Our Governance

Ron Finkel AM

President

Ron Finkel AM is a well-known Melbourne-based businessman. He is the Managing Director of Momentum Ventures Ltd., one of the first venture capital funds established in Australia. He is a graduate of law and commerce from the University of Melbourne. A leading member of the Australian Jewish community, Ron has been President and Chairman of a number of communal organisations and is President of Hadassah Australia and Project Rozana, an organisation working to build bridges to better understanding between Israelis and Palestinians through health.

Under Ron’s leadership, Hadassah Australia has become a national Jewish communal organisation raising significant funds annually for health initiatives associated with and inspired by the values of Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. These programs link the local community with Israel and help to create a thriving, diverse, equal and inclusive Israeli society. In 2018 Ron was appointed a member of the Order of Australia (AM), in recognition of his outstanding achievements and service.

Lynda Brest

Director

Lynda Brest is a Management Consultant who has worked extensively with large, complex organisations around the world in both the private and public sectors. Her focus is on architecting and implementing business transformation through the redesign of operating models, customer, leadership and people management strategies that drive improved performance for organisations, their customers, people and the broader community. Lynda combines her background in psychology and business with a human-centred approach to co-design pragmatic solutions that will deliver sustainable outcomes. She is also passionate about volunteering in the not-for-profit sector to support community development in both Australia and Israel. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Higher Diploma in Personnel Management (HDPM) from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Bachelor of Social Science, Psychology (BSocSci) from the University of Cape Town.

Julian Gillis

Secretary

Julian has been employed by ANZ as a senior lawyer for the last 12 years and is currently working in Global Markets in the Institutional Division. He has extensive experience in banking and finance and brings his legal knowledge and regulatory and compliance experience to the Hadassah Australia Board.

Julian’s previous communal involvements include four years as a member of the Board of Maccabi Victoria and I am the honorary Solicitor for Blake Street Hebrew Congregation.

He is married and has three children (two girls and a boy). In his spare time, he is a keen fan of most sports, although that is now much more likely to involve watching than playing!

Julian is pleased through his board involvement to constantly receive greater insights into how Hadassah Hospital helps people and communities in Jerusalem and Israel generally.

Phillip Zajac

Treasurer

Philip is Director at the Erdigroup and Director and Ambassador of the Erdi Foundation, the Philanthropic arm of the Erdigroup, an Australian-based hotel company, with hotels in Melbourne Sydney and Brisbane, of which he is the Executive Director. The Erdi Foundation supports local Australian causes both Non Jewish and Jewish and causes in Israel.

Philip is deeply involved in community organisations and charities and enjoys cycling.

Philip is married and has three children. He is a constant traveller to Israel and a true lover of Israel.

Robert Dorfman

Hadassah International Observer

Robert is the President of Hadassah International and has lived in Hong Kong all his life. He is Chairman of Herald Holdings Ltd, a public listed industrial and distribution group quoted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Robert has always taken an active role in community affairs, including as past Chairman of the Vision 2047 Foundation, a group of long-time Hong Kong residents committed to the future of Hong Kong. In addition, he is a Trustee of the Ohel Leah Synagogue Charity and a Member of the Council, Lingnan University.

Mr Dorfman was the Chairman of Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal (KHUIA) Hong Kong till 2016. He has also been an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (“YPO”) and its graduate entity, the World Presidents’ Organization (“WPO”). From 2011-2012, he served as the Board Chairman of WPO. For his services to YPO-WPO, he was awarded the Hickok Distinguished Service Award, the Organization’s highest honour.

Robert is Advisory Committee Chair of the Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Ruth R Rosen

Executive Director

Ruth (Ramone) Rosen joined Hadassah Australia in early 2018 after many years in the Education sector in Australia and in Israel. During her years living, studying and working in Israel, she taught in high school and lectured in English and Comparative Literature at Tel Aviv University, worked as a translator-editor-writer for the Israel Labor Party, a freelance writer and translator and as private tutor to the first Egyptian Ambassador to Israel. 

Returning to Australia, Ruth moved into international education management. Her roles encompassed program management, education policy and marketing as well as governance and communications. Ruth brings to her role at Hadassah Australia enthusiasm, skills and knowledge at both the strategic and operational levels. She enjoys being part of a team taking the organization forward supporting the ideals of Hadassah Medical Organisation in both providing outstanding medical research, treatment, training and patient care in Jerusalem and making a difference to the entire community. Bringing Hadassah’s values to the Australian community is a goal to help build connections between Hadassah and Australian medical experts to benefit and improve health outcomes globally.

Dorit Jaffe

Director Development, Fundraising and Relationships

Born in Israel, Dorit came to Australia in 2002 after completing her army service and first degree.

Based in Brisbane she received an MA in International Relations from Griffith University. Dorit worked for five years as Office Manager and Marketing Coordinator at the Brisbane Jewish Community Office.  Moving to Melbourne in 2010, Dorit worked for two years with the United Israel Appeal, engaging with donors and honing her marketing skills.

Dorit returned to Israel in 2012 and worked for six years as Executive Assistant to Professor Joseph Zohar the Head of Psychiatry at Tel Hashomer-Sheba Hospital. During that period, she coordinated stakeholder events for international medical organisations.

Returning to Melbourne with her family in 2018, Dorit was appointed Engagement Coordinator and Executive Assistant to the CEO of National Council for Jewish Women–Vic. In this role she coordinated fundraising campaigns and facilitated stewardship for donors, building relationships, researching, and creating marketing collateral.