The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation The Melbourne Hebrew

The 

Melbourne 

Hebrew 

Congregation 

Founded 1841 

ISSUE 11 Nisan – Elul 5769 / April – September 2009 

Destiny – Magazine of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Inc. Print Post Publication No. PP 318473/00005

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation 

Established 1841 

Cnr Toorak Rd & Arnold St 

(P.O. Box 372) South Yarra 3141 

Ph: (03) 9866 2255 Fax: (03) 9866 2022 

email: 

mhc@melbournesynagogue.org.au 

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Inc 

ABN 39 003 125 142 

Registration No A0019856D 

www.melbournesynagogue.org.au 

Synagogue Office Hours 

Monday – Thursday 9.00am – 4.00pm 

Friday 9.00am – 12.00 noon. 

Rabbi: 

Dovid Rubinfeld 

rabbi@melbournesynagogue.org.au 

Outreach & Public Relations Manager: 

Ronny Kowadlo 

ronnyk@melbournesynagogue.org.au 

DESTINY EDITOR: 

David Lissauer 

dliss@sothertonsmelbourne.com.au 

Local Contributors: 

David H Sherr, Diane Jacobson, 

Freda Kaufman, Stephen Reynolds, 

Eric M Cohen OAM, Ronny Kowadlo 

Leonard Yaffe 

International Contributors: 

Ted Roberts, Eliezer Segal, Ephraim Inbar, 

Hirsh Goodman, Sy Manello 

Shule Magazine Coordinator: 

Linda Williamson 

lindaw@melbournesynagogue.org.au 

Proofreading: 

David H Sherr, Karen Lissauer 

Design, Photography & Production: 

Photosynthesis Graphic Design 

Tel: 9877 4455 

photosynthesis@bigpond.com 

Advertising Co-ordination: 

Jackie Somerville 

jackies@melbournesynagogue.org.au 

Destiny Magazine is published by 

and circulated to members of the 

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Inc 

© MHC 2009.This magazine is a copyright publication. 

No part of it may be reproduced without 

the prior written permission of the publisher 

(Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Inc.). 

MHC – A Brief History 

T 

he Melbourne Hebrew Congregation 

traces its history back to almost the 

beginning of British settlement in 

Melbourne. Established in 1841, it is 

Victoria’s oldest congregation and one 

of the oldest continuously operating 

orthodox congregations in the 

English-speaking world. 

Often referred to as the Mother 

Congregation of Victorian Jewry, its 

members have always been proud 

Australians who have positively 

contributed to the community. 

The original synagogue building 

was situated in Bourke St, Melbourne. 

In 1930 General Sir John Monash 

opened the current synagogue designed 

by noted Australian architect, Nahum 

Barnet. It has been described as the 

Cathedral Synagogue of Melbourne, 

and with its classical architecture, 

has become an iconic landmark. 

The auditorium seats over 1,300 people. 

The dome and clerestory features twelve 

magnificent lead glass windows, depicting 

the Twelve Tribes of Israel. 

Many distinguished leaders have 

attended services here over the years 

including members of the Knesset, 

distinguished philosophers, two Presidents 

of the State of Israel and numerous 

Australian Governors General. 

From the Editor’s Desk 

Welcome to the Pesach 

issue of Destiny, and the 

first issue for 2009. 

On a sad note we again offer 

our condolences to those families 

who lost loved ones during the 

course of the devastating fires that 

ravaged much of Victoria in early 

February. The Australian 

community is no stranger to 

natural disasters and rallied around 

those affected. We are pleased that 

we fielded many calls from 

members who wished to help in 

any way they could. 

Your executive considered that it 

was wise to rally behind the general 

community activities being planned 

jointly by the JCCV, the 

community’s roof body together 

with the COSV and the Rabbinical 

Council of Victoria, and advised 

our members accordingly. We 

certainly thank all members who 

have generously contributed to the 

plight of our fellow Victorians. 

Since the last edition of our 

magazine, the war in Gaza has 

caused untold misery and loss of 

life. Our thoughts are with those 

who have both suffered and lost 

their lives during this continuing 

war. This year as we conclude the 

Pesach seder with the traditional 

Next Year in Jerusalem, we pray 

that it may be in a peaceful 

Jerusalem and State of Israel. 

On a happier note we take this 

opportunity to again wish our 

Rabbi and Rebbitzen mazal tov on 

the occasion of another family 

simcha – this time the marriage of 

Ronny Kowadlo – Outreach 

& Public Relations Manager 

Since the last edition of 

Destiny, your congregation 

have staged a number of 

successful events. Firstly, to mark 

the end of the High Holydays we 

had a tremendous crowd of over 

100 men, women and children 

come together for Simchat Torah. It 

was a fantastic night, and the spirit 

was high. I would like to thank all 

the attendees for making the night 

possible and a HUGE SUCCESS. 

In December, we held the 

annual Chanukah service for the 

residents of the Jewish Care Special 

Accomodation Houses. This is 

always a truly moving service for 

those special members of our wider 

Jewish community. 

Before the university year 

commenced, my wife Natalie and I 

2 

their daughter Zisi to Chaim- 

Joseph Wajschman in New York 

during mid February. May the 

young couple be truly blessed with 

a long and happy life together. 

I believe that most of our 

members receive a weekly e-mail 

from our rabbi. To those who do 

not, please contact the Shule office 

and we will place you onto the 

shule e-mail listing. 

The e-mail is circulated no 

matter where in the world our 

rabbi happens to be and testament 

to that are those sent by the Rabbi 

whilst he was cruising to New 

Zealand in early February. For 

those members not aware, the 

Rabbi was invited to participate as 

a lecturer, Cantor and Rabbi on a 

cruise catering to the “kosher 

market”. We look forward to 

receiving the reports and pictures of 

the cruise in the next issue of the 

magazine. Suffice to note that the 

Rabbi and Rebbitzen had a great 

time, and their presence was very 

warmly received. 

The magazine is once again 

filled with a diverse range of articles 

that your editorial team hopes you 

find interesting. Please remember 

should you wish us to cover a 

particular topic please let the editor 

or a member of the editorial 

committee know and we will do 

our best to oblige. 

I remind members that our 

building appeal is still running and 

further funds are required to ensure 

we can achieve the aims outlined to 

the congregation over the last High 

Holy Day period. The outline of 

caught up with some of the 

graduating class of 2008 for a drink 

and a chat at a local bar. 

Most recently to mark the 

festival of Purim, we had a Mad 

Hatters Tea Party. The Winton Hall 

was decked out with two long 

tables, posters on the wall with the 

characters from Alice in 

Wonderland and a table at the head 

of the room especially for the one 

and only – our own renowned Mad 

Hatter…The Rabbi!!!! 

Throughout the year I have 

been personally delivering the 

Shule's most recent publication 

titled “The Architecture & 

Leadlight Windows of the 

Melbourne Synagogue.” This has 

allowed me to catch up with a lot 

of our members on a more informal 

the appeal speech made by Justice 

Alan Goldberg AO is contained in 

this magazine. 

My thanks go to those regular 

contributors to the magazine. Your 

input is greatly appreciated. I 

would also like to take this 

opportunity to thank our 

advertisers. Without your support 

the publication of this magazine 

would certainly not be possible. 

I remind members that we are 

again arranging a communal Seder 

on the first night of Pesach. Should 

members want more information I 

would ask that they contact Ronny 

Kowadlo who will be more than 

happy to assist. 

Our revised Web Site has been 

well received. For those members 

who have not had a chance to look 

at the site I urge that you do so. 

Copies of the recently launched 

book, ‘The Architecture & 

Leadlight Windows of the 

Melbourne Synagogue’ continue to 

be distributed to congregants by 

Ronny. I remind members that this 

professional presented coffee table 

book would make a wonderful 

present and can be purchased via 

the Shule office for $59.95. 

On behalf the Life Governors, 

all members of the Executive and 

together with my family, I take this 

opportunity to wish you a 

Be-birkat chag Pesach kasher 

ve-sameach 

David Lissauer, Editor 

basis. For those of you who have 

not yet received your copy –I 

HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN YOU!! 

Please notify the Shule office 

with a convenient time, BOIL 

THE KETTLE, and I will be 

certain to meet with you. 

On a more serious note, let's 

not forget about our FIRST MHC 

Footy Competition!!!! If you LOVE 

Footy, and fancy yourself as a bit of 

a punter you still have a chance to 

participate!!! (Closing entries will 

be by the end of Round 5). So Join 

the Crew!!!!! 

Finally, together with my wife 

Natalie and our children, we extend 

to you and your families a Kosher 

and Festive Passover. 

Ronny Kowadlo

Chief Rabbi’s 

Pesach Message 

Why Was It So Hard? 

Why was the Jewish journey to the land 

of promise and freedom so fraught 

with obstacles, setbacks, diversions 

and delays? That is a question that must haunt 

us as we prepare, again, to relive our ancestors’ 

journey from slavery on Pesach, the world’s 

oldest ritual, the West’s most powerful story. 

No sooner does Abraham arrive in the land 

than he is forced to leave because of famine. 

Isaac too faces difficulties. There is another 

famine, and there are quarrels about wells. 

Jacob dies in exile, as do his children. 

A new pharaoh, one who forgets how Joseph 

saved his nation from starvation, afflicts his 

people, turning what was once a refuge into a 

vast labour camp. 

Even when God has chosen Moses to lead 

the people to freedom there are further delays. 

Pharaoh increases the people’s burdens. 

He defies God’s request to let the people go. 

Plague after plague hits the Egyptians, but still 

Pharaoh refuses and hardens his heart. Even 

after he has finally given them permission to 

leave, days later he pursues after them with his 

chariots and army. 

Might it be that the difficult events of the 

past few months and years contain an answer? 

Some of you may already be aware that 

over the forthcoming festival of Pesach 

(8-16 April), Rabbi and Miriam 

Rubinfeld are to spend this time with their 

children and grandchildren in the USA. 

Together with the Life Governors and 

Executive of the Congregation it was 

considered important that during Pesach we 

have present a guest rabbi at our Yom Tov 

services. 

In response to our invitation, Rabbi Chaim 

Cowen has agreed to occupy the pulpit on 

all four days of Yom Tov. 

Rabbi Cowen has recently gained his 

smicha and is currently undertaking post 

graduate studies. 

Rabbi Cowen has a major connection to 

our Congregation in that his famous and 

much acclaimed and respected grandfather 

Sir Zelman Cowen, celebrated his barmitzvah 

in the synagogue in 1932. 

I look forward to welcoming Rabbi Cowen 

to the Congregation and urge that you attend 

one or more of the Shule services at which he 

will be present and during which deliver, on 

each occasion I have no doubt, an erudite and 

intellectually stimulating address. 

I extend to you all my best wishes 

for a chag Pesach kasher v’sameach. 

David Lissauer, Chairman 

Israel has suffered much: first the years of the 

suicide bombings, then the Katyushas from 

Lebanon, then the missiles from Gaza and the 

agonising conflicts each has involved. 

Could it be that, at the very dawn of our 

history as a people, God was telling our 

ancestors and us that the road to freedom is 

never easy? That it involves much suffering 

along the way? That it needs faith and courage, 

memory and hope? 

Could that be why we tell the story every 

year and pass it on to our children, so that they 

will never forget that freedom must be fought 

for, and that whatever setbacks there are along 

the way, to be a Jew means never to lose hope? 

The very existence of the state of Israel 

after 2000 years of exile is as near to a miracle 

as any you will find in the sober pages of 

empirical history. 

Faith brought the Jewish people back to the 

land. Faith has sustained the people and state of 

Israel through some of the most agonising 

threats and dilemmas faced by any nation in the 

contemporary world. And faith will one day 

bring peace, whatever the setbacks and obstacles. 

Not by accident does the Seder service, at 

least as we observe it today, end with God’s 

victory over the angel of death. So as we relive 

our people’s history, we gain strength for the 

Rabbi Chaim Cowen to conduct 

MHC Yom Tov Services 

Rabbi Chaim Cowen 

3 

struggles ahead. For 

what Jews, Judaism 

and Israel represent 

is not a small thing. 

