JewishCare Sydney - JewishCare Sydney
about us
history
The organisation now known as JewishCare was conceived in 1935 in response to the atrocities in Europe. A telegram from England which was received by Samuel Cohen in March 1936 provided the catalyst for an appeal which aimed to save German Jewry through migration. This appeal was launched on the first day of Passover, April 7 1936. On March 18, 1936, the German Jewish Refugee’s Fund was established which would later become the Australian Jewish Welfare Society, Jewish Community Services and today JewishCare.
It was through the work of the German Jewish Refugee’s Fund that several hundred Jews were saved from Nazi persecution. After the war the then Australian Jewish Welfare Society continued to assist many people to come to Australia and to help them settle here.
JewishCare today is the major provider of non-residential services to our community. Each year JewishCare provides a wide range of services that help 4,000 people. These services are provided in response to the needs of the aged, people with a disability, families and youth in crisis, people with mental health issues. These are often the most vulnerable people in our community and therefore those most in need of our help.
Thanks to great community support from the 2010 Capital Appeal JewishCare moved into its new headquarters in Saber Street in October 2012.
If you ever need a helping hand or a sympathetic ear and JewishCare will be there. For further information call 1300 133 660.
For more information about the history of the organisation from 1935 to 1985 ring us to obtain a copy of ' 50 Years of Caring ' by Anne Andgel.
key facts
Who we are
JewishCare is a not for profit organisation classed as a Public Benevolent Institution, endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient.
According to its Constitution it is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the members.
What we do
JewishCare's Mission is support and strengthen the resilience and independence of community members in need.The four service areas of JewishCare are:
- Child and Family Services which includes Domestic Violence programs
- Mental Health programs
- Disability Services
- Community Aged Services which helps older members of the community to live in their own homes.
JewishCare offers over 25 programs which help 4,000 people each year.
We support people by :
- Giving information, advice and referrals based on assessment and planning
- Providing practical support and assistance
- Helping people acquire skills to deal with the challenges they face
- Developing and building social connections
Staff and Volunteers
There are around 160 staff and over 600 volunteers
Staff numbers by team are:
Disability 60
Child, Family 20
Community Aged 70
Corporate 10
Planning
JewishCare has an annual Business Plan which documents what will be achieved in the next twelve month period.
There is also a Strategic Plan which has a longer term perspective from 2009 to 2012.
key personnel
Board of Directors
Executive
President
Allan Vidor Director since 2006
Allan is the Managing Director of the Toga Group of Companies, an international property development, construction, investment and hospitality management group.
He graduated from the University of NSW with Bachelor of Commerce and Laws degrees in 1985 and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1986. Other Directorships include the Tourism and Transport Forum and the Australian/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.
Vice President
Antony Breuer Director since 2000
Antony is an investment banker and Director of companies within the Gresham Partners group. He graduated from UNSW with a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws in 1986 and was admitted as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1987.
Hon. Treasurer
Lawrence Myers Director since 2008
Lawrence is the Managing Director of the Sydney Office of GBP Advisory, an accounting firms specialising in mergers and acquisitions, corporate and business advisory, tax, succession planning and family services.
Holds a Bachelor of Accountancy (University of South Australia), is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, Taxation Institute of Australia and NTAA and is a Registered Company Auditor and a Registered Tax Agent.
Members of the Board
Jeffrey Engelman Director since 2006
After completing qualifications at University of NSW Jeffrey pursued further research in England. Jeffrey is a Gastroenterologist, currently working in private practice in the Eastern Suburbs and Kogarah. He has been in practice for over 10 years.
He has been actively involved in communal work having served on the Jewish Board of Deputies and being on the Holocaust Remembrance committee for two years. He is also a member of the Australian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendant.
Erica Turek Director since 2003
After being born in Romania, Erica survived a Concentration Camp and with the help of Australian Jewish Welfare Society came to Australia with her mother in 1948. Erica has worked in recruitment and human resources for over four decades and currently serves on the Boards of Scott Recruitment Services and Recruitment Services Superannuation Fund and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as the Recruitment Consultants Services Association. She was previously employed by JewishCare as a Development Officer.
Shirli Kirschner Director since 2013
Shirli has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Law (UNSW) and is a Nationally accredited mediator.
She worked as a lawyer for six years before founding Resolve Advisors in 1996. Resolve provides services resolving disputes, assisting group decision making and process design to a wide client base in Australia and Internationally.
Shirli holds the position of dispute resolution adviser for the National Electricity and wholesale gas markets, an appointment as a sessional Lecturer in the Masters of Law Program at UNSW, a part time Registrar for the Federal Circuits Court.
Shirli currently sits on a number of National and International mediation panels. She has held positions on the Board of the Shalom Institute, the ADR committee of the Law Society and the Board of BRC (the Brain Resource Company) which specialises in brain functional analysis.
Darron Lonstein Director since 2013
Darron holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science from UCT
He was one of the founding Directors of the network technology company, Com Tech, which was later sold to the global technology organisation, Dimension Data. During his time at Com Tech, Darron served as its Technical Services Director, responsible for all service and support activities as well as being involved in the strategic direction of the company.
Since then Darron spent several years as Executive Chairman of Controlled Climate Logistics, a logistics business focused on warehousing and distribution for confectionary and allied industries. Darron now invests across a range of property and equity assets and also has a number of private equity investments in start-up enterprises.
Darron has worked with JCA for many years and has been a member of the IT, Allocations, Planning and Executive Committees.
Key staff
Chief Executive Officer
Claire Vernon c.vernon@jewishcare.com.au Mobile 0401 979 921
Executive Officer
Warren Hurst w.hurst@jewishcare.com.au Mobile 0414 752 299
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Fodor
Manager, Disability Services Team
Amber Walker on maternity leace Paula Roberts locum
Manager, Aged ServicesTeam
Keith Brown
Manager, Children Family and Community Team
Ilan Buchman
Manager, Donor Relations
Maureen Mendelowitz
Manager, Human Resources
Andy Kellahan
Manager, The Burger Centre
Suzi Parker
JewishCare Donations
