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Jewish Museum of australia
Gandel centre of Judaica
AnnuAl RepoRt 2010
museum personnel
Acquisition Advisory Committee The Babel Project Advisory Committee Outreach Program Rachel Meltzer –
Susan Faine, Rabbi John levi, Shirley & Exhibition team Adriana Gomberg – Coordinator, Marie Hirsh, Hymie Katz,
lubofsky, Helen Webberley, nechama Coordinator, Cristina Del Frate, Susan Sonya oberman, Miriem pinczower,
Werdiger, Brian Wiener Faine, Jeremy Gaden, Kate Ingpen, tom eva Rathner, Freda Shapiro
Administration lynda Green, lena pose, Ingpen, Chris Joiner, Stéphanie Kabanyana, Public Programs esther Kister –
eva Somogyi Anne Kershaw, louisa Marks, Georgia Coordinator, pam Burke, lorraine
Metaxas, Rebecca Christensen page, Freeman, Ruth Friede, Yvonne Kay,
Austrian Holocaust Memorial
Jessica Rynderman Rita Kornhauser, ella levy
Service Intern lukas Maehr
Florence Melton Adult Education Mini Publications Annual Reports Anna
Cataloguing, Registration and
School 2010 leah Justin – Director, Judy epstein, Susan Hearst
Translation lenis Aarons, naomi Bloch,
Becher – Chair, paul Forgasz – Head of
evelyn Firstenberg, Susan Fooks, Jottings Annette Bagle – Coordinator,
Faculty, perla leinkram – Administrator
Vicky Kosky, Helene lewit, Minya lipkies, Sandy Baigel – editor (from Aug), Kate
lukas Maehr, Bette pulver, Kay Ronec, FMAMS Committee of Management Rotman – editor (until July), Debbie Max –
Chana Rubin, Baba Schwarz, Mim Segal, Ron Berenholtz – Management Mentor, layout, Myra Cohen, Renee Companez,
peter Symons, Gali Weiss, Ilene Wolcott Rabbi Ralph Genende – Spiritual Mentor, Shirley Freedman, Fay Isaacs, liba linden,
Ian Samuel – Secretary, David Cohen, Fay lutchner, David Milan, Renee Roth,
Corporate Club Committee
Helen light, Millie Mitchell eva Somogyi
Alan Synman – Chair, efrat Goldberg
(from May), Adriana Gomberg (until May), Guides Committee Sharonna Brott, Marie Journal Anna epstein – editor, Gwen
Amy Grossbard (until october), Martin Hirsh, esther Kahn, Haimy Katz, Freda Abzatz, evelyn Firstenberg, Danny Khazam,
Jaffe, Charles Justin, paul Kaufman, Kaufman, tanya Warms, Sarah Wein Gali Weiss
Hannah piterman (from August), Museum/Synagogue Guides Susi Publicity lior Albeck-Ripka (from nov),
Charla Smith (until May), Frank tisher Bendel, Melvyn Black, Gail Blode, Amy Grossbard (until oct)
Events Committee Zelda Rosenbaum – Sharonna Brott, Shoshana Chizik, Renee
Reception/Shop Committee Bev Cohen
Chair, lyn Borowski, Andrea Bliss, efrat Companez, louise Dyskin, enid elton, Vera
– Coordinator, Rosetta Wise, Anne
Goldberg (from May), Adriana Gomberg Finkel, Hilda Gertler, Mary Goffin, Rosalyn
Korman, Judy Kluska – Coordinator, lynda
(until May), Brenda Kahan, Anne Korman, Goldberg, lucy Goldfeld, Judith Goldstein,
Green, tanya Warms, Sandy Khazam (until
ella levy, Susan Minc Sylvia Greenberg, edith Grynszpan, Marie
oct), pedro Chauca (from nov), Jenny
Hirsh, Bella Hirshorn, liora Jacoby, esther
Art Auction Committee Yola Rose – Benporath
Kahn, Haimy Katz, Freda Kaufman, Miri
Chair, efrat Goldberg, Karen Goldenberg, Reception/Shop Gwen Abzatz, Helen
levi, leonard levy, Mary lipp, Marion
tanya Hamersfeld, Amit Holckner, Alter, Rosa Blacher, Katherine Blecher,
lippmann, Fay lutchner, Sophie Maj,
toni Joel, Sally Robin, Ann Smorgon, Miriam Blecher, lana Burgess, nicole
Rachel Meltzer, lilly Milecki, Morris Mond,
lindy tamir Caplan, Ruth Cerbu, lester Cohen, Bev
lilian Movitz, Sonya oberman, Jeanette
Events/Functions Volunteer Dasha oshry, Miriem pinczower, Judith polke, Kurt Cohen, Helen eisenberger, Fitri pranit
Rouditzer pollitzer, Sasha prinsley, eva Rathner, Dasha (nita) elpilysia, Rany Friedman, Sandra
Exhibition Committees Theresienstadt Rouditser, Alex Safran, Marley Schlen, tess Gordon, lynda Green, Judy Hosfal,
Advisory Committee Jenny Better, Schwarz, Frieda Shapiro, Gay Solomon, Barbara Jacob, Yvonne Kay, lauren
Susan Faine, Sandy Khazam (until oct), Ray Spitz, Renee Super, Ruth Symons, Vera Kellman, Judy Kluska, Anne Korman, Sylvia
Helen light (until Feb), Jessica Rynderman unger, Sarah Wein Krape, Doreen levine, Cera newhouse,
Contributors Aneta Able, paul Drexler, Kurt Viviane ninio, Bette pulver, Gerty Rabin,
Schools Education Guides Janet Arndt,
ehrenfeld, Gary Fabian, peter Gaspar, Shirley Rose, Beryl Sandler, Joan Sharp,
Doba Benporath, Melvyn Black, naomi
Irma Hanner, Vera & Moishe Hasen, Reva Siegel, Selma Stransky, lilian
Bloch, pnina Brown, linda Chapman,
Stephanie Heller, Michele Huppert, eva Warmbrand, Rosetta Wise, June Zeeng
Annette Chereshsky, Helen Cohen, Mimi
Migdalek, lottie porges (dec), lena pose, Cohen, Rebecca Davis, Susie ehrmann, Visual Arts Committee luba Bilu –
Charles Winter Mameloshn – How natalie evan-Bar, paula Flinkier, Yossi Coordinator, emma Kranz – Coordinator,
Yiddish Made a Home in Melbourne Frenkel, Hilda Gertler, Annette Goldenberg, Guy Abrahams, Helen Gory, Bruce
Advisory Committee Felicity Bloch, Hinde Jenny Goldsmith, Judy Goldstein, esther Harrison, emanuel Hirsh, Gaby Khazam,
ena Burstin, Simcha Burstin, Danielle Kahn, Haimy Katz, Myra Kaufman, esther Sandy Khazam (until oct), nicola Stein
Charak, Alex Dafner, Jacob Dessauer, Krause, Anna levin, Ros levy, Debbie Max, Volunteers Coordinator tanya Warms
Andrew Firestone, tomi (Irene) Kalinski, Rachel Meltzer, Morris Mond, Deborah Walks Annette Bagle/Charla Smith –
Helen light, Andrew Markus, Freydi neufeld, Sonya oberman, Jeanette oshry, Coordinators, terry Ashton – Guide,
Mrocki, Miriam Munz, Doodie Ringelblum, Marilyn parkin, Miriem pinczower, lena leon Haskin – Schmatte Business Guide,
Jess Rynderman, Renata Singer, David pose, eva Rathner, Kurt Rathner, Malka Marie Hirsh
Slucki, Charles Slucki, Arnold Zable, Rubin, Jennie Schoenfeld, Margaret toet,
Contributors Anne Gawenda, Floris nicole tugendhaft, Martha Vanderhoek
Kalman, Rachel Kalman, Sean Meltzer,
Media Support Danny Khazam
Romek Mokotow, Ruth Mushin, Reene Zufi
i
ANNUAL REPORT 2010
Museum Personnel i
Highlights of 2010 2
Foundation Report 3
Board of Governors 4
President of the Museum 4
Director’s Report 5
Museum Activities
the Collection 6
Acquisitions 7
permanent exhibitions 8
loti Smorgon Gallery exhibition 8
Gross Gallery 9
Schools education program 10
Adult education 11
public programs 12
NuTTSHEll GRAPHICS:
outreach programs 12 THREE DECADES OF SuPPORT
Walks 12 Sue Allnutt, the owner of nuttshell
Volunteers 13 Graphics, became involved with
the Museum even before the
Community
appointment of founding Director
Community events 14 Dr Helen light. After heading to
Corporate Club 15 london as a young design graduate
in 1972, Sue worked for the British
Board of Directors 16
Museum as a graphic designer. It was
Management and Staff 17 there, Sue says, that she developed
A Snapshot of 2010 18 an interest in museums and graphic
Supporting Your Museum 19 design for cultural institutions.
