Building future relations
NEW at the helm of the Zionist Council of Victoria (ZCV), executive director Jane Rapke said she was keen to emphasise teamwork, particularly two special relationships.
NEW at the helm of the Zionist Council of Victoria (ZCV), executive director Jane Rapke said she was keen to emphasise teamwork, particularly two special relationships.
The first is with barrister and ZCV president Sam Tatarka. Rapke wants a dynamic bond, emulating her predecessor Ginette Searle’s almost nine-year innings with former ZCV president Dr Danny Lamm.
“Both Sam and I are new, but definitely we’re not losing the old expertise, which is fantastic. People like Ginette are continuing on to support us in their work in the Jewish community in other roles,” she said.
The other special relationship is between 304 and 306, the neighbouring addresses of Beth Weizmann Centre in Hawthorn Road, Caulfield. At the recently acquired 304 property, the Jewish Library of Australia concept is evolving. “We’re looking forward to 304 and 306 becoming a hub, and that Beth Weizmann continues to be a very vibrant, vital and integral part of the Jewish community,” she said.
Rapke said she aimed to keep the Jewish community updated with the latest from Israel, as well as ensuring the mainstream Victorian community received an accurate picture of Israel. In the general media, “at times, we get bad press and it’s important we get our word across”, she said.
Another challenge, she noted highlighting the 25-45 year age group, was “inspiring and reaching out to those who are not so connected in the Jewish and Zionist communities and making their Jewish identity important for them”.
Since returning to Australia after making aliyah as a young adult, Rapke has been a vice-president of WIZO Victoria and heads the public affairs and public relations portfolio on the WIZO executive.
PETER KOHN
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