About Us Our team Management Committee Management Committee President Ilona Lee AM Ilona has been involved in the Sydney Jewish community for over 40 years and have served on the Boards of MDA, WIZO, Moriah College, Jewish Care, Shalom, JCA, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and NIF. Her passion is social justice and she still chairs the Shalom Gamarada Indigenous Scholarship Program. An adult educator by profession, Ilona spent many years working in the area of health education and policy development. She is currently the General Manager of Plus61j Media. Vice-President George Freund George is a man who prizes social connection and when he came in to volunteer in 2009 he very quickly brought his cohort of friends into COA. George's passion took him on to become president of COA, and he continues to work tirelessly in the role of Vice President. Vice President Allen Rosenberg Following seven years at IBM, Allen worked in information technology, business process consulting, and operations management. Since his retirement in 2007, he has played leadership roles in a number of not-for-profit organisations and is a Life Member of the Stroke Recovery Association and Easts Bridge Club. Allen joined the COA Committee of Management in 2018. He adds value to the Committee through his experience in strategic and operations management , project management and finance management. Honorary Treasurer Public Officer Chair Treasury Committee Barry Phillips Barry has extensive senior management experience in leadership of finance disciplines, including in healthcare, aged care and some not-for-profit exposure. He is a passionate advocate of COA’s mission and is delighted to have the opportunity of playing a role in contributing towards COA. Barry joined COA in 2020. Honorary Secretary Roni Vandor Roni has a long history with COA as Operations Manager and looking after the Activity Centre; working with volunteers, arranging events, overseeing catering, and so much more. Since she retired she became a member of the Board, a member of the Marketing Sub-Committee, and on occasion has volunteered her services to cover for staff members who are on holiday. Roni has recently taken on the position of Secretary for the organisation. Anne Butt Anne is the daughter of our beloved late Jack Krygier, and follows a strong family tradition in supporting COA. With her history as a registered nurse and founder of an organisation providing home help, Anne brings a wealth of professional knowledge and excellent advice to COA Social Workers. Gary Knep Gary is the owner manager of a building company, and has extensive experience in project management, as well as years of involvement in Jewish communal organisations such as CSG. He is very pleased to working more closely with the COA. Julian Sher Julian is a retired barrister and solicitor. He was a partner and managing partner in national and international law firms. He was the Convenor and long time member of the Ethics Committee of the WA Law Society and has sat on professional panels, including the disciplinary panel of CPA Australia. He has been active in the Jewish community all his life, mostly in Perth, WA. He was a director of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for 19 years. Since moving to Sydney, he has qualified as a guide at the Sydney Jewish Museum. He is a member of Kadimah shule. Ben Politzer Chair Asset Management Committee Ben has a long history of volunteering as a leader with the Scout Association, and is currently District Commissioner. He is also a volunteer for B'nai B'rith. When Ben retired he wanted to give more back to the community and chose COA, where he has become a valuable member. He volunteers as a bus assistant helping members get safely to and from the centre, and also works on the COA property management portfolio looking after problems with the center. Dr Sylvia Lenny Also known as Dr Sylvia Jacobson. Practiced as a medical practitioner specialising in Child and Family Therapy in the South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service. Later in her career she took on the role of GP Liaison coordinator working with GPs to establish Divisions of General Practice and facilitating improved communication between senior hospitals staff and local GPs. Sylvia was also a senior lecturer in the School of Community Medicine at UNSW. Her volunteer community involvement has included serving on the board of MDA, Jewish Care, NCJW and Mum for Mum.