Still Friends After 50 Years!

1,400 hits/month during 2008. Total includes some from China and the United Arab Emirates although the dot-coms win hands down. See News.

Aaron Ninedek & Eve Tauber visited Israel in October 2008. See the old gang in photos supplied by both Aaron and Hedva Sheiner. Go to Reconnections in Israel.

Henry Ben Ezra visited Sydney in August, 2008 and reconnected with the gang. See the photos.in Reconnections in OZ - Lizzie Kornhaber and Keith Masnick.

Hedva Sheiner reports on the Yom Haatzmaut get together at the Mirjams on May 7, 2008. It turned out to be a nostalgia feast - with everyone viewing pictures and movies of themselves 20 years before. Go to Reconnections in Israel.

I do not know if you remember me, Lizzie Schneider from Sydney. See me now....as Lizzie Kornhaber.

During last year, Betar Melbourne turned in its Maon. In case you missed it, here's the story in News. - Aaron Ninedek

Ex-Oz-Betari Danny Hakim is inspiring Jewish, Arab and Palestinian youth to "hit the mats" instead of one another. How apt for these times. Read about it at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1212659713329&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull. Submitted by Henry Ben Ezra. [Note: you may have to copy and paste this link into your browser. This article may not still be available for viewing.]

Following the passing of David ben David, March 29 2008, we belatedly publish his eulogies as delivered by his son and cousin. Forwarded by Danny Rosing,

Contact made! Although 162 was not responsible for this success, Gabriella and Deborah were reunited in September! See this.

We sadly announce the passing of David ben David, March 29 2008, after a long illness. David was buried today at the Savyon cemetery in Israel.

Pamela Orr and Vernon Kronenberg are regular bridge adversaries. There seem to be no pics of young Pamela on the website, so she has provided 2 pictures of herself in Betar uniform. These days Pam is a farmer - cattle and sheep - at Bungendore, NSW, close to Canberra. See Remember Me?

Hi Harry, Its Michael Price writing…..(Betar Sydney) I’ve recently spent some time with Avraham and

as you probably know am in constant touch with Bish.. I went to Sam’s Minyan and am seriously thinking of going to Israel for Yom Haatzmaut. I’ve been looking at the 162smilingfaces and now show all my new friends. You have done a terrific job and I want you to know that that is what I feel. Its most heart rendering and warm Maybe we can catch up at some time to really make the connection…. Well Done. Best wishes Michael

We mourn the passing of a friend - Sam Offman succumbed to Parkinson's on March 5, 2008 in Melbourne. We send our sincere condolences to his wife Rose; children Daniella and Kobi, Simone and Jeremy; Arieh and Esther; Ilana and John. Please view Aaron Ninedek's eulogy, the full death notice and our Tribute to Sam.

Aussie bash at the Bishes. Quite a number of celebrants at Roz & Henry's on November 24th 2007. Photos by Bish, Frida and Miriam.

Just revealed: We are sorry to report the death of Jules Wynhausen in Sydney. Jules passed away on July 2, 2007, aged 60. Loving son of Nan, husband of Eve and brother of Elisabeth, wonderful father and father-in- law of Gabi, Jesse and Aaron, adoring Zeide of Saul. (Sydney Morning Herald).

On Sam Offman's 70th birthday: read the card that was sent to him by his friends.See News. (Organized by Danny Rosing)

2006 Site Visitor Report. Again, we have visitors from some obscure and unlikely places - Morocco and Fiji to name a couple.

A newly discovered old photo from the files of Sid Agranoff. It was previously emailed to a few individuals by Peter Keeda. We share it here. If you were in Sydney at that time (and in the photo) you might recognize yourself.

Rudzki takes charge. Melbourne's Brian Rudzki takes over as an executive director of the St. Kilda Hebrew Congregation. See News

Keith Masnick reports on Sydney meetings: Every Wednesday morning around 7.45 some of the old (and I mean old) Sydney Betarim do breakfast at roving locations. Regular frersers are Keith Masnick, Richard Sekel, Peter Keeda, Jan Podebsky and Norman Sarajinsky. Michael Price drops in occasionally as does Adam (Ari) Graycar, Brian Pelerman, Moses Aaron, Les Berger, Shula Endrey Walder (Rosenfeld) and brother Dov, Judy Kovendi, Ruth Ratner (Eisokovits) and Liz Kornharber (Schneider). D. Golomb esq and H. Ben Ezra (Bish) have also been known to attend. Anyone interested can email Keith and he will pass on the next location

Masnick opens album. After a 40+ year wait, Keith Masnick is sharing some of his photos which he secretly took at some of the Melbourne and Sydney camps. See them here. (We will later fold them into their appropriate sections on the site.)

