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J-Wire Jewish Australian News Service
Oct 7 2012
Jewish tribute for Armenian religious leader
October 7, 2012 Agencies
A Sydney Jewish leader has paid tribute to the Armenian archbishop of
Australia and New Zealand at his funeral last week.
Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Armenian Church of
Australia and New Zealand, died suddenly late last month. He was 66.
At his funeral in Sydney last Thursday, attended by hundreds of
mourners including of the Armenian Archbishop of Jerusalem, India and
Armenia, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff
paid tribute.
`The Armenian and Jewish peoples share a number of key and core
themes - the importance of family, the value of culture and tradition,
the trauma of genocide, the need at all times for acceptance of
diversity and celebration of difference,' he said.
`All these were issues which Archbishop Baliozian personified, values
which he exemplified.'
Others who spoke at the graveside included the Mayor of Willloughby,
Councillor Pat Reilly, and numerous Armenian dignitaries. Also present
were several MPs, including Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian,
who is Armenian, and Federal Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey, also
Armenian.
The full text of the Alhadeff speech:
`On behalf of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Jewish
community of NSW, it is an honour to pay tribute to His Eminence,
Archbishop Baliozian.
Archbishop Baliozian's life and career were personified by his
commitment to a society based on the principles of respect and harmony
- a worldview which is reflected by the nation of Armenia, where Jews
have lived for 2000 years.
The Jewish community of Armenia suffered along with the rest of the
population as regional powers sought to take over the area throughout
history.
During the Soviet era, Jews moved to Armenia from other nations
because Armenia was a tolerant society which permitted them to
practise their faith.
Ten years ago, a book was published celebrating the relationship
between the Armenian and Jewish people. Published by the Centre for
Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, it was edited
by Professor Michael Stone - a prominent member of the Sydney Jewish
community who has been instrumental in building up the Hebrew
University as one of the world's leading centres of Armenian studies.
The Armenian and Jewish peoples share a number of key and core themes
- the importance of family, the value of culture and tradition, the
trauma of genocide, the need at all times for acceptance of diversity
and celebration of difference.
All these were issues which Archbishop Baliozian personified, values
which he exemplified.
Vic Alhadeff
I can do no better than borrow from my colleague, Jeremy Jones AM, who
as president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry worked
closely with Archbishop Baliozian: `He was a fine person, with great
intelligence, a quick wit and a willingness to take risks to further
ideals of peace, justice and an ethical society,' he said. `Those of
us fortunate enough to have been his guests, particularly at his
colourful, dignified and warm services, knew him as a leader, a caring
person and an outstanding contributor to Australian society. His
Jewish friends miss him dearly.'
I conclude with an expression which we say in the Jewish community at
a time of bereavement: `I wish you long life'. The significance is
that you should all live a long life so that you may continue to
honour the memory of Archbishop Baliozian and his great legacy.'
http://www.jwire.com.au/news/28783/28783
Oct 7 2012
Jewish tribute for Armenian religious leader
October 7, 2012 Agencies
A Sydney Jewish leader has paid tribute to the Armenian archbishop of
Australia and New Zealand at his funeral last week.
Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Armenian Church of
Australia and New Zealand, died suddenly late last month. He was 66.
At his funeral in Sydney last Thursday, attended by hundreds of
mourners including of the Armenian Archbishop of Jerusalem, India and
Armenia, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff
paid tribute.
`The Armenian and Jewish peoples share a number of key and core
themes - the importance of family, the value of culture and tradition,
the trauma of genocide, the need at all times for acceptance of
diversity and celebration of difference,' he said.
`All these were issues which Archbishop Baliozian personified, values
which he exemplified.'
Others who spoke at the graveside included the Mayor of Willloughby,
Councillor Pat Reilly, and numerous Armenian dignitaries. Also present
were several MPs, including Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian,
who is Armenian, and Federal Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey, also
Armenian.
The full text of the Alhadeff speech:
`On behalf of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Jewish
community of NSW, it is an honour to pay tribute to His Eminence,
Archbishop Baliozian.
Archbishop Baliozian's life and career were personified by his
commitment to a society based on the principles of respect and harmony
- a worldview which is reflected by the nation of Armenia, where Jews
have lived for 2000 years.
The Jewish community of Armenia suffered along with the rest of the
population as regional powers sought to take over the area throughout
history.
During the Soviet era, Jews moved to Armenia from other nations
because Armenia was a tolerant society which permitted them to
practise their faith.
Ten years ago, a book was published celebrating the relationship
between the Armenian and Jewish people. Published by the Centre for
Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, it was edited
by Professor Michael Stone - a prominent member of the Sydney Jewish
community who has been instrumental in building up the Hebrew
University as one of the world's leading centres of Armenian studies.
The Armenian and Jewish peoples share a number of key and core themes
- the importance of family, the value of culture and tradition, the
trauma of genocide, the need at all times for acceptance of diversity
and celebration of difference.
All these were issues which Archbishop Baliozian personified, values
which he exemplified.
Vic Alhadeff
I can do no better than borrow from my colleague, Jeremy Jones AM, who
as president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry worked
closely with Archbishop Baliozian: `He was a fine person, with great
intelligence, a quick wit and a willingness to take risks to further
ideals of peace, justice and an ethical society,' he said. `Those of
us fortunate enough to have been his guests, particularly at his
colourful, dignified and warm services, knew him as a leader, a caring
person and an outstanding contributor to Australian society. His
Jewish friends miss him dearly.'
I conclude with an expression which we say in the Jewish community at
a time of bereavement: `I wish you long life'. The significance is
that you should all live a long life so that you may continue to
honour the memory of Archbishop Baliozian and his great legacy.'
http://www.jwire.com.au/news/28783/28783