It is nothing less 

than the proposition 

that a nation can 

survive against all the odds by the power of its 

faith in freedom and the God of freedom, in life 

and the God of life, in ultimate peace and the 

God of peace. 

This year, as we lift our glasses for the four 

cups of wine, as we sing Dayenu and thank God 

for all the miracles of our survival, let us also 

have in our hearts a prayer for the people and 

state of Israel. May the angel of death be 

defeated by the God of life, and may Israel and 

its people find the peace for which they and we 

long. 

Be-birkat chag kasher ve-sameach 

Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks 

Cover Image: Seder Plate courtesy of 

The Antique Silver Company, 

Carlisle Street, Balaclava. 

After completing his secondary schooling at Yeshiva 

College in Melbourne, where he gained outstanding 

results in VCE, he declined an offer to undertake a 

combined Law Commerce degree at the University of 

Melbourne, to pursue an ongoing interest in furthering 

his religious education. 

After undertaking studies in Melbourne, Los Angeles 

and Jerusalem, he concluded his rabbinic ordination 

at Machon Le’horah Institute in Pretoria, South Africa, 

with the actual smicha being awarded both by Rabbi 

Levy Wineberg and the internationally recognised 

‘Machon Ariel Institute’ of Israel, under Rabbi SY 

Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa. 

During his studies, he also undertook a variety of courses on matters such as Addiction 

Counselling, Counter-Missionary work, Jewish Medical Ethics and Adult Education, and 

has completed two parts of a course in the Applied Psychology of Viktor Frankl’s school 

of Logotherapy. (Frankl was a holocaust survivor who developed an outlook which 

promotes positive thinking and a general optimistic and wholesome attitude towards 

life and suffering.) 

Currently working as a teacher at Yesodei Hatorah College in Elwood, Rabbi Cowen is 

also studying the Juris Doctorate (JD) course at Monash University with the intention of 

merging the study of Law with his rabbinical interests.

Some of you, or should I say many of you - 

or maybe even most of you, would have 

heard the story regarding the shule that was 

infested with mice and the difficulties 

experienced in getting rid of these rodents. 

Everything had been tried, until one Rabbi came 

up with a clever solution. “Give them all a bar 

mitzvah and you will not see them again !”. 

Now, this is only a sad joke, so don’t take 

offence at it. But I would like to tell you a story 

about a bar mitzvah that is not a joke, a happy 

story from the famous international magid 

(story teller) Rabbi Paysach Krohn – 

whose reputation as an erudite and sought after 

public speaker and lecturer is known widely in 

Jewish communities throughout the English 

speaking world. 

A couple had been married six long years and 

had not yet been blessed with children. They 

had gone to great rabbis for blessings, they had 

been under special medical care and they prayed 

for others in their situation with the hope that 

others in turn would pray for them. This man 

was a rebbi (a mentor) in a yeshiva and dealt 

with children all day long, which made his 

plight more painful. Coming home to an empty 

nest was often too much to bear. Additionally, 

both husband and wife came from families of 

prominent Torah educators, so the possibility of 

not having children of their own to educate, was 

almost unendurable. 

Finally, in their seventh year of marriage, the 

woman gave birth to a little boy who was born 

prematurely and weighed just close to three 

pounds. The baby was placed in the High Risk 

Unit of the hospital. The doctors and nurses 

were extraordinary in their care and concern for 

the infant boy and took extra time with the 

couple, as they knew how long the couple had 

waited for this child. 

After two and half months the couple was 

told that their son was healthy and well enough 

to be taken home. Naturally there was elation 

and feelings of gratitude to Hashem – and to the 

staff of the hospital. The new father wanted to 

buy the nurses a gift, but wasn’t sure what was 

fitting or appropriate. He called his Rosh Yeshiva 

[his Rabbi of the yeshiva where he studied], for 

advice, and was taken aback when he told him 

“Don’t buy a gift.” He wanted to challenge his 

Rabbi, but he asked gently, “Rabbi, we are so 

grateful to the staff; shouldn’t we get them 

something to show our appreciation? They went 

beyond the call of duty for us and for our baby.” 

“Of course you should show appreciation,” 

said the Rabbi, “but I want to show you 

something and then tell you what to do.” 

– With Compliments from – 

Susan, Ron, 

Danielle & Adam 

Krongold 

From the Rabbi’s Desk 

The Rabbi 

explained to him 

that when the 

midwives saved 

the infants from 

Egypt they 

received the 

blessing of the 

people “increasing 

and becoming 

very strong” as it 

states in the first 

portion of the 

book of Exodus. 

The greatest gift 

that the midwives 

could have was to 

see that the 

children grow 

strong and 

healthy. 

“Therefore,” 

concluded the Rabbi, “my advice is that every 

year on the child’s birthday bring him back to 

the High Risk Unit. Show them that this is the 

boy that they helped. You will show them how 

strong he has become and thank them for the 

diligent concern they exercised when his life 

depended on them.” 

And this is exactly what the couple did. 

Every year on the boy’s birthday they brought 

their son to the High Risk nursery to show 

everyone how he had matured and progressed. 

They repeated this gesture year after year until 

their son was six. By that time, the couple 

already had several other children and their lives 

were busier than ever. 

Over the next few years there was always 

another excuse for not going back on his 

birthday. However the year of their son’s Bar 

Mitzvah, the father remembered his Rabbi’s 

counsel and decided that on this joyous occasion 

he and his son would visit the High Risk Unit. 

They arrived together with a Bar Mitzvah 

invitation and handed it to the head nurse with 

a warm letter of gratitude. The father thanked 

everyone profusely for what they had done years 

earlier and brought a special cake for the staff. 

A few weeks later the couple received a 

beautiful letter from one of the nurses. It read as 

follows: 

“My name is Jodi Campanella and I am a 

nurse in the High Risk Nursery at the hospital 

where your son had an extended stay, years ago. 

After finishing Nursing School at Snider hospital 

two years ago, I was hired to work in the 

nursery at Hodges. 

While at orientation I heard all about your 

– With Compliments – 

Michael Danby MP 

Proudly representing the 

electorate of Melbourne Ports. 

117 Fitzroy St (PO Box 2086) 

St Kilda West VIC 3182 

Ph: 9534 8126 Fax: 9534 1575 

michael.danby.MP@aph.gov.au 

4 


“Where Melbourne’s top dogs and cats stay” 

Barry and Denise McMahon, 

72 Ashley Rd, Yarrambat 436 1307 

son. All the nurses made particular 

mention of how special a patient he 

was, not only because he had an 

amazing first few months, but 

because of how wonderful your 

family is. Everyone spoke of how 

wonderful it was to take care of a 

baby and be updated on the child’s 

progress. 

A few weeks ago I had the 

pleasure of meeting you when you 

and your son brought an invitation 

to the Bar Mitzvah along with a 

letter that you had written about 

our staff. It touched my heart. You 

reminded me of why I became a 

nurse in the intensive care unit. 

Though I was not one of the nurses 

who took care of your son I wanted 

you to know how much we 

appreciate what you wrote and how 

true it is. Candy and flowers are a 

nice sentiment, but what you and your family 

do is something that helps us make it through 

the rough days. My most sincere thanks” 

(signed) Jodi Campanella, RN. 

How right the Rabbi was ! How incredible 

was his understanding of human nature. Seeing 

the progress of the child in strength and health 

was the greatest compensation of all. The couple 

read the letter over and over and showed it to 

dozens of people. And everyone came to the 

same conclusion: such wisdom is in the Torah. 

We just need the proper people to find it. 

Ladies and gentlemen, my friends from 

Toorak Shule; what a powerful message we learn 

from this story. How much do we have to 

appreciate and show some gratitude to the 

Almighty. We wait for the day a son or daughter 

finally reaches the age of thirteen [for a boy] or 

twelve [for a girl] and is about to enter the ranks 

of Jewish men and women. Maybe it would be 

asking too much to attend services in a shule 

every morning and evening like most ultra 

religious people do. It wouldn’t even hurt if they 

show up on Shabbat to celebrate this important 

day of the week But at least on the anniversary 

of a Bar or Bat mitzvah to recall the day of the 

celebration and to attend the shule where it took 

place – this would be the nicest gift of all – to 

show thanks to the Almighty that we are able to 

celebrate such simchot. 

Now over to you my dear members – 

surprise me by your positive response ! 

Rabbi Dovid Rubinfeld 

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(Only 100m from Shule) 

379 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 

Tel: 9677 9900 Fax: 9677 9927 

www.roycehotels.com.au

Restore To Glory – 

MHC’s Building Fund Launch 

The following is an address by 

Alan Goldberg AO at the launch 

of the MHC Building Appeal. 

“ Rabbi, thank you for inviting me to 

speak from your pulpit. 

Many of you, like my family and myself 

have been coming to this Shule for many 

years, for Shabbat services, Yom Tovim, 

simchas, bar-mitzvahs, wedding call-ups and 

also on sad occasions for minyanim for loved 

ones. There have also bee special occasions 

when the community has gathered together 

here for important national and 

international events. I have a particular 

memory of the occasion shortly after the 

assassination of Yitzchak Rabin. 

We come here because, deep down, we 

believe in, and support passionately, the 

continuity and vibrancy of our religion 

which has existed for thousands of years. 

We are proud of our faith and proud of the 

visible institutions which proclaim the 

existence and strength of our religion 

especially in a secular community. 

Unlike the Marranos in Spain, our religion 

and its institutions do not have to exist 

underground. Gone are the days when we 

are expected, or felt the need, to be reticent 

about our identification with our religion. 

After all, we hear from time to time how the 

Judeo-Christian ethic underpins enlightened 

western society. 

This Shule has been a deacon and an icon 

on a major thoroughfare into the City for 

almost 80 years. When I drive along St Kilda 

Road and Kingsway nothing fills me with 

more pride and comfort than the sight of 

the Magen David on top of the dome of our 

Shule proclaiming – here is a synagogue – 

Jewish people worship here. Not only is it a 

place of worship for its members and 

congregants, it is a centre for 

important 


42 Claremont Street, 

South Yarra 3141 

Phone 9826 2011 Fax 9826 6951 

communal functions and a resource for the 

general community and schools to visit and 

learn about our culture and traditions. 

I have a strong passionate attachment to 

this congregation and this building. My links 

go back to 1841 when my Great Great 

Grandfather became the founding president 

of the congregation. I have strong memories 

of activities and services in this building 

extending over 60 years and I am sure many 

of you have similar memories, some 

extending more than 60 years, some 

extending less than 60 years, but 

nevertheless this Shule has been a part of 

the lives of all of us. 

I want this building, the house of 

worship, to continue as a place of assembly 

and worship for our children, our 

grandchildren, and succeeding generations. 

I want it to be a place in which we all feel 

comfortable and at home, where our 

children and grandchildren, and for some of 

us great grandchildren, can run around and 

bring us joy and naches. 

After just on 80 years in existence, the 

Shule like all of us has aged. It needs 

refurbishment, rectification and major 

capital works. It does not have up-to-date 

amenities which we now take for granted 

should be available to us. Let me give you 

just one example. Disabled access. It wasn’t 

on the radar for public buildings in the 1920s 

but it is now a given. What do we need to 

provide to give you the amenity to which 

you are entitled? Disabled ramp access, a 

Shabbat lift. We must look after our 

members who need these facilities to enable 

them to participate in our heritage. 

You will appreciate we need resources for 

these works. Your membership fees enable us 

to run the synagogue and the congregation 

on a day-to-day basis. The Shule is 

available for 365 days a year. We have 

built up prudent reserves. We haven’t 

invested in sub-prime loans. But we cant 

use all our reserves for the major capital 

works we now need to undertake. 

That is why we are appealing for 

your support to enable us to bring the 

Shule up to a 21st Century standard. 

We have already started this process. 

The change from this time last year 

can be seen in the ladies and men’s 

toilets. But there is more work to be 

done by way of major capital works – 

necessary electrical re-wiring, structural 

rectification, kitchen upgrade – the list is 


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extensive but our present resources to fund 

the works is not. This time next year we 

want to be able to say to you – look at what 

we have carried out since Rosh Hashanna 

last year – for your benefit and the benefit 

of our children and grandchildren. 

