On February 22, 2011 , at 12.51, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the heart of Christchurch and demolished its city centre and some of the  surrounding neighborhoods.

185 New Zealanders and foreign nationals from more than 20 countries were killed in the earthquake, among whom are the three Israelis : Ofer Binyamin Mizrahi, Gabi Moshe Ingel and Ofer Levi.

Three young Israeli hikers who came to New Zealand to explore the “Garden of Eden”. Tragically their dream was never accomplished.

One year on and the People of Israel join the families of  the victims, the people of Christchurch and New Zealanders in remembering with great pain those victims.

Our hearts and prayers go out to them in this solemn day of remembrance.

President Shimon Peres today (Monday), 13 February 2012, strongly condemned the acts of terrorism against Israeli embassy personnel India and Georgia. He said, "We will continue to defend and protect our citizens anywhere in the world. These acts of terrorism will not deter us."

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A 6-month lecture series for the Wellington Jewish Community, 2012

Are you up for Jewish exercise? Then get ready to stretch your mind!

You are invited to participate in Kia ora Torah : Jewish thoughts for Jewish minds, a limmud-style, 2-part series of lectures and discussions that will bring together different religious and academic perspectives for members of the Wellington Jewish Community and their partners. The spirit of the series is for you to learn about Jewish traditional and modern thought in a social environment, where you can engage in discussion and leave each week with your minds filled with Jewish knowledge and debate that makes you feel absolutely positively Jewish!

You can choose which classes you attend throughout the six months, and you will have the opportunity to work on a 2-3 page project of your choice that can be presented on the last day, and even published!

Where : Soho Cafe and Bar, 72 Taranaki Street.

When : Monday evenings, 6 - 9 pm, from 5th March - 24th September.

You will have the opportunity to socialise and purchase kosher food and drink, while listening to Jewish music. Presentations will run from 6.30 -7.30pm. A short break will follow and class will continue from 7.45 - 8.45pm.

Entry by koha. No need to register.

A detailed lecture outline will be available at the end of February.

For more information contact Michelle Gezentsvey Lamy michamie@yahoo.co.nz 5897159.

The Holocaust memorial stone in Wellington is in the Jewish part of New Zealand’s capital’s municipal cemetery. Around its rural site are hills with grazing sheep, and a couple of large wind turbines silently generating electricity in the background.

Behind the memorial are the rows of headstones which were toppled in a vandalistic attack on the Jewish cemetery in 2004.

This was the setting for today’s United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration - a simple ceremony involving the lighting of a candle, two speakers, two prayers, and the laying of stones on the Holocaust memorial by Wellington’s few (and, sadly, dwindling) Holocaust survivors, local dignitaries, the Israel and German ambassadors, and Jewish youth.

“German ambassadors have been steady attenders at Holocaust commemorations for many years,” said the ceremony’s MC, Wellington Regional Council chairman David Zwartz, “and we respect them for it.”

The speakers – Wellington’s deputy mayor and the head of the local Maori representative organisation – gave sensitive responses to the tragedies of the Shoah, and stressed the importance of education to perpetuate the “Never again” message.

At the end of the ceremony, all present queued quietly to lay their own stone on the memorial.

The commemoration then moved to the Great Hall of New Zealand’s Parliament Building in the centre of Wellington, where the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Chris Finlayson, hosted a reception.

Kosher refreshments were followed by two speakers – a leading barrister and legal academic who discussed the UN theme for this year’s commemoration, “Justice and accountability after the Holocaust,” and the chairman of the New Zealand Commission for UNESCO, one of the sponsors of today’s events.

Israeli cellist Inbal Megiddo played “Kaddish” by Israeli composer Joachim Stutchewsky.

 “Holocaust Remembrance is so important,” said Inge Woolf, director of the Wellington Holocaust Research and Education Centre, who organized the day’s programme. “We must continue to not only mourn those who perished but also to pass the message on to our young people to ensure that we learn from the past.”

For  more information please contact: Inge Woolf, phone +64-274-303-682

Photo shows (from left) Inge Woolf, director of the Wellington Holocaust Research and Education Centre; H E Shemi Tzur, Israeli ambassador; Vera Egermayer, Holocaust survivor (child in Terezin); Hon Chris Finlayson, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage; Her Worship Celia Wade-Brown, Mayor of Wellington, standing in front of the 16 posters from the “Keeping the memory alive” poster competition organized by ITF (Task Force for International Co-operation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research). The posters were donated to the Wellington Holocaust Centre by Yad Vashem.

