On the 6th November, more than 700 members of the community gathered at Le Montage in Lilyfield for an evening that felt less like a gala and more like a shared moment of community strength.
The 2025 Jewish House Gala Dinner, themed “A Journey Out of Crisis,” brought together supporters, partners, government leaders, clients, and friends; all united by the belief that every person deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild.A Night of Purpose and Connection
That belief was felt in every corner of the ballroom. Families, long-time supporters, partners, volunteers, government representatives, and new friends came together because they want to be part of that journey — the one that helps someone move from fear to safety, from instability to hope.
MC Shani Taylor brought warmth to the evening, weaving together stories that reminded guests what this community makes possible. This past year has been one of meaningful growth. Jewish House now has nearly 200 rooms available for people in crisis, including 104 added this year and a men’s facility that opened only weeks before the Gala. The Women and Children’s Centre, launched in December 2024, has already welcomed more than 500 women and families seeking safety.
The numbers matter, because they gave clear context to the scale of demand, and there was a steady awareness in the room that each one represented a person who’d reached safety and support when they needed it.
Stories That Stay With Us
Jamie Young, the former Melbourne FC goalkeeper shared his own experience of rebuilding after crisis. He spoke about the role of faith in hard moments, and how meaningful it is when someone can stand beside you through the hardest parts of life.
“And that’s what you give every day here at Jewish House, faith when people can’t find it for themselves. Thank you for all the work you do at Jewish House, for walking beside people in their darkness, for championing their return to light.”
The audience also heard an update from Rabbi Mendel Kastel OAM, whose leadership continues to guide Jewish House’s growth. He reflected on the organisation’s milestones with humility and gratitude:
“I was truly humbled by the incredible support in the room. Our community believes in this work, and thanks to their commitment, we were able to add another 104 rooms of safe accommodation this year – saving lives and supporting men, women and children on their journey out of crisis.”
Rabbi Kastel also shared how Jewish House is using simple but innovative tools to make the experience of arriving in crisis a little easier. The organisation now uses AI-enabled coded rooms that allow clients to access their accommodation after hours by calling an automated line and confirming their details. This removes the stress of feeling like they’re inconveniencing staff and gives people a calmer, more private arrival. It’s a small, trauma-informed shift that helps the experience feel gentler for those in crisis.
Partnership That Creates Real Change
Guest speaker The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Water, Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health and Youth, spoke about the government’s 10-year homelessness strategy and the critical role Jewish House plays in bringing that strategy to life.
“Earlier this year, I released the first New South Wales homelessness strategy. This is the first time we have committed to a 10-year vision to address homelessness. The one organisation that has always stood steadfast to encourage and demand ambition from the NSW Government is Jewish House. Jewish House is an incredible partner with the NSW Government in helping to tackle homelessness.”
The evening also honoured the 2025 Humanitarian Award recipient, Shoshana Eisner (Operation Golda). Her remarks reflected a deep alignment with Jewish House’s mission;compassion in action, courage in crisis, and support that reaches people where they are. She told the room:
“Operation Golda was formed as an emergency support network, but after collaborating with Jewish House, I quickly realised that that’s exactly what they’ve been doing. They are an emergency support network, and they’ve been doing this for years, quietly, compassionately and with incredible efficiency.”
The reflections shared throughout the night underscored Jewish House’s role as a trusted, steady partner in crisis support — from policy conversations to personal stories. They highlighted Jewish House’s ethos, and how its mix of innovation and humanity contributes to better pathways for people in need.
Turning Care Into Action
As the night drew to a close, the community was invited to continue walking this journey with Jewish House through the Dedicate a Room campaign; a simple, powerful way to save a life and create lasting impact.
- $5,000 supports one person for an entire year.
- $10,000 supports both a man and a woman in crisis.
Each dedicated room becomes a doorway to safety, routine, meals, therapy, encouragement, and the chance to rebuild a life with dignity.
Guests were also reminded how vital ongoing donations are: food, clinical support, mental-health care, clothing, casework, and crisis response are all powered by generosity — large and small — from the community.
A Night That Echoes Beyond the Room
The success of A Journey Out of Crisis was made possible by the generosity of sponsors, partners, and donors who continue to walk beside Jewish House every step of the way. People left the Gala feeling connected, hopeful, and proud of what this community can achieve together.
The impact of the evening will be felt in the months ahead through every room supported, every meal shared, every family given a chance to rest, and every person who finds the courage to begin again.
The journey out of crisis is not one travelled alone; it becomes possible, and sustainable, when a whole community shows up again and again with open hands and open hearts.
And that is exactly what the 2025 Gala Dinner proved: together, we can offer safety, dignity, and hope to thousands more people next year, and beyond.
From corporate partners and community leaders to volunteers and individual donors, every act of giving helps transform a life.
If you’d like to dedicate a room or make a donation, visit jewishhouse.org.au/donate.
Every contribution helps Jewish House continue its vital mission:providing care, restoring dignity, and guiding people out of crisis. Together.
