Dear Members and Friends,
Amid the sorrow following the Bondi terrorist massacre, we announced in late December the recommencement of construction at Hakoah White City, showing our community’s determination to live, gather and continue building Jewish life in Sydney.
I’m pleased to inform you that construction is progressing very well with forecast completion remaining around Passover next year. You can see the enormous progress already made from recent drone footage of construction here.
As Passover approaches, I would like to share some important news with our community.
In a major statement today both the Federal and NSW Governments have announced additional security and infrastructure grants of $32m in total, being $21m from the Federal Government and $11m from the NSW Government. These additional grants are hugely appreciated and go a long way to reducing the debt required to complete the funding of the project, strengthening Hakoah’s physical safety and security, improving the long-term financial position of Hakoah and maximising the future benefits that we will provide to the entire community. We plan on finalising communal funding and driving membership as excitement builds leading to project completion.
I would like to thank and pay tribute to Prime Minister Albanese, Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Multiculturalism and Sport Steve Kamper for their strong support and for recognising the importance of, and critical need for, this project in the Jewish and broader community. Hakoah is an outstanding example of community and governments coming together to fund social, sporting and cultural infrastructure.
The new Hakoah will be exactly that: a vibrant hub for Jewish life in Sydney. As I have said before, we are committed to creating a place where we can safely come together and strengthen Jewish life and community, a place of joy and happiness that we will share with those in the broader community who believe in Australian values of respect, tolerance, mateship, common decency, family, community and helping others less fortunate.
Hakoah will become a tangible and symbolic beacon for social cohesion in our great country.
Hakoah reflects the strength of a community that refuses to remain in the shadow of the Bondi massacre. Instead, we choose to build something strong, vibrant and enduring. Here we can celebrate who we are, stand together with confidence and ensure that Jewish life continues to flourish with pride and joy for generations to come. As families gather for Passover, a festival that reminds us of freedom, resilience, renewal and community, it is fitting that we are entering such a hopeful new chapter for Hakoah as well.
Last Passover, we still had many hostages in Gaza. Thank G-d they are home and this year we no longer have to keep a seat at the Seder table for them.
This Passover, Israel is once again at war, and we pray for the brave IDF soldiers and people of Israel. At the Passover Seder, we say: “In every generation they rise against us to annihilate us.” Sadly, this is still happening today to the Jewish people in Israel, Australia and the whole diaspora. This has always, and will always, make the Jewish people stronger and more united.
I thank our governments, police forces and security agencies (including our own CSG) for helping protect our community.
On behalf of the Board, I wish you and your families a meaningful and joyful Passover.
Chag Pesach Sameach,
Steven Lowy AM
President – Hakoah Club