Donors and Supporters 20 Sue worked on the Museum’s very first exhibition entitled
Art and Architecture of the Synagogue, designing the display
and the exhibition catalogue in conjunction with Zelda
Rosenbaum, June Helmer, and naomi landa Gross.
Helen light started shortly afterwards and they developed
a close working relationship. over the past 28 years Sue’s
business has designed, amongst other things, all the
ACKNOWlEDGEMENTS Museum’s major publications, the first logo, brochures,
the design of this Annual Report and all the Annual fundraising material, annual reports and all the collateral for
Reports before it has been generously donated by the Museum’s 25th anniversary. Sue has an ongoing interest
nuttshell Graphics. in the Museum’s work and a commitment to its development,
evident in the donation of her company’s services including
editor: Susan Hearst the design of the Annual Report and the invitations for major
fundraising events.
Front Cover: Spice Tower, Bohemia, late 18th C, silver
and silver gilt. JMA 95 Donated by Morris Majtlis in Reflecting on her long association Sue says that the people
memory of his late wife Mania. involved with the Museum have been wonderful to work with
over the years. “Creative, intelligent people who produce
Back Cover: Citron (Spice Container), tracey Clement,
intelligent thought-provoking work which is challenging and
Australia, 1998, monel, sterling silver, fine silver, 24ct
which uses limited resources for maximum effect. I should also
gold. JMA 10928 Donated by John & Pauline Gandel
mention,” she said, “how inspirational JMA life president
in honour of the 70th birthday of Richard Pratt.
Zelda is for me as a beacon of community support.” Zoë,
Above: Belief and Ritual, one of the Museum’s Sue’s daughter, is now involved as the next generation takes
permanent exhibitions. over and a new era in the Museum’s development begins.
1
Highlights of 2010
HElEN lIGHT’S FAREWEll
Dr Helen light’s departure from the Museum was a major
milestone. As its inaugural Director, Helen led the Museum
with great intellect and vision to its current position of national
and international renown. twenty seven years after she started
the work of building the Museum, Helen stepped down
initiating a process of generational change.
Theresienstadt Ghetto: Central Disinfection and Delousing Station,
Paul Schwarz, Theresienstadt, 1943, watercolour and pencil on paper
MuSEuM’S COllECTION REPRESENTED
Farewell to the “Light Years” INTERNATIONAllY: INTERNATIONAl COuNCIl
OF MuSEuMS (ICOM) CONFERENCE,
SHANGHAI, NOVEMBER 2010
WElCOME REBECCA FORGASZ the Museum’s Curator of Collections, Susan Faine, was
A new and exciting era began when Rebecca took up the awarded one of two bursaries from ICoM (Australia) to present
Director’s position in April 2010. Rebecca holds Masters a paper at the 22nd General Conference, themed ‘Museums
Degrees in Women’s Studies and Jewish Studies. She is for Social Harmony’. She presented her paper in the ICoM
committed to the perpetuation of Jewish identity in all its Special Interest Group representing memorial museums where
manifestations, to the Museum’s role in preserving Jewish the theme was ‘Shanghai – Shelter of Jewish Refugees
culture and to the engagement of both the Jewish and 1933–1945’.
non-Jewish communities in the work of the Museum.
TEMPlE BETH ISRAEl “MuSIC OF HOPE &
RESISTANCE” CONCERT
Accompanying the theresienstadt exhibition was this
outstanding concert with video accompaniment at temple
Beth Israel entitled “Music of Hope & Resistance”. Brilliantly
presented by Joseph toltz and major Melbourne musicians,
together with the King David School Chamber Choir and
recorded by the ABC, this was an outstanding and highly
emotive occasion attended by an audience of 400 people.
FAREWEll TO SARAH WEIN, FREDA FAuFMAN
AND KATE ROTMAN
After 27 years of devoted service, Freda Kaufman and
Sarah Wein retired from their joint roles as Guide
Rebecca Forgasz Coordinators of the Museum. Sarah and Freda acquitted
themselves and their roles with great intellect and devotion,
establishing a stimulating program of lectures and workshops
THERESIENSTADT: DRAWN FROM THE INSIDE
for the Museum’s invaluable team of volunteer guides. their
the Museum’s major temporary exhibition for 2010
contribution was outstanding and was duly recognised at
showcased 150 original drawings and watercolours that were
a formal farewell held in their honour in August, an event
created in theresienstadt by paul Schwarz and leo lowit which
which also acknowledged the exemplary service of another
reveal a triumph of the human spirit. the historic town of
longstanding volunteer, Kate Rotman.
terezin was turned into a ghetto by the nazis during
World War II and was used as a way-station en route to the
death camps. Manipulated to deceive the world about their
mistreatment of the Jews, the town had a hidden side.
through these works the exhibition explored the many layers
of duplicity engendered in these extraordinary times.
2
ANNuAl luNCH: DEBI ENKER GuEST SPEAKER MuSEuM RECEIVES MAJOR GRANT
Supported by more than 600 Gold patrons, Benefactors,
patrons and Hostesses, the Annual luncheon at lincoln of
toorak was a great success. Debi enker, tV Critic and
Journalist, entertained the Museum’s loyal supporters with her
subject “How a passion for ‘Get Smart, ‘Green Acres’ and
‘the Monkees’ turned into a Career”.
GAlA ART AuCTION AND PARTY
the year’s most spectacular function was the amazing
Art event at the national Gallery of Victoria. this comprised
a Gala Dinner in the Great Hall, followed by a party in
Federation Square and then an art auction of the highest
quality contemporary Australian art. Attended by more than
800 people, the night was an outstanding triumph for the
organising committee.
The Hon Peter Batchelor MP announces State government grant
to the Museum of $400,000 for the Zelman Cowen Gallery of
Australian Jewish History
JMA Foundation
Philip Brass Chairman We also thank the Foundation officer, Judy Wasserman,
for her commitment and dedication in her role, promoting
2010 saw many new and old friends of the Museum visit and
the motto “today for tomorrow: the Foundation stands for the
increase their support for the Foundation. the trustees and I
future of the Museum, and the Museum stands to educate,
are most appreciative of all our members. the Director’s
to foster tolerance and to celebrate cultural diversity.”
Chair endowment Fund was established three years ago to
ensure strong, ongoing support to the Museum, using the
income raised within the Foundation structure.
Sincerest appreciation is extended to our patrons John and
pauline Gandel who continue to be our dedicated benefactors
and have generously matched all contributions to this
endowment Fund. to honour our Foundation supporters a
function was held at the beautiful home of Rae Rothfield under
the patronage of lady Anna Cowen and Mrs June Helmer
where we enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere. During the last
year bequest numbers increased and we are hoping to
increase the number of donors who wish to support the
Foundation during their lifetime.
I would like to thank the Foundation trustees for their support
as well as Geoffrey Shiff for his generous time and ongoing
legal advice. on behalf of the trustees of the Jewish Museum
of Australia Foundation we express our appreciation for the
Foundation Trustees: Naomi Milgrom, John Gough, Nathan Werdiger,
generosity of the many donors, large and small.
