An inspiring evening at Private Viewing of Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2024

It was wonderful to come together last week with our Foundation Members, Foundation Circle Members and Grandparents Club at the magnificent Art Gallery of NSW, for our annual Moriah Foundation Private Viewing of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes.

In welcoming our guests, Foundation President, Judy Lowy OAM acknowledged that our hearts and minds continue to be with the remaining hostages in captivity and our brothers and sisters in Israel.

Judy shared that we are embarking on the most ambitious capital campaign since the purchase of the Queens Park land in 2011.

“We are raising funds this year to replace 6 of our ageing High School buildings, as well as continuing to raise funds to support families who need fee assistance.
Moriah’s High School was built more than 30 years ago, and several of our buildings are in need of renovation. Education has evolved significantly, delivery of education has evolved since the digital revolution, and libraries have changed completely. Many of the spaces are in poor condition and unable to be reconfigured to allow for contemporary delivery of education.”
Foundation President, Judy Lowy OAM

Our exciting plans include building new centres for science, design & technology and visual arts, a modern library and study centre, a multipurpose hall, a canteen with indoor and outdoor seating, staff faculty spaces, and larger, more flexible classrooms. The new development will double our green spaces and increase security.

This is an exciting time for Moriah. Facilities aren’t everything, but they are important, as they are in every industry, in order to remain current and competitive. Under the leadership of our new College Principal, Mira Hasofer, Moriah is poised to go from strength to strength, with a continued focus on academic excellence, culture, wellbeing and our core Jewish values.

This is a critical time for Jewish communities around the world, and we need to invest in Jewish education. Moriah’s strength and success is foundational to the strength and success of the Sydney Jewish community.

College Rabbi, Rabbi Krebs discussed Rembrandt’s biblical portrait of David, and how the artist’s work allows us to peer into the soul of David. To see not who he is, but what he feels, believes and stands for; therefore allowing us to appreciate David in a deeper, more sincere way.

“We were privileged to hear from Maud Page, Deputy Director and Director of Collections of the Art Gallery of NSW.

Maud commended our ambitious plans for the new High School. “It’s great to see Moriah College in such a visionary way. I love that there’s a big focus on areas of excellence that will focus on science, art, and design. All such important areas that contribute to a strong social fabric.”

Maud shared her insights into the selection process for the finalists and winners. She discussed how artists use the Archibald Prize as a platform to have their say about issues in society. Archibald Prize winner, Laura Jones used large, emotive brush strokes in her painting of Australian author and conservationist Tim Winton to convey what Tim stands for as a tireless advocate for the environment.

She congratulated last year’s Archies’s winner, Moriah graduate, Julia Gutman on being chosen as the artist whose work adorned the Opera House sails for this year’s Vivid, and noted how the Archibald Prize really does catapult many artists forward in their careers.

Thank you to all who joined us and to you all for supporting Moriah College as we continue to educate generations of Sydney’s Jewish children – l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, ensuring the strength and continuity of the Jewish people.