It was an honour to welcome the 47th Premier of NSW, the Hon. Chris Minns MP, as well as our new College Principal, Mira Hasofer, at our annual Foundation Members’ Cocktail Party at the home of Judy Lowy OAM and Steven Lowy AM.
Foundation President, Judy Lowy expressed her heartfelt wishes on behalf of us all for the safety and security of Israel, the swift and safe release of our hostages, and our strong commitment to help our people in Israel to heal and rebuild.
“Israel needs a strong diaspora, and we in the diaspora need a strong Israel. The strongest diaspora communities are the ones that have continued to invest in their communal infrastructure and Jewish education is the absolute foundation of a strong Jewish community.”
Foundation President, Judy Lowy
Judy shared her pride that for 81 years, Moriah has provided thousands of children, regardless of their academic ability or socio-economic backgrounds, with an outstanding education, a strong Jewish identity, and a clear moral compass. Judy reiterated that we will continue to support Moriah children who rely on us for fee assistance and bursaries, whilst also embarking this year on our very important capital appeal to redevelop our aging high school buildings.
Introducing our new High School redevelopment
In the most ambitious project Moriah has ever undertaken, Judy shared that we are planning to build two new multi storey High School buildings including a science centre, design & technology centre, visual arts centre, a modern library and study centre, a multipurpose communal hall, staff faculty, and well-sized flexible classrooms, all in keeping with contemporary High School design and facilities. We will double our green space, improve traffic flows, increase parking, and improve our security.
All Foundation Members, parents, staff, grandparents, alumni and the wider community will be kept abreast of plans in the coming months, as we prepare for the appeal.
Judy thanked the early donors who have already begun to support this project with significant pledges before we hold the communal appeal later this year, including board members from the Moriah College and Moriah Foundation Boards who have pledged to the campaign, matching their passion for Moriah with their personal giving.
We’re thrilled to announce LGT Crestone as our first Moriah College 2024 Capital Appeal Corporate Sponsor and we thank them for their support.
In explaining the need to modernise and upgrade our High School facilities, Judy emphasised the changes that have taken place in delivering education, in facilities, technology, and the new subjects that didn’t exist when our High School was built. “We are aspirational people, we are builders, we believe in progress, we believe in giving our children the best opportunities that we can.”
Judy noted that while facilities alone do not create excellence in education, with the recent appointment of Mira Hasofer as College Principal, we have at the helm an exceptional educator and leader with a deep understanding of pedagogical approaches, a strong alignment with Moriah’s values and an unwavering commitment to excellence in education -which go hand in glove with up-to-date learning environments.
In introducing the Premier, Judy expressed how grateful we feel living in Sydney, Australia, and shared our desire as Jews to continue to feel safe here and to continue to make a positive contribution to our great state and country.
Judy thanked the Premier for his steadfast support of our community. “You have distinguished yourself with your moral clarity and leadership. You cannot imagine how deeply grateful we are, and how much respect we have for you.”
Friendship and support from our Premier
In a warm address, Premier Chris Minns expressed how pleased he was to be at the cocktail party. “I really feel like I am amongst friends.”
The Premier noted that, since October 7, it has been a time of profound distress for the Jewish community. “And that has obviously broken my heart – to think of a community that is so proud to be Australian and has contributed so much to this country in all fields including politics, academia, business and cultural institutions and the arts; that you are experiencing antisemitism is deeply traumatic for me.”
The Premier provided his assurance that the NSW Government is prepared to change laws to stop naked aggression in relation to racism, and the process has begun with the strengthening of 93Z legislation to give police more power to launch prosecutions, and the introduction of racial vilification legislation. “We don’t want a situation where it is tolerable for people to be abused or vilified in their own city.”
The Premier observed that, despite the challenges, the Jewish community can feel optimistic about the future. “The young members of the Jewish community in NSW are politically engaged, care about our civic life, they are passionate about Australia’s future and are ready for amazing futures of their own. It is a tribute to this generation of Jewish leaders. You are raising a wonderful generation of young Australians.”
In response to questions from the audience, the Premier discussed the importance of Holocaust education in NSW schools, referencing the huge impact that Holocaust studies at school had on him.
“I want to make it clear that there is no place for antisemitism or racism in Australia in 2024, or anywhere else and leaders in our civic life need to stand up and say that in an unambiguous way. For me it seems utterly straightforward that of course I would come to a Moriah Foundation event, and of course I would light up the Opera House, after such a cruel and barbaric terrorist attack.”
Premier of NSW, the Hon. Chris Minns MP
Introducing our new College Principal, Mira Hasofer
College Principal, Mira Hasofer captivated the audience with her personal journey, which taught her the value of Jewish education, sparked her aspiration to become a teacher and instilled in her a palpable sense of hope for the future.
In returning to Moriah 28 years after graduating, Mira’s message to the College staff from day one has been to “raise students who are curious, goal oriented, reflective, lifelong learners; students who leave the College gates at the end of their formal Moriah education with their heads held high, as proud young Australian Jewish women and men; students who dedicate their hearts to compassion and their lives to service and understanding.”
Mira spoke of the need to embrace excellence and hard work and in summarising her strategy as College Principal, Mira said, “Simply, the mission is to ensure that every student feels recognised and valued in our school, embodying the Mishna’s teaching that ‘the world was created for me’.”
“Today’s educators are tasked with more than just imparting knowledge. Our attention is on guiding our students to become curators of knowledge, equipping them with the skills to analyse, synthesise, and apply that knowledge creatively and ethically to address the challenges and opportunities of their rapidly evolving world.”
College Principal, Mira Hasofer
A vote of thanks from our College President
College President, Stephen Jankelowitz, thanked the Premier for his support, and shared his pride in our wonderful school community, who have stood by our homeland at this devastating time. Stephen expressed his gratitude to all those who have invested so much in our children over the last 80 years, and will continue to do so for the next 80 years. “It is truly a great honour and privilege to have served as President of this great school and I am looking forward to co-chairing the capital appeal with Judy this year.”