As we prepare to welcome the Jewish New Year, on behalf of the board and team at Hakoah, I extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a sweet, healthy, and prosperous year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is a time of reflection and renewal, a moment to pause and consider the challenges we have faced and the hopes we carry forward.

As a people, we have once again had to face adversity. We stand alongside our sisters and brothers in Israel and, together with them, pray for the return of the hostages and the safety of the IDF. With the serious rise in antisemitism in the diaspora and here in Australia, the need for a new Jewish communal home in Sydney has never been more important!

This year, Hakoah has navigated its share of trials, particularly with the delays to our building project. We share in the frustration and disappointment of these setbacks, as progress for our Club has been paused momentarily. Unfortunately, the timing of our building has coincided with massive cost increases and contractor failures in the construction industry.

However, I am pleased to share encouraging news. We have recently engaged a new builder, Richard Crookes Constructions (RCC), initially on an ‘Early Contractor Involvement Agreement’ with a view to entering into a contract to complete the project as soon as possible. Over the next few months, they will complete site assessments and early works, plus forecast the cost and program to complete the project. We will provide an update at the Hakoah Club AGM on November 28th.

This marks a significant step forward in our journey to bring the Hakoah dream back to life. With RCC on board, we believe we will realise our vision of a vibrant, thriving hub for our community—one that honours our past and looks boldly to the future.

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova U’metuka,

Steven Lowy AM
Hakoah Club President