About — Bialik College Foundation

About the Foundation

The Bialik College Foundation is focused on creating a passionate and connected community of people who support the College and believe in creating the future leaders of tomorrow.

WHAT WE DO

The Foundation provides the vision for the College and enables us to ensure we provide world-leading Jewish education, programs and facilities for all.

Our Foundation Committee includes our Board of Directors, together with a dynamic group of advisors, who work collaboratively to ensure a bright and sustainable future for the College.

Past Events

Quantum Shabbat March 2024

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Foundation Member Evening

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Launch Lab Pre Launch Event

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Foundation Commitee

Michael Carp

Director
Foundation Chair

Michael has three daughters who all attended Bialik College, with the last having graduated in 2022.

Michael joined the Bialik College Council and Foundation in 2017 and has been the Chair of The Foundation since October 2018. Michael also represents Bialik College as a Director of the Maccabi Aquatics NFP joint venture partnership between Maccabi Victoria and Bialik College.

Michael is a solicitor and is the owner and Managing Director of Kez’s Kitchen, an Australian snack food brand and manufacturer which employs a team of approximately 100. Michael is a Director of Hide N Seek, an NFP organization which provides training and education to the educators of our children, specifically around the language of eating disorders. Michael is a past Director of Family Business Australia and JNF Australia, and a past committee member of Swimming Victoria’s Sport Innovation Committee, and the Baking Industry Association of Victoria.

“I am passionate and keen to continue making a difference in our community, and to improving the lives of our current, past and future students and their families.”

Jeffrey Mahemoff AO

Director
Life Governor

Jeffrey is a Life Governor of Bialik College, a past Bialik parent and now a Bialik grandparent. He is currently a Trustee of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum Foundation, a Director of the Bialik College Foundation and a Governor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Previously he was President of the Bialik College Council (1983-1999), Executive Director of Smorgon Consolidated Investments, Chairman of River Capital Pty Ltd, a Member of the Board of Weizmann Australia, and is the past Chair of the Centre for Community Child Health at the Royal Children's Hospital and the International Advisory Board of the Melton Centre.

In June 2001, Jeffrey was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in recognition of his commitment to education and the Jewish community in Melbourne.

Peter Eben

Director
Treasurer

Peter is a former Bialik parent, College Treasurer and member of the Bialik Council since 2013. Peter is passionate and focussed on the effective and efficient financial management of the College whilst working towards addressing the shorter and longer term affordability challenges.

Peter is also a management consultant and an actuary working in the dynamic and evolving energy sector.

Anna Serry

Director

Anna is a passionate Bialik alumnus, parent and foundation committee member. She brings a strong sense of Bialik’s history and her own memories as a student to her vision for an affordable, communal and dynamic Bialik of the future. Anna is also Vice President of NCJWA Victoria.

Wayne Lasky

Wayne is the Founder & Executive Chairman of MaxCap Group, responsible for business strategy, funds management and key stakeholder relations. He is a recognised industry leader with 20 years of real estate and finance experience having worked on all sides of the table as a fund manager, originator, lender, asset manager, developer and project manager. Wayne is also a YPO Australia member and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. Wayne is an asset to furthering the success of the College and has two daughters currently studying at Bialik.

Rebecca Adler

Rebecca Adler is a proud alumna of Bialik (Class of 2014) and Foundation Committee member. She is deeply committed to enriching the Jewish community, believing in the foundational role of education in building Jewish identity and connection. As Director of Community and Innovation at Australian Jewish Funders, she has the privilege of working alongside communal organisations and leaders across Australia.

Jono Gelfand

Jono’s wife is a Bialik Alumnus and his 4 children have attended Bialik for all their schooling life. Jono is very passionate about the role that Bialik plays in the Jewish and wider community and has always been impressed with the vision, education, environment and collaborations that Bialik offers to us all – particularly now.

Simon Marial

Bringing a forward-looking perspective to shaping Bialik's future, Simon is a dedicated Bialik Alumnus (OC '18) and active member of the Alumni and Foundations Committees. With expertise as an accountant at RSM, they foster strategic collaborations, envisioning innovative pathways for Bialik's growth and impact.

Naomi Swart

Naomi is a current Bialik parent, Alumnus and president of the Parents’ Association. She sees the benefits of working both in front line and at board level, establishing connections and collaborative relationships that make an impact for Bialik.

When she is not at Bialik Naomi can be found assisting Pathways Melbourne as Vice President.

Foundation Team