Calendar

Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.

Jan
14
Wed
Behold the Man: In search of the Historical Jesus
Jan 14 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

TWO MILLENNIA ago the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate derisively declared, “Ecce Homo” – “Behold the Man!” Today Christians around the world are being quickened to look afresh at the Jewish Sage, Jesus of Nazareth. With the restoration of Israel, the remarkable advances in archaeological discoveries and biblical studies, and the unprecedented cooperation of Jewish and Christian scholars investigating the Hebraic background to the life and teachings of Jesus – all this gives fresh and impressive glimpses into his life.

“Behold the Man!” is a 12-part bible study that reconstructs the historical and cultural context in which Jesus lived. This study is ideal for those just starting out in understanding the Hebraic roots of Christianity.

The study is written by Dr Dwight Pryor, founded the Centre for Judaic-Christian Studies in 1984 and served as its president until his death in 2011. He was a founding board member of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research in Israel. Dr Pryor held a Bachelor of Arts degree, with Special Distinction, in Philosophy from the University of Oklahoma, extensive postgraduate studies in Philosophy and Judaism from the University of Texas, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Centre for the Study of Biblical Research.

The study will be held every Wednesday, beginning on 21 May at 7.30pm at 5 Oaktree Lane, Bishopdale, Christchurch. The subsidised workbook will cost $10 per copy. Call 359 7937 or (027) 433 9745 for more details.

Jan
21
Wed
Behold the Man: In search of the Historical Jesus
Jan 21 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

TWO MILLENNIA ago the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate derisively declared, “Ecce Homo” – “Behold the Man!” Today Christians around the world are being quickened to look afresh at the Jewish Sage, Jesus of Nazareth. With the restoration of Israel, the remarkable advances in archaeological discoveries and biblical studies, and the unprecedented cooperation of Jewish and Christian scholars investigating the Hebraic background to the life and teachings of Jesus – all this gives fresh and impressive glimpses into his life.

“Behold the Man!” is a 12-part bible study that reconstructs the historical and cultural context in which Jesus lived. This study is ideal for those just starting out in understanding the Hebraic roots of Christianity.

The study is written by Dr Dwight Pryor, founded the Centre for Judaic-Christian Studies in 1984 and served as its president until his death in 2011. He was a founding board member of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research in Israel. Dr Pryor held a Bachelor of Arts degree, with Special Distinction, in Philosophy from the University of Oklahoma, extensive postgraduate studies in Philosophy and Judaism from the University of Texas, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Centre for the Study of Biblical Research.

The study will be held every Wednesday, beginning on 21 May at 7.30pm at 5 Oaktree Lane, Bishopdale, Christchurch. The subsidised workbook will cost $10 per copy. Call 359 7937 or (027) 433 9745 for more details.

Aug
21
Sun
AGM @ Northwood Villa Clubrooms
Aug 21 @ 2:00 PM

agm

It’s that time of the year again folks.

Please submit nominations for Committee members and President one week beforehand, being 5pm Sunday 14 August.

After the formalities are over, we will be showing the movie “The Concert.”

the-concert-poster-535x402

“The Concert” is a 2009 French comedy-drama film by Radu Mihăileanu, starring Aleksei Guskov, Mélanie Laurent and Miou-Miou.

It is about the redemption of a former world-famous conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre orchestra, known as “The Maestro,” Andrey Simonovich Filipov, who had had his career publicly broken by Leonid Brezhnev for defending Jewish musicians and is reduced to working as a mere janitor in the theatre where he once conducted, becoming an alcoholic in the process.

It won the Best Original Score and Best Sound awards at César Awards 2010. It was also nominated for two Magritte Awards in the category of Best Film in Coproduction and Best Editing for Ludo Troch in 2011, and Best Foreign Film at the 68th Golden Globe Awards.

Please bring a plate of finger food.  We’d be grateful if you avoided pork or seafood products.

Sep
23
Sun
AGM @ Northwood Villa Clubrooms
Sep 23 @ 2:00 PM

It’s that time of the year.  If you would like to nominate another member for the committee, please send your nomination to our secretary, Rebecca (contact details below).

After the AGM we will be showing a hilarious episode of “Yes Prime Minister”, the episode when PM Jim Hacker discovers what his Ministry of Foreign Affairs really thinks about Israel.

Please bring a plate of finger food.  Of course, please exclude any pork and seafood products.

