In December, Shira Appelboom (current Federal Mazkira) and Joel McCarroll (Incoming Federal Mazkir) reported on their attendance at Limmud China and conducting Netzer activities for the Kehilat Shanghai community.

Dr Philip Bliss will join with the Saltz Centre in leading an Australian Council for Christians and Jews multi-faith tour to Israel from 24 October to 3 November 2017. The goal is to promote understanding and tolerance among Muslims, Christians and Jews, and to explore Israel together while learning bout the common roots of these faiths. 

The annual Report on Antisemitism in Australia for 2016 has been released by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the elected representative national body of the Australian Jewish community. An article by Julie Nathan, Research Officer for the ECAJ, entitled "Antisemitism in Australia in 2016: Why Does the Malignancy Persist?" was published on 29 December by the ABC Religion and Ethics online magazine. Click here to read the article.

Rabbi Gary Robuck, who will retire from the pulpit at North Shore Temple Emanuel at the end of December, has developed a strategy document for his pluralistic Gesher retreat centre, to educate and bring together Jews from across the world and denominations.