Morry Fraid, Lee Liberman, Geoffrey Shiff, Philip Brass (Chairman)
3
BoARD oF DIReCtoRS
Negba Weiss-Dolev President
2010 was a momentous year for the Jewish Museum of
Australia. We farewelled our founding Director, Dr Helen light
and welcomed our second ever Director, Rebecca Forgasz.
the buzz of excitement and regeneration in the Museum is
John Gandel AO Negba Weiss-Dolev palpable. the Museum, led by Rebecca, has commenced
a comprehensive examination of our relevance to the Jewish
and wider communities. this is vital to ensuring that the
BoARD oF GoVeRnoRS Museum fulfils the community’s ever-changing needs and
desires.
John Gandel AO Chair
In addition to critically acclaimed exhibitions, provocative
the responsibility of the Board of Governors is all important as public programs, school and adult education and many
we continue to face uncertain economic times internationally. successful events, much progress has been made towards
We are assiduous in ensuring that the property and assets of the goals we set for 2010.
the Museum are being properly and effectively administered.
the Board of Governors is completely satisfied with the way the Zelman Cowen Gallery of Australian Jewish History
in which the Museum is being governed within the financial plans gathered momentum thanks to generous donations
policies of its Board. from individuals and grants from the Victorian and
Federal governments.
the Hon Justice Alan Goldberg Ao, Jeanne pratt AC, Zelda
Rosenbaum oAM, and professor louis Waller Ao, my fellow Adult education in the Museum has undergone a major
Governors, are committed to the sustainability and success of transformation. our thirteen year association with the Florence
the Museum. I am grateful to them for their endeavours, Melton Mini-School has come to an end and we thank
advice and support. the property and assets of the Museum everyone involved, both here and in Israel, for making it so
are fully safeguarded and we have found no factors that might successful. the decision to focus on the shorter ‘graduate-
adversely affect the value or security of the property within the program’ courses was arrived at in response to your views, as
constitutional requirements. reflected in a survey and other feedback. It is also wonderful
to see and hear school groups from diverse backgrounds
this has been a year of change, as we farewelled Dr Helen engaged within the Museum’s walls.
light AM after 27 years of service to the organisation, and
welcomed our new Director, Rebecca Forgasz. It has been Growing the Museum’s reach and increasing our use of social
a particularly smooth transition and we are delighted with the media are major priorities in preparation for the 2012
commitment and passion Rebecca brings to the Museum. Museum online roll-out. non-electronic initiatives include
a seminar in Hebrew for the Australian-Israeli community
Funding this valuable community asset continues to be whose members, we hope, will increasingly find their place
challenging. We urge the community to support the Museum at the Museum.
in order to sustain and enhance such a vital organisation.
on the financial sustainability front, the JMA Foundation
the variety and sheer number of people who work tirelessly Director’s Chair endowment is reaching its target thanks to
for the organisation make it impossible for me to thank them the concerted effort of its Chairman and fellow trustees. our
all. However, I would like to make a special note of fundraising efforts also received a major reputational and
appreciation to the president, negba Weiss-Dolev. In the financial boost with the amazing Art event held in november.
recent time we have been delighted to welcome new Board
members, Gary Hearst, Mary-lou Howie, Ben Margow Board and executive Succession plans are being carefully
and Carmella prideaux. implemented to retain our “Museum-memory”. our Board
of Governors, Management Board, Foundation trustees,
on behalf of the Board of Governors, I extend my sincere Committees and patrons continue to generously give their
thanks to the members of the executive and everyone involved time, financial support and advice.
in the Museum.
As we move into 2011, I look forward to your support and
participation in the implementation of exciting new
developments initiated in 2010. on behalf of the Board,
Staff and Volunteers, my thanks to all of you who are part
of our Museum family and I invite those yet to join to look
through our window into Australian Jewish life.
4
Director’s Report
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every
purpose.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Rebecca Forgasz Director Jewish museums in the 20th and 21st centuries have taken
upon themselves the role not only of preserving and exhibiting
It is a pleasure to be presenting the Jewish Museum of
Jewish culture, but of being actively involved in the promotion
Australia’s Annual Report for 2010 – my first as the Museum’s
and development of contemporary Jewish identity. We also
new Director. I commenced in the role of Director in April
have a vital role to play in educating the broader Victorian
2010, taking over from the extraordinary Dr Helen light.
and Australian community about Jewish people and Jewish life.
Helen’s departure from the Museum in late 2009 was a major
through a serious process of self-assessment and re-visioning
milestone for the Museum. As its inaugural Director, Helen led
– in consultation with our community and our stakeholders –
the Museum with great intellect and vision to its current
I hope to lead the Museum to new heights as a dynamic and
position of national and international renown. Along the way,
vibrant hub of contemporary Jewish cultural life.
she mentored and afforded opportunities to many young and
aspiring curators and museum professionals, including myself, there is, of course, a plethora of creative and engaging
and it is an honour and a privilege to follow in her footsteps. activity that takes place every year at the Museum, as reflected
in the pages of this year’s Annual Report. And I have inherited
It is an enormous challenge to take over the leadership of
a number of important new projects to be advanced in the
such a successful organisation – to not only maintain its
short term, most significantly the development of our new
current levels of artistic excellence, but to also ensure its long
Zelman Cowen Gallery of Australian Jewish History which has
term viability and its continuing relevance in an ever-changing
been made possible by the generous support of our
world. no organisation can take for granted its right to exist or
philanthropic and government supporters.
to be supported. It is incumbent upon us to reflect on the most
fundamental question of our purpose, our very reason for these are indeed exciting times for the Museum. As we read
being, in order to ensure that we have a clear vision and plan in the biblical book of ecclesiastes, there is “a time to plant,
for how to achieve it; to understand our visitors and our and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to break
stakeholders – what they value and how we can best meet down, and a time to build up; a time to keep, and a time to
their needs; and to be able to demonstrate in tangible ways cast away”. this is a time of change and renewal for the
the impact that we have on those who pass through our Museum and I hope that you, our valued members and
doors. In developing this vision we have commenced an supporters, will join us.
organisational self-assessment involving all levels of staff and
the Board. this process is considering internal practices as
well as external factors impacting on the Jewish Museum, such
as government policy and the rise of social media.
5
museum activities
tHe ColleCtIon MANAGING THE COllECTION
the work of documenting, housing and storing the Collection
Susan Faine Curator, Collections is a collaboration between staff, contractors and volunteers.
the Museum collects to preserve, document and share the Most days of the week members of the team of volunteer
many and varied stories that make up the Australian Jewish registrars are at the Museum cataloguing and researching an
experience. It’s timely to reflect on the evolution of its object and its stories, before despatching it to the adjacent
Collection, thirty years on. Collection Storage room for numbering, archival packaging
and storage. Registrars work on a variety of projects –
the first entry in the Museum’s register of objects, acquired sometimes individual objects, sometimes larger archives or
in october 1980, is a suite of three pieces of 19th century collections of organisational or family history. Work continues
velvet synagogue furnishings from thalmässing, Germany – steadily on cataloguing large and important archives, notably
Ark Curtain, Valance and torah mantle – bought from Rabbi the edna Berliner Memorial Archive of the Abrahams, the
Dr Solomon Brown in london. From 1942, Rabbi Brown was Super and Berliner papers (all papers are now manually
a firewatcher at the london Jewish Hospital. When he later registered and catalogued) and the Gurewicz papers (the
volunteered for the Services, he was sent to Germany for three archives ‘establishing a Beth Din’, ‘Australian Jewish Welfare’
years as the war was drawing to an end. there he travelled and ‘Shechita’ are now manually catalogued).
around europe officiating and assisting as required. He was
involved in the clean-up operations in Bergen Belsen and COllECTION MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
acquired the Ark Curtain during this time. IN 2010: A SElECTION
Preventive and Restorative Conservation
Fast forward to 2001: the Museum Collection has some the Museum exercises its ‘duty of care’ by accepting into the
8,000 pieces, including the furnishings of the humble Collection only items which it believes it can care for and
synagogue and talmud torah that operated in the home maintain in good condition. ‘preventive conservation’ –
of Fiszl Kavka, at 41 Maribyrnong Road, Ascot Vale. Born housing all objects according to accepted museum
in tarnow in 1912, Mr Kavka, a survivor of the death environmental standards and with appropriate packaging and
camp trains who settled in Melbourne in the early 1950s, storing – underpins the Museum’s collection management.
maintained the congregation until the late 1990s.
