Adelaide Club move ends Jewish tension

Miles Kemp: The Advertiser | July 16, 2008

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24027834-5006301,00.html

A PROMINENT member of the Jewish community has been granted membership of the Adelaide Club, easing recent tensions between the two organisations.

Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce President and accountant Allen Bolaffi will be welcomed to the club at a new members lunch next month, nominated by several of his colleagues.

The acceptance will help end years of ill-feeling within the Jewish community and criticisms levelled at the club after managing director of Shiels [SACreator EDIT: and Grahams] Jewellers and Adelaide personality Albert Bensimon complained he was refused membership in 2005 and 2006.

Mr Bolaffi said he had been away at the time of Mr Bensimon’s rejection and said he did not believe his appointment was relevant to the debate.

“Nobody has asked me what football team I support or what religion I am, I am there on my own credentials and my own merit and that is how it should be,” he said.

“I have been a businessman in this town for 30 years and two of my colleagues nominated me. I have accepted the nomination.”

Egyptian-born Mr Bensimon said he had been told the Adelaide Club was also seeking a prominent Asian-Australian to help improve its multicultural image.

“I am happy that (following Mr Bolaffi’s appointment). I broke the back of a small but influential element within the Adelaide Club,” he said.

“When I was asked to withdraw my application I refused and I was told it would be very embarrassing, but I wanted to expose the situation.”

Adelaide Club management refused to comment on the membership yesterday but at the time of Mr Bensimon’s complaint in 2006 denied any discrimination.

Mr Bolaffi has been managing partner of accounting firm UHY Haines Norton for more than 28 years and is a prominent local government auditor and business director.

The 143-year-old gentlemen’s club has about 1000 members.

Jewish Community Council president Norman Schueler said the Adelaide Club had been an exception to the very tolerant South Australian community.

Comment:
I really couldn’t care less about Albert Bensimon’s race or religion. Judging him by his own actions, Bensimon is a vile, contemptuous, self righteous, **********! ** ****** ******* *** ************ ******* ** ***** **** **** *** *** making use of the same threat he has for all ** *** *********; if you speak out, *** **** *** **** ** *****, * ...

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