John Monash (Monasch) born in Melbourne, Australia on 27 June 1865, the son of German Polish Jewish migrants, can be researched in any military history encyclopaedia or in fact by just ‘Googling’ his name on the internet. His history and list of achievements are long and far too many to detail in this brief summary. However, might I say that reading his history is well worth the effort and I can assure you that his deeds will amaze you. I have found that the deeds are better labelled on more than one man and in more than one lifetime.
An announcement was made in the weeks leading up to the Centenary of ANZAC by Judy Landau, President VAJEX Aust. She stated that it gave her great delight to announce that VAJEX Aust (Victorian Association of Jewish Ex & Servicemen & Women Australia Inc) has successfully raised the required funds to build a new Victorian Jewish Memorial after the style of the historic Memorial located in the Jewish section of the Melbourne General Cemetery. After an extensive two year process, Judy has single-handedly sought letters of support, raised the funds, and obtained approval from the City of Port Phillip.
VAJEX Australia Membership is open to all Jewish military personnel who are serving or who served in the Australian Defence Force and Allied Forces. We also welcome their family as non-service members.
Join VAJEX Australia as a
Private Gregory Michael Sher Z"L
1978-2009
On the 11th January 2009, over 2,000 mourners filled the Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst to pay their last respects to Pte Greg Sher, who was fatally wounded seven days earlier in Afghanistan. Among the mourners to share their grief of the nation was the Prime Minister, the...
Dov Ryzman – A True Gentleman
GUNNER DOV RYZMAN AIF VX123381 (V158326)
VAJEX Member
Passed away 25th December 2008
Dov Ryzman grew up in Melbourne and was always actively involved in sport and community. He was a good honest family man who could always be relied on to lend a helping hand.
A warm-hearted man of great intellect...
Captain Asaf Ramon Z"L Asaf Ramon, the son of the late Colonel Ilan Ramon Z″L, who lost his life in the illfated US Space Shuttle COLUMBIA on 1st February 2003, was killed on a training flight on Sunday 13th September 2009, while piloting an F16 fighter aircraft. He was aged 20. Asaf received his wings...
Read full storyGwidon Gottlieb-Borucki 1912 ~ 2009 VAJEX member Gwidon Gottlieb-Borucki passed away on 31th December 2009 and, but for the many articles and tributes posted on the web (in the Polish language), his lifetime achievements would never have been known to most of us. The last occasion that I spoke to Gwidon was at our Remembrance Day...
Read full storyFrank Albert Slutzkin 16 Jan 1924 ~ 5 Dec 2009 A FULFILLING LIFE WELL LIVED Frank Albert Slutzkin was born on 16th January 1924 to Sholom and Gladys Slutzkin in Melbourne. He had five older brothers: Leo, Ivon, Alan, Peter and Bob, an older sister Shirley, twin sister Valda and younger sister Nona. Only Bob, aged 92,...
Read full storyRaye Smith nee Crafti In the Smith and Crafti families, VAJEX has been a long standing family institution. So when Rachael Smith passed away on 14 June 2010, VAJEX mourned her loss as part of her extended family and numerous friends. Raye had other siblings and family who were members of VAJEX: brother, Mocky (Matthew) Crafti...
Read full story7-10-1919 ~ 8-12-2011
May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace
Lest We Forget
AK, GCMG, GCVO, Kt, PC, KStJ, GCOMRI, DCL,
Hon LLD (HK, Qld, Melb, WA, Turin, ANU, Tas, VUT, Deakin, Monash),
Hon D Litt (UNE, Syd, JCU, Oxford),
Hon D HL (Hebrew Union College, Redlands),
Hon D Univ (Newcastle, Griffith, Sunshine Coast),
Hon D Phil (Hebrew University Jerusalem & Tel Aviv University)
By Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen
Much has been said and is known about how my father treated, and how he was loved by, people. Instead I want to speak about the spiritual dimension and significance of the service of humanity, which was his life. On the face of it, G-d must come into the story of his life, since, our Sages tell us that “with whom people are happy, G-d is happy”. G-d was happy with Dad. That’s from G-d’s perspective. But what about from Dad’s perspective?…