Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.
Leon Malmed
Wednesday 21 February @ 6:30pm
Leon Malmed was born in France in 1937, and is a survivor of the Holocaust, in which his parents were killed at Auschwitz. Leon moved to the USA in the 1960s, where he lives today. After 60 years of total silence about his childhood and experience during World War II, Leon decided to write and publish his memoir “We Survived… At Last, I Speak”. Leon is visiting Christchurch and graciously offered tell his story while he is in town, to talk about his life and answer questions.
Because of heightened security alerts because of October 7, here are the protocols for admission:
1. You must be a paid up member.
2. You must RSVP to NZFOI by email to contact@nzfoi.org by Tuesday 10pm.
3. If you are a paid-up member then we will advise you of the venue by return email.
4. On Wednesday evening, your membership and identification will be checked at the entrance to the venue.
These terms will be strictly adhered to: Exceptions will not be accepted.
If you are unsure of your membership status contact our treasurer jaclarke@orcon.net.nz.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Andrew Tucker (1963) studied law in Australia (BA/LLB), UK (BCL) and The Netherlands, and has worked since 1988 as an adviser and consultant to private companies, governments and (semi-)public entities in various fields of international law.
Andrew was a Fellow of the Law Faculty of the University of Melbourne from 1994 to 2001, and Research Associate at the TMC Asser Institute in The Hague from 1996-1998. Based in The Netherlands, he is Principal of Tucker & Associates.
Andrew is co-author of ‘Israel on Trial’, Soest (NLD), thinc. (2018) and “Two states for two peoples?” (2022/23)
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Andrew Tucker (1963) studied law in Australia (BA/LLB), UK (BCL) and The Netherlands, and has worked since 1988 as an adviser and consultant to private companies, governments and (semi-)public entities in various fields of international law.
Andrew was a Fellow of the Law Faculty of the University of Melbourne from 1994 to 2001, and Research Associate at the TMC Asser Institute in The Hague from 1996-1998. Based in The Netherlands, he is Principal of Tucker & Associates.
Andrew is co-author of ‘Israel on Trial’, Soest (NLD), thinc. (2018) and “Two states for two peoples?” (2022/23)
Dr Sheree Trotter
Indigenous Peoples and the Middle East Conflict
Today, one hears that the Palestinians are an indigenous people that is having their homeland stolen from them by the white settler colonialists, the Jews. Is this true?
The events of October 7 have divided New Zealanders. The connection to indigenous rights has created fault lines for our Maori community.
On Thursday, we are delighted to welcome Dr Sheree Trotter to talk to us about the establishment of the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and her views on how the Middle East Conflict has impacted her Maori Community.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr Sheree Trotter is a researcher, writer, and co-director of the Indigenous Coalition For Israel. She also co-founded the Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation, Aotearoa New Zealand (formerly Shadows of Shoah). Sheree is Māori (Te Arawa) and earned her PhD in History at the University of Auckland.
Hi Folks
Are you shocked by the killing of innocent civilians? Are you feeling conflicted as to who is “in the right” in the Israeli-Gaza conflict? Why as a Christian should you care about a dispute on the other side of the world? Are you puzzling over what a Christian response should be? If any of these questions resonate with you, then this event is for you.
Hope Presbyterian in Amyes Rd Hornby, has invited us to join a discussion panel at their evening service, this Sunday at 7pm.
The topic is: What should be the Christian attitude toward Israel and Gaza?
They have already had two sermons over the last two weeks on the history of Israel for background, and the sermons can be found here (click the image):
You’re invited to take part in this fascinating discussion. The Q&A session is going to be informative and rewarding. Even more so, if you have thought about it already so bring some questions with you.
See you there!
Yom HaZikaron commemorates those who lost their lives in the struggle that led to the establishment of the State of Israel and all military personnel who were killed while in active duty in Israel’s forces.Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, holds deep significance for Israelis. It is observed on the fourth of Iyar, the day preceding Israel’s Independence Day. This day commemorates those who lost their lives in the struggle that led to the establishment of the State of Israel and all military personnel who were killed while in active duty in Israel’s armed forces.
Unlike the American Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron has a distinct character and mood. For 24 hours, from sunset to sunset, all places of public entertainment are closed, including theaters, cinemas, nightclubs, and pubs.
The most poignant feature of the day is the sound of a siren heard throughout the country twice: once at 8 p.m. to mark the beginning of Memorial Day, and again at 11 a.m. before the public recitation of prayers in the military cemeteries. During these moments, the entire nation observes a two-minute “standstill” of all traffic and daily activities.
Radio and television stations broadcast programs that honor fallen soldiers, often featuring Israeli songs that convey the somber mood of the day.
Yom Hazikaron serves as a powerful reminder of the price of Israel’s independence and the ongoing challenges it faces. It fosters a sense of unity and collective responsibility as Israelis come together to honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
By the time of Yom Hazikaron in 2024, the commemoration honored over 24,000 fallen individuals.
The four rescued hostages being reunited with their families. Heartwarming.
Hi Folks
Because it looks like our June 7 mail out of our newsletter wasn’t received, we’ve decided to call off tomorrow night’s meeting.
If you are aware of another member who receives the newsletter by snail mail, please get in touch and let them know.
We will be making this announcement on Facebook, Instagram and our website too.
In the meantime, we’ll investigate why the email might be in our “Sent Items” folder, it didn’t make it to our members.
Apologies for the inconvenience
Hi Folks
Our next meeting in Christchurch is on Tuesday, 7.30pm at the Halswell Centre, 349 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.
Our focus will be:
• The inside information about the rescue of the four hostages last weekend and how that gives hope for rescuing more hostages.
• Jordan Peterson and John Spencer on what urban warfare means and how that has shaped the IDF’s conduct in Gaza.
As always, admission is a plate of finger food, please no pork or seafood products.
See you there!