From time to time restorative work is carried out. In 2010, the
And now, in 2010, the Museum has obtained a new State government local History Grants program supported the
generation of contemporary Judaica. Made from new conservation, cleaning and stabilising of selected photographs
materials and new technologies, engaging with specifically from the trevor Cohen Collection.
Australian colours, landscapes, design and aesthetics,
these are ritual objects for new Jewish ceremonies, made Significance
by some of Australia’s leading artists and artisans. A Significance Assessment – a survey of an object or a
collection – helps explain the meaning and value of that
object or collection and can guide the institution in its
management and interpretation. Increasingly collecting
institutions are being encouraged to undertake such surveys.
the Museum successfully applied for funds from the national
library of Australia’s Community Heritage Grants program
to have an assessment of its Collection. Viv Szekeres, former
Director of the Migration Museum in Adelaide, was the
Museum’s preferred consultant and she worked through the
process with curatorial staff in 2010. the final statement will
be ready in early 2011.
Consolidating the Dunera Collection
the Museum continues to acquire various Dunera and
Internment records including artwork, photographs and
diaries. With support from the Bachrach Charitable trust
the Museum has been building a digital catalogue of this
collection, using eMu software. once the holdings had been
inventoried (by a registration volunteer working with the
Curator Collections) they were prioritised for full digital
records by a contract historian and registrar. text entries
will be complemented by digital images in early 2011,
Miriam’s Cup: Precious Water, Glenice Matthews, Australia, 2007, in preparation for web access to the collection.
sterling silver, fine silver, fine gold, cloisonné enamel, Australian
South Sea pearl
6
Digitising Contemporary Art & Contemporary ACQuISItIonS In 2010
Australian Judaica Collections
Funds were committed in 2010 to building an electronic In 2010 the Acquisition Committee met three times, accepting
catalogue of these collections and work will commence in items from 44 donors, ranging across the Collection areas,
2011. ede Horton’s generous support of this initiative will help into the Museum’s Collection. this is a selection of recent
to build our digital catalogue of the contemporary Australian acquisitions:
Ritual Judaica collection that the Museum has pioneered. AuSTRAlIAN HISTORICAl JuDAICA:
loans from the Collection ‘JuDAICA AuSTRAlIANA’
the Shrine of Remembrance borrowed four works from the Elizabeth Mendoza
Museum’s Collection for Threads of Connections, the ‘Class Book for Jewish Youth of Both Sexes’ by the
embroiderers’ Guild’s 50th anniversary exhibition (February Rev H A Henry, with a uJeB bookplate ‘Annual examination
– May 2010) and three items of Monash memorabilia for 1913 Class I; prize presented by the Board Awarded to
Sir John Monash (July – october 2010). this loan led to new leslie Summers for progress’. leslie Summers nee Mendoza
information about the Museum’s photograph of Sir John was elizabeth’s paternal aunt.
Monash: the year is 1919, Monash is sitting for his portrait Ephraim Ehrmann
in Chelsea, london, in the studio of the artist, James Quinn. A top hat and suit worn by ephraim ehrmann when officiating
Museum Victoria’s forthcoming exhibition Identity: Yours, as president of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation. “When
Mine, Ours will include traditional and contemporary Judaica we came to Australia in the 1930s this uniform was worn
from the Jewish Museum’s Collection, selected by curators in all the orthodox synagogues by the lay leaders. Gradually
from both museums to interpret the rituals of the beginning as the synagogues became less formal and Jews from eastern
and ending of the Sabbath. europe formed their own congregations the top hat and
uniform slowly fell into disuse. For a while the only synagogues
CRAFT: WHERE IS IT? which continued the custom were the Great Synagogue in
the Museum was invited to participate in “Craft: Where Sydney and the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation in Melbourne.”
Is It?”, a new online application supported by Arts Victoria At its 2010 Annual General Meeting, the St Kilda Hebrew
through Culture Victoria and Craft Victoria that ‘maps’ Congregation voted unanimously to abandon the custom.
50 significant craft collections around Victoria. the Museum’s
contemporary craft collection can be previewed at http:// Ralph Renard
cv.vic.gov.au/stories/craft-where-is-it/. An extensive collection of memorabilia from Ralph’s maternal
aunt and uncle, Yiddish actors Rachel and leon Holzer,
REPRESENTING THE MuSEuM’S COllECTION including polish Army medals and wartime correspondence.
INTERNATIONAllY: INTERNATIONAl COuNCIl
OF MuSEuMS (ICOM) CONFERENCE, SHANGHAI, Estate Avraham Cykiert z”l
NOVEMBER 2010 Manuscripts in Yiddish and english – poetry, essays, plays,
the Museum’s Curator Collection’s Susan Faine, was awarded notebooks, photographs, books and recordings of Yiddish
one of two bursaries from ICoM (Australia) to present a paper radio programs.
at the 22nd General Conference, themed ‘Museums for Social DuNERA
Harmony’. She presented her paper in the ICoM Special Tanya Makin and Max Pietruschka
Interest Group representing memorial museums where the Memorabilia including documents, letters, photographs and
theme was ‘Shanghai – Shelter of Jewish Refugees 1933–1945’. music from their late father, Majer Ivan pietruschka, who came
to Australia on HMt Dunera and was interned in tatura.
Ivan was a highly accomplished violinist whose musical circle
included Mischa Kogan and Felix Werder. Ivan married
phyllis Batchelor, herself an accomplished composer, pianist
and broadcaster.
Susan Faine in Shanghai Oct 2010
7
museum activities continued
RITuAl JuDAICA lotI SMoRGon GAlleRY exHIBItIon
Elizabeth Mendoza
A silk tallit exhibited in ‘Bridging two Worlds: Jews and THERESIENSTADT: DRAWN FROM THE INSIDE
Italians of Carlton’ and ‘Jewish Year’, brought to Australia Works from the Jewish Museum of Australia Collection
by Morris Mendoza (b. Whitechapel england, 1853). Morris, 11 April 2010–13 March 2011
a sailor who jumped ship in Brisbane and eventually settled
the major exhibition for the Jewish Museum of Australia in
in Melbourne, was elizabeth’s paternal grandfather. He used
2010 was Theresienstadt: Drawn from the Inside. First
this tallit at the Bourke Street Synagogue and later at the
exhibited in 1990, today the sketches and their creators
Carlton united Hebrew Congregation.
remain unrepresented in any major Holocaust museum.
Iris Saar Isaacs the body of works is therefore unique and it was timely twenty
three Mezuzoth made by Iris, one of which was purchased years later to share it with the public once again. the
for the Collection by the Museum’s Visual Arts Committee. exhibition is also unique in featuring two interpretive
narratives: one for children and one for adults.
the concentration camp at theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia
was a macabre mock-up of a real society, a triumph of
duplicity, designed to lull its inmates and the world at large
into believing that it was a benign resettlement program,
where Jews would be the beneficiaries of the nazis’ humane
treatment. In fact it was a way station to the death camps.
Drawing on the themes of creativity and survival, the
Museum’s exhibition, curated by Mera Brooks, showcases
the watercolours and drawings of paul Schwarz and leo lowit,
both theresienstadt interns, who were ultimately murdered in
Auschwitz. their impressions were carried out of theresienstadt
Three Mezuzoth: i. Home is where the heart is; ii. My home is my in a battered suitcase by paul’s wife Regina, who entrusted
fortress; iii. There’s no place like home, Iris Saar Isaacs, Australia, them to the Museum. A community of creativity was formed in
2007, resin, feathers, acrylic, sterling silver
the mire of suffering that was theresienstadt by the remarkable
concentration of artists, intellectuals and musicians. Some
were forced by the nazis to produce material for the nazi
peRMAnent exHIBItIonS propaganda machine or for the Germans’ personal
Four permanent exhibitions The Jewish Year, Belief and Ritual, consumption. Some depicted the awful reality; some coped
Timeline of Jewish History and the Australian Jewish History by idealising their environment. neither defiance nor
Gallery provide visitors of all ages and cultural backgrounds compliance prevented deportation to Auschwitz.
with the opportunity to learn about the philosophy, practice, paul Schwarz captured the intimate world of the housing
history and culture of Judaism and how it is experienced by barracks, secluded nooks and little courtyards of the ghetto
Jewish Australians. the permanent exhibitions are visited in almost idyllic watercolours. leo lowit’s unflinching material
regularly by school and adult visitors to the Museum who are is stark and unforgiving, and sometimes ironic, in its depiction
guided by the Museum’s highly trained volunteer guides. of the horror, fear and desolation experienced. of the
approximately 144,000 Jews sent to theresienstadt, 17,247
survived. only ninety-three of the 15,000 children survived.
this place of short stay, of death, had a prodigious output.