Congratulations to Paul Gottlieb: he has won Australia's 2007 Clunies Ross Medal. The ATSE Clunies Ross Awards go to scientists and engineers from Victoria, Western Australia, ACT, Queensland, and New South Wales - people who have persisted with their ideas - often against the odds - to the point that their innovations are making a real difference to Australia: economically, environmentally, and/or socially. See Gottlieb in News.

Quick Quiz: In the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, the statue of which Melbourne Betari of the late 1950s was erected in his honor in 1994? He was a prominent figure in the Melbourne arts for many years. Give up? Read his obituary here - and thanks to Aaron Ninedek for the photos of the statue.

Leo Regev and Aviva Ziegler's visits to Melbourne sparked a couple reunions - a 40 year reunion for John Goldlust, Leo Regev (Rogovin) and Henry Berkovic in - of all places - Pellegrinis (a favourite haunting ground of the 1950s and 1960s - and it hasn't changed since then) AND a reunion for Leo, Aviva and Evie in what looked like Kinglake West.

The latest Larry Sitsky portrait has been hung at Australian National University's School of Music. Vernon Kronenberg sends photo of Larry and Larry.

Brisbane Betar to celebrate 50th anniversary. Call for articles, photos from Ben Klug, Mefaked Betar Queensland, and Tara Avrahami. A short history of the establishment of Betar 50 years ago is provided by Sue Doobov (Gans).

The Mirjams in Melbourne June, 2006. Photo record of the memorable events held at the homes of the Appels and Aufgangs.

Betty Levy wants to be updated. In fact, thanks to the wonderful photos, she is. Please view the latest right here.

Book publishing rampage: This week two of the members of the Glencoe Film Club launched books - John Goldlust co-authored "Unravelling Identity" and Rodney Gouttman "An Anzac Zionist Hero". (See the News page for articles and descriptions). Both have published books on previous occasions. In addition, another of our group, Anna Blay, published a book a couple of years ago. There is no truth in the rumour that membership of the Film Club will require a book being published. - Aaron Ninedek.

Another reunion - after 42+ years, Jack Katz and Harry Stuart "find" each other - in Denver. Jack's wife Marlene, who has visited Harry and Elaine in Philadelphia in the last couple of years - arranged a surprise reunion - on April 21, 2006.

"Old Aussie" Betarim have a get together in Hod HaSharon on April 22, 2006. Hedva Sheiner has the 'piccies'...

Joe Melnik remade some acquaintances at Solly and Rosalie's home in Hod HaSharon today (March 18, 2006). See Bish's photo here!

Some faces from the monthly Melbourne Sunday breakfasts. Started in 1998, these get-togethers of old - sorry, older - friends and exBetarim occur regularly the first Sunday of every month. This month, they welcomed Michal Enk (Mary Shaw). Thanks to Aaron for the photos and Evie for the report.

Grandchildren special report: Congratulations to grandparents Avraham and Raymonde Appel and Shoshana Jordan - recently grandparents for the first time. And by the way, to Michal Enk (Mary Shaw) who is a grandparent 13 times over!

Vernon Kronenberg will be visiting Israel from 16 May to 7 June, his third visit. He hopes to have the opportunity to get in touch with old Betari acquaintances. The official events coordinator appointed for this visit is Hedva Sheiner. Enquiries may also be directed to Heather and Danny Rosing, or Sue and Mervyn Doobov.

For those who don't know what he looks like now (and that includes him!) see the photos of him here!

Congratulations to Sam Parasol. He has just been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and now joins past recipients Sue and Mervyn Doobov (Israel) in this distinction. Read all about it here. Thanks to Aaron Ninedek for the info.)

Congratulations to Paul Gottlieb. He has also been honoured in the Australia Day Honours list with an AM - Member of the Order of Australia. His citation reads: "For service to science and technology through the development and marketing of equipment and software for use in particle analysis and identification in the minerals processing sector." (Thanks to Evie Katz for this update.)

And more congratulations to Margaret Beadman of Canberra who was also honoured with an OAM in the general division "for service to the community through support for the Australian War Memorial as a volunteer and guide, and to the Jewish community". (Thanks to Sid Agranoff for pointing this out.)

Searching for Deborah Cukierman: A correspondent in Orbe, Peru has requested to be put in contact with Deborah Cukeirman (maiden name) who may be the daughter of the late David Cukierman. See this

Abi Jim Appel, aka Chot Stuff, and lately aka Grump, is now a double Grump. Having gone in for a check-up to the hospital, he wasn't allowed out till he had a quadruple by-pass. He's not handling pipe withdrawal well. Get well wishes with jokes will be appreciated provided they only make him smile, as laughing hurts a lot at present, virtually four weeks out of hospital - Refuah Shlema

Translation: Avraham Appel is recovering from a quad bypass. Raffi Lehrer contributed this news and hopes that we will help degrump the grumpmaster.

