This conference is about taking your Jewish education to the next level.
We’re moving forward, looking to the future, advancing our learning and pushing forward the conversation about what it means to live a meaningful Jewish life.
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In this engaging and honest session, Lillian Kline shares her journey from law and human rights to philanthropy, social advocacy, and community leadership. With stories from the field and reflections on the choices that shaped her path, Lillian offers practical insights for students who want to build meaningful lives and careers, even when the path is anything but linear.
Lillian Kline is a purpose-driven leader in social impact, philanthropy, and community advocacy. She is Head of Philanthropy at the Victor Smorgon Group, Chair of The Flourish Journey and Flourish Girl, and the founder of Project A, a grassroots initiative established in the wake... Read More →
In 2025, there was a 78% increase in the number of reported global executions. Seventeen countries actively execute, and Israel and the Maldives are the most recent to signal their intention to resume executions imminently. This session will explore why the death penalty is on the rise in 2026 — and unpack some of the ideas behind its continued use.
Hear Baruch speak about his experience of serving as a Chief Battalion Medic in the Paratroopers, overseeing operational medical care to over 700 soldiers.
This session will explore the unique experiences and insights gained from leading delegations of Members of Parliament, journalists, and public figures to Israel in the aftermath of October 7. We’ll discuss how the attacks reshaped the region’s narrative, the emotional impact on visitors, and the broader implications for international engagement and policy.
Joel is the Executive Manager at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council. Joel has many senior roles in the Australian Jewish community including the President of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students and an office bearer for the Zionist Federation of Australia. Joel has... Read More →
For many, Israel has been understood as a response to antisemitism — a place where Jews could live with safety and dignity. After October 7th, Israel’s strength and self-defense were crucial — but something else became impossible to ignore. The passion, determination, and courage that poured out of Israeli society, especially from a younger generation often dismissed as distracted or disconnected, showed that Israel is about something bigger. The intense reactions this sparked around the world revealed a deeper story. In this session, we’ll ask: What larger meaning and purpose can Israel offer today? Drawing on experiences working closely with leaders and thinkers in Israel, I’ll share how the conversation about the long-term meaning of October 7th is unfolding — and what it might mean for the future.
Dr. Alick Isaacs is an Israeli scholar, author, and peace builder known for his pioneering work combining Jewish theology, political philosophy, and conflict resolution. He is the Co-Director and Co-Founder of Siach Shalom (Talking Peace) and a faculty member at the Hebrew University... Read More →
How do we actually honour our parents according to the fifth commandment? What does this actually look like? How should we approach disagreement with our parents?
Rabbi Sammy Brygel currently works as a formal and informal Jewish Studies teacher at Mount Scopus. Sammy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, majoring in religious studies and history. He then completed his Masters of Primary and Secondary Teaching at Monash in... Read More →
From IVF and surrogacy to sperm donation and genetic testing, modern technology has transformed the way Jewish families are created. This session explores how halakha grapples with the emotional, ethical, and deeply human questions raised by contemporary fertility and reproductive medicine.
Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash is a prominent Modern Orthodox Torah scholar, educator, author, and halakhic authority. Based in Israel, she is a leading voice in the advancement of advanced women’s Torah scholarship, specifically in the realms of Jewish law (Halakha), gender... Read More →
Dean is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Flying Fox, supporting social inclusion for people with disability, and a Director at both All Things Equal and Maccabi Victoria. He holds a Commerce degree, a Master of Leadership, and is completing a PhD on social networks and philanthropy. He’s... Read More →
They Stood For You — Now Stand For Them Every generation inherits a world it did not build. The elderly people in our lives, our grandparents, our community elders, sacrificed, struggled, and stood firm so that we could have the opportunities, the freedoms, and the Jewish identity we carry today. But as they age, do we truly see them? Do we honour them, engage with them, and recognise the living treasure they represent? Drawing on the timeless Jewish obligation of Kibbud Ziknim, honouring the elderly, this talk challenges young Jewish students to move beyond good intentions and take real, meaningful action. Because standing up for the elderly is not just a mitzvah. It is our responsibility, our privilege, and our debt. They stood for you. Now it's your turn to stand for them.
Matti has been a passionate Jewish educator for close to two decades. He completed his Law, Arts and Education degrees at Monash University and his Masters in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has spent many years living and learning in Israel and served... Read More →
How do we decide who gets treated first when lives are on the line? In this session, we will explore real triage dilemmas and examine how classical sources, halachic principles, and contemporary responsa can guide these decisions. Students will encounter cases involving limited resources, competing needs, and ethical tension, and will see how Jewish law balances compassion, logic, and moral responsibility in moments of crisis.
In many ways, Judaism has been a very binary tradition, drawing legal distinctions between men and women. Is there an authentic way for non-cis folks to be themselves and also have a welcome seat at the Jewish table? Let’s discuss.
Rabbi Shamir Caplan has been at Mount Scopus since 2004, where he has been involved in both formal and informal Jewish Studies. Rabbi Shamir has rabbinic, pastoral, and educational duties in the College, and also serves as the Rabbi of Beit Aharon Congregation, which meets at GBH... Read More →
In a world that often treats speech as "small," Jewish tradition teaches that words are power - creative, destructive, and divine. This session invites you to look beyond language as a mere system of labels and instead see it as a form of creation. Just as the world was brought into being through ten divine utterances, your voice acts as a tool that can build or break reality. Drawing on the mystical insights of Rav Kook, we will explore the idea of the soul as an unfolding scroll, filled with "letters" and thoughts that are the raw material for your unique story. We will also confront the permanence of speech recognising that once a word leaves your mouth, it changes the environment forever. Join me to discover how to transform your language into "creative utterances" that unlock potential and reveal the holiness in the world.
Sheina Gutnick is an Australian public advocate, behavioral therapist, and educator who serves as the Australian Public Affairs Officer for the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
