Once again, this year the Jewish Federation of New Zealand in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel, the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand and NZ Friends of Israel will be organising for a Holocaust Survivor to visit Schools in New Zealand.

If your school is in Christchurch please email us at contact@nzfoi.org to send us your expression of interest in having Eva Lavi tell the story of how Schindler saved her life during World War II.

All other schools please contact osnatdvorkin@gmail.com.

Eva will be in New Zealand from 5 April until 19 April.

She will be in Christchurch from 16 April until 17 April.

Hi Folks

Lila Diprose and Joanna Moss invite you to join them at a private function to farewell Ambassador Shemi Tzur on Sunday 10 March 2013 before his return to Israel and to wish him well for his retirement.

Date:     Sunday 10 March 2013

Place: Newtown Community Hall

cnr Daniell and Constable Streets Newtown

Wellington

Dress: semi-formal

Bring:    A plate of cold sweet or savoury finger food all prepared (optional)

or if you want to bring drinks or make a donation – that’s fine too

This is not dinner – just drinks and nibbles, non alcoholic.

Time:  6pm if bringing food

6.15pm latest arrival

6-8.30pm

ID:     Please send or scan a copy of your passport to Joanna Moss at 5/2 Grafton Rd Wellington 6011 or email the address below

RSVP:  Email: joannamoss12@clear.net.nz by 8 March 2013 or (04) 802-5956

We must have names and numbers coming – so please RSVP.

If you are bringing food – can you indicate what sort.

DUE TO LIMITED SPACE, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL GET A SEAT SO PLEASE PROMPTLY

This informal function will be an opportunity to speak with the Ambassador personally.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelvin Crombie is a writer, researcher and lecturer.  He has spent over 25 years in the Middle East, researching the history of the British Empire and the ANZAC forces and their actions in North Africa and the Palestine since 1798.

In his latest book Kelvin Crombie tells the story of El Alamein and how this victory prevented Nazi-Muslim plans for destroying the Jewish communities of the Middle East from being fulfilled.

Captain Charles Upham VC & Bar won the bar to his VC through his courage and bravery during this battle.

The Jewish leadership of Eretz Israel presented to General Montgomery after the victory at El Alamein a bible. Accompanying this beautifully ornate Bible were these words:

Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery, the gallant leader of the victorious British forces by whose hand God has placed salvation in Zion in the days of El Alamein.

Most of those gallant soldiers at El Alamein and other battles which fought the Axis (German and Italian) forces in the region were Gentiles– whose very presence hindered the penetration of the Holocaust into the Middle East.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

The 27th June 1942 became one of the most significant days in New Zealand’s military history, as it’s only Division fought for its very survival. One man though seemed oblivious to the situation. Charles Upham kept encouraging his men and taking extraordinary risks upon himself.

Despite their gallant stand against overwhelming odds during the day, it was clear that with the Axis forces encircling them (except the western side which led towards Libya) and with their ammunition running down, there was no chance that the New Zealanders would survive. Blyth wrote:

Without ammunition it is absolutely certain the Division would not have survived another day, and that it faced extinction, a disaster that could not be contemplated for people in a small country like New Zealand.

Freyberg took the decision to break-out during the night, but then he was wounded, and could not implement the decision. His deputy, General Inglis now took over. One brigade would approach the German line to the east, and when detected ‘would charge ahead with bullet and bayonet.’ Their task was to open up a gap in the enemy line, and then the remainder of the division, who would already be in the transports, would then break through the gap. The 4th Brigade comprising the 19th, 20th and Maori battalions would lead the break-out.

When the time came, at 1.45 am, the section leaders assembled their men, and they began walking forward. Sandford writes, ‘There was bright moonlight over the field, but the night seemed dark. It was all silence, just the rhythmic chuffing of men’s boots against the sand and the stones, rifles held high, men walking forward with fear and hope in their hearts, wondering when the earth in front of them would awake and blaze. They were walking towards the enemy to punch the hole through the line…’

After close to a kilometre of walking a shot came, then another and soon the line was hot. One New Zealander recalled afterwards that ‘To a man the whole brigade charged forward. No orders were given; no urging forward by officers and N.C.O.’s. With shouting, cheering, and war-cries every man broke into a run as if he knew exactly what was expected of him.’

Every one of these men knew what was required, and what the consequences would be if they never broke through. It was absolute mayhem with hand to hand fighting, bombing, throwing of grenades, German trucks and vehicles going up in flames. As could be expected Charles Upham was in the midst of it all, urging his men of C Company forward, hurling grenades endlessly in total disregard for his own safety.

When the Brigade finally made it through the German lines, the flare went up to signal to the rest of the division that the way through was clear. The firing and confusion continued unabated, and Rommel himself wrote:

A wild melee ensued, in which my own headquarters, which lay south of the fortress, became involved… The firing between my forces and the New Zealanders grew to an extraordinary pitch of violence and my headquarters was soon ringed by burning vehicles, making it the target for continuous enemy fire. I soon had enough of this and the headquarters ordered the staff to withdraw to the south-east. One can scarcely conceive the confusion which reigned that night. It was pitch-dark and impossible to see one’s hand before one’s face. The R.A.F. bombed their own troops, and, with tracer flying in all directions, German units fired on each other.