Whether the inmates’ art and music was about survival,
or about spiritual resistance, art did not ultimately save lives.
Exit to the East, Leo Lowit, Theresienstadt, undated, watercolour
Timeline of Jewish History and ink on paper
8
GRoSS GAlleRY exHIBItIonS
the Gross Gallery is an access space exhibiting works CAMIllE FOx ARTIST STATEMENT
by emerging and established artists and community
“I was born in Alexandria. During the Suez Crisis, at
groups. In 2010 we had a series of eclectic, beautiful
the age of six, I left Egypt with my family for Israel.
and moving exhibitions:
Six years later we migrated to Australia. ‘A Memoir in
• The Light Years: A Tribute Exhibition to Dr Helen Light Colour’ depicts the Egypt of yesteryear, the vibrant
3 February to 14 March communities that no longer exist; the elegant dowagers
who went shopping in Paris and returned to their villas
overlooking the Nile.”
• Hanna Kay Undertow
21 March to 2 May
IlANA PAYES ARTIST STATEMENT
• Susan McMinn Hooves and Steel: Warhorse in Conflict
“The unwritten chapters of my grandfather’s life have
9 May to 6 June fascinated me since childhood. Before he became ill,
Simon Bach was a strong, handsome man, the man
• Children in Detention: An exhibition of drawings we see in his few salvaged photographs… My aim for
by children held in the Woomera Detention Centre creating these works was to weave together the secrets
In conjunction with theresienstadt exhibition, Refugee and revelations of a forever incomplete narrative and
Week and World Refugee Day, Sunday 20 June to offer a wistful glimpse into the history my grandfather
13 June to 8 August tried very hard to suppress.”
• Camille Fox A Memoir in Colour
DORIT DRORI ARTIST STATEMENT
15 August to 12 September
“Conflicts are always beside us like a constant
shadow. The way we handle them, the ability to find
• Dorit Drori Alphabet of Eve – Photographs by Dorit Drori
the source of light in the dark times, is often
15 September to 14 october a challenging one. Living in Israel is like dealing with
dual sides of a conflict. One end is a blossom of hope,
• Sebastian Mendes Palimpsest Drawings sharing heartfelt good spirits; the other is bleeding
and sometimes dry and rustic.”
A drawing-based public performance project in
remembrance of the Holocaust and a diplomatic hero
17 october to 24 october
• Ilana payes Unwritten
31 october to 28 november
• Visions: An exhibition of artworks by Jewish Care’s
Creative Arts Studio
5 December to 2 January 2011
9
museum activities continued
Frequent comments from students indicate that they are
unfamiliar with Jewish customs and rituals. Indeed for most,
coming to the Museum is their first experience of meeting a
Jewish person and their comments provide us with a platform for
exploring their preconceptions and beliefs. We work hard to
connect with the students and help them to understand that
whilst we have a belief structure that distinguishes us, we share
that which binds us all – a common humanity.
la trobe university has entered into a three year partnership
with the Museum enabling us to offer government secondary
schools a free visit to the Museum. It has been well received
and many schools expressed the desire to repeat these visits
Youth movement students in the Loti and Victor Smorgon
Learning Centre with new students. the students appreciated and enjoyed their
Museum visit, the tour of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation
and their special Kabbalat Shabbat experience. Students
SCHoolS eDuCAtIon pRoGRAM participate in a multi-sensory learning experience in which
they feel, see, taste and touch aspects of our religious and
Jenny Better Education Coordinator cultural heritage.
“education is not the filling of the pail but the lighting In 2010 81% of school visitors came from metropolitan
of a fire” William Butler Yeats. this is the approach that the schools and 19% from rural or regional centres; 34% of
education team takes with school groups, encouraging students came from Catholic schools, 13% from Jewish
analysis, conclusion drawing, the asking of questions and schools, 32% from government schools, 16% from private
rewarding enthusiastic and energetic enquiry. schools and 5% were tertiary students.
2010 was a successful year with 4202 students visiting the work of the education team at the Museum is varied. As
the Museum. this represents an increase of 19.5% on the well as school groups we also offer work experience and
previous year. community service opportunities. We offer March of the living
Students never cease to amaze and inspire us. one students a forum in which they make a presentation about the
remarkable group that visited the Museum this year were trip and the impact it had on them. We offer informal lectures
Year 4 students from a government primary school. they had to Jewish Care’s Active living Centre and the Gary Smorgon
been learning about Judaism for the whole year; they were House. We actively engage Jewish schools to use the Museum
keen and interested, they knew all the stories and the hands as a teaching tool around Jewish curriculum providing unique
were stretched high above their heads as they begged to be learning experiences.
chosen to answer a question. this group, which was
predominantly non-Jewish, were able to make the blessings
over the grape juice and the challah in Hebrew. the
accompanying teachers are to be commended for setting an
example of acceptance and learning as well as for modelling
such a celebration of diversity.
Country students are regular visitors. their teachers are
adamant that the students need to meet Jewish people and
learn about the Jewish religion. often their excursion starts at
6:00 am packing in a full day which might include the Jewish
Museum and St Kilda Hebrew Congregation, the Shrine and
St patrick’s Cathedral, before the long ride home.
Students from Leibler Yavneh College examine manuscripts at the Museum
10
ADult eDuCAtIon
leah Justin Adult Education Coordinator
over the past 13 years, more than 1000 students have
participated through the Museum in the Hebrew university
designed Florence Melton Adult education Mini-School. this
pluralist program which tapped into a desire for text based
adult Jewish learning was successfully introduced in
Melbourne by the Museum.
In 2010, a decision was made to cease operating the Melton
program as of 2011. the shift in focus in adult education
has occurred in line with changing lifestyles and in response Melton graduating class at the Jewish Museum
to increasing demand for short eight week courses taught
by the same stimulating faculty in preference to extended Israeli Films; Biblical Morality; Judaism and Science –
programs of one or two year’s duration. the final Melton In a parallel universe; A Journey to the Shtetl through
graduation ceremony held in December revealed that students Yiddish Song; Islam an Introduction; Creation to nation –
felt enriched by their experience of learning and hoped to Metamorphosis narratives of Bereshit and Zionism – past
continue to participate in courses offered by the Museum, present and Future.
especially those located in the Museum itself.
the total number of adult learners who participated across
In 2010 the faculty consisted of paul Forgasz (Faculty Head), all courses in 2010 was 504.
Rabbi Fred Morgan, Yvonne Fein, Ran porath, Jan epstein,
Sue Hampel, Michael Cohen, Ittay Flescher, Ronnie Figdor, thanks go to the extraordinary faculty that has made the
Freydi Mrocki, Rachel Woodlock, Zvi Civins, Adina Bankier program so rich and engaging and particularly to paul
and Keren Rubenstein. Forgasz in his capacity as Faculty Head. the Committee of
Management has handled changing circumstances with
Courses offered included: Jews and Christians – From Conflict dedication and methodical planning and my thanks go to
to Coexistence; the Five Megillot – the Human Face of Judy Becher, David Cohen, Millie Mitchell, Ian Samuel and
Scripture; Heroes and Harlots – Bible Stories and Rabbinic Ann Cebon. We are indebted as always to perla leinkram,
Creativity; Reading Genesis; the Israeli Diaspora; honorary bookkeeper, Karen Stock Schnall and Ron
Superheroes and Schlemiels – the Jew in Film; the Holocaust Berenholtz. thanks to all the students who participated in
to Darfur – Modern Genocides; tehillim – the Book of 2010 and we look forward to your continued involvement
psalms; Great Sages and Ideas in Jewish History; Religion and in 2011.
