An Evening of Humanity and Hope: A Night with Ernie Friedlander OAM
For our final formal dinner of the 2025 academic year, Mandelbaum House had the privilege of hosting Holocaust survivor and founder of the Moving Forward Together Association (MFTA), Ernest Friedlander OAM, alongside Danielle Jaku-Greenfield, granddaughter of the late Eddie Jaku.
The evening began with a heartfelt Acknowledgment of Country led by residents Logan Cully and Armando Parrish, honoring the Gadigal lands of the Eora Nation on which Mandelbaum House stands.
Danielle then took the stage to present the Eddie Jaku Mensch Award, created in memory of her grandfather to recognise a student who exemplifies integrity, respect, and kindness. Voted by staff and students, this year’s award was presented to Ian Yap, whose genuine character and dedication have made a lasting impact on our community.
Two additional awards were introduced this year. The inaugural Ernest Friedlander OAM Outstanding Contribution Award was awarded to Logan Cully for his exceptional leadership and initiatives, including the bi-annual Yarn Days and weekly MonYay study sessions. A third award, recognising outstanding attendance at MonYay sessions, was shared by Dyna, Ethan, Lana, and Nidhi.
Following a warm introduction by Cara Beck, Mr. Friedlander shared his remarkable story. Born in Vienna, he moved to Hungary at age six to escape Nazi persecution during the war. During the Holocaust, he and his mother were forced on a Death March, until a German soldier’s unexpected act of kindness helped them escape and hide. This moment of humanity became a guiding force in Mr. Friedlander’s lifelong mission to combat racism and prejudice through understanding and harmony.
After the war, he returned to Austria for a few years before migrating to Australia in 1950. He worked in the textile industry while attending night school to learn English and eventually earned his diploma.
In 2005, after retiring, Mr. Friedlander founded the Moving Forward Together Association (MFTA) to promote unity and compassion across communities. The organisation runs programs for young people, including the recently launched “Stop the Hate, Mate” initiative, which encourages students to cover hateful messages with stickers, with the goal of expanding into digital spaces. MFTA also developed the “Without Prejudice” handbook, offering classroom activities that foster empathy and inclusion. Students nationwide are invited to participate in creative competitions such as poster design, songwriting, and short films, centered around themes like “Stronger Together,” the theme for 2026.
Beyond youth engagement, MFTA hosts Harmony Walks that bring together people of all backgrounds to celebrate respect and community. Through these efforts, Mr. Friedlander and MFTA continue to inspire a future built on compassion, understanding, and hope.
The evening was a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have in fostering harmony. As Mandelbaum House continues to celebrate these values, we are grateful to have shared this memorable night with Mr. Friedlander and Danielle Jaku-Greenfield.
Article: Sophia Walker (Mandelbaum House resident)
Photography: Ethan Myts and Rin Kawakami (Mandelbaum House residents)