The New Zealanders managed to extricate themselves from the web. Although an act of supreme heroism, it was nothing short of a miracle that they suffered so few casualties compared to the Germans. Upham summed it up, ‘This show tonight will make bloody history.’

This withdrawal was one of the truly great Allied escapades of the War, and Freyberg received the following words from Churchill,

‘Deeply moved to hear of your new wound and new glory. Trust that your injury is not serious and that you will soon be back commanding your splendid division. All good wishes to you and to them.’

Hear Kelvin talk about this historic battle and the Holocaust that was averted by this victory.

Although tickets will be available through EventFinder, door sales will be available.  Seating is limited so we suggest you purchase in advance to be sure of getting a seat.

If you’re in New Zealand:  You can buy the book here.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Kelvin Crombie is a writer, researcher and lecturer.  He has spent over 25 years in the Middle East, researching the history of the British Empire and the ANZAC forces and their actions in North Africa and the Palestine since 1798.

You are invited to come together for a special evening to farewell

Israel’s Ambassador to New Zealand

His Excellency Mr Shemi Tzur & his spouse Mrs Orit Shem Tov

on Tuesday 19 March @ 7:30pm

at the Freemans Bay Community Centre

52 Hepburn Street, Auckland City

Internationally affiliated Israel support organisations will be represented on the night including Bridges for Peace, Christians 4 Israel, Christian Friends of Israel, Ebenezer, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Prayer for Israel and local Israel Focus Group

Join with us for an evening including music, mix and mingle,

a fine supper and refreshments

Registration is essential to secure your place & for security reasons

Please register with ICEJ: Email icejnz@ihug.co.nz or tel 09 8375384

Cost will be $10 at the door or you can pay in advance.

No offering will be taken on the night.

Surplus funds will go to the Haifa home for holocaust survivors

Purim (Hebrew:  פּוּרִים (help·info) Pûrîm “lots“, from the word pur,^[3] related to Akkadian pūru) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther).

According to the Book of Esther, in the Hebrew Bible, Haman, royal vizier to King Ahasuerus (presumed to be Xerxes I of Persia), planned to kill all the Jews in the empire, but his plans were foiled by Mordecai and his adopted daughter Queen Esther. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing.

Read more.

Few would doubt the work ethic, enthusiasm and warmth that our current Ambassador Shemi Tzur has shown to New Zealand.  We are constantly hearing of his visits to provincial centres briefing supporters of Israel on the situation in the Middle East, promoting trade and building goodwill toward Israel.

Sadly all things come to and end he is ending his tenure here in New Zealand.

We are working with the Canterbury Hebrew Congregation on a warm send-off. Please keep an eye on this page for further details.

[update]

We’re sorry but limited space has meant that we have only been allocated ten seats to this function.

Perhaps there will be an opportunity for all members to participate in the welcoming of the new Ambassador later in the year.

We apologise for any disappointment that this may have caused.

Kind regards

NZ Friends of Israel Association Inc

P O Box 33 200
Christchurch
New Zealand
Mb +64(27)433 9745
Em contact@nzfoi.org

Wb www.nzfoi.org

The Heritage: Civilization and the Jews documentary series chronicles the history of the Jewish people from biblical times through the 20th century. This is not, however, a documentary solely about Judaism; it is instead an in-depth look at the history of Jewish interaction with the world at large, a look at how Jews have shaped communities around them and how the communities around them have shaped the Jews. Host Abba Eban, who has served as foreign minister of Israel and Israeli ambassador to the U.N., is authoritative and knowledgeable in his explications. Using paintings, artifacts, modern cinematography of ancient sites, readings, and theatrical music, Eban brings drama and tension to events long past. The spanning of five millennia necessitates at times briefer detail than a viewer may like, yet it also provides a sampling of history that may provoke the viewer into seeking more information. This marvelous series should be experienced by anyone who desires a greater understanding of the Western world and the role of the Jews in shaping it.

This next episode covers the relationship between the United States and the Jewish people. Never before had a country accepted Jewish people so readily. Never before had Jews made such a contribution to the shaping and growth of a country outside of Israel.

Hi Folks,

Happy New Year.

We are having another sausage sizzle at Shirley Bunnings on Marshland Road this weekend. Each sausage sizzle has been a wonderful opportunity to meet the public, raise awareness of Israel, the middle East and Jewish culture.

If you can help out for a morning or afternoon, then feel free to email us on contact@nzfoi.org or call (027) 433 9745

A unique New Zealand-Produced Holocaust Exhibition, will be launched on 25 January. Shadows of Shoah is an artistic educational project, communicating the gravity and significance of the Holocaust in a unique way. Using photography and original music, selected episodes from survivors’ experiences are presented in a brief, compelling format designed to reach a generation for whom the Holocaust holds little historical relevance, significance, or true understanding.

See also:  http://shadowsofshoah.com/

Go to http://25january2013.com/ to apply for free admission ticket.