Moriah's Israel Reunion a Hit!
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חמַרְמֹרֶת
from David Hersh
On the 19th April, 2009 Yedid – Moriah’s Alumni Association held its first ever Israel Reunion at Beit WIZO in Tel Aviv. Over 150 old collegians and former and current members of the Moriah Community gathered together in celebration of friendships formed in the playground, shared memories of Moriah days gone by and a common love of Israel.
The reunion would not have been the success it was, if it were not for the hard work of David Hersh (Class of 1976), Yedid’s Israel Liaison and his team of old collegians which included Lisa (Isman) Marcus (1980), Craig Levy (1994) and Danny Meyer (1984).
A welcoming committee made up of Lisa Marcus, Simonne Mekler (1987) and Ariel & Judy Mekler-Peled (current year 8 Moriah students) greeted guests as they arrived. All were encouraged to sign up and join Yedid and receive an iconic reminder of home in Australia in the form of Vegemite! As it was just after Pesach the full yeast content in vegemite was very well received.
As people flooded the hall, surrounded by the buffet of Israeli delicacies for all to enjoy, familiar faces were rediscovered and phone numbers were exchanged between old friends. The Katz Family – including Chaim, Miriam and Judy were among the first to arrive with old photos in hand. They recalled their time at Moriah from 1962 when their father Rabbi Jacob Katz took up the position of Director of Jewish Studies at Moriah.
Robert Mountwitten (1962) was certainly a sight for sore eyes, as he arrived wearing the old Moriah school crest on his shirt pocket, his Moriah school tie, as well as his School Vice Captain badge.
Yedid’s Co-President, Michelle Mekler-Peled (1983) who attended the event, welcomed everyone to the reunion. “Today we are experiencing a unique opportunity to reconnect with old school friends, teachers, shlichim and the extended Moriah community who have fulfilled the dream of making Aliyah” ….”our gathering here today shows that no matter where we live in the world - our roots and feelings towards Moriah are ever so strong. We are proud of our alumni families who have passed on the value of Jewish education to their children. Yedid hopes to continue this Moriah cycle of life on to the next generation.”
Former Moriah Board Member and Past President Sam Fisher gave a heart warming speech and spoke of the history of Moriah College. He recapped the events which led to the incredible acquisition of the Queens Park Campus. He remembered the meeting held in November 1983 in Neville Wran’s office when the landmark decision was made to take over the Eastern Suburbs Hospital site.
Past College Principal Mr Lionel I Link also spoke with fondness of his time at Moriah. He certainly received everyone’s immediate attention by beginning his speech with “Sheket Yeladim” and went on to say how wonderful it was to see a room filled with former students who have made Israel their home. This is a living testament to Moriah’s role in promoting Zionism and a love of Israel.
A surprise video presentation created by former student, Julie (Gardos) Fisher (1980) was screened, which included a congratulatory message from new Moriah College Principal Kim Fillingham, as well as touching messages from past and present teachers including Angela Epstein, Morrie Finberg, Velvel Lederman and Max Lemberg, as well as many more.
Former Moriah P&F President Rosalie Isman closed the evening and was given the honour of drawing the raffle for an Aussie Prize Pack, which was won by old collegian Cheryl (Singer) Freeman (1976). All monies raised at the reunion were donated to WIZO as well as to the Frank Stein Memorial Fund.
On the 19th April, 2009 Yedid – Moriah’s Alumni Association held its first ever Israel Reunion at Beit WIZO in Tel Aviv. Over 150 old collegians and former and current members of the Moriah Community gathered together in celebration of friendships formed in the playground, shared memories of Moriah days gone by and a common love of Israel.
The reunion would not have been the success it was, if it were not for the hard work of David Hersh (Class of 1976), Yedid’s Israel Liaison and his team of old collegians which included Lisa (Isman) Marcus (1980), Craig Levy (1994) and Danny Meyer (1984).
A welcoming committee made up of Lisa Marcus, Simonne Mekler (1987) and Ariel & Judy Mekler-Peled (current year 8 Moriah students) greeted guests as they arrived. All were encouraged to sign up and join Yedid and receive an iconic reminder of home in Australia in the form of Vegemite! As it was just after Pesach the full yeast content in vegemite was very well received.
As people flooded the hall, surrounded by the buffet of Israeli delicacies for all to enjoy, familiar faces were rediscovered and phone numbers were exchanged between old friends. The Katz Family – including Chaim, Miriam and Judy were among the first to arrive with old photos in hand. They recalled their time at Moriah from 1962 when their father Rabbi Jacob Katz took up the position of Director of Jewish Studies at Moriah.
Robert Mountwitten (1962) was certainly a sight for sore eyes, as he arrived wearing the old Moriah school crest on his shirt pocket, his Moriah school tie, as well as his School Vice Captain badge.
Yedid’s Co-President, Michelle Mekler-Peled (1983) who attended the event, welcomed everyone to the reunion. “Today we are experiencing a unique opportunity to reconnect with old school friends, teachers, shlichim and the extended Moriah community who have fulfilled the dream of making Aliyah” ….”our gathering here today shows that no matter where we live in the world - our roots and feelings towards Moriah are ever so strong. We are proud of our alumni families who have passed on the value of Jewish education to their children. Yedid hopes to continue this Moriah cycle of life on to the next generation.”
Former Moriah Board Member and Past President Sam Fisher gave a heart warming speech and spoke of the history of Moriah College. He recapped the events which led to the incredible acquisition of the Queens Park Campus. He remembered the meeting held in November 1983 in Neville Wran’s office when the landmark decision was made to take over the Eastern Suburbs Hospital site.
Past College Principal Mr Lionel I Link also spoke with fondness of his time at Moriah. He certainly received everyone’s immediate attention by beginning his speech with “Sheket Yeladim” and went on to say how wonderful it was to see a room filled with former students who have made Israel their home. This is a living testament to Moriah’s role in promoting Zionism and a love of Israel.
A surprise video presentation created by former student, Julie (Gardos) Fisher (1980) was screened, which included a congratulatory message from new Moriah College Principal Kim Fillingham, as well as touching messages from past and present teachers including Angela Epstein, Morrie Finberg, Velvel Lederman and Max Lemberg, as well as many more.
Former Moriah P&F President Rosalie Isman closed the evening and was given the honour of drawing the raffle for an Aussie Prize Pack, which was won by old collegian Cheryl (Singer) Freeman (1976). All monies raised at the reunion were donated to WIZO as well as to the Frank Stein Memorial Fund.
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