Forty leaders of the Jewish community in Melbourne held a farewell dinner Wednesday in honor of David Ha'ivri, Head of the Shomron International Liaison Office, who is returning to Israel after an intensive ten day visit to Australia on behalf of the Jewish communities in Shomron (Samaria).
Ha'ivri addressed more than 2,000 community members in speaking appearances at 12 synagogues over Shabbat and at other venues. He also spoke to students at four different schools and is implementing a e-mail penpal program connecting school children in Melbourne with their peers in the Shomron school system
He met Member of Australian Parliament Michael Danby for two hours Monday. The two discussed the meaning of the threatened settlement freeze in Shomron.
On Tuesday, Ha'ivri he held a meeting with Chief Rabbi of the State of Victoria, Rabbi Meir Kluwgant. The rabbi and his top rabbinical board all expressed their support and concern for the Jewish communities in Shomron. In addition, local Philanthropist Joseph Gutnick committed sponsorship for the next upcoming public event at Joseph's tomb in Shechem
Ha'ivri's tour in Australia was sponsored by the Australian friends of Gush Katif and Shomron. This was his first visit to Australia.