Society; Israeli Society today through the Frame of Modern
Studying Melton subject “Dramas of Jewish Living” with Paul Forgasz (front row second from left)
11
museum activities continued
outReACH pRoGRAMS
Rachel Meltzer Convenor
the motto of this group is “We travel to you. no group is too
big or too small”. presentations are free of charge and involve
some of the Museum’s most informed and experienced
Volunteer Guides.
our objectives:
1. to reach out, inform and educate through our
“Genocide: Does Justice Have an Expiry Date?” Robert Manne, presentations;
Colin Tatz & Robert Richter
2. to encourage the public to visit our wonderful Museum.
puBlIC pRoGRAMS our belief is that knowledge and understanding is the best
antidote to prejudice and hatred.
Esther Kister Coordinator, Public Programs Committee
presentations may include information on Jewish beliefs and
each year, the public programs Committee presents a diverse ritual, religion, tradition, culture, Jewish history and Australian
program which addresses the various themes of each Jewish history. We welcome comments and questions which
exhibition. our aim is to extend the exhibition’s reach and are sometimes quite challenging. Dealing with them also
relevance to new audiences by identifying and developing helps us to dispel prejudice and misunderstanding. talks are
partnerships with other organisations. In 2010 a program of accompanied by visual images of objects displayed at our
events supported the Museum’s two major temporary Museum. In 2010 we visited seven different groups of which
exhibitions: Women in the Bible followed by Theresienstadt: two were outside the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Drawn from the Inside.
WAlKS
three very different events were held early in the year for
the Women in the Bible exhibition. “In God’s Bedroom” Charla Smith Coordinator
was a dramatic monologue performed by natalie Krasnostein,
the Museum offered a program of highly successful walks
for which the Gross Gallery was transformed into a theatre.
looking at Jewish Melbourne. popular walks include the “City
this was followed by “From Image to Icon”, an art-based
Centre” that visits a variety of city institutions and landmarks,
conversation. the final event in this series, “Women of port
including Flinders Street Station and the Block Arcade, to
phillip meet Women of the Bible”, was made possible by
discover their hidden Jewish histories. “Schmatte Business”
the City of port phillip. their continued support was further
follows the Jewish history of Flinders lane with a cast of
evidenced when the Museum’s public programs Committee
characters brought to life by leon Haskin.
was short listed for the City of port phillip Civic projects
Award for 2010. the Museum scheduled ten walks in 2010, including the
sell-out Ballarat Day tour which coincided with the Ballarat
A number of events were held for the theresienstadt
Heritage weekend. For the first time, a private “Schmatte
exhibition. the first event, “Being Australian: A tikkun Forum”,
Business” walk was arranged for a school group of twenty-
presented Jewish and Aboriginal perspectives, and was an
one Year 9 students. the Museum thanks guides leon Haskin
appropriate event to start a year themed Justice vs law. A
and terry Ashton for their dedication to the Museum over
capacity audience of mainly Gen Ys attested to a successful
many years and to the Walks program which informs and
partnership event with Jewish Aid Australia. one indigenous
delights participants on a regular basis.
speaker stated, “It was an absolute privilege to be involved
and also to keep building relationships between our two
peoples. I look forward to visiting your Museum throughout
the year and attending other such events that build on our
existing relationship.”
the final event “Genocide: Does Justice have an expiry Date?”
was enthusiastically attended despite taking place on a glorious
summer evening and involved an outstanding panel of speakers.
our thanks go to the exhibition curators who provide the
inspiration for our work and to our outstanding presenters
for their generosity and enthusiasm. Special thanks to
Susan Faine whose professionalism and hard work with the
Committee challenged us to produce ever better programs. Leon Haskin conducting the “Schmatte Business” walk in Flinders Lane
12
VOLUNTEERS
Tanya Warms Volunteers’ Coordinator
WHY CONSIDER VOluNTEERING AT
the Museum is fortunate to have 200 passionate active
THE JEWISH MuSEuM OF AuSTRAlIA
volunteers. together, they contributed almost 13,000 hours
Here’s what our volunteers say:
in 2010 which is the equivalent of seven full time staff. Most
volunteers are attracted by hearing about the positive • “I really go home on a high”
experience of others. Word of mouth is always our best
recruitment tool. • “I am able to spread the word about Judaism”
In 2010 we had several school children volunteering: ‘March • “It’s challenging and interesting work”
of the living’ scholarship award winners came every Sunday • “Volunteering here gives me a great feeling”
for six months to give a talk on their trip as part of our
theresienstadt exhibition. the visitors found this very moving. • “Worthwhile and important for our community”
each term, students from King David School do community
• “It’s a friendly place”
service for two hours a week. our volunteer guides provide
regular talks to our local Jewish Aged care facilities, as well • “We have an open door community”
as our usual talks to Church and community groups such
as probus. “
• It’s interesting if you have been a teacher
to keep using your skills”
“Jottings”, our monthly newsletter, was revamped thanks to
the pro bono services of a graphic designer based in Sydney
who worked on the new design and we thank her for her
contribution. GuIDES REPORT
our volunteers are acknowledged during national Sharonna Brott, Esther Kahn, Marie Hirsh and
Volunteering Week in May with complimentary cinema tickets Haimy Katz Guide Coordinators
as well as free tours of other cultural and heritage In 2010 Sharonna Brott, esther Kahn, Marie Hirsh and Haimy
organisations. our end-of-year Volunteers’ Brunch was again Katz took over as the Museum’s Guide Coordinators from
well attended. Bimonthly celebrations of volunteers’ birthdays Sarah Wein and Freda Kaufman, who stepped down in July.
allow us to personally thank our volunteers and have been
well-attended. We currently have over 50 guides performing such tasks as
outreach, Sunday talks to the general public, conducting tours
A JCCV community volunteering award went to Mim Segal for for adult groups (e.g. probus and u3A) and guiding people
her work in our Collections area and members of our public through St Kilda Synagogue. these guides perform over 84
program Committee were short-listed for the City of port phillip hours a week of guiding. Another 20 guides are part of our
project 2010. two volunteers were nominated for the following school education program. new guides are always being
awards: Dasha Rouditser (Jenny Goldberg B’nai B’rith Young trained and/or mentored.
person Volunteer Award) and leon Haskin (premiers Award for
Senior of the Year 2010). the Monday morning volunteer lectures remain popular.
Since July 2010 we have organised speakers on a wide range
our volunteers’ passion and enthusiasm for the Museum is of Jewish topics such as ‘God in Architecture’ through to
inspiring, as is their willingness to commit so much to making topics about our local community and services in our local
our Museum a welcoming place for all. area (e.g. the Beth Din and the Koori Heritage trust). topics
have covered spiritual/religious subjects as well as historical
ones (e.g. Australian and World Jewish History). these have
been well-attended and remain very popular even with former
guides. Since July, all talks have been recorded to CD.
the handbook “Guidelines” was re-edited by Freda Kaufman
and given to all guides in February 2010. It contains
information about current exhibits in the Museum and useful
information about Jewish customs and traditions. We ended
the year with a group visit to the Immigration Museum.
Finally, we would like to thank the Volunteer Coordinator
tanya Warms for her unstinting support and involvement.
Lilian Movitz, Marilyn Parkin and Shirley Harris at the Annual
Volunteers’ Morning Tea, 6 December 2010
13
Community events
Zelda Rosenbaum Chairperson, Events Committee CoMMunItY eVentS
the mission of the events Committee is to raise funds and Because generation change is vital to an organisation such
increase awareness of the Jewish Museum. their efforts are as ours, the formation of a younger events Committee once
centred on the Annual lunch and the Gala Dinner together again achieved amazing results through one of the most
with other smaller events relevant to the exhibition program outstanding events in the Museum’s history. Headed by
and the particular interests of Museum supporters. Karen Goldenberg and Yola Rose and supported by the events
and Visual Arts Committees they staged the Art event at the
the screening of the Amos oz documentary “the nature
national Gallery of Victoria. this consisted of a Gala Dinner
of Dreams” was a rare opportunity to experience the world
in the Great Hall, followed by a cocktail party in Federation
as observed by one of Israel’s greatest writers.
