AUSTRALIA REUNIONS 2023
Over 600 Herzlia alumni currently live in Australia as part of 7500 Herzlia alumni living in over 46 cities worldwide.
Geoff Cohen, UHS Director of Jewish Identity & Community and Lauren Sweidan, Herzlia Foundation Trust Manager recently spent two weeks in Sydney and Melbourne hosting reunions. While the pandemic temporarily delayed overseas reunions it’s clear that the energy and love for Herzlia is still thriving! Herzlia alumni still hold roles as captains of industry and are family-focused menschen taking an active part in their communities. Their hearts remain loyal to Herzlia, thankful for their education and opportunities they received in their formative years.
Eighty people attended at Moriah College spanning 60 year groups including former principals Harry Taibel, Stan Lifshitz and Jeff Cohen. Lauren launched the Herzlia Australia Coffee Campaign requesting all to support and contribute the chai amount of $18 towards Herzlia bursaries.
A similar event was held in Melbourne at the Central Shule in Caulfield. About 60 alumni attended including past deputy principal of the High School, Michael Cohen, who also taught Geoff Cohen!
The warm reception was overwhelming and it was humbling to experience the incredible affection Herzlia alumni still have for their school after all these years. It became clear that the relationship between pupils and their teachers is a major factor that connects people and there was emotional reminiscing and affectionate memories recalled. It was heartwarming to witness the way the alumni cherished their time at Herzlia. This was really felt when the old and new school songs were played — quite an emotional experience for everyone present.
One particular alumna said that she had been searching for a school like Herzlia for her kids in Sydney and had not found any that gave her children what Herzlia had given her. There were many stories like hers and many recalled wonderful memories and expressed the gift they had received from their incredible Herzlia education.
This just goes to show that relationships between people are the key factors that keep connections strong!
Get active and join this thriving alumni community by contacting Nicole Michalowsky-Stern or Lauren Sweidan to hold your very own class year reunion, by emailing oldherz@herzlia.com
Sydney
Melbourne
Herzlia Alumni Association oldherz@herzlia.com
Website: The Herzlia Foundation Trust , Website: United Herzlia Schools
• Published in the April 2023 Edition – Click here to start reading.
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