We cannot achieve this without your 

financial support. 

The last time I stood up like this and 

asked the congregation to support us was 

25 years ago. You were very generous in your 

support then, and look at the result. 

Twenty five years on the Shule is still 

providing you with the identification and 

continuity which is important to you. 

Don’t let yourselves down. 

The card on your seats tells the story. 

Please read it. For the sake of our future 

please complete the cards with a generous 

pledge. It will be an insurance and 

commitment for the future. 

I invite you now to complete the cards 

which will be collected over 

the next few minutes. 

Thank you.” Alan Goldberg AO 


Domestic, 

Industrial and 

Commercial 

Electrical 

Contracting 

79 Chifley Drive, Preston 

Phone 9484 8711 Fax 9484 8600

Thursday 16th October 2008 

This initiative of the 

Rabbinical Council of 

Victoria and the 

Melbourne Hebrew 

Congregation in conjunction 

with the Victoria Police and the 

Victorian Multicultural 

Commission was the inaugural, 

to what will be an annual event. 

Held in the Succah at the rear 

of our Shule on a very lovely 

spring day with the roof wide 

open, the Succah was packed to its seating room 

capacity with some 90 people, in what turned 

out to be a highly successful occasion. 

At a sit down luncheon catered by Shosh 

Lowy there were equal numbers of 

policewomen, policemen, Rabbonim, members 

of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and 

dignitaries. 

With quite a number of senior Police 

Officers present as well as rank and file police 

personnel, it was to be a networking event that 

would allow Rabbonim and their local Police 

officers to understand each others position, and 

have contact for attending to the regretfully 

sometime anti-Semitic incidents that do occur. 

Rabbi Phillip Heilbrun of the St Kilda 

Hebrew Congregation made the Ha Moitze (the 

blessing over bread) and as people ate, I was able 

to begin an introduction. 

Since this was the first of these occasions, I as 

master of ceremonies was aware that most of the 

police people were not fully informed about 

Jews so I gave them a brief history of Jews in 

Developing Friendships 

Through Understanding 

Melbourne and Victoria and their contribution 

to this society since its inception. I pointed out 

that the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was 

established 10 years before Victoria was 

established. 

Following this, Rabbi Meir Kluwgant, the 

Rabbi of Jewish Care for 20 years and his dual 

role as President of the Rabbinical Council of 

Victoria explained the nature and purpose of the 

luncheon and then Cops and Rabbis began 

networking. 

In his address, Acting Assistant 

Commissioner Rod Jouning, responded 

commenting on how sitting down and eating 

together was an excellent way to get to know 

each other and appreciate each others faith and 

culture. Commenting in a humorous vein, he 

said he was aware that the Jewish community in 

Australia was as old as the first fleet in 1788, 

though he imagined these original Jewish 

community members weren’t here to eat with 

the local constabulary, but rather as guests of his 

Majesty for seven years or more, as were the 

other early inhabitants. 

6 

Concluding, he said that a 

number of new friendships will 

have been made today, but most 

importantly members of the 

Victorian Jewish community 

will gain a greater sense of 

ownership of their Victoria 

Police. 

Victorian State Minister for 

Youth Sport and Recreation and 

Multicultural Affairs, The Hon. 

James Merlino MP, and MHC 

member and Multicultural 

Commissioner Marcia Pinskier, both spoke of 

the work they do and the necessity for events 

such as the luncheon, for people to reach out so 

as to better understand each other. 

Entertainment was afforded by the Klezmer 

Trio and the voice of our Rabbi, Dovid 

Rubinfeld, and both were well received and 

much enjoyed. Following the exchange of gifts 

and presentations, our Rabbi received a very 

elegant, silver Etrog box with the Victoria Police 

Emblem emblazoned on it, and he looks 

forward to being able to use it for next Succos. 

The Rabbi once again concluded the formalities 

with a lusty and tuneful rendition of the 

benching ( grace after meals) to the tunes of 

“Waltzing Matilda” and “I still call Australia 

home”. 

Leaving the function the young Policewomen 

were presented with the very attractive floral 

table decorations and going off into a warm 

afternoon, it was apparent that the 

luncheon had been highly successful. 

Leonard Yaffe. 

This page: Rabbi Rubinfeld gave a guided tour of the synagogue explaining its history and the significance of the many religious features and traditions associated with the congregation.

The Succot 

Luncheon 

A place of convivial 

camaraderie, fine food 

and hospitality. 

Developing Friendships 

Through Understanding 

7 

Rabbi Kluwgant presenting a framed mezuzah to the Hon. James Merlino MP. 

Rabbi Rubinfeld accepting a silver etrog container from Acting Assistant 

Commissioner Rod Jouning, on behalf of the Victoria Police.

Cops and Rabbis Succot Luncheon 

There is no doubt that decades of Succot 

invitations; countless lunches and 

dinners at friends homes as well as 

numerous community functions scheduled 

beneath the aromatic fronds of various 

Synagogue Succot, have left me with ongoing, 

low-level apprehension. 

I am very much a ‘cup half-full’ individual. 

Nevertheless, no matter the anticipation of 

fragile walls eagerly bedecked with colourful 

garlands, decorated with devotion and care; the 

stimulating smells of hanging lemons, oranges 

and honey, the taste of delicious foods I know 

are being prepared – everything is overwhelmed 

by the unremitting conviction that rain, damp 

seats; moisture dripping onto my glass lenses, 

sodden tablecloths, are going to be part of the 

Sukkah experience! Somehow my thoughts 

always turn to the idea that if we ran Succot all 

year long we would no longer be concerned 

about drought in Victoria – certainly not in the 

area bounded by the Eruv and dotted by 

countless Succot, housing countless guests for 

countless wet meals! 

So when the decision was made by the 

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, and the 

Rabbinical Council of Victoria, to invite local 

members of Victoria Police to a luncheon during 

Chal Hamoed in the MHC Sukkah – as thrilled 

as I was to participate in the project, those 

niggly misgivings never quite disappeared. 

I came to the table as both a member of the 

Congregation, and a Commissioner with the 

Victorian Multicultural Commission, an active 

partner to the event. In both hats I was thrilled 

at the commitment of the MHC to extend 

hospitality and welcome members of VicPol for 

what I knew would be a function that could be 

relaxed and enjoyable for all – an opportunity to 

really develop friendships and get to know each 

other a little better, without the formality that 

goes hand in hand with many other wonderful, 

but perhaps more structured events that take 

place in our community. 

A quick tour through the Sukkah following 

one of our planning meetings showed a great, 

gray space – but I had no doubts that the 

enthusiasm of Rabbi Rubinfeld, David Sherr 

and Ronnie Kowadlo, who were representing 

the congregation, would see it spick and span on 

the day. But could they guarantee dry? 

From those early days of planning we moved 

into ‘event-mode’ overdrive. E-mails flew back 

and forth between committee members 

deliberating on all the crucial elements for a 

successful function. Menu; two or three courses? 

Seating; who would schmooze with whom? Run 

Sheet; who would have control of the 

microphone – and for how long? (Always a 

toughie!) Entertainment; did we need it? 

There was little interest in discussing the 

weather, other than to explain to Bruce Colcott, 

our able police liaison that should the heavens 

open, the Rabbis and various male members of 

the force could anticipate being rained upon, 

while the Rebbetzins, (in their finery) would be 

located to avoid a downpour! 

The day dawned – Clearly, those in control 

of these matters were party to our celebrations, 

because as the guests began to arrive the skies 

were blue and clear. So much for my doubt! 

For all the work I do with Victoria Police, 

there is a wonderful added satisfaction to see 

them welcomed in my own congregation. 

At Melbourne Hebrew Congregation we are 

truly lucky to have a magnificent building as a 

centre for our community and a home for our 

spiritual undertakings. This day, the building 

herself shone in her glory, and her persona stood 

out as an additional guest to be celebrated. 

As members of the Police Force arrived, they 

were welcomed in the foyer by Rabbi Rubinfeld, 

who spoke of the holiday of Succot, and the 

Four Minim of which a Lulav, with a partner 

Etrog is comprised. He was soon joined by 

Rabbi M.S. Kluwgant, President of the Rabbinic 

Council of Victoria, and together we were 

welcomed into the heart of our synagogue, as we 

all took seats for further discussion and 

conversation, in the rows before the Bima. 

Even before we made our way to the Sukkah, 

this time gave me a personal opportunity to 

pause and view this space through the eyes of a 

stranger, through the eyes of our guests – to 

view it for the first time. Much as I always enjoy 

being in the shul on Yamim Tovim, here was a 

time dedicated to consider the shul itself; the 

stunning windows, the impressive and powerful 

boards that record long-standing community 

history, the imposing Bima; (to be honest – 

far more imposing sitting below it in the men’s 

section, than looking down upon it as I usually 

do from the women’s section)! The commanding 

marble columns, the deep plush red materials 

that add so much gravitas to the space, the 

dominant woodwork panels, the grand 

standing Menorah and of course, the 

magnificence of the dome. 

The time arrived for us to make our way to 

the Sukkah – what a delight! Escorted by the 

joyful tones of Klezmer music, a moment under 

(extremely) sunny skys and then into the Sukkah 

– transformed! Could it be that I ever used the 

word gray to describe this Sukkah? Freshly 

painted and magnificently decorated – a burst of 

colours; here was a wonderful forum to host 

both local guests and more senior members of 

Victoria Police, along with other dignitaries. 

A series of speakers rose to their feet during 

the course of the meal, representing the 

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, the Rabbinic 

Council of Victoria, the Victorian Multicultural 

Commission, Victoria Police, and Government. 

8 

Whether with words, song or tefillah, the 

common thread of all was that within this 

Sukkah we meet to affirm protection, the 

protection provided by Hashem, by the 

Victorian Police and by the arms of government; 

we meet to further our relationships – to take 

the next step toward friendship and common 

goals; we meet to celebrate the pleasure and joy 

that Succot affords us all, and to share these 

pleasures with our neighbours. 

Highlights on the day were the words of our 

Keynote Speaker, Minister assisting the Premier 

on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino. 

The Minister spoke of the government’s ongoing 

commitment to our multicultural communities 

– as was reflected in his presence at this 

occasion. 

Likewise the contributions of Rabbi 

Kluwgant, Rabbi Rubinfeld, Mr Leonard Yaffe, 

Mr Ronnie Kowadlo, Mr David Sherr and 

Acting Assistant Commissioner Rod Jouning 

were received with much enjoyment. As always – 

Rabbi Rubinfeld’s cantorial contributions 

overwhelmed and delighted both those who had 

not yet had the pleasure of hearing him sing – as 

well as those of us who knew the delight we 

were in for! The music of Klezmer added greatly 

to our experience, and I myself had the privilege 

of speaking on behalf of the Victorian 

Multicultural Commission, an enthusiastic 

support partner to the event. 

The custom of exchanging gifts has become a 

wonderful token of friendship and respect that 

Victoria Police has established in their practices 

with many faith and ethnic communities. As on 

so many occasions in their gift giving, the time 

was taken to select a gift, both beautiful and 

truly relevant as a symbol of appreciation. 

Following lunch, a presentation of a stunning 

silver Etrog container adorned with the Victoria 

Police Crest was made to the Melbourne 

Hebrew Congregation. 

The RCV presented beautiful framed 

Mezuzot to attending dignitaries – again a 

thoughtful reflection on the theme of 

protection; physical and spiritual that was 

sustained across the event. Finally, MHC made a 

series of presentations of their recent, 

magnificent publication celebrating the stunning 

stained glass windows of the synagogue. 

Nothing can be a clearer indication as to the 

success of any event than the reluctance of the 

guests to depart. While a number of the police 

present stationed at Caulfield and St Kilda left 

promptly to be back at work for their shifts – 

many of those present, whose time was their 

own to command, remained to schmooze over 

the tables. Minister Merlino truly over-stayed his 

scheduled visit, (apologies to whomever it was 

we kept waiting), and it was clear that our aim 

to create a relaxed and friendly environment had 

succeeded. There was much laughter, telling of 

jokes, sharing of personal anecdotes, and in 

some instances even exchange of headgear! 