Anne (Entenberg) and Rodney Gouttman visit the folks in Israel - Frida Sheiner's photos, taken at her place on November 19th, 2005 - by Frida - grace our pages.

We forgot to mention earlier- congratulations to Dora Steiner who recently celebrated her 75th birthday!

When David and Helen Leyman(shteyn) visited Israel in September, another get-together took place at Bish's home on 17th September.. Thanks to Henry Ben Ezra for these...

Shoshanna Jordan had an exhibition of her work in Melbourne. Get details here.

Nudnik, the Schmendrik Camper, is on a world tour. Follow his antics as he passes through Philadelphia and Israel.. Aaron's Israel memories have been added.

Words discovered - we have the answer to Avraham's dilema: As noted yesterday: "Somebody tore the pages out of my song book! Appeal from Avraham Appel: Does anyone have the words to the song "Young souls, old souls, everybody come, to our little Sunday school and have a tot of rum..." Additional lyrics added by Sid Agranoff. See it all here!

We are getting older - even the younger ones.... John's 60th. Viewable photos of John Goldlust (aka John Gold Desire - see What's in a Name?) and friends of the extravaganza held in Melbourne in April. Access to photos taken by Aaron Ninedek ...Click on this link to view the photos!

Searching for Cukierman: We received a request from Gabriela Garcia Calderon Orbe in Peru for information regarding the daughter of a David Cukierman - is this the same David Cukierman we knew? Please read the correspondence and reply to Gabriela if you know of Barbara Cukierman...

Frida's clicking again. Photos taken at Theo and Anat's on March 12, 2005. Included - an exclusive shot of David ben David who some of us outside Israel haven't seen since the 1950's!...

Alex responds to Miriam's commentary and adds important information on how to contact Immanuel. Also, sad news that Edith Dreyer, widow of Hans Dreyer, a founder of Australian Betar, has passed.....

Comments on Alex Auswaks' Canberra article by Miriam Barasch (Gottlieb) provides a different perspective...

Setting the record straight: Letter from volunteer care giver Helen Yarad testifying that the passing of Immanuel Holding, as referenced in Alex Auswaks' article, has been exaggerated...

2004 visitors report - the monthly visits to our site keep increasing... but the origins of some of them is rather surprising...

For those of you who remember him, a recently discovered obituary of Adrian Rawlins has been posted...

Frida Goldstein in Melbourne: Frida Goldstein (AKA Hedva Sheiner) arrived in Australia early November 2004 for a visit and left mid December. A cacophony of photos mark the occasions of twenty, thirty and even forty year reunions with those she grew up with. Additionally, Frida took some photos at Betty Levy's daughter's wedding. Those have been added at the end of the collection...

The Past section has been completely updated. Both historical artifacts and your photo albums have been blended into chronological order. This section now includes Betar's 80th as celebrated in Melbourne in March 2004...

Monthly breakfast: at the Beachcomber Restaurant: next breakfast in October 2006. Call Evie Katz for details.

Where We Are: Read about the lives of those that you grew up with - where they are, what they have become, their families, their accomplishments....

The Past: Interested in the history and growth of Betar in the 1940s through the 1960s? Interested in seeing how you looked in those years - or, for the younger generation, how your parents looked? This section includes the following:

Recollections: Some of us have stories to tell. They revolve around our activities either in Australia or Israel. Some of the tales are humorous and some serious. These contributors want to share their experiences:

In Memoriam: Many Betarim have been taken from us well before their time. We recognize and remember their blessed memory.

Glencoe Film Club: The Glencoe Film Club started in July 1999 in Melbourne and meets monthly to screen and critique movies. This is their home page and lists the members and the viewed films.

Jabotinsky Institute: The Jabotinsky Institute acknowledged receiving a copy of the CD-ROM "Betar Australia- A Personal History" which it has made available for research purposes to its members.

What's in a Name?: Ever wonder what foreigners see when they read your name? Since a lot of our names are derived from German, when the CD-ROM's "Who's On It?" list was accessed in Google, the translation link produced a very humorous result. Knowledge of German or Yiddish required to get a kick out of this.

The CD-ROM: The CD-ROM "Betar Australia- a Personal History" is still available. These pages describe its contents and provides help through an on-line manual. An order page has also been made available.

Search: Search is currently not functioning - there is a technical problem which is being investigated. Sorry.

		Betar Australia The web site devoted to the people who established and grew Betar Australia: 1948 - 1965.