                            SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

The Jewish Picnic for the whole Jewish Community

Sunday 12th February 2011

Join us from 11.00 am at

Kilbirnie School

Raupo Street, Hataitai

Entry Fee $3 per person

Lots of races, prizes and fun

Come on out and enjoy yourselves.

Bring all the mishpocha and lunch

No dogs or barbecues please

In case of cancellation listen to Newstalk ZB Sunday morning.

21 December 2011

Israel calls on European UNSC members to uphold Quartet plan

(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)

Israel calls on the European members of the UN Security Council to support the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians under the Quartet plan, adopted by Israel despite its rejection by the PA. The European UNSC members must adhere to the wording of the Quartet plan and refrain from giving it interpretations that contradict both the letter and the spirit of the original text. This misreading only adds obstacles on the path towards renewing peace negotiations. Interfering with Israel's domestic affairs, including on issues which are to be solved within the framework of direct talks, does not enhance the status they wish to be granted.

Moreover, Israel suggests that the European UNSC members focus on the international agenda rather than turn upside down the fitting priorities of the international community. In Security Council discussions they should have concentrated on peacemaking in blood-shedding hotspots such as Syria, on promoting democracy and moderation in Arab countries aspiring to freedom, and on defusing the global danger embodied in the Iranian nuclear race. If, instead of contributing to stability in the Middle East through these steps, they invest their efforts in inappropriate bickering with the one country where the independent law and justice system can handle lawbreakers of all kinds, they are bound to lose their credibility and make themselves irrelevant.

The European UNSC members have chosen to do what is easy and unnecessary, rather than muster their courage and do that which is difficult and necessary.

The Israel-New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme (WHS), which was launched in November 2011, offers 200 places to New Zealanders to stay and work in Israel for up to 12 months. It’s part of an agreement between the respective governments to give young people from both countries the opportunity for a new cultural experience.

Israel boasts a youthful culture. And because there are so many things a young Kiwi visitor to the country might be doing—from enjoying the great outdoors and classic historical sites to the vibrant life of sun-baked Tel Aviv—the Government of Israel is now offering a limited number of visas for younger New Zealand visitors to appreciate it all the more.

For further information on how to apply click here

Special conditions for Christian residents during the holiday season

Communicated by COGAT – Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories

12 Dec. 2011

In anticipation of the Christian holiday season (19 December 2011 – 20 January 2012), the minister of defense and the IDF"s chief of staff have approved special measures that ease the restrictions on the Christian population in the Gaza Strip and in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank):

·         Approval to issue entry permits for Palestinian Christians from Judea and Samaria to Israel (without age limitations) for the entire Christmas season.

·         Exit approval for up to 400 Palestinian Christians via Ben Gurion airport for the holiday period, subject to security inspection.

·         Exit approval for up to 500 Palestinian Christians from the Gaza Strip to Israel and to Judea and Samaria for the purpose of family visits and participation in religious rituals – under the age of 16 and over the age of 46.

·         A quota of 200 visitors' permits for Christians from Arab countries to Judea and Samaria during the holiday season.

PM Netanyahu Refers to Iran and Events in Egypt

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Thursday), 24.11.11, at his joint press conference with Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc, made the following remarks:

"The goal of Iran's nuclear program had been the subject of controversy but it is no longer such.  Iran is vigorously working to achieve a nuclear weapon.  This is the threat against Israel, against the region and against the entire world.  While it is very important that significant economic sanctions have been imposed, it is insufficient.  Effective sanctions must continue to be imposed on its petrochemical industries and on the Iranian central bank as well, and soon."

Prime Minister Netanyahu also referred to events in Egypt:

"Israel and Egypt have an interest in preserving peace and stability in the Middle East.  This ensures the sea lanes, economic stability, quiet and many other things – for Egypt, for Israel and for other states.  There are many interests in preserving and advancing the peace, and there are many elements that would like to disrupt it.  Both sides are acting responsibly and seriously against terrorism and against those who violate the peace.  This is a continuing interest both for Israel and any government that arises in Egypt."

Infiltration attempt thwarted on Egyptian border

Communicated by IDF Spokesperson

23 November 2011

Earlier this evening, while patrolling on the Israeli-Egyptian border, IDF soldiers identified a group of armed suspects that infiltrated into Israel during a smuggling attempt.
 
IDF soldiers attempted to apprehend the suspects. Following their refusal to stop and adhere to the soldier's calls, the soldiers fired at lower body mass, confirming a hit. The suspects returned fire. 

In a search conducted in the area following the incident, an AK-47, a pistol and a sharp object used for cutting were found.
 
No IDF soldiers were harmed and no damage was caused in this incident.