A Y’Asher Ko’ach to all involved – may we 

see a comparable event take place next year! 

Marcia Pinskier, Commissioner, 

Victorian Multicultural Commission

In The Beginning 

1961 was the year when Eichmann 

was sentenced to be hanged, when 

the Menzies government was reelected 

with a greatly reduced 

majority, and when Hawthorn won 

its first VFL Premiership. 1961 was 

also the year when the Melbourne 

Hebrew Congregation Newsletter 

was born. 

The president at that time was 

the highly innovative John Mense 

who wrote in Issue No. 1 “It is 

with great pride and pleasure that 

I present to you your own 

synagogue paper which will appear 

from now on at regular intervals 

for the benefit and interest of the 

members of the Melbourne Hebrew 

Congregation.” 

Communication 

In the early days of the 

congregation communication with 

members was largely by letter. 

The very elderly may remember 

beautifully bound letter books 

from which the original was mailed 

and a copy retained in the book. 

A member would be asked whom 

he would like called up for a 

certain occasion and a written 

reply would be received. An 

Annual Report would be mailed 

and notices would be placed in the 

Jewish press and occasional special 

letters would be sent to members. 

Our Newsletter 

The first issue of our Newsletter 

was dated December 1961 and 

contained four pages. There was no 

colour and no photos. 

Even in 1961 the cost of colour 

and the insertion of photos was 

expensive. To include a photo an 

engraving block had to be made. 

This was quite a process. The type 

was set by a linotypist and the 

editor had to read galley proofs to 

detect any errors. This was a 

laborious process and it was little 

wonder that publication was only 

quarterly and of four pages. To 

complete the job page layouts had 

to be cut and pasted. To make it 

more distinctive the annual New 

Year issue was printed in blue 

rather than black. By comparison 

our latest magazine issued in 

September 2008 was of fifty-six 

pages and lavishly printed in 

colour on highgrade glossy paper. 

A New Broom 

Change is a matter of life and now 

occurs regularly everywhere. 

After all, Plume petrol is now 

MHC Magazine – Thoughts & Reflections 

Mobil and whatever happened to 

Sennitts icecream and Guests 

biscuits? So our Newsletter became 

a magazine format called 

“Ha-Atid” (The Future) for 

20 issues before changing to its 

current title “Destiny.” 

Our Editors 

In 1961 Michael S Cohen was 

chosen to be our first editor 

although he only edited the first 

four issues. In the first issue he 

wrote that “if it is a stimulus to 

greater activity it will be 

worthwhile.” 

From Issue 5 to Issue 56 

covering thirteen years I was editor. 

I was followed by Leonard Yaffe 

and then Raymond Joseph. David 

Lissauer became editor about ten 

years ago and through his 

endeavours our publication has 

become truly world-class. Today 

when AFL goal umpires are often 

dressed like clowns for advertising 

products and cricket stumps are 

covered with advertisements our 

magazine also has to unfortunately 

rely on sponsorship. I realise that 

advertisements are necessary to 

fund such a quality publication as 

ours. 

Our Contributors 

From the very first issue there were 

articles by Isidor Solomon and 

Leila Friedman both of whom 

became regular contributors for 

many years and by our then rabbi, 

Dr. I. Rapaport. 

9 

Later we had contributions 

from many others including the 

distinguished academic, Dr Samuel 

Billigheimer, Edna-Hannah Singer, 

(now Rabbi) Raymond Apple, 

Manuel Gelman, and Newman H 

Rosenthal. 

Two Special 

Contributors 

ISIDOR SOLOMON 

In the first issue of the Newsletter 

Isidor wrote about the birth of the 

Congregation – the early services 

in private homes and commercial 

premises, the land grant, and those 

involved. 

Some years later he wrote an 

article entitled “Adventurer” about 

his ancestor of the same name who 

journeyed from Kurnik in Prussia 

to London and then to Ballarat. 

There in Main Road he established 

a timber and canvas store. There 

were a number of other Jewish 

traders in the street including one 

of my great-grandfathers. 

From our first issue for more 

than forty years Isidor contributed 

articles of historical interest to our 

newsletter. He combined a 

uniquely fantastic memory with a 

good working knowledge of Jewish 

customs and traditions. He was 

like a directory of our members, 

their families, their ancestors, their 

businesses, and their interests. 

Apart from his writings he 

served on the board for what must 

have been a record number of years 

culminating in his presidency. 

Right up until his death he was the 

inspiration of our archives 

committee where his services were 

irreplaceable. The photo at the 

base of the page was taken at a 

shule service in October 2006 a 

few months before his death. 

LEILA 

FRIEDMAN 

Our second 

regular and 

important 

contributor was 

Leila Friedman 

wife of our 

secretary, Henry. 

Leila could best be described as 

a professional writer because her 

name could be seen in articles in 

many publications and because of 

the book that she published which 

was very well received. Her “Social 

Jottings” appeared in Issue No. 1. 

Under the heading “Around the 

Congregation” which appeared in 

every issue for as long as she was 

physically able Leila virtually 

catalogued the social highlights in 

the lives of our members and their 

families 

The Future 

It is my hope and I am sure 

yours that “Destiny” or whatever 

masthead it bears in the future will 

continue to appear regularly, 

continue to retain its prestigious 

presentation, and continue to be 

read and enjoyed by our members 

and a wider readership. 

Eric M. Cohen OAM 

[From left) Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks with MHC historian the late Isidor Solomon 

and regular contributor Eric M Cohen OAM.

Ella Anselmi, a niece of Boydie Turner. 

Queen’s Hall, Victorian State Parliament. 

Tuesday 2nd December 2008. 

Born on the banks of the Murray River at 

its confluence with the Goulburn River 

in 1861, Aboriginal elder of the Yorta 

Yorta people, William Cooper struggled 

unsuccessfully for the rights of his people all of 

his life. One of his grand nephews, was the late 

Pastor, Doug Nicholls, the Fitzroy football player 

of some note, but more particularly a progenitor 

of the Australian Aborigines League, a forerunner 

of today’s Aboriginal rights activists groups. 

Leaving his humpy on the banks of the 

Murray in 1933 at the age of 73, William 

Cooper came to live in Footscray, Melbourne, 

where he could be more active in his endeavours 

concerning Aboriginal rights. 

It was in 1938 at the age of 77, that William 

Cooper, an intimate acquaintance of the wrong 

side of prejudice and discrimination, outraged, at 

the events of “Kristallnacht”, some weeks later 

led a delegation, on foot of Aborigines, from 

Footscray, to protest at the German Consulate, 

in Albert Road, South Melbourne. The German 

Consul denied the group entry to the consulate 

but they handed over a petition, which 

condemned “the cruel persecution” of the Jews 

by the Nazis. 

This, at that time, was one of the very few 

voices heard in support of Jews, not only in 

Australia, but throughout the world. 

To rectify the omission, of acknowledgement 

of William Cooper’s actions, it was in Queen’s 

Hall in the Victorian State Parliament, on the 

70th anniversary of Kristallnacht that the JCCV, 

the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, 

along with the Indigenous communities, invited 

a very large gathering of Melbourne’s multi 

cultural community to be present, to hear a 

number of speakers give voice to his courage, not 

to be silent, in the face of injustice and 

discrimination. 

Now 70 years on from the event the German 

Consulate to Victoria Anne-Marie Schleich was 

in attendance to bear witness and acknowledge 

Shmuel Rozenkrantz and Boydie Turner. 

Honouring William Cooper, 

Aboriginal Champion of Jews 

the honour being bestowed 

upon a ‘voice’ of protest. 

The speakers included the 

Premier the Hon. John Brumby 

MP, The Ambassador for Israel, 

Yuval Rotem, the Federal 

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, 

Jenny Macklin, John Searle 

newly appointed president of the 

JCCV, Uncle Boydie Turner, the 

now 80 year old grandson of 

William Cooper and now a 

Yorta Yorta elder himself. Boydie 

Turner accepted the framed 

certificate of acknowledgement 

of his grandfather’s actions, from 

Sara Gold, Victorian president 

of the Jewish National Fund. 

The JNF plans to plant 70 trees 

in the name of William Cooper 

in Israel, this April. The Israeli 

embassy planned to fly a 

member of the family over for 

the tree planting. 

John Searle said, “William 

Cooper understood what it was 

like to be a minority, to suffer 

oppression. He was a remarkable 

man. He could not sit by and 

watch such oppression and do 

nothing.” 

Although all spoke 

eloquently and pointedly, the two outstanding 

speakers were Ambassador Rotem, formerly 

Israel’s representative at the United Nations 

Assembly, who said Cooper ‘defied the silence of 

the majority’. “If there were more like William 

Cooper in every nation of the world, then 

perhaps, just perhaps, the Jews of Europe may 

have defied their fate. He deserves to be 

remembered as a hero to the Jewish people and 

an inspiration to mankind”, and went on 

to conclude, that the greatest crime, when you 

are witness to injustice and discrimination, 

“is to remain silent”. 

The last speaker, who literally, grabbed the 

attendant throng’s attention, was Shmuel 

Rosenkrantz, now 86 years old. Shmuel had lost 

32 members of his family in the Holocaust and 

vividly remembered “Kristallnacht.” The Queen’s 

Hall of Parliament house was packed, probably 

over 200 hundred people, standing, and when 

M.C. John Searle announced that there was a 

witness present who had seen that infamous 

event, you could have heard a pin drop. And as 

Shmuel spoke the silence intensified. 

He described how he, a 16 year old, hid in 

the woods overlooking Vienna, that evening with 

his father, and how they could identify which 

synagogues were burning from the location of 

the columns of smoke across the city. And as 

they walked back into the city the next morning, 

he remembered how the streets everywhere, were 

littered with broken glass. 

He then recalled arriving in Australia as a 

17 year old in 1939 and reading of William 

Cooper’s brave efforts, in the Argus newspaper. 

Shmuel said of William Cooper,“Nobody of 

the so called western civilized world, raised the 

10 

[L-R] Shmuel Rozenkrantz, Yuval Rotem Israeli Ambassador, John Searle JCCV 

President, Boydie Turner grandson of William Cooper, 

Jenny Macklin Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs and 

Ella Anselmi, a niece of Boydie Turner who is an "aunty", an Aboriginal elder. 

[L-R] Tony Lupton MP Member for Prahran who co-ordinated the event, 

Premier of Victoria the Hon. John Brumby MP, Boydie Turner Aboriginal elder 

& grandson of William Cooper & Yuval Rotem Israeli Ambassador to Australia. 

voice of opposition against this pogrom, but in 

faraway Australia, an ancient people, still not 

recognized by the western world as owners of the 

land they live on, raised their voice.” 

(Aborigines, were not recognized as Australian 

citizens, until 1967.) 

Commenting afterwards, Kevin Russell, a 

great grandson of William Cooper, said, 

“It’s an amazing thing to be acknowledged 

by the Jewish community. It’s remarkable, 

phenomenal, just fantastic that the Jewish 

community is putting it out there.” 

Concluding the evening John Searle thanked 

all those present for coming out, however 

everyone there couldn’t help but believe, that, 

that evening, they’d witnessed a little bit 

of history. 

Leonard Yaffe 

This article acknowledges Dan Goldberg of The Jewish 

Chronicle and JTA (The Global News Service of the 

Jewish People) 

MHC Life Governor Leonard Yaffe and B'nai Brith 

President Gary Fabian

Inter-Synagogue Bowls Tournament 

Sunday 15th February, 2009 

With 14 Synagogues represented this 

year, it was a very successful day and 

a good time was had by all. 

It was a record number of Synagogues and 36 

Teams of 4 played 3 games each. 

Melbourne Synagogue had 6 teams and 

although winning 10 out of 18 games, we 

missed out on a place. 

Most successful team for us was skippered 

by Geoff Cashmore, 3rd – Fay Rubenstein, 

2nd – Pat Cashmore and lead – Leon Diamond, 

the only team to win their 3 games. All teams 

are to be congratulated for their endeavours. 

