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• Maurice Smith 100
  Written on November 23, 2023

  Maurice Smith 100

  Maurice Smith (Szmitler) has celebrated his 100th birthday on the 15 th November 2023, we at VAJEX Australia are thrilled to be able to share this special moment with his family and friends and to wish him the best on this unique milestone.

  Maurice was born on the 15 th of November 1923 to Samuel David Smith and Nina Smith (nee Langy). Maurice’s parents were also born in Melbourne with Nina’s paternal linkage going back to Portugal. Maurice had his Bar Mitzvah at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in November 1936 officiated by Rabbi Brodie. and grew up and was educated in Melbourne.

  At the age 19 Maurice enlisted, and in 1942 and was sent to Calgary Canada to train for the Air Corp, once he had achieved the required level of knowledge, he was sent to Montreal in 1944 to train other air crews.

  Whilst in Canada Maurice was able to contact members of the Jewish community in each city who invited him to attend their Seders at their homes, he showed his ability by singing the traditional songs from the Haggadah but with an Australian Accent.

  Maurice was transferred to England for combat duties in 1945 and assigned to the 9th Air Crew Holding Unit. Maurice attained the rank of Flight Sgt and became a Warrant Officer; his duties were as an Air Gunner and wireless operator. He first flew in Wellington Bombers and then transferred to Lancaster Bombers.

  Maurice recounted his memories of the war, as Jew when they flew missions over Europe, he was to remove his dog tags that showed his religion as Jewish.

  He recollects the fear in England from the German bombing especially the Buzz Bombs. At the end of the war Maurice was de mobbed in Perth in 1946. He worked as a manager in companies such as Colonial Mutual Life Insurance, The Weiss Foundation and as an Accountant for The Colliers Foundation Fund.

  Pictured here with his son Ross Smith OAM and Marvin Bude President VAJEX Australia at this years Remembrance Commemoration
• Germany Honours Garry Fabian
  Written on August 12, 2021

  VAJEX Australia Board member, Garry Fabian, has been honoured by the German Government with the prestigious Verdienstorden (Order of Merit) of the German Republic, recognising his service to the citizens of Baden-Wurtenberg over many years.

  Baden-Wurtenberg's Secretary of State, Winifred Kretchmann, nominated Garry for "sharing his experiences and personal story and building bridges of understanding." Garry has visited Germany many times over the last 30 years, often speaking to schools, educators and community groups about his war experiences, particularly during his family's time in Theresienstadt Ghetto. Garry's memoir, A Look Back Over My Shoulder, was reprinted in 2014, the same year he received the Gold Staufer Medal for his educational services to the state.

  The German Embassy in Canberra will facilitate the award presentation.

  Source: St Kilda Hebrew Congregation's newsletter

  Click link below to view the Federal Liberal Member for Goldstein:
  Speech in Parliament by Tim Wilson MP
• It's a Boy - Harvey Flynn
  Written on August 12, 2021

  Dora (Klein-Gelbak) and
  David Beaconsfield

  together with big brother
  Charlie

  welcome with love

  Harvey Flynn
  הלל אריה

  Born 2nd August 2021

  Delighted grandparents
  Lara Gelbak
  Sharon & Peter Beaconsfield

  Great-grandparents
  Dora ע"ה Ephraim ע"ה Gelbak
  Norma & Howard ע"ה Beaconsfield
  Carol Hammerman ע"ה & David Lapidos ע"ה

  Named in memory of Howard who served in the Australian Army WWII in Port Moresby, New Guinea

  Mazal tov to our member Norma Beaconsfield
  Two great-grandchildren born on the same day!

  Source: AJN
• It's A Boy - Noah Avraham
  Written on August 12, 2021

  PROKUPETS (Schmidt)
  David & Mandy

  are thrilled to announce the birth
  of their beautiful son

  Noah Avraham
  נח אברהם

  Born 2 August 2021

  Named in loving memory of
  Alfred ע"ה Schmidt and
  Abraham ע"ה Shtalman

  Grandson of
  Michael & Maria Prokupets,
  Lynne & David ע"ה Schmidt

  Great-grandson of
  Sura ע"ה & Abraham ע"ה Shtalman
  Lev ע"ה & Channa ע"ה Prokupets
  Norma & Howard ע"ה Beaconsfield
  Steffi ע"ה & Alfred ע"ה Schmidt

  Mazal tov to our member Norma Beaconsfield
  Two great-grandchildren born on the same day!

  Source: AJN
• Bar Mitzvah - Toby Asha Gelbart
  Written on August 9, 2021

  Mazal tov to

  Toby Asha Gelbart
  אברהם

  on his bar mitzvah
  7 August 2021

  Belinda, Dave,
  Aiden, Joel & Jade

  are so proud and excited.

  As are Toby's loving grandparents
  Ian & Rita Gelbart | Mike and Eve Brown.

  Mazal tov to our member Mike Brown.

  Source: AJN