UIA Australia will host Maj Gen (ret) Doron Almog and Michal Uziyahu as the guests of honour for its 2024 Campaign Gala Events in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in March.
The guest speakers for the 2024 Campaign Gala represent the essence of Israel and bring with them stories of inspiration, pain, heroism and resilience. Maj Gen (ret) Doron Almog is one of Israel’s greatest military heroes. As Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Doron heads one of the most critical national institutions in Israel, tasked with not only rebuilding the South but with its continued mandate of supporting critical national projects across Israel and the Jewish World. Doron has been directly affected by the events of the October 7 massacre, having lost close relatives, enduring the pain of some who were held captive by Hamas and then released and having to deal with the uncertainty of those still held in Gaza.
Michal Uziyahu works with the Eshkol Regional Council, which consists of 32 communities along the Israeli border between Israel and Gaza. She is working directly with the regional Mayor to develop the region’s response to the incredible trauma they have endured. Only a couple of weeks after the October 7 massacre, Michal joined UIA for one of the most powerful webinars our community has ever conducted. Her message was inspirational amidst the intense pain and suffering she was bearing personally and communally, as she left us with the enduring words, “We are grieving, but we will rebuild.” Michal is also a former Shlicha of The Jewish Agency for Israel in Colorado.
This year’s Campaign Gala Events will be a unique opportunity for the community to come together, express support, mourn, provide tangible assistance and show solidarity in a manner that has not been needed in over 50 years. It’s an opportunity to stand up and be counted as part of the local community and to continue to stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world as we face one of the greatest challenges of this generation. As Michal said in that emotional webinar held shortly after the October 7 massacre, “How can we do this from the crisis and devastation: together, Yachad.” Now is our chance to come together – Yachad – as one community with one goal of rebuilding and rehabilitating Israel.
“This year’s UIA events will be unlike any event held in the Jewish community for decades. The intense feelings and emotions that have been displayed by our community for the last four months will be channelled in to an inspiring, powerful and uplifting experience that can only be achieved by coming together, standing united and joining in solidarity. The annual UIA events are always one of our community’s most powerful communal experiences and this year will be no different. I genuinely hope that every member of our community will use this opportunity to connect and reflect in a most meaningful way,” UIA Australia CEO Yair Miller said.
Attendance at the events will send a strong and clear message through Doron and Michal that our community, as part of the global Keren Hayesod-UIA family, stands firmly with them and all those impacted by the atrocities of October 7, the subsequent war and the rise in global antisemitism.
“The community’s presence at our Campaign Gala Events is crucial in enabling us to embrace the power of unity and compassion! Stand with us, attend our events and show the extraordinary strength within our community. This year, more than ever, Israel needs our unwavering support,” UIA Australia President Esther Frenkiel OAM said.
UIA says it is ‘privileged to present guests of this calibre to the Australian Jewish community’.
Bookings are now open for the Sydney and Melbourne events at uiaaustralia.org.au/upcoming-events. Bookings for Perth will open soon.
Further announcements regarding event details will be made in due course.