Sydney's Jewish senior community hub since 1982
Since 1982, COA has been more than just a service provider: we are a social connector and a social impact organisation. We are the lifeline that keeps Jewish seniors connected, supported and thriving in their own homes.Â
It Started With a Meal. It Became a Movement.
Our Story
COA was created by Jewish seniors who saw a gap and chose to fill it—from the ground up. What began with one man struggling to access kosher food has grown into a trusted network delivering essential services across Sydney. With hundreds of active volunteers and lived experience behind everything we do, COA meets real needs with real solutions.
The Power Couples Who Built COA
COA's strength comes from the remarkable couples who saw the vision and dedicated decades to making it reality:
Dennis and Zelda Feigen
Present from day one, Dennis served as our first Hon Secretary while Zelda became President twice and earned an OAM for her service. Zelda remains our Honorary Life President and was honored on Bondi's Walk of Local Heroes.
Eugene and Helen Mencel
Eugene ensured our financial stability as our first Hon Treasurer, while Helen created the warm, welcoming atmosphere at our center that members treasure. She also organized fundraising card parties that sustained us through lean years.
Harry and Esta Levy
Fresh from humanitarian work in South Africa, Harry saved COA hundreds of thousands of dollars as our beloved Treasurer from 1992-2001. Esta founded our hospital and home visitation program, coordinating outreach for over 15 years and earning an OAM.
Joe and Lee Borman
The daily heartbeat of COA for decades, they joined every outreach effort, collected challah for nursing homes twice weekly, and brought infectious enthusiasm to everything they touched.
David and Rennie Shadler
David could be counted on to handle any need that arose, while Rennie ruled our kitchen for 25 years, ensuring every center-based meal met her exacting standards.
Legacy of Leadership
Our presidents have guided COA through every challenge:
Dr Ivan Davies
Ivan was a successful practicing physician until his retirement. He was one of the original team who helped Myer Kangan take his vision for a kosher food service for Sydney from idea to reality. He negotiated the start of the organisation, helped find a premises to work from and formulated the concepts around which COA has grown.
Aaron Aaron OBE
Aaron and his brother Rueben were both intimately involved with the running of COA, as well as being responsible for locating funding and land on which to build the Safardi Synagogue in Sydney.
Frank Schaffer
Frank and his wife Rosalie were both stalwart volunteers for COA delivering meals and working on major events. Frank was part of some of COA’s most inventive initiatives to raise funds, and served our community with dignity.
Myer Kangan AO OBE
Myer was the original founder of COA. He retired from a distinguished role as an administrator in the Department of Education, and was the person who originated the idea of TAFE colleges, for which he was honoured by the Commonwealth. He started COA as he was a fully kosher bachelor who was finding it harder to make food on his own at home, thus birthing COA’s signature service to our community as Sydney’s only providers of kosher meals-on-wheels.
Mark Braham
Mark was both well known and well respected in the Sydney Jewish community as a teacher and administrator at Moriah College. At retirement he joined the ranks of COA volunteers, and was encouraged onto the Management Committee in short order. When a piece of land in Glenayr Avenue Bondi was donated to COA, Mark was responsible for the sale of that land by COA to Moriah College for the princely sum of $1, on which they site Moriah setup their first Pre-School.
Professor Sol Encel
A noted Australian academic, Sol lectured at universities on Sociology and Political Science, as well as publishing two books on Australian society and leadership. Sol worked hard to create an umbrella organisation to oversee the services provided by our community groups to the aged. He led the COA with compassion and wisdom.
Zelda Feigen OAM
Zelda and her husband Denis were involved in the forming of COA with Myer Kangan, she once said it was created at her kitchen table. She was committed to the ideals COA stove for, keeping seniors independent and living in their own homes for as long as practical. Zelda earned her OAM for her exemplary work with COA. She was such a great supporter of the organisation and its principles that the Management chose to retain her after 2006 in the role of Life President until her recent move to the Monefiore in Randwick.
Simon Sekel
Simon founded the first alternative health shop in Bondi Junction selling vitamins and natural cures. After retirement he and his wife Rae became involved with COA as volunteers. Simon soon joined the Committee of management and brought all his business acumen to bear for COA increasing our reach to new financial supporters and streamlining our finances.
Ready to Join Our Community?
Whether you need kosher meals delivered, want to participate in daily activities, or wish to volunteer your skills for others, COA has a place for you.
Become a member