deborah Neufeld Erica Paneth Limor Peretz Irene Port Joan Queit Ruth Rosenberg Jason Rudaizky Kelila Slonim Esther Stern-Gurewitz Mandy Zielinski ROSHIM Limor Peretz - Merkaz Bentleigh Omer Rosinger - Caulfield Junior College Zac Blum Naomi Cherny Beau Landes Gaby Lefkovits TEACHERS Brocho Aron Lauren Dorfman Ariel Katz Ariel Kark Naomi Morris Jake Searle Esther Stern ////MANY THANKS TO CAMP MADRICHIM: BATMITVAH TEACHER Naomi Orelovitz JED Andrea Gore Daniel Gould Rosh – Zac Blum Nomi Blum Naomi Cherny Jacqui Cohen Eileen Gamzuletova Ma’ayan Geffen Anthony Janovic Eran Kark Beau Landes Gaby Lefkovits Greg Sacks Brett Sacks Daniella Spilkin Thou shalt teach them [commandments] diligently to your children. - Deuteronomy (Devarim) 6:7 UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 21 ////FINANCIALS - YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014 22 UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2013 2014 23 24 UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 25 26 UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 27 28 UJEB - CJES Account FY Ending 31/12/2014 Donations $443,330 Reimbursements to UJEB $438,023 Bank Charges $3,686 UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 29 30 UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 31 32 So our kids know. The United Jewish Education Board (UJEB) is the sole provider of Jewish Education to Jewish students in Victoria outside the Jewish Day School system. We are a unique and critical Melbourne based educational organisation that has been in existence for 119 years. We continue to ensure Jewish continuity and identity through involvement of our community’s children. Our classes and services receive minimal government support and there is no ability to charge for many of our programs. We rely on the support of the Victorian Jewish Community to offer our vital services. UJEB ANNUAL REPORT 2014 33 There are three easy ways to donate: mail a cheque | via our web site | call our office CONTACT US UJEB OFFICE: 306 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield 3162 PH: 03 9523 6844 Email: [email protected] www.ujeb.org.au United Jewish Education Board Our office is open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Thursday, 9am - 3pm Friday So our kids know. Designed and printed by abCreative | 03 9500 2266 | abCreative.com
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