Sponsors of the day Rachel and Alan 

Goldberg presented the Shield to the winners 

(new team) – Kehilat Nitzan at Bnei Brith. 

A lovely kosher lunch and afternoon tea was 

provided. Congratulations to Gary Hartman for 

his well managed tournament, together with 

Joe Aarons and all the Maccabi Lawn 

Bowls committee. 

Leon Diamond 

– With Compliments from – 

Dinah Krongold 

and 

Family 

11 


Commercial Industrial, Retail, 

Fitout, Health, Restoration 

www.kaneconstructions.com.au 

or ring Tony Isaacson on 9428 8888 


David & Geinia 

Goldberger

The Melbourne Hebrew 

Congregation invited 

residents of Jewish Care’s 

disability homes to celebrate 

Chanukah with their family and 

friends on Sunday 21st December. 

This is the fifth year that our 

Shule has opened its doors for 

these members of our community 

who do not otherwise have the 

opportunity to come to Shule and 

feel part of a community and 

practice their religion. 

Jewish Care’s 

MHC Chanukah Celebration 

After some words from Rabbi 

Rubinfeld about the meaning of 

Chanukah, the blessings were 

recited and a resident from each of 

Jewish Care’s houses came up to 

light a candle of the Shule’s 

Menora – gleaming after a polish 

for this special occasion. 

Of particular joy was that 

Nicole Spigelman, daughter of the 

late Robert Spigelman, a dedicated 

board member of our Shule, was 

able to come up and light one of 

the candles. It was also pleasing 

this year to see Jewish people with 

a disability supported by non 

Jewish charities also attending. 

Following the candles being lit, 

there was enthusiastic singing of 

Ma’oz Tzur. On behalf of the 

members, Executive member 

David Sherr then presented each 

Jewish Care house with a 

beautifully embroidered challah 

cover, for the residents to use 

each Friday night. 

MHC Youth Activities 

Youth activities are planned by 

Ronny and Natalie Kowadlo. 

Please contact Ronny at the Shule 

office on 9866 2255, or mobile 

0413863263 or alternatively via 

e-mail on: 

ronnyk@melbournesynagogue.org.au 

12 

With music provided by 

Gregory Cveigoren from the 

MHC choir, everyone enjoyed a 

Chanukah themed feast of latkes, 

doughnuts, cakes, fruit and ice 

cream. To top off the wonderfully 

festive celebration, each guest was 

given a lolly bag as they left the 

function. 

On behalf of Jewish Care and 

the executive of the Melbourne 

Hebrew Congregation, I would 

like to thank those members who 

were in attendance and helped 

make this day a special 

and memorable one. 

Daniel Leighton 


BBL Enterprises Pty Ltd 

9804 7644 

Barbara & Barry 

Landau and family 


Bev & Eric Cohen 

& family

Chanukah in the City – 

A Festival of Light ? 

We, who have grown up in the western 

world, are well aware of Christmas 

and all its nuances. The goodwill that 

is extended across the community, the many 

charitable acts of helping, and caring for the less 

fortunate, even of the many Jews who help out 

on Christmas day, so that their Christian 

acquaintances, might be better able to spend 

their special day with their families. We’re aware 

of the commercialisation of the holiday and the 

pressure it creates within the community. Just 

try and drive into town on those last weeks of 

shopping, and see how you cope with the traffic. 

So there is a feeling of relief among Yidden, that, 

they don’t have to put up with, that. 

Coincidentally, Chanukah appears in a 

similar time frame, and is generally regarded as 

an easier holiday to deal with. 

In recent years, apparently starting in the 

U.S.A., Chanukah started to be seen as a Jewish 

equivalent to Christmas, with the appearance of 

Chanukah Bushes equivalent to Xmas trees. 

Thus it would allow Jews, not to feel out of it. 

If that was the overriding sentiment, a reaching 

out and being inclusive, then that is a noble 

motive for generating such an ambiance, but it 

certainly, and if I say it cynically, does help 

commercial interests. However I feel it has more 

to do with the way many Jews in the U.S.A. see 

themselves – wanting to be part of the 

mainstream and prepared to compromise their 

Judaism in order to do so. 

In recent years, we in Melbourne have 

experienced Chanukah in the Park, and 

Chanukah in the City, without the broader 

commercialization. This has been generally 

warmly welcomed by the broader community 

outside of Judaism. And in a community like 

Melbourne, an overtly multicultural city, the 

public display of minority community festivals, 

can only be regarded as a good thing, in that the 

open tolerance of others beliefs will have 

beneficial effects. 

It has been a long time, since the Hellenic 

forces in Biblical Israel tried to overthrow Jewish 

beliefs and lifestyle. In the intervening millennia, 

I wouldn’t have thought that there were many, if 

any periods when Jews had the opportunity to 

openly and publicly celebrate their festivals, in 

the diaspora. 

That you put your lighted Chanukiah, in the 

front window of your home, is how it should be 

Lord Mayor Doyle, Hugo Gold, John Searle, Len Yaffe and Rebecca 

Pinskier (the daughter of Marcia & Henry Pinskier) 

done. Certainly I’ve 

never been made aware 

of how Chanukah was 

overtly and publicly 

displayed in the shtetlach 

and cities of Europe. 

So the way Chanukah 

is now able to be 

celebrated, here in 

Melbourne, openly, 

warmly, welcomingly, 

inclusively is an 

indication of how far we Jews and Judaism are 

accepted by the mainstream society. When 

tolerance of others has reached out to allow 

minority cultures and religions to express 

themselves so publicly, then surely publicly 

pronouncing the miracle of Chanukah in the 

city square, proclaims loud and clear, that 

Chanukah, is, a festival of light. 

And so it was on that Monday evening, in 

the City of Melbourne’s Federation Square, 

when the candles, for the second day, of the 

8 day festival, were lit by our new Lord Mayor, 

Mr. Robert Doyle accompanied by Mr John 

Searle, JCCV president and a young boy, Tzvi 

Schweitzer. 

Prior to the candle lighting, the square was 

alive with the wonderful sounds of Troy 

Sussman and his very energetic and much 

enjoyed band. The Israeli dancing in front of the 

large city Square T.V. screen was joined by many 

visiting backpackers from across the globe, along 

with many other non Jewish Melburnians, and 

they danced till they dropped. There were play 

places for the children, complemented of course 

by stalls selling a variety of traditional Chanukah 

food, latkes and ponchkes 

The official welcome by Mr. John Searle, 

commented on the joy of Jews being accepted as 

part of the fabric of a multicultural Melbourne. 

The Lord Mayor, Mr. Robert Doyle in his 

address commenting on the public celebration of 

Chanukah, revealed that this was the only city in 

Australia where it happens, and how proud he 

was that it was happening here in his city. 

He said that “although Australia was a 

geographically old country, its history was only a 

little over 200 years old, and that Jews being 

able to rejoice in events that occurred 1800 years 

ago added to Melbourne’s identity and 

connectedness to the past, and enriches us all. 

Lord Mayor Doyle addresses the crowds. 

13 

Dancing to the music of Troy Sussman and his band. 

In commemorating the Jewish faith’s victory 

over Syrian Hellenisation and oppression, it was 

wonderful to see Jewish Melbourne come 

together, to reaffirm their values, and enjoy the 

strength and unity of their community. It is 

deeply moving and inspiring, and among other 

things these candles tonight represent liberty, 

solidarity and hope. The City of Melbourne is 

proud to support the Festival of Lights, and we 

thank you for sharing this beautiful celebration 

with us. 

Tonight your candles join the city’s 

Christmas decorations in symbolizing hope, 

unity and peace across all faiths and cultures. 

I wish you and your families a happy Chanukah 

and a wonderful new year.” 

For those of us who can recall the recent 

past, Australia is for Jews, at this time truly a 

“Goldeneh Medina.” 

Glossary: 

Diaspora: The dispersion of Jews across the globe since 

the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. 

Chanukiah: The 9 branched candlestick. 

Shtetlach: The small villages of Eastern Europe 

up until the Second World War. 

Latkes: Fried potato cakes 

Ponchkes: Jam filled donuts. 

Goldeneh Medina: 

Literally a golden country, paradise on earth. 


Tzvi Schweitzer candle lighting with John Searle and 

Lord Mayor Doyle

On Friday 5th December in 

the late afternoon, a 

gathering of almost 500 

attended our Annual Batmitzvah 

Service. The late afternoon 

sunshine enhanced our beautiful 

shule with the eclectic beams of 

coloured light that streamed from 

the striking leadlight windows in 

the dome. 

Family and friends of our four 

b’not mitzvah were greeted by 

musical accompaniment provided 

by Gregori Cveigoren. 

Life Governor and gabbai 

Leonard Yaffe, the ever 

consummate MC welcomed all 

and introduced each of the b’not 

mitzvah. He handed each girl 

single roses that they in turn 

presented to their mothers and 

where present, grandmothers and 

great grandmothers. 

Each of the b’not mitzvah 

individually presented well 

researched and sincere personal 

reflections on four different aspects 

of Jewish life. 

Jemma Roseman spoke on the 

Importance of Family, Tessa 

Faiman spoke about one of the 

first important female role models, 

Miriam the Prophetess, Sienna Fitt 

spoke of the Mitzvah of Tzedakka 

and Ashlee Edelstein spoke of the 

Mitzvot of Women – Shabbat, 

Challah and Niddah. 

Parents, siblings, grandparents 

and great grandparents kvelled as 

their young daughter, sister, 

granddaughter or great 

granddaughter rose to speak. 

As is our tradition, Rabbi 

Rubinfeld sang the moving melody 

Eshet Chayil – a Women of 

Worth. 

The hour long service included 

an address from Rabbi Rubinfeld 

during which he noted that he had 

returned especially from USA only 

that day to be present at the event. 

Their much admired teacher 

Yehudit Kazatsky also spoke and 

quoted from Pirkei Avot – Ethics 

of our Fathers – “Who is wise ? 

One who learns from other people. 

Who is mighty ? One who subdues 

Bat Mitzvah – 

Friday 5th December 

With best 

wishes to 

the Rabbi, 

Congregants & 

Community 

of the 

Melbourne 

Hebrew 

Congregation 

their passions. Who is rich ? 

One who is happy with what he 

has. Who is honoured ? One that 

honours their fellow person.”. 

The ceremony concluded with 

presentations to the girls on behalf 

of the Congregation and by a 

representative of Wizo. In 

recognition of the importance of 

Magen David Adom, the 

Congregation inscribed each girl in 

the MDA Book of Life and the 

co-president of MDA Victoria, 

Ms Glynis Lipson presented 

framed certificates attesting to this 

fact, that permanently links this 

important milestone for each of 

the girls with the State of Israel. 

Caitlin Faiman, mother of 

Tessa, spoke on behalf of the girls 

and their respective families in 

extending a vote of thanks to their 

teacher and acknowledged the 

special bond that Yehudit Kazatsky 

had developed with the girls and 

the unique manner in which she 

had imparted Jewish learning and 

values to the girls 

The normal Friday evening 

mincha and commencement of 

Kabbalat Shabbat service, saw a 

record Friday evening turnout as 

most who attended for the 

Batmitzvah ceremony remained for 

this brief service that followed. 

Again we extend mazeltov to all 

our b’not mitzvah. 

Classes have commenced once 

again with Yehudit Kazatsky and 

anyone wishing to participate – 

even mid year, should contact the 

shule office or Ronny 

Kowadlo. 

David H Sherr 


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Suite 44, 521 Toorak Rd, Toorak 

Phone 9826 0311 Fax 9826 4003 

14 

Sienna Fitt 

Jemma Roseman 


Business Advisors 

Level 17, 200 Queen Street 

Melbourne 3000 

Tel: 61 3 9639 4779 

rcauchi@cjlpartners.com.au 

Ashlee Edelstein 

Tessa Faiman 


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R. J. MORRIS F.C.P.A. 