Square, and then an art auction of the highest quality
through the generosity of natalie Miller of Sharmill Films contemporary Australian art. this spectacular event attracted
and the nova Cinema this event attracted a full house and the support of the arts community and galleries, major
through the enthusiasm of some members of the audience, corporate and in-kind sponsorship together with extensive
set in motion the possibility of a visit to Australia of Amos oz. publicity and was attended by over 800 guests from both the
Jewish and wider community. the supporters of this event
In May members of the well known Freshwater trio performed
are listed on page 20.
at a concert in the historic house owned by Michael
Spivakovsky, son of the renowned pianist Jascha Spivakovsky. “Like the NGV, the Jewish Museum contributes to the rich
Heritage listed edzell House has hosted many musical variety of the Victorian and Australian arts community.
luminaries over the years including Dame nellie Melba. It is a beacon of respect, welcoming, in addition to the
As the house had been recently sold, it was the last Jewish community, visitors of diverse cultural and religious
opportunity to hear beautiful music in this historic setting. backgrounds, reminding us of the power of diversity
to inspire, learn and create.” Gerard Vaughan – Director,
Theresienstadt: Drawn from the Inside was the major exhibition
national Gallery of Victoria
for 2010 in the loti Smorgon Gallery. two events were held
to reflect on the remarkable artistic achievements displayed Warmest thanks are due to the dedicated volunteers whose
and in particular, the music that was produced at this tireless work more than fulfilled the mission for 2010. they
infamous camp. include our events Committee – Andrea Bliss, lyn Borowski,
efrat Goldberg, Brenda Kahan, Anne Korman, ella levy
the first event was a concert with video accompaniment at
and Susan Minc – and our Art event Committee – Karen
temple Beth Israel. “Music of Hope and Resistance” was
Goldenberg (Coordinator), tanya Hamersfeld, Amit Holckner,
brilliantly presented by Joseph toltz, musicologist, and major
toni Joel, Sally Robin, Yola Rose (Coordinator), Ann Smorgon
Melbourne musicians together with the King David Chamber
and lindy tamir.
school choir. Recorded by the ABC this was an outstanding
and highly emotive occasion attended by a mixed audience
of 400 people.
“It was a wonderful concert. The children’s songs at the end,
with the pictures from the Nazi movie, were heartbreaking.
I was amazed how a black curtain in front of the Ark
transformed the shule into a perfect auditorium for music.
Congratulations to all.” Rabbi Dr John levi
through Musica Viva the Museum was able to hold a much
smaller, invitation only, event featuring the renowned pavel
Haas quartette named after the Czech composer who was
transported to terezin and later perished in Auschwitz. Joseph
toltz presented this most moving concert and afterwards
guests were invited to view the theresienstadt exhibition.
Supported by more than 600 Gold patrons, Benefactors,
patrons and Hostesses the Annual luncheon at lincoln
of toorak was a great success. Debi enker, tV critic and
journalist, entertained the Museum’s loyal supporters with Fem Belling accompanied on piano by her father,
her subject “How a passion for ‘Get Smart’, ‘Green Acres’ Howard Belling, performing at the concert “Music of Hope
and ‘the Monkees’ turned into a Career”. and Resistance: A Tribute to the Musicians of Terezin”
held at Temple Beth Israel on 25 July 2010
14
ART EVENT AT THE NGV
Above left: Gala Dinner in the Great Hall
Above right: Guests Kathy Rosner and
David Smorgon
Left: Artist Bill Henson and
Art Event Patron Naomi Milgrom
CORPORATE CluB
Alan Synman Chairperson
the Museum’s Corporate Club had another successful
year and whilst one breakfast had to be cancelled due to the
ill health of the speaker, the remaining two breakfasts were
extremely well attended.
Frank Costa spoke at the event in March about his time
at the Geelong Football Club as well as the history and
extraordinary success of his family’s businesses over a
100 year period.
Daniel Grollo, Ceo of the giant construction firm GRoCon,
was the keynote speaker at the breakfast in october. Daniel’s
talk centred on building a sustainable future for Melbourne
and particularly his firm’s involvement in developing the first
carbon-neutral building in Melbourne. A special highlight of Alan Synman, Frank Costa and John Gandel at Corporate Club
breakfast
this breakfast was the fact that we had an individual corporate
sponsor – Metricon Homes.
the Club maintained and slightly grew its membership
and I would like to thank the support and commitment of
my Committee: Charles Justin, Frank tisher, paul Kaufman,
Martin Jaffe and Hannah piterman and Museum staff,
efrat Goldberg, Charla Smith and Adriana Gomberg.
15
Board Members
Negba Weiss-Dolev, President Michael Rozenes, Chair Elly Bloom, Vice President
Brian Rudy, Treasurer Carmella Prideaux, Secretary Peter Edwards
Grant Cohen Frank Tisher Mary-lou Howie
Ben Margow lyn Borowski Gary Hearst
16
management and staff
Board of Governors
BOARD
John Gandel AO, Chair
Hon Justice Alan Goldberg AO
Jeanne Pratt AC
Zelda Rosenbaum OAM DIRECTOR Executive Assistant
Professor Louis Waller AO
Exhibition Marketing &
Curator, Program Development Operations
Project Communications
Collections Manager Manager Manager
Manager Coordinator
School
Collection Exhibition Events Volunteer
Education Journal Editor
Assistant Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator
Coordinator
Cataloguing Adult Education Marketing Foundation Administrative
Team Coordinator Assistant Officer Coordinator
Administrative
Digitisation Programs Events
Officer
Assistant Coordinator Committee
Public Corporate Accounts
Program Club Officer
Committee Committee
Front-of-House
& Security
Web/IT/Technical support
Patron Sir Zelman Cowen AK GCMG GCVO QC
Founding Life President Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky AM (z”l)
Life President Zelda Rosenbaum OAM
Patrons JMA Bequest Program Lady Anna Cowen,
June Helmer Indicates Volunteer
17
A snapshot of 2010
INCOME RESERVE FuNDS FOR PROJECTS
20%
Individual
10% Operations
Donors
7%
Philanthropic 85%
Zelman Cowen
Foundation Gallery
9% Corporate 1.5%
Collection
7% Goverment 3.5%
Exhibitions
3% Admissions
Earned
16%
Income
3% Membership
Art
INCOME 2010 28%
Auction INCOME 2010
Individual Donors $387,000 operations $93,595
Other
philanthropic Foundation $136,000 7%
Income Zelman Cowen Gallery $763,439
Corporate $162,000 Collection $12,636
Goverment $130,000 exhibitions $26,448
Admissions $55,000 $896,118
earned income $311,000
Membership $52,000
Art Auction $526,000
other Income $134,000
$1,893,000
HOW OuR VISITORS WHERE OuR VISITORS ARE FROM REASON FOR VISIT
FOuND OuT ABOuT uS Currently our largest audience is local the majority of visitors came to see the
Most people hear about the Museum and our second largest audience is whole Museum including the temporary
through word of mouth. the second overseas tourists. exhibition.
largest referral source came from
tourist publications.
