Dalia Ayalon-Sinclair OAM
“I was brought up in a home that believed in charity and helping others.”
I was born Israel in 1947.
My husband, son, daughter and I arrived in Australia in July 1973.
Our diversity is an opportunity
Living in Australia for me was a great opportunity to meet and engage with people from many diverse cultures, learn of each other's traditions and customs, accept and respect our differences and find what binds us together to work in harmony for the benefit of all Australians. We are fortunate to live in a municipality that enables us to maintain our own identity by facilitating schools, synagogues and organisations to support the community.
Brought up in a giving home
I was brought up in a home that believed in charity and helping others. Tzedakah - means that you reach out to those less fortunate and this has guided me to date. Giving is receiving and the greatest reward is the sense of naches I receive from watching my children and grand children extend their help to others...a tiny deed for one may be a giant step to another.
Key Migration Wave - Holocaust Survivors
Australia has been the refuge for more Holocaust survivors per capita than any other country, apart from Israel. The Close Relatives Reunion Scheme after World War II allowed Holocaust survivors to enter on the basis of having family that already resided within Australia. There were a total of 27,000 Holocaust survivors in Australia who arrived between 1945-1961. With the passage of time, only a few are still with us, but their children and grandchildren are carrying on their legacy.
Listen to Dalia's Eat, Pray, Naches stories
Full transcript available here
Migration
Dalia left Israel with her husband and young children in 1973, seeking change. However the the Yom Kippur War shortly after made Dalia's transition into Australia more difficult knowing other family members were still in Israel at that time.
Eat
Working with many cultural groups across the years and being a part of the National Council of Jewish Women, Dalia has had the opportunity to share her culture and learn from other groups cultures, festivals and foods.
Pray
Dalia does not identify as being overly religious but tradition is very important to her, to keep the Jewish identity and to keep the family together.
Naches
The word tzedakah means a lot to Dalia, to know that you are not only focusing on yourself but beyond, that you live in a community, not alone and you give of yourself and help others.