Jun
16
Sun
CHRISTCHURCH: A HATEFUL STATE OF MIND: HATE SPEECH AND FREE SPEECH IN NEW ZEALAND @ Spark Room, Christchurch Central Library
Jun 16 @ 2:00 PM

Professor Paul Moon

Where:  Spark Room, Christchurch Central Library, Turanga.

When:  2.00pm, Sunday, June 16.

Admission:  A plate of finger food.  Please avoid pork and seafood products. A collection will be taken to defray expenses.

With talk of new Hate Speech Legislation in NZ, this free talk shows how ineffective such legislation has been; and offers a robust alternative to counter ideologies of prejudice and intolerance. 

NZ Friends of Israel wishes to acknowledge the kind support of the Holocaust Centre of NZ.  This address was originally part of their Human Rights Series of lectures.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Having written over 25 books, Professor Paul Moon is one of New Zealand’s best-selling and respected historians and social commentators.

His specialist area is New Zealand history, and in 2014, he was shortlisted for the international Ernest Scott Prize in History for his book Encounters: The Creation of New Zealand, which academics described as ‘powerful’ and ‘truly fascinating’. His works have been published by Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins.

He has worked on several Treaty claims, and with numerous government agencies, on Treaty-related issues. In 2003 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society at University College, London, and has since gained fellowships in the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Society of Arts. He also has been a consultant on documentaries about New Zealand history

Jul
9
Thu
AGM: July 12 @ Halswell Centre
Jul 9 @ 9:37 PM – 10:37 PM

Our AGM will be held on 2pm, Sunday 12 July at the Piharau Room, Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd, .   Send nominations for the committee to us by 10 July.

After the AGM we will be showing the highly entertaining comedy about a Jewish Bakery, entitled “Dough”. Please bring a plate of finger food.  No pork or seafood products.  Thanks.

Dough is a heartwarming about a Jewish baker and his community.

Some of the most interesting movies that I’ve seen focus on food: “Big Night”, “Chocolat” and “Chef”, to name a few. Now we have “Dough”. Part look at Jewish baking, part look at a mixing of cultures, it hits all the right notes. Basically, it reminds us that we’re all human, all trying to survive in this modern world. But it’s also got some funny stuff and great lines. I’ve liked Jonathan Pryce in every role where I’ve seen him, and I hope that newcomer Jerome Holder gets more roles like this one. Definitely worth seeing. — IMDB

 

 

Jul
31
Sun
AGM @ The Library, the Olde Vicarage
Jul 31 @ 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Hi Folks, its AGM time again.

This year, its in the Library of the Old Vicarage, 335 Halswell Road, Christchurch 8025.

We look forward to seeing you.

Feb
27
Tue
Israel on Trial in the Hague — thinc. @ Online
Feb 27 @ 12:00 AM

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)

 

Israel on Trial in the Hague — thinc. @ Online
Feb 27 @ 7:00 AM

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)

 

May
30
Thu
CHRISTCHURCH: Israel Briefing & AGM: May 30. @ Hao Room, Te Hapua Halswell Centre
May 30 @ 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM

 

There has been a lot happening with Israel and Antisemitism since our last meeting.  To name a few:

  1. The ICC prosecutor announces he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.
  2. ICJ orders Israel to stop Rafah assault.
  3. Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognize Palestine as a state.
  4. A Christchurch teachers decides to go on a hunger strike hoping to pressure NZ’s government to push harder for a ceasefire.
  5. The US completes its kitset wharf and additional aid flows into Gaza.
  6. New evidence shows Hamas is diverting the aid so that it can profit by selling it on the black market.
  7. The Rafah assault continues in earnest.  Hamas is starting to show more enthusiasm for a ceasefire.

After the briefing and Q&A we will be holding our Annual General Meeting (AGM), a pivotal event in our calendar. Here’s why you should attend:

  1. Transparency and Accountability: The AGM provides a transparent platform where we share our achievements, challenges, and financial performance. Your participation ensures accountability.
  2. Shape Our Future: Your voice matters! At the AGM, you can contribute ideas, vote on key decisions, and help shape our strategic direction for the coming year.
  3. Community Bonding: Connect with fellow members, volunteers, and our passionate team. Forge new relationships and celebrate our collective impact.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 7.30pm, Thursday, MAY 30.  Hao Room, Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.

Together, let’s continue our mission of fighting racism and intolerance through raising awareness of Jewish history and culture. We look forward to seeing you!

DOWNLOADS

  1. AGM notice and agenda
  2. Proxy Form
  3. Annual Report
  4. Current Constitution
  5. Proposed Constitution