Ann Gluckman's vision with Volume I in this series, published back in 1990, was to provide a historical record of the community and to mark both New Zealand's sesquicentennial and the founding of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation in 1840. Volume II followed in 1993 and now the third volume in the Identity and Involvement series, which recognises 180 years of Jewish settlement in New Zealand, as well as being Ann's legacy to younger generations of Jews, will be available in February 2020.
This compelling and comprehensive publication also provides New Zealanders with an opportunity to not only learn Jewish history, but to also acknowledge and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of so many within this minority community.
The Jewish population of New Zealand has never exceeded 7,000 in any census period and yet out of that relatively small sum, the number of well-known and highly successful Kiwis with a link to the Jewish community is significant. Anti-semitism is rising in Europe and it still exists in New Zealand. Ann's intention with this third volume is to demonstrate to the Jewish community and beyond that Jews in our country have every reason to be proud.
As Ann's son, Sir Peter Gluckman, writes in his contribution to this latest volume: "There is no need to hide who we are for, as many stories in this volume attest, Jews who have lived and who now live in Auckland have been and are phenomenal Kiwis. We can be successful in our Jewish skin and help this country advance."
This latest volume is composed of first-hand material from over 120 different people including Dames, Sirs, authors, leading well-known and respected New Zealanders, as well as every day unsung heroes. Some of these include:
Max Cryer Sir Peter Gluckman Walter Hirsh Juliet Moses
Professor Paul Moon Dame Lesley Max Bob Narev David Galler
Diana Wichtel Judge David Robinson Deb Filler Maria Collins
Each essay expresses the author's own views, with minimal editing, and is a realistic portrayal of the Auckland Jewish community as it is in the first two decades of the new millennium. It shows quite vividly how views are changing in communities with regard to both religion and the politics of Israel.
Ann's own story tells of her upbringing in New Zealand by her Jewish parents and her own journey with Judaism. At 92 years of age, Ann is still a proud member of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, a commitment that has spanned 84 years. Throughout her career in education she learned to understand and respect other traditions and cultures, believing that we can all gain much value from learning the cultural beliefs of others. This sentiment remains her hope for the wider community of New Zealand.