UIA Victoria recently held its Gala event with 800 members of the Melbourne Jewish Community at Caulfield Racecourse. 

Supporters were privileged to hear from the 13th Prime Minister of Israel, Naftali Bennett. This was one of Former Prime Minister Bennett’s first engagements since leaving his Prime Ministerial duties.  In addition, Diana Bukhman, who fled from Ukraine and made her way to Israel with the help of Keren Hayesod-UIA, was also an inspirational guest speaker at the events and expressed her gratitude for being able to start her life in Israel anew. The evenings’ festivities were topped off by The IDF Ensemble who created a vibrant ‘ruach’, entertaining supporters with Israeli classics like ‘Ani Noladeti Lashalom’ – I Was Born for Peace. 

UIA Victoria Gala event highlights

The event featured an Israeli inspired supper graze on each table as well as a shuk that guests could eat from and “shop” from when they left. 

Peter Horovitz, UIA Victoria President said, “It is during times of challenge that we, in the diaspora have always stood up and been counted.  Now is not the time to turn away.  In fact, it is during times like these that we need to stand up and be counted in practical and tangible ways.  We do not have the luxury of disengaging from our people and our land. No matter the government of the day, no matter the pressures and challenges, Keren Hayesod-UIA is a constant in helping to save and enhance Jewish lives.”