About Us

Together with Israel is a grassroots organisation led by volunteers dedicated to raising awareness for the safe return of the hostages taken by the terrorist organisation Hamas on the 7th October 2023 and to combating antisemitism in Australia.

Established in response to the October 7 attack, we have evolved into an independent entity, passionately dedicated to strengthening the bonds between the Australian and Israeli/Jewish communities.

Driven by our commitment to unity and community service, we aim to bridge cultures and foster collaboration. Our mission is to continue serving our community with passion, emphasising shared values and connections.

Mission

Together With Israel is dedicated to raising awareness for the safe return of our hostages taken on October 7, 2023 and the rise of antisemitism in Australia. Through rallies, advocacy, and lobbying, we strive to foster connections within Australian communities, promote mutual understanding, and stand united against antisemitism.

Vision

Advocate for the hostages return, combating antisemitism and strengthening the relationship and understanding between Australia and Israel.

The Team

Hagit

Hagit is passionate about connecting communities and exposing people to new experiences. She arrived in Australia in 1998 and has been actively engaged in the Jewish community for over 12 years since settling in Sydney.

Hagit has worked with numerous Jewish organisations, including WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organisation), and AUJS (Australasian Union of Jewish Students), where she led educational programs and trips to Israel for non-Jewish students to learn about Middle East history. She is also one of the founding members of Together With Israel (TWI), has worked on multiple grassroots local community campaigns, and, in her capacity as a graphic designer, designed the iconic Tikkun Olam shirt in collaboration with Nova Peris.

Before moving to Sydney in 2010, Hagit was the Event Manager for Flickerfest (International Short Film Festival) in Bathurst and the Blue Mountains for six years. She studied design and event management.

Avi

Avi Efrat is a seasoned entrepreneur and businessman, driven by his diverse experiences and heritage. As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, Avi's resilience and determination have been shaped by his family's history.

A veteran of the elite IDF Special Forces, Avi attributes his success to the skills and discipline he developed during his military service. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with majors in Finance, Marketing, and Management.

As the founder and CEO of Fantastic Framing, Avi has established a thriving business with stores across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. He is the President of "Together with Israel," demonstrating his commitment to community and social causes.

Avi is a devoted family man, married with three children. His unique blend of military background, business acumen, and personal values makes him a compelling and inspiring individual.

Vanina

Vanina arrived in Sydney in 2003 and since then she's been actively involved through various community initiatives and organisations in the Jewish community.

With a law degree and a career spanning over 25 years, she began as a civil lawyer and went on to hold senior management positions in international companies, gaining extensive experience in the high-tech sector. Currently, she is pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Sydney, focusing her thesis on migration, while also working within the Discipline of Hebrew, Biblical, and Jewish Studies.

The events of October 7 and their aftermath sparked in Vanina an unwavering commitment to advocate for Israel and combat the rising antisemitism in Australia. She is confident that this can be accomplished through the impactful initiatives of Together with Israel, such as organising large rallies and building enduring relationships with politicians and community leaders.

Vanina’s volunteer work with Jewish organisations in both Australia and Israel underscores her passion and commitment to supporting Israel, highlighting the challenges facing the Jewish people worldwide, and fostering a sense of unity and solidarity within the Jewish people.

Meiran

Meiran Rubinstein has been living in Australia for the past five years. She believes art is a universal language that transcends barriers and connects people. As the creative mind behind "Together With Israel," Meiran uses her passion for design and storytelling to create bold, impactful installations and displays that raise awareness for Israel and the Jewish community.

After the events of October 7th, Meiran felt a strong urge to act. She channeled her creativity into crafting unique displays that deliver urgent messages and deeply resonate with audiences.

In addition to her artistic work, Meiran volunteers with ERAN, Israel's first-aid mental health hotline, through its Australian branch, demonstrating her dedication to supporting others.

Meiran holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems and works as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, where she applies her expertise in technology to solve complex problems.