Suite 8, Guild Court, 

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Phone 9882 7074 Fax 9882 7077

[Above] Sienna Fitt 

receives a framed 

certificate from MDA 

Victoria Co-President 

Glynis Lipson. 


FOR FASHION MENSWEAR 

Bat Mitzvah – 

Friday 5th December 

Jewish Day Of Remembrance YOM HASHOAH Commemoration 

“Glimmers in the Dark” Rekindled Hope. 

COMMEMORATION: 

Monday 20 April at 7.30pm, 

Robert Blackwood Hall. 

Monash University, Clayton Campus. 

MEMORIAL SERVICE. 

Sunday 26 April at 3pm, 

Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton. 

Tickets available from JCCV and The Jewish 

Holocaust Centre. 


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Mazal Tov Joanna 

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Joanna Friedman is 

congratulated by David H Sherr 

at her Bat Mitzvah on 20th 

February 2009. 


Silvia and Phillip Piorun 

& 

Phillip Piorun Pty Ltd

Scholar, Engineer, Soldier and Nation Builder 

– The Monash Commemorative Service 

Legislative Assembly Chamber – 

Parliament House. Friday 24th 

October 2008. 

As a Jew, being seated in the 

Legislative Assembly of 

State Parliament, in the 

seats that are usually occupied by 

our elected representatives, to hear 

non Jews heap praise upon a Jew, 

who fought hard against anti- 

Semitism, only, that he might serve 

his country, to the best of his 

ability, was immensely satisfying. 

This is particularly so when you 

are aware of the attitudes that had 

prevailed, within living memory. 

And I imagine those feelings would 

have been shared by the many 

other Jewish leaders there as well. 

Notably amongst those present 

were, President of Vajex Ben Hirsh 

and Vice President Joe Salfas, 

Chevra Kadisha CEO Ephraim 

Finch, JNF President Joe Krycer, 

Rabbi John Levi, JCCV President 

John Searle, Australian Jewish 

Historical Society President 

Howard Freeman, B’nai Brith 

President Gary Fabian, and Emmy 

Monash President Michelle Lasky, 

Glen Eira City Mayor Steven Tang 

and Friends of the Brighton 

Cemetery member Dr. Malcolm 

Fredman. The Brighton Cemetery 

is where General Sir John Monash 

is buried. 

The commemoration was 

conducted by Major General Jim 

Barry AM MBE RFD ED (retd) 

and was conducted with the 

dignity and gravitas to be expected 

as a memorial for a great military 

leader and civic giant. Addresses 

were given by The Hon Tony 

Robinson MP the Minister 

Assisting the Premier on Veteran’s 

Affairs, Brigadier Bruce Cook 

ADC representing Lieutenant 

General Ken Gillespie AO DSC 

CSM Chief of Army, and Roland 

Perry author of “ Monash – The 

Outsider Who Won a War”. Each 

of the speakers addressed different 

areas of Monash’s life and 

achievements. 

Interestingly, Roland Perry’s 

insight into Monash’s character is 


Carolyn and 

Henry Jolson 

and their families 

most informative and 

with his kind 

permission, the address, 

he gave that morning 

follows. 

“I wish to 

acknowledge the 

traditional land owners 

and their elders. Also 

Governor General, the 

Right Reverend Peter 

Hollingworth; Brigadier 

Bruce Cook; Rabbis Yossi 

Segelman & Ralph 

Genende, thank you 

General Jim Barry, 

distinguished guests all. 

Today we are celebrating 

the life of General Sir 

John Monash.We are a 

few weeks away from 

commemorating the 

90th Anniversary of the 

end of World War1 -a 

conflict on which Monash, 

as a battle commander, had a 

huge impact. 

What sort of character was he? 

What were his interests? 

Monash was a prodigy at the piano. 

He could have been a professional, 

playing the concert halls of 

Melbourne. He was an Opera buff. 

After the Great War he rarely 

missed a night of the local season. 

Monash was a prime mover in 

creating a Melbourne orchestra. 

He was an amateur magician.When 

it came to war, he turned into a 

master Illusionist, who bamboozled 

the enemy. He had a few fetishes, 

or compulsions. 

One was over time.Whenever going 

to a meeting on a battlefield, or just 

the dentist, he arrived as the second 

hand moved through the top of the 

minute. On many occasions during 

war, his arriving on time, and leaving 

on time, meant he avoided death 

from snipers, artillery fire and 

bombs. 

He loved to make order out of 

chaos. Solving maths problems and 

puzzles was his hobby. He liked 

them to be difficult. He got a kick 

out of being almost unhinged by 

them. He got a bigger kick out of 

solving those problems. Monash 


Ahda, Alan 

and Evi Selwyn 

16 

trained his mind this way for 

40 years. It helped him in war. 

No chaotic situation was ever too 

big to take on. 

Mathematics was Monash’s greatest 

intellectual discipline, among many. 

He won the Exhibition at the public 

exams and went on to earn three 

degrees in Law, Arts and engineering 

at Melbourne University. 

What distinguished him is that very 

few in our history have applied their 

minds so rigorously for so long, with 

such impact. 

Monash once said when handing 

out a school prize to a young Sir 

Archibald Glenn: ‘Mathematics is 

the language of the engineer.’ 

Monash learnt that language better 

than most, and applied it more 

importantly than anyone. 

He became a building engineer, 

constructing many bridges in Victoria 

and other States. Many are still 

standing and functional, more than 

a century on. 

His motive was to build bridges that 

stayed up. In battle, he planned only 

to win. His capacity to combine all 

the various elements to succeed in 

each endeavour was the same. 

Monash’s preparation and attention 

to detail in both fields were the 

factors that again separated him 

from others. 


Bracha and 

George Weinberg 

(Dante Minerva Pty Ltd) 

In summing up his character... 

John Monash was a most 

compassionate individual. He was a 

kind of benevolent godfather figure 

within his extended family and 

circle. His sensitivity to those less 

fortunate than himself was seen 

most acutely after the war when he 

extended a helping hand to diggers 

who suffered. He was behind 

charities that did much when 

Governments forgot the great 

sacrifice of thousands. 

Monash demonstrated his concern 

for his men in battle. No great 

General in history before Monash 

showed more sensitivity in support 

of his men.Yet all great Generals 

have had a. ruthless streak to 

succeed in war, Monash was no 

exception. 

Another feature of the Monash 

character was evident after the war 

when many people urged him to 

become a dictator and take over the 

Federal Government. Be like 

‘Mussolini’ they said as Depression 

loomed and Australia slipped into an 

economic abyss. Mussolini was NOT 

on the nose in the 1920s. He was 

an overly ambitious Italian fascist, 

who became Prime Minister after a 

coup in 1922. 

The push for a coup in this country 

became public.The media was open 

about it. Mussolini’s elevation, the 

rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany, and 

the success of Lenin and the 

Bolsheviks in Russia, were 

inspirations for many on the right 

AND left in Australia. Precedents for 

taking power by force were plentiful. 

Monash was the most admired 

individual in the nation in the 

1920s, and arguably the most 

powerful. Everyone in political 

power, and with aspirations for it, 

knew that Monash could ‘snap his 

fingers’ and raise an army---his army 

of 170,000 diggers from the war. 

He had already raised a part of it 

in 1923 to put down rampant mobs 

in Melbourne during a Police Strike. 

Monash flatly rejected the overtures 

to takeover the Federal Government 

by force.Yet no matter what he said 

in letters and speeches, and to the 

press, the pressure for a coup 

mounted through the 1920s.

Scholar, Engineer, Soldier and Nation Builder 

– The Monash Commemorative Service 

In December 1930, Prime Minister 

James Scullin chose Monash to 

represent Australia for the opening 

of New Delhi, India.This was a 

deliberate act to get Monash out of 

Australia for the first three months 

of 1931. It eased the political 

pressure. . . Seven months later, and 

77 YEARS ago this month, Monash 

died.There was no more talk of a 

coup in Australia. 

BUT for the character and values of 

John Monash, this nation would 

have gone the way of so many 

countries that we have long 

despised as ‘Tin-pot dictatorships.” 

The El Maleh Rachamim, 

memorial prayer was then recited 

John Monash was born on 27 

June 1865 at West Melbourne. 

He was the first child and only 

son of Louis and Bertha, recent 

Jewish migrants from Krotoszyn, 

Prussia, who subsequently had two 

daughters Mathilde and Louise. 

Louis was a merchant and 

storekeeper and the family lived for 

a period in Jerilderie, NSW, before 

returning to Melbourne to allow 

John to attend Scotch College. 

He completed his secondary 

schooling at Scotch College in 

1881, where he was equal Dux of 

the school and Dux in 

Mathematics and Modern 

Languages. He subsequently 

enrolled in the Arts faculty at 

Melbourne University in 1882 

with the intention of becoming an 

engineer. While at university 

became interested in student 

politics and was co-founder of 

Melbourne University Union. 

In 1884 at 19 years of age, he 

was one of the first to join the new 

University Company, D Company, 

4th Battalion, Victorian Rifles, 

formed in response to the 

Victorian government's vigorous 

defence policy. 

In 1885 before completing his 

degree, he found employment on 

the new Princes Bridge and over 

the next two years assisted the 

contractor on this and other 

bridges. 

Monash was promoted to 

captain and in September 1896 

was given command of the North 

Melbourne Battery. Following 

federation, colonial militias were 

united to form the Australian 

Military Forces. 

In April 1888 he was appointed 

to take charge of the Outer Circle 

railway works, an eastern suburban 

in Hebrew by the uniformed 

Senior Army Chaplin Rabbi Yossi 

Segelman of Sydney, and in 

English by Senior Army Chaplin 

Rabbi Ralph Genende of Caulfield 

Hebrew Congregation, and 

noticeably all present including the 

overwhelming number of non-Jews 

responded with “Amen” at the 

appropriate time. 

This was followed by the laying 

of wreaths, amongst those who laid 

wreaths included General Sir John 

Monash’s grandchildren and great 

grandchildren, members of the 

Bennett family of Geelong, and 

also members representing Jewish 

community organizations in 

line from Oakleigh to Fairfield via 

Camberwell. 

During the late 1880s he led a 

hectic social life based around the 

German Club, opera, theatre and 

balls and dances. He married 

Hannah Victoria Moss in April 

1891 and their only child Bertha 

was born in 1893. 

He took out his master's degree 

in engineering early in 1893, and 

formally graduated in Arts and 

Law in 1895. 

In June 1894 the firm of 

Monash & Anderson opened in 

Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. set up 

as civil, mining and mechanical 

engineers and patent agents. 

In September 1897 Monash & 

Anderson became the Victorian 

agents for Monier reinforced 

concrete construction. This led to 

their involvement in the building 

of the Anderson Street (Morell) 

bridge over the Yarra and 

becoming contractors for the 

Fyansford (Barwon River) and 

other Victorian bridges. They also 

took up pipe manufacture forming, 

with David Mitchell, the Monier 

Pipe Co. Pty. Ltd. of Victoria in 

1901. 

Although the Monier patents 

expired in 1907 Monash’s company 

continued to do well and carried 

out work on the MelbourneTown 

17 

Melbourne. 

The commemoration concluded 

with the playing of the last post 

and a minute’s silence. 

At the conclusion of the service 

in a quiet moment in with Roland 

Perry, he confided to me, on the 

then upcoming television 

documentary, “ Monash the 

Forgotten Anzac”, in which he was 

one of the interviewed experts, 

how in the documentary, Monash 

was seen driving with his then 

junior officer, ( later to become 

General Sir Thomas Blamey ), and 

confiding in Blamey that he was 

virtually subject to a pogrom of 

anti-Semitism in his endeavour to 

Monash – The Man and His Achievements – A Brief History 

John Monash with his father Louis & 

daughter Bertha. 

Hall, the Melbourne Hospital, the 

State Savings Bank head office, the 

Centre Way Arcade and various 

government buildings, as well as 

bridge and road works. 

In December 1907 John 

Monash was offered command of 

the Victorian Section of the newly 

created Australian Intelligence 

Corps, and was promoted to 

Lieutenant-Colonel in March 

1908. 

