Roger is married to Sue, has 3 adult children and 5 young grandchildren.

He was educated at Wesley and Monash University, became a lawyer, worked in Oxford for 3 years, been a commercial partner in a Melbourne law firm and established Prushka Fast Debt Recovery in 1977, which he is CEO of as well as principal of Mendelsons Lawyers . He was on the board of TBI for 1 year and then became president for 3 years. He was a vice president of Progressive Judaism Victoria and ultimately president of Union for Progressive Judaism for 4 years. He has been chair of Progressive Jewish Cultural Fund for 5 years.

Roger joined the executive of AFTAU and is now Deputy President

Marshall has developed a wide range of business and organisational skills dating back to his days as a Sports administrator and junior state championship coach for the Nunawading Spectres a founding club of the Australian National Basketball League.

He currently focuses on Property Investment & management and assists SME businesses with a range of strategic planning and succession issues.  He describes some of his interests as “ business strategist”. 

Marshall enjoys his role assisting the President and Board for the Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University.

Harry is a GP with a long standing commitment to the causes of TAU and

is currently Vice President of AFTAU. He has been involved with Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University for 25 years and his father before him. He was President of AFTAU from 1999 -2001.

Gabor has over four decades of experience in electrical, electronic and telecommunication systems as a Test Engineer and Sales & Marketing Engineer.
He worked for major corporations in Sweden and Australia and conducted business on behalf of NEC Corporation in the Australia - Pacific region, in Africa and Asia. Currently Gabor markets electronic components and modules on behalf of QuadRep Marketing (S) Pte Ltd in Australia and New Zealand with a local company QuadRep Technology Australia.

Alex is a researcher and clinical neuropsychologist specialising in the field of cognitive ageing, and the co-leader of the CITE research group in the Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne. His earlier research focused on early detection of cognitive decline and dementia, and over the past decade mainly on the development and evaluation of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at primary and secondary prevention of cognitive decline and dementia.

Alex’s research contributions have been recognised in the form of several awards, including a Churchill Fellowship, Alzheimer’s Australia Fellowship, and two consecutive Fellowships from the National Health and Medical Research Council. In January 2017, Alex Joined the Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age at the University of Melbourne and he continues working as a clinician in private practice. 

Keith graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Melbourne in 1956. He served part time in the Australian Citizen Military Forces for ten years retiring with the rank of Captain. Keith joined the family retail business in 1957, and became director in 1961. After forty years as CEO he retired in 2014. In 1955 Keith was instrumental in founding the young leadership groups at the  United Israel Appeal (Keren Hayesod) Victoria and became a key member of the Executive. In the 1950’s and 1960’s Keith served as a district JNF Blue Box chairman. He was also Treasurer of the Victorian Jewish Board of Deputies during Isi Leibler’s presidency. Keith was elected as Chairman of UIA Victoria in 1973 and in 1980 he became President.

Keith was elected a Governor of the Jewish Agency in 1982 where he held portfolios of chairman of the budget and finance committee for the Youth Aliya and the Communications committee.  During the late Ron Krongold’s term as President of Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University Keith and Deirdre became regular contributors and provided their home for various functions. Keith worked alongside Meir Buber at the UIA during his leadership.

Keith is currently involved in the leadership of the Australian Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) lead by Marc Leibler and Colin Rubinstein.

Ros’s parents, Adam (zl) and Ida (zl) Frydman, Holocaust survivors, had a passion for education and Israel.  Their encouragement and support helped Ros achieve a long career in science, in several disciplines. Adam’s long time tendencies to volunteer onto Committees led him and Ida to be part of the original group of interested and dedicated people who set up the Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University. Adam became formally a Committee member and later an External Governor of TAU, Ida was on the Committee ‘by marriage’ and their involvement lasted until her father passed away in 2009.  Apart from Committee business, raised funds for specific projects such as scholarships, as well as encouraging and securing large donations towards buildings, and hosting TAU emissaries to Melbourne.

After the AFTAU Oration in Honour of her parents was held in April 2013, Ros was delighted to be asked to join the Committee and later was extremely honoured and humbled to be nominated for, and accepted to, the TAU External Board of Governors, thus continuing her Parents’ legacy with the University.

