(16TH FEBRUARY, 2011)
Firstly I would like to thank you all for giving up what I am sure is your lunchtime, to come and hear me.
As most of you may know, I have been President of JewishCare since 1996, which was in fact the time we held our first Capital Appeal. I have decided that having had the privilege of holding this position for close to 15 years, it is time to step down and make way for the next generation.
I didn't make this decision lightly, as JewishCare, after my family, of course, has really been the most important thing in my life, since I became involved which was 18-19 years ago.
I wanted the opportunity to share this news with you, our staff, first, before it became public knowledge, and that is why I asked for this meeting.
If I could, I would like to reflect on a few memories and highlights.
When I first started I was the President of the Foundation. During that time I coined an expression which was ...... "I think that JewishCare is the best kept secret in Sydney".
I would like to say that I consider one of my crowning achievements that in 2011, this is certainly no longer the case!
The success of the Capital Appeal last year amply demonstrates that.
When I first became involved our name was Jewish Community Services. I must admit I was no fan of that name. It had no appeal. I thought it a meaningless name and made the organisation sound bureaucratic. It may seem strange today, but I had a lot of resistance for the name change and had to work extraordinarily hard to become JewishCare.
In those days we were based in Darlinghurst, then we spilled over into Leyland House and then after the Appeal in 1996 we acquired the building we are in now. We had a grand opening with the Governor General, Sir William Dean, our Patron, who has since sadly passed away, Major General Paul Cullen. We got permission to close off all of Nelson Street and it was indeed a most festive day. Now I am looking forward to the opening of the new Hub for the Jewish community in Saber Street, which hopefully will be completed in about a year.
The geographical changes are representative of the growth of this organisation. In the last 15 years we have grown in leaps and bounds. Our staff has increased by 50% as have our volunteers.
Amongst many, some of our achievements, particularly need to be mentioned. I have listed ten:
1. I personally had a vision that JewishCare should be the first port of call for anyone in the Jewish community that needed help. I knew it would prove impossible to be all things to all people, but I wanted us to extend a service that could direct people to the appropriate place, be that JewishCare or another organisation that is better equipped to deal with it. We now in fact provide this. The First Call number has extended hours, and enables us to be within reach of the one in ten members of our community that we help. We can all be proud of that.
2. In the past Domestic Violence was an issue discussed behind closed doors. We have responded to this problem and tried to "open the doors". We have done this in many ways, one being our "White Ribbon Day" and "16 Days – 16 Rabbis – 16 Synagogues". This exciting initiative from the Family Services Team has made a great contribution towards helping to eradicate the scourge of Domestic Violence.
3. Our work with Mental Health reflects the shocking statistics (not well known) of one in five to be affected. JewishCare, thanks to the work of the team has become the organisation at the forefront of addressing this problem in our society.
4. In the Disability area, our remarkable team deliver more life-changing outcomes to people with a disability. Due to the nature of this issue it shall always be a challenge to achieve the desirable and correct outcomes for our clients. We have managed to develop a range of services that are at the forefront of such services in Australia. Circles of Support and Connexions are wonderful client and family-focused programs that reflect so well on the mission of JewishCare.
5. We started Club 50 in about 1996 and the work we have done for and with the Holocaust Survivors since then has greatly enriched their lives, which they so greatly deserve. We provide Restitution services enabling them to claim funds which they never could have done without the help of JewishCare. I used to travel often to New York "to put our case before the Claims Conference, who are the funders of Holocaust survivor programs. I never came back "empty-handed". Our unique partnership with the Claims Conference in New York has helped thousands of holocaust survivors around Australia.
6. The work done by our Aged Team, especially for Dementia sufferers has been nothing short of amazing! The initiative of employing Art as a past-time for dementia sufferers, has proven to be most successful with many exhibitions being held which were attended by many people. We have also held many general awareness and information evenings in the community to help educate people of the nature of this disease. The aim was to assist family members to have a better understanding, thereby helping them to cope. The work done by the Aged Team has been outstanding in this area.
7. I am proud to say that in the last 15 years we have succeeded in raising the level of both our Donations and Bequests. This of course has contributed to our Foundation being what it is today.
8. I have encouraged a young band of enthusiastic, hard-working and talented people who now form "The Care Aware Group". They have been responsible for disseminating information to the community at large about the work of JewishCare. Many functions were held for this purpose. They were key players in ensuring the success of our Capital Appeal.
As you are all aware the Capital Appeal was a great success. It raise over $4.7M which will enable us both to continue our level of work and to build the state-of-the-art headquarters which will further raise the profile of this organisation.
9. Over the years we have managed to forge strong relationships with other communal organisations. Examples are: The Chai Foundation, COA, The Wolper Jewish Hospital, Access Ezer, Hatzolah, Sunnyfield, as well as many synagogues. This also includes our generous funders, the JCA, The Claims Conference, governments and generous individuals.
10. I am extremely proud of our Board!!
I think, by virtue of the calibre of the people sitting on the Board, we have become the envy of the rest of the community.
I think one of my major achievements has been to attract such people to serve on our Board. This has obviously made succession planning so easy. I can assure you that with the next President who is our current Vice-President, Alan Vidor, (he has been nominated by the Board and will be voted in on the 23rd March). The future of JewishCare is in the most capable, competent and secure hands.
We are fortunate to have our Team lead by our CEO, Claire Vernon. Her many skills have ensured that our organisation has the necessary structures in place for now and the future and that our method an manner of reporting to JCA and the community and government is now so effective.
It has been a bonus that Claire and I have shared a very close relationship.
It is very hard for me to mention everyone by name, who I have had a strong relationship with at JewishCare, but I must mention our Executive Officer, Warren Hurst. Warren has been with JewishCare for about 13 years and during that time has fulfilled in a most exemplary way the many different roles that have been asked of him.
All the programs and achievements I have mentioned are a credit to this organisation, but most of all a credit to YOU and the staff who developed them.
As I have said at any gathering, and at every opportunity I have had, and I say it again today with the utmost sincerity "our most important asset in this organisation is our staff". Without your total commitment and incredible dedication we could never have achieved what we did. It is thus easy for me to get up at public functions and talk about our achievements because of the level of caring that has been given by you all. You are outstanding people and I salute you!
I have had the honour to head this organisation, which I consider the most vital one in our community, for close to 15 years.
It is a privilege I never took for granted. I tried very hard to be worthy of the trust that the Board and also had in me.
I hope, I have, in a small but meaningful way, contributed to the growth of this amazing organisation.
I shall always be in the background, watching the future of it, and always ready to be of assistance if needed.
I would like to wish you all the best and much success in your future endeavours, both professionally and in your private lives.
Thank you