With growing success in his 

business and military careers in the 

early 1900s, he became a pillar of 

Melbourne society. He lectured 

and examined at the University of 

Melbourne, became chairman of 

the graduates association, president 

of the University Club and in 1912 

was elected to the university 

council. During this time he was 

also prominent in the Boy Scout 

movement and in 1913 he became 

president of the Victorian Institute 

of Engineers. 

Monash's next appointment 

(from 1 July 1913) was to 

command the 13th Infantry 

Brigade. 

In September 1914 Monash 

was appointed to command the 

4th Infantry Brigade, A.I.F. 

The brigade sailed for Egypt on 

22 December 1914. 

While at Gallipoli Monash was 

promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 

General and later supervised the 

evacuation of his Brigade from the 

Peninsula. After a period in Egypt 

and on defence in the canal zone, 

the Brigade moved to France in 

June 1916. 

In July 1916 he was promoted 

to Major-General and travelled to 

England to organise and train the 

recently arrived 3rd Division on 

Salisbury Plain. By 1917 the 

do his duty. Perry claimed that 

Monash’s character was such, that 

he would never have shown any 

sign of weakness by complaining to 

a junior officer, and in fact that 

anguish Monash only ever 

expressed to his wife in a letter he 

had written to her. 

Following the commemoration 

service, a luncheon at the Naval 

and Military club ensured guests 

were able to socialize in a relaxed 

and pleasant way, and where 

further addresses informed us of 

the nature of modern day 

military service. 


Division was stationed in France 

holding the Armentieres sector and 

took a leading part in the battle of 

Messines and continued to occupy 

vital parts of the Allied front line. 

In March 1918 Monash was 

given the task of holding the 

Germans between the Ancre and 

the Somme, and in June 1918 he 

was promoted to the rank of 

Lieutenant-General and given 

command of all five divisions of 

the Australian Army Corps [the 

first native born Australian Corps 

Commander]. At various times he 

also commanded a British 

Division, two Canadian and two 

American Divisions. 

After successful action at Hamel 

in July 1918 and shortly after the 

beginning of the Australian 

offensive of August 1918, General 

Monash received a knighthood 

from King George V at Bertangles, 

near Amiens, reputedly the first 

time a British sovereign had 

conferred a knighthood on the 

field of battle since King George II 

created knights at the battle of 

Dettingen in 1743. 

Monash was later to write: 

“From the far off days of 1914, 

when the first call came, until the 

last shot was fired, every day was 

filled with loathing, horror and 

distress. I deplored all the time the 

loss of precious life, and the waste 

of human effort. Nothing could have 

been more repugnant to me than 

the realisation of the dreadful 

inefficiency of, and the misspent 

energy of, war.” 

(Continued)

Monash – The Man and His Achievements 

Following the end of the war 

Monash was reunited with his 

family in England. 

His triumphant return to 

Australia after the war was marred 

by the death of his wife on 27 

February 1920. In the following 

years innumerable public demands 

were made on him. He became the 

natural spokesman for returned 

soldiers and from 1925 lead the 

annual Anzac Day march. 

From 1923 he was Vice- 

Chancellor of Melbourne 

University, and from 1924-26 

president of the Australian 

Association for the Advancement 

of Science. 

Making Sense Of The Census 

Every ten years a census is 

taken in England. When I 

looked at that of 1861 

I discovered that my grandfather, 

Joseph Cohen, was listed as being 

at 40 Newington Crescent, 

Lambeth on census night. He was 

shown as being aged one. How 

strange seeing he was born in 

Melbourne on 3 May 1859. 

Also residing at that address 

were Abraham J. Jones, stationer, 

Sophia Jones, wife, Rosina Jones, 

daughter, Morris Cohen, furniture 

dealer, son-in-law, Isabella Cohen, 

daughter, and Julia Cohen (aged 8 

months) granddaughter. 

So it seems that the family had 

travelled to London to visit 

Isabella’s parents. I can’t believe 

that this was a common 

occurrence in the 1860s when a 

sea trip took so long. I have a 

passport issued on 9 March 1861 

at the Foreign Office, London, to 

“Mr Morris Cohen, British 

subject, travelling on the 

continent.” 

Conference of the Australian Zionist Federation 

He was also a member of many 

clubs and in 1922 was elected 

president of Rotary. 

In 1927 he lent his name to the 

Australian Zionist Federation as its 

national president, and it held its 

first conference in Melbourne in 

1927. 

After agreeing to become 

General Manager of the State 

Electricity Scheme (formed in the 

previous year) he assumed office as 

Chairman of the new State 

Electricity Commission early in 

1921. The commission was 

established to develop open cut 

mining of the huge deposits of 

brown coal in the La Trobe Valley 

An English passport in 

those days cost 2/- (20 cents) 

including stamp duty 6d (5 

cents). The passport is 

beautifully written on a large 

sheet of parchment paper 

(almost twice the size of an 

A4 sheet) and is quite a 

work of art in itself. 

It seems incredible that 

in 1860/61 anyone would 

willingly undertake a trip 

on a sailing ship which 

could take up to six 

months and take two 

infant children as well. 

Imagine, the return 

journey could take up to 

a year for the travelling 

alone. Both Morris and 

Isabella who were 

married by the 


Congregation on 30 

December 1857 had 

migrated from London to 

Melbourne earlier in the 1850s 

and must surely have had 

18 

and to build the installations, 

which would transmit power 

throughout Victoria. In 1924 the 

first of the electricity from Yallourn 

was received in Melbourne. 

In his last years Monash was 

also closely associated with the 

building of Melbourne's Shrine of 

Remembrance. He was a member 

of the executive committee that 

had been formed in 1921 and of 

the site sub-committee, and 

chairman of the assessors choosing 

the design. He supervised 

construction of the Shrine and the 

public appeal for funds, and in 

1930 rewrote the inscription 

planned for the west wall himself. 

memories 

of their tedious and difficult 

voyage just a few years earlier. 

Monash's haven was the family 

home Iona, where he lived with his 

daughter and delighted in his 

grandchildren. He took a keen 

interest in the garden and in 1923 

after joining the Astronomical 

Society had a platform built there 

for his telescope. 

Although he travelled to India 

early in 1931, to represent 

Australia at the opening of 

New Delhi, by August his health 

had deteriorated and he died of 

coronary vascular disease at Iona 

on 8 October 1931. His state 

funeral with crowds of about 

300,000 was probably the largest 

in Australia to that time. 

So I can only guess 

that the visit was both to 

see the family, show off 

the grandchildren and 

travel to the continent to 

buy stock (furniture). 

I believe Abraham and 

Sophia had nine children 

several of whom came to 

Australia. One grandson, 

Albert Jones, was at one 

time president of the 


Congregation. Rosina who 

was present on census night 

was later married at the 

Great Synagogue, London, 

to Gabriel Freedman of 

Dowles, South Wales. 

It is truly amazing what 

one can learn from a census. 

Making sense of it and trying 

to follow up on the family is 

not so easy. It may open up a 

whole new world – 

who knows? 

Eric M. Cohen OAM

Ethan Faifer celebrated his 

Bar Mitzvah at the MHC 

on Shabbat HaGadol on the 

31 March 2007. 

He started learning his Maftir, 

Haftorah and blessings with 

Ronnie Kowadlo some 18 months 

before that. He was Bar Mitzvah in 

Year 7 at Mount Scopus College, 

Burwood and there are over 100 

students in his cohort (year 7) 

at the College: and therein lies 

the tale. 

As is the case with other parents 

of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Debbie and 

I decreed that Ethan attend the 

Synagogue services of other Bar 

and Bat Mizvahs who he received 

invitations from – you can’t attend 

the celebration without attending 

the Shule service and in any case it 

would be informative if not 

educational to attend the services 

of others in different places. 

During the course of 2007 

Ethan received over 40 invitations 

from students at Mt Scopus and 

attended all services with me – 

I found it most enlightening 

The Bar Mitzvah – 

Another Version 

visiting other congregations though 

unfortunately we attended only 

3 Bar Mitzvahs (including his own) 

at our own home, Toorak Shule. 

Add to the Scopus invitations 

those invites received from 

students outside of Scopus and our 

calendar was full. In actual fact the 

Bar/Bat Miztvah round 

commenced in November 2006 

and really finished in June 2008 

meaning that I was missing 

(literally) in action at other Shules 

for some 18 months. This didn’t 

include the young ladies Bat 

Mizvah's in the first part of 2006 ! 

Congregations visited included: 

Beit Aharon (Gandel Besen), 

Blake Street, Brighton Hebrew 

Cong., Burwood Hebrew Cong., 

Caulfield Hebrew Cong., Central 

Shule – Chabad, Chabad Houses 

of Caulfield and Malvern, 

Elsternwick Jewish Community, 

Elwood Talmud Torah Cong., 

Hamerkaz Shelanu, Kew Hebrew 

Cong., Melbourne Hebrew Cong., 

Mizrachi Organisation, South 

Caulfield Hebrew Cong., St Kilda 

Simchat Torah – 

Singing and Dancing at Toorak Shule Dear Sir, 

When you walk into Toorak Shule you find that your eyes 

often glance upward towards the beautiful stained glass 

windows but at 6:30pm on a Tuesday night in October we 

found ourselves drawn to the Bimah downstairs. It was Simchat Torah 

and we had arrived to dance, sing and eat lots of lollies. 

“David Melach Israel Chai Chai Vechayum!!!” we sang out as a 

small and enthusiastic conga line snaked around the Shule. 

It was really great that “I got to carry not only my Torah but also 

a medium Shule Torah!” said Noah with a huge smile on his face. 

The other children were also smiling as they ran excitedly around the 

Shule not fearful of being told to be quiet. 

There were kids running all over the place and as I was trying to 

stop my two-year-old cousin, Julian, from climbing into the aron 

ha’kodesh the Rabbi gave me a warm smile and told me not to worry. 

He was happy to be the babysitter for a while. 

“Am Israel Chai” the chants echoed through the Shule. 

The food was great and the early starting time was perfect. 

All in all it was a lot of fun and the kids had a great time (which is 

what it is all about). 

Noah Chrapot and Jessica Piorun-Vernon 

Norman A Faifer 

& Associates 

17 Kerferd Street, 

East Malvern, VIC 3145 

Tel: 9509 8364 

www.faifer.com.au 

PROFESSIONAL BUILDING 

& CONSTRUCTION SERVICES 


Level 6 468 St Kilda Rd Melbourne 3004 

Tel: 9820 6400 Fax: 9820 6499 

Sothertons Melbourne: An association 

of independent accounting firms 

throughout Australasia 

www.sothertonsmelbourne.com.au 

19 

Hebrew Cong. and TBI – St Kilda 

and Kedem. 

I have never been to so many 

different Congregations in such a 

short period of time; in cases there 

was a marked difference in minhag 

(customs, style and order of 

service) between congregations 

some of which Ethan and I would 

be happy not to visit again, I admit 

that even though I could follow all 

services I felt most comfortable in 

those services that mirrored ours. 

I believe that taking the “kids” to 

experience all services serves them 

well in later life, Ethan certainly 

now has no qualms about entering 

an unfamiliar Shule. 

As a parent I now more fully 


Dr and Mrs 

Mervyn Jacobson 

and Family 

appreciate the Bar/Bat Mitzvah 

years – its nearly two years of 

religious activity that is full on and 

towards the end of each year the 

kids are beginning to be “Shuled 

Out” some in fact don't return till 

their own (wedding) call up years 

later! 

Add to the services the 

celebratory events, the dressing up 

and the gifts etc. and you've got a 

real test of courage and 

perseverance. However through all 

this you'll enjoy your own simcha 

and you may even learn to 

appreciate your own 

Synagogue service more. 

Norman Faifer 

On Simchat Torah night my family was privileged 

to part of a group which walked to Toorak Shule 

from East St Kilda in order to join in the Yomtov 

festivities. 