Attending the Board of Governors Meetings and the associated meetings of the Student Welfare, the Building and Maintenance, and the Finance Committees, has given Ros an insight into many of the vast achievements and complexity of this large and vibrant University, its faculty and its students and to contribute to the discussions in these Committees. Even during the time of COVID-19, Zoom meetings of these and other Committees have occurred.

Ros has been particularly moved by meeting with undergraduate students of TAU,  who have been helped by grants from scholarship funds raised by AFTAU over the years, and by hearing about the many innovative programs, conducted by TAU to support students from all sectors of the Israeli population to succeed in their studies and to take part in social contributions to Israeli society, during their study.

Ros’s involvement in the AFTAU Committee, now so ably led by our President Rosie Potaznik, has helped her to contribute to fundraising for and promoting the University in Australia, as well as participating more directly in the University itself.  She hopes to be able to continue doing so for many years to come.

Daniel brings broad experience from the government and community sectors. Currently an executive in a Commonwealth government agency, he has worked in multiple community support organisations including seven years as a manager and General Manager with Jewish Care. Daniel is passionate about the impact of community organisations and has volunteered with many organisations including serving on the board of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and as the chair of the Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation. He and his wife Fiona have two children and a sometimes well-behaved labradoodle. 

Marcelo is currently MSW course coordinator, unit co-coordinator, lecturer and researcher in the Social Work Department, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University.

Marcelo has been an academic, consultant and counsellor for over 20 years. His Master Dissertation has been awarded a grant and published in Brazil. Marcelo has 5 other books published in the fields of Philosophy and Education, and also has produced a video-documentary on Education. Marcelo runs a successful private practice for more than two decades dedicated to mental health, existential/career counselling, and family issues. Marcelo holds special interest in ageing, drug and alcohol, and counselling skills education particularly through simulations.

Prior to his position at Monash University, he worked at Monash Health Drug & Alcohol service (SECADA) and NEAMI National Youth Residential Services. Marcelo is a volunteer in the aged care sector for over 25 years. Prior to his arrival to Australia, Marcelo has served as Vice-President of Brazilian Friends of TAU and one of its executive board members for a number of years.

Tami joined the AFTAU committee as secretary in the early 80’s. Tami and Rick’s home was the official “office” of the Friends of the Tel Aviv University, and she was involved in interesting lectures, wonderful events, and many highlights.

Tami always looked forward to attending the Annual Board of Governors meetings held in Israel where one saw the great developments at the TAU Campus, and met with the students and astounding researchers at the University. Her fondest memories are attending the presentation ceremonies of the Honorary Doctorate to her dear friends Ron Krongold z”l and Alan Selwyn z”l and many others. It was a privilege to be in the company of some of the world’s greatest minds and to attend spectacular performances and lectures, particularly the recipients of the Dan David Prize.

Rosie Potaznik attended the inauguration for the Buchmann Faculty of Law 25 years ago which was particularly special as her grandparents Eliezer and Chaya Buchmann, who lost their lives in the Holocaust were memoralised with a magnificent plaque at the entrance.

This honour gave Rosie the incentive to attend the Board of Governors meeting from 1994 and her passionate involvement with AFTAU followed. She was elected as a member of the Board of Governors at Tel Aviv University in May 2010.

Rosie was educated at Mount Scopus College. She studied Science and Psychology (Honours) and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Social Work in 1977.

Rosie worked as a psychiatric social worker at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science in Melbourne. In July 1982 she delivered a paper on the Australian Perspective to Adoption at the International Child Psychiatry Conference in Dublin.

 In 1983, Rosie wrote and published a book ‘Understanding Adoption ‘. The laws had changed at that time and the book was the first to explore adoptees’ search for their biological parents.

In 2006 Rosie Potaznik became a graduate of the inaugural Experience Bank Program, an initiative in community leadership .

Her communal experience lead to her voluntary involvement with the Jewish National Fund of Victoria which spanned over 14 years, during which she was Vice President for 8 years. Rosie’s highlight was organising walking tours and programs in the Negev and the North Galilee which focussed on water and environmental issues.