600
600600 2000
2000
2000 350
350350
500500
500 300
300300
1500
1500
1500
250
250250
400
400400
200
200200
300
300300 1000
1000
1000
150
150150
200
200200
100
100100
500
500500
100
100100 50
50 50
0 00 0 00 0 00
WEB
WEB
WEB
NEWSPAPER
NEWSPAPER
NEWSPAPER
TOURIST PUBLICATION
TOURIST PUBLICATION
TOURIST PUBLICATION
ART PUBLICATION
ART PUBLICATION
ART PUBLICATION
WORD OF MOUTH
WORD OF MOUTH
WORD OF MOUTH
BROCHURES
BROCHURES
BROCHURES
HOTEL
HOTEL
HOTEL
TRAM
TRAM
TRAM
RETURN VISITORS
RETURN VISITORS
RETURN VISITORS
MELBOURNE VISITOR
MELBOURNE VISITOR
MELBOURNE VISITOR
VICTORIAN VISITOR
VICTORIAN VISITOR
VICTORIAN VISITOR
AUSTRALIAN VISITOR
AUSTRALIAN VISITOR
AUSTRALIAN VISITOR
OVERSEAS VISITOR
OVERSEAS VISITOR
OVERSEAS VISITOR
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION
CAME FOR EXHIBITION
TEMPORARY
CAME FOR
CAME FOR
PERMANENT GALLERIES
PERMANENT GALLERIES
CAME FOR
PERMANENT GALLERIES
CAME FOR
CAME FOR
GROSS GALLERY
GROSS GALLERY
CAME FOR
GROSS GALLERY
CAME FOR
CAME FOR
SHOP
SHOP
CAME FOR
SHOP
CAME FOR
CAME FOR
ALL
ALL
CAME FOR
ALL
CAME FOR
CAME FOR
18
supporting your museum
SuPPORTING YOuR MuSEuM MAKE A BEquEST
As a not for profit organisation, the Jewish Museum of Gifts left to us in Wills are known as bequests and are
Australia relies heavily on the generosity of donors and a critical source of charitable income. Including a bequest
volunteers to deliver on our mission. there are a number in your Will today will help us with our conservation work,
of ways that you can help us to do this. to digitize our collection (which will ensure that our collection
is accessible to people everywhere) and to build
MAKE A DONATION
organisational capacity across all our program areas.
the Museum needs your support to ensure that we can
continue to offer a vibrant museum experience: collecting, To make a gift to the Museum, please contact the
preserving and sharing our rich stories and precious objects in Development Manager on (03) 8534 3600.
exhibitions, public programs and educational courses with
VOluNTEER
local, national and international visitors.
Volunteers contribute enormously to the Museum’s mission.
GIFTS IN lIEu FOR YOuR SIMCHA Your passion, skills and experience are invaluable to our
Celebrate your simcha and support your community Museum. organisation and the people who visit the Museum. new
Request family and friends make a donation to the Museum volunteers are always needed. to find out about volunteering
in lieu of gifts for your next simcha celebration. at the Museum call tanya Warms on 8534 3600.
ESTABlISH THE JEWISH MuSEuM OF GIFTS
AuSTRAlIA AS A BENEFICIARY OF YOuR If needing to purchase a gift you can choose beautiful books,
PRIVATE ANCIllARY FuND objects and art work from the Museum’s shop.
If your family has established a private Ancillary Fund to
manage your philanthropic giving, consider nominating
the Museum as a beneficiary. to find out more about
pAF’s, please contact the Development Manager on
(03) 8534 3600.
“My wife, Mary, and I each guided countless
groups of secondary school children.
Frequently one would shyly ask, ‘Are you
Jewish?’ On answering, ‘Yes,’ the questioner
would almost invariably say, ‘But you don’t look
Jewish’. When asked, ‘What did you expect
me to look like?,’ there was never a response.
That is just the beginning of bridge building.”
Michael Cohen
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donors and supporters
the Museum and the Foundation are the recipients of the generosity of so many private donors, trusts and foundations,
bequests, corporations and government organisations. not all gifts given in 2010 are listed here but our sincere thanks
go to everybody who gave, large and small.
Government Supporters Gross Gallery Exhibitions Education Programs
Arts Victoria Asher & luba Bilu Roseanne Amarant
public Record office Victoria Dick Gross Alan & elizabeth Finkel
Department of environment, Water, emanuel Hirsh la trobe university
Heritage and the Arts emma Kranz Dennis & tauba Wilson
Major Philanthropic Partner Sponsors Art Auction 2010 The Babel Project
Gandel Charitable trust Lead Sponsor VicHealth
Major Corporate Partner nAB Victorian Multicultural Commission
national Australia Bank Corporate Sponsors
Melton Faculty Scholarship
BDo
JMA Foundation Supporters lindsey Joffe & Joshua Goldstat
KpMG
Director’s Chair Endowment Fund Steven Joffe
link Financial Services
Besen Family Foundation General Donations
pitcher partners
Suzi & Barry Carp the Bachrach Charitable trust
SJB Architects
eric & Bev Cohen lyn Borowski
Small Giants
the pratt Foundation Jill Cantor
Sportsgirl
Bronia Raynor Zelman elton
Major Supporters
Rae Rothfield Harry Flicker
Gandel Corporation
Ricci Swart paul & Helen Forgasz
inSync design
nathan & nechama Werdiger John & pauline Gandel
emma Kranz
General Foundation Donations neilma Gantner
Mossgreen Auctions
Ann Cebon-Glass & Reuben Glass Solly & Judy Joss
nGV International
Max Frankel Art & Ann Mazirow
peter Rowland Catering
Morry Fraid (food and beverage service) Sarah orloff
David Southwick placesettings Kurt pollitzer
Zahava Spicer the pratt Foundation eva presser & Bram presser
lubofsky Acquisition Fund print Dynamics Gerty Rabin
Jacob pushett Michael Strownix estate of the late Gerda Rogers
Supporters Zelda & Maurice Rosenbaum
Zelman Cowen Gallery of Australian
Australian Jewish news James & laura Ross
Jewish History
AZBcreative Kitty Ross
Jack & Vivien Fajgenbaum
Five Stones Saul Same
Alan Goldberg
Gary peer Alan & Ahda Selwyn
ede Horton
Gina Samuels Consulting Victor Smorgon Charitable Fund
la trobe university
Gorman Commercial Izaak Wolf Szykman
the Helen Macpherson Smith trust
Hot House Media and events lorraine topol
the Ian potter Foundation
King and Wilson essential Art Services erika Weilburg
the pratt Foundation
Kosher Classique
Ruth & Ralph Renard
Shiff and Company
linda Rubinstein & Annette Rubinstein
Rachel Wundheiler
Steven & lousje Skala
Alex & Heloise Waislitz
the Hugh Williamson Foundation
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2010 Appeal Generous Pro Bono and MAJOR CORPORATE SuPPORTERS
Maurice & Helen Alter In-Kind Support
Miriam Faine & Greg Shalit Deloitte
neilma Gantner David Shelley, united network Group
Andrea Goldsmith Geoffrey Shiff, Shiff & Co
Gary & Susan Hearst George umow, umow lai & Associates
peter Isaacson Marion Webster
Ken & Carol Klooger Marcus Simkin, pitcher partners
David & leonie Koadlow nick Ruskin, DlA phillips Fox
Barry landau paul Baulch
Ilse Melamid peter Seidel, Arnold Bloch leibler
Dame elisabeth Murdoch AC DBe Ron Berenholtz
William Rogers St Kilda Hebrew Congregation
Saul Same Securecorp
otto & Gerda Shelton Sue Allnutt, nuttshell Graphics
Frank tisher Vivien Szekeres
PHIlANTHROPIC TRuSTS
Celluloid Soup Film Festival & FOuNDATIONS
Alan & elizabeth Finkel
Michael Hirsh
Dinah Krongold
Exhibition Series Sponsors
& Supporters GOVERNMENT SuPPORTERS
the Besen Family Foundation
Bori & Helen liberman Family
national Australia Bank
paper Stone Scissors
Yarra trams
Theresienstadt Concert 2010
edith Sadlon
Victorian Multicultural Commission
Corporate Club
Metricon Homes
PANTONE REFLEX BLUE CV CYAN: 100% MAGENTA: 72% BLACK: 6%
PANTONE 174 CV MAGENTA: 69% YELLOW: 100% BLACK: 38%
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www.jewishmuseum.com.au
Jewish Museum of Australia
26 Alma Rd St Kilda 3182
t: 8534 3600 F: 9534 0844
e: info@jewishmuseum.com.au
W: www.jewishmuseum.com.au
