UPJ Biennial 2024: Come Together - Strengthening our communities in challenging times

Our community is facing challenges not seen in decades, with the rise of antisemitism in our region, and the horrible situation faced by Israel after 7 October. The UPJ Biennial 2024, entitled "Come Together: Strengthening our communities in challenging times" will be an opportunity for our community to hear from our political leaders (members of the Australian Federal Parliament are confirmed as speakers) as well as from experts on what is happening and what we can do about it. It will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges of our time with likeminded people from congregations across Australia, New Zealand and Asia - along with guests from around the world, while enjoying delicious meals and fun social events. 

The UPJ is responding with a robust program to address these challenges, including the following sessions:

• How can our communities evolve to engage the next generation? (presentations by a variety of community leaders)
• Days after the US presidential election, what does it mean for us? (Bruce Wolpe, Senior Fellow at the US Study Centre, University of Sydney, former chief of staff to Julia Gillard, author of “Trump’s Australia: How Trumpism changed Australia and the shocking consequences of a second term”)
• Tackling complex issues in Israel (H.E. Ambassador Amir Maimon, WUPJ Chair Phyllis Dorey, WUPJ President Rabbi Sergio Bergman and representatives from the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism)
• Being Jewish in public life (Josh Burns MP and Julian Leeser MP)
• Exposing rising antisemitism and identifying strategies to combat it (Anne Brown, Deputy CEO, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission)
• Fireside chat on Australian foreign policy (TBC leading politician)
• Exploring our relationship with the indigenous community (Former Senator Nova Peris OAM, advocate for the Jewish people and champion of the fight against antisemitism)
• Navigating changing synagogue demographics and post-Covid disengagement (panel of regional and international experts)
• Talking about Israel (Lynda Ben-Menashe)

The Biennial is being hosted by the Progressive Congregation of the ACT Jewish Community. Being located in Canberra makes the conference an easy three-hour drive for those based in Sydney and a still manageable seven hour-drive from Melbourne. For those coming from other locations in Australia and from overseas, Canberra is also well connected and can be easily reached by air or train from anywhere in the country. Accommodation will be at the Rydges in Forrest which is across the road from the ACT Jewish Centre (which is less than a 10-minute walk to Parliament House).

For those travelling from greater distances, we have some funding available to assist with travel costs. Contact the UPJ office to enquire: upj@upj.org.au.


REGISTER TODAY! Click on the button above: "Get Tickets"
Registration fee (early-bird $395 & after 31 July $495, including GST) includes:

• Attendance at all sessions, including morning/afternoon teas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday;
• Reception following Kristallnacht commemoration on Thursday night;
• Three lunches (Friday, Shabbat and Sunday);
• Two dinners (Friday and Saturday).

ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS

RYDGES CANBERRA will be hosting many of our conference sessions (and some will be held at the ACT Jewish Community Centre located directly across the street from the hotel). 

Rydges is holding a limited number of hotel rooms at a discounted rate for our delegates (book early to avoid disappointment). Suites are available upon request. Check-in time: from 2.00pm; Check-out time: 11.00am.

Superior Queen Room @ $179 per room per night

Superior Twin Room @ $246 per room per night

To book a room at Rydges
Call (02) 6295 3144 or email: reservations_rydgescanberra@evt.com, and quote our conference code: 2411UNIONO. CLICK HERE to book online (put in dates 07/11/24 - 10/11/24), select 1 or 2 adults, select either Superior Queen or Superior Twin Room, tick the box that says "I have a code" and put in the conference code (2411UNIONO) in the Block Code box to get the conference rate.

A full buffet breakfast at Rydges is available at the discounted rate of $29 per person, if you book as a delegate as part of your accommodation package (full-price breakfast is $32). There are also many options nearby the hotel if you'd like to have breakfast outside the hotel.

Other accommodation options:
Forrest Motel
30 National Circuit, Forrest (located across the street from Rydges and ACTJC)

There is also the option of staying at an AirBnB, which is often cheaper than hotel rates - particularly if sharing with others, and there may be possibilities for home hospitality (please contact the UPJ office at upj@upj.org.au).