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| Kibbutz Ex Volunteer Association /KEVA Illawarra/Australia |
| THE ORIGIN OF KEVA The founders of KEVA/Illawarra (we are all ex kibbutz or ex moshav volunteers who happened to meet by chance) sensed that there is a lack of understanding about Israel and it's people in today's Australian society and decided to make a difference in their own community. Being a non-political group, we believe that building stronger positive relations between our region and Israel, on a grassroots level, may be achieved by lobbying for cultural and social exchanges. WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED SO FAR ? CIVIC RECEPTION On initiative of KEVA/Illawarra, Wollongong City Council held a civic reception in honour of the Consul General of Israel in October 2000 which was attended by local Members of Parliament, business people and many community members. EXHIBITIONS The beautiful exhibition "From the Beginning" by Israeli photographer Shai Ginott was opened in the Wollongong City Council foyer in June 2001 and was very much appreciated by the community. The exhibition "Albert Einstein - Man of the Century" was on display at the Wollongong Science Centre from 2 February to 24 March 2002. The University of Wollongong, Faculty of Creative Arts, exhibited The Bible Miniatures, 150 minature works by 31 Israeli artists from 10 to 31 March 2005. The exhibition was officially opened by His Excellency Naphtali Tamir, Ambassador of Israel. MUSIC On May 10, 2004, Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg performed at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. The Silver-Garburg duo was the guest of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. The Israeli production, NEIGHBOURS, of the Galilee Multicultural Theatre was in Wollongong on 12 February 2005. Pablo Ariel (actor and puppeteer) and Wassim Bashar (oud and violin player) entertained the audience in Wollongong's Project Space with their unique show. HEBREW CLASSES Hebrew classes are held at the University of Wollongong for students and the wider Wollongong community. In 2004 "Hebrew Express" was toffered through the Illawarra WEA . FILM FESTIVAL KEVA organises an annual Israeli Film Festival in Wollongong. The 3rd iSRAELi fILM fESTIVAL in Wollongong was part of the University of Wollongong's International Week and was a huge success. |
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| The Illawarra/Australia chapter was set up in March 2000 and has in excess of 50 members and friends. KEVA also has appreciable support from local New South Wales and Federal Members of Parliament. |
| Visit to Israeli Consulate 2000 |
| Sydney Olympics 2000 |
| Wollongong City Council General Manager, Consul General of Israel, Lord Mayor of Wollongong City Council and Vice Consul of Israel at the opening of the exhibition "From the Beginning", 2001 |
| Ex Kibbutz and Moshav volunteers at the Israel Independence Day function in Sydney, 2001 |
| NSW State Member for Illawarra, Consul General of Israel, Lord Mayor of Wollongong City Council, NSW State Member for Kiama and Secretary KEVA/Illawarra at the civic reception held by Wollongong Council for the Consul General of Israel, October 2000 |
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| Dinner in Wollongong, June 2001 |
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| Picnic in Sydney after viewing the "Dead Sea Scrolls" exhibition, July 2000 |
For more information contact Helen, Bill or Yoke: [email protected] updated 13 July 2005 back to main page |
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| KEVA members and supporters at the First eVeR iSRAELi fILM fESTIVAL in Wollongong - 2002 |
ABOUT OUR SOCIAL EVENTS Members and friends regulary get together to eat falafel and hummus or to share memories. We have gathered for picnics and bbq's; sometimes we travel to Sydney to vist exhibitions and musea or to hear prominent Israeli speakers. We also come together to celebrate Israeli festivals. KEVA's pot luck dinners at Amnon's, in honour of Israeli visitors to our city, are eagerly attended. We encourage ex kibbutz/moshav volunteers to become part of KEVA and if you live outside the Illawarra or Australia, we are happy to help you get your own chapter started. The level of involvement and associated fun is up to you. |
| Cartoon by Itamar |
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| Yom Ha-atzmaut with Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg May 2004 |
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| Israel Independents Day dinner at Hugo's - May 2003 |