It was truly a pleasure to witness the number of 

people who attended Shule that evening. Most 

impressive was the number of young children who 

were very active participants in the singing and 

dancing. Many Shule members commented on the 

fact that this had been the most well attended 

Simchat Torah program in years. The attendance was 

also evidence of the effectiveness of the work of 

Rabbi Dovid Rubenfield and the youth director, 

Ronny Kowadlo in expanding the Shule participation. 

At a time when there are many new Shules 

sprouting up all over Melbourne, the sight of so 

many people at one of Melbourne's oldest Shules 

was most welcome. The presence of the children was 

inspiring. “Kol HaKavod, Toorak Shule!” 

Raphael Aron, East St Kilda. 


Phone: 9525 2377 Fax: 9525 2439

“Melbourne Making A Difference” – 

Parliament of the World’s Religions 

The official pre-parliament 

event, a plenary session, for the 

Parliament of the World’s 

Religions, held in Melbourne 

3-9 December 2009. 

Welcomed by Auntie Di 

Kerr, an Aboriginal 

elder who cited the 

reconciliation of downtrodden 

Aboriginals, was now cause to 

welcome all attendees at the 

Melbourne Town Hall, with the 

invocation that “ if you look after 

my country it will look after you”. 

This welcome was then 

followed by prayers for the victims 

and survivors of the bushfires that 

had occurred the previous day, 

black Saturday 7th February. 

At that time we were as yet, still 

unaware of the extent of the 

tragedy that had already occurred, 

and was even then continuing. 

The prayers of hope and 

consolation were offered in turn by 

Christian, Buddhist, Jewish and 

Muslim clerics. 

Then followed a most 

impressive dance of welcome, 

by four Northern Australian 

Aboriginals, and included the 

dance of the big kangaroo. 

The dancing was both exciting 

and satisfying, for you could sense 

the intensity with which each of 

the men dancing gave of 

themselves. 

Welcomes from Councillor Carl 

Jetter, of the City of Melbourne, 

and The Hon James Merlino MP, 

Minister assisting the Premier on 

Multicultural Affairs were made. 

One then understood, that this 

was an occasion that encompassed 

the world, when four American 

Indians were introduced 

representing the Navaho, Mohawk, 

Iroquois and Dakota tribes. Their 

leader said that indigenous peoples 

bring a unique and practical 

experience to protecting the world 

for future generations yet to be 

born. A feather cleansing ceremony 

with smoke to bring an 

20 

atmosphere of 

peace to the 

meeting ensued. 

Gifts of the sky 

woman was 

presented with a 

Mohawk song, 

followed by a 

Navaho blessing of 

Peace before you, 

peace behind you, 

peace below you 

and peace above 

you, peace all 

around you, and 

when you speak may it be of peace. 

Reverend Professor James Haire 

A.M. then acknowledged that the 

major issue in the upcoming 

parliament of world’s religions was 

going to be the reconciliation of 

view points. It was going to be 

costly, demanding and 

confronting. He then cited 

Australia’s success as a multicultural 

and multiracial society. And posed 

the question can we improve in 

those areas where reconciliation is 

difficult.? He spoke of those who 

had suffered torture and death in 

their fight for the freedoms we take 

for granted and quoted those who 

said “ listen to our story…. Give us 

dignity and hope “. We are he said, 

a parliament of religions, we must 

look at it as religious people, not as 

political scientists, from the 

outside. There is the need and the 

possibility of creating harmony he 

concluded quoting Tom Calma. 

It was then that Tom Calma, an 

Aboriginal elder and chair of the 

Australian Human Rights 

Commission spoke of his work as 

an Australian representative of 

Human rights 

in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, 

Vietnam and Australia and of 

Aboriginal reconciliation. We were, 

he said, one year on, from the 

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 

apology, spoken in terms of the 

three Abrahamic faiths, and we 

were yet to see and comprehend 

the full import of what should 

follow, true harmony amongst 

peoples.

“Melbourne Making A Difference” – 

Parliament of the World’s Religions 

An interlude of Indian flute 

music played by Vinod Prasanna, 

accompanied by Glen Kneibeiss on 

the tabla, was both spiritual and 

meditative. 

The ensuing round table / 

debate / discussion with the 

audience and a group of four 

panelists, led by very competent 

MC Penny Mulvey, with Wilfred 

Muller of Kiribati, Sister Geraldine 

Kearny from Sisters of the Good 

Samaritan, Traleg Kyagbon, 

Ripoche from the Kaygu E-Vam 

Buddhist Institute and also 

included Rabbi Jonathan Keren 

Black of Green Faith Australia, 

who emphasized the Torah view of 

caring for the environment. 

Wilfred Muller from Kiribati 

and the “Pacific calling 

Partnership” spoke of his nation 

that was no more than two metres 

above sea level, and with global 

warming they were already losing 

their land. It is a small nation of 

some 100,000 people and they 

may well soon lose their nation. 

It was then that Don Henry, 

chair of the Australian 

Conservation Foundation delivered 

a telling address stressing how little 

time was left if we were going to be 

able to have a beneficial effect on 

combating global warming, 

pointing out, that if we hadn’t got 

it right by 2015, it may well be 

too late. It was he concluded a 

moral issue. 

Community outreach workers 

were then presented to the plenary 

session and Mr. Laurie Ferguson 

MP. Federal Parliamentary 

Secretary for Multicultural Affairs 

and Settlement Services and Rev. 

Dr Philp Freier, Anglican 

Archbishop of Melbourne also 

added similar sentiments and 

comments to what had already 

been mooted. 

The first half of the session 

concluded with American Rev 

Dirk Ficca, Executive Director of 

World Parliament stating that the 

coming world parliament starts 

with the premise we are different 

and from there we seek 

understanding, compromise and 

eventually harmony. 

It was then to a vegetarian meal 

21 

supplied and paid for by the Sikh 

community, that was provided 

across the road from the town hall, 

in the city square. Kosher food was 

also available. The Sikh 

community’s creed is to provide 

food for such events and at the last 

Parliament in Spain four years ago 

they provided the food, at their 

cost, for the 9000 attendees at the 

parliament for three meals a day 

for ten days. 

The concert, that was the 

second half of the program, was 

highly entertaining. It featured 

four acts starting with Muslim 

brother and sister comedic hosts 

Azmeena and Nazeem Hussain 

from SBS T.V’s “Salaam Café.” 

Then Pero, who had a beautiful 

voice, sang gospel and traditional 

Maori songs and he was followed 

by the Iroquois singer Joanne 

Shenandoah. This is a woman of 

some accomplishment, she has 

produced 15 albums of folk music 

in the U.S. and she was 

marvelously entertaining. They 

kept the best for last. The final act 

was Klezmania, a Yiddish folk 

group, that had the Melbourne 

Town Hall rocking. 

For those interested in making 

submissions to the upcoming 

parliament, please see details 

elsewhere in this issue of 

Destiny. 

Leonard Yaffe

Fanny Rubenstein – 

A Wonderful Woman 

FANNY RUBENSTEIN – 

devoted daughter, loving wife 

and mother, adored 

grandmother, proud greatgrandmother, 

dedicated sister, loyal 

and respected friend – was a very 

special person. In many ways 

perhaps unremarkable, her life was 

nonetheless an amazing one. 

A modest, selfless, hard working, 

principled, caring, generous and 

resilient individual, her story 

reflects so much about the 

Australian Jewish experience of the 

last century. 

Born and bred in Carlton, she 

absorbed the atmosphere of a 

young, open and growing society 

in which she was very comfortable 

and integrated both at work and at 

play .But at the same time, she was 

firmly rooted in and strongly 

committed to, her Jewish identity. 

It was in Lygon Street, Carlton 

on May 11, 1911 that Fanny was 

the first-born to Rachel, herself 

Australian born and Ernest 

Barasch, a young immigrant from 

Bialystock. Throughout her life, 

Fanny was a devoted daughter to 

her parents and a caring sister to 

Sol, Lew, Myer, Nita and Rose 

(who is no longer with us). 

Fanny was educated at Faraday 

Street State School, completing her 

matriculation at Coburg High, 

quite a feat in those days for a 

female. Naturally for a family 

steeped in Yiddishkeit and Jewish 

identity, she excelled at Hebrew 

School winning many prizes 

including being Dux. She 

understood, loved and practised 

her Jewish tradition, instilling these 

same values in her family 

throughout her life. 

Upon leaving school she 

worked as a stenographer, helped 

her father in business and her 

mother in a busy home. In 1934 at 

Albert Street Synagogue in East 

Melbourne, she married the love of 

her life Norman Rubenstein and 

together built a happy, loving and 

productive marriage and household 

yielding four children – Jill, Leigh, 

myself and Claire. 

Mum and Dad showered us all 

with love, affection and support 

and extended the same generosity 

of spirit and warmth to their sonsin-law 

Leon and Robert, 

daughters-in-law Sue and Jan and 

of course to their adored and 

adoring grandchildren and their 

spouses – Michael and Karen, 

Ricky and Nikki, Norman, Kim 

and Garry, Elana and Joe, Paul and 

Amber and Benjamin and later to 

the great grandchildren – Joshua, 

Joel, Daniel, Asher, Rachel, Zoe, 

Cohava, Eli, Zofi, Osha and Amiel. 

Fanny, as all of us, suffered a 

bitter loss with Norm's untimely 

death in 1966, but his memory has 

remained with us all through the 

years as a source of great comfort. 

But Fanny, being brave Fanny, 

somehow managed to pick herself 

up and adjust to the reality of 

being alone with a young child, 

Claire, with whom she had such a 

special bond and continued to be 

the bedrock and role model for all 

of our family 

She had very firm bench-marks 

and uncompromising principles 

which guided the way she actually 

behaved in life. Her feet were 

firmly on the ground. She was very 

pragmatic, determined, 

undemanding but always wanted 

to do the right thing by everyone 

else. She honoured her parents and 

cared for her siblings. She loved 

and supported her husband, 

including in the early years at the 

fruit shops and was dedicated to all 

of her children, encouraging us, 

guiding us and supporting us in all 

of our endeavours. 

Fanny believed in the 

paramount importance of 

education, both secular and Jewish. 

She was so proud of all of her 

family's achievements, whether in 

the law, accounting, insurance, 

business or even academia! She 

embraced and enjoyed her Judaism 

and didn't just encourage us to go 

to Shule regularly but did so by her 

own example, teaching us to 

observe and celebrate the full cycle 

of Jewish life. 

22 

She also knew how to relate to 

all people, with plenty of 

experience out there in the work 

force and in real life. She treated 

everyone equally, was helpful, 

sympathetic and respectful to the 

needs of others but could also 

stand up for herself pretty well too 

if the occasion demanded it. She 

knew all about the school of hard 

knocks and setbacks, but she 

showed by example and with her 

own quiet brand of courage how to 

cope with them. 

She was well aware of a rapidly 

changing and often threatening 

world. She lived through so much 

– wars, Depression, profound 

changes in the Australia she loved 

so much and lived in her whole 

life. But she was especially 

touched, after the horrors of the 

Shoah, by the rebirth of the State 

of Israel in which she took such 

interest and pride. She was serious 

and interested in the broader 

community, in national and 

international affairs. She followed 

events assiduously, was always a 

good sounding board on social and 

political affairs and was certainly a 

good adviser to me and for my 

sisters and brother, her 

grandchildren and great 

grandchildren throughout her life 

And finally, Fanny was a good 

sport and had a good sense of 

humour. She encouraged us in all 

our sporting endeavours whether it 

be cricket or basketball, tennis or 

bowls and taught us that Carlton 

was a peg above every other team. 

As Leigh reminded me this 

morning, we all know that when 

that opening siren blew, Mum was 

a transformed character, a pretty 

fiery individual at that and a 

Carlton loss did not usher in a 

happy evening in our household. 

But win or lose, the day was always 

brightened by her famous 

sandwiches and salmon patties. At 

the same time, she greatly 

encouraged us to participate in 

Ajax Maccabi which she supported 

together with our late Father 

throughout the years. But more 

seriously, from sport she learnt and 

conveyed to us, as he did, the 

importance of fair play and a fair 

go throughout all aspects of life, 

the great Australian characteristic! 

All of you will have your own 

unique Fanny stories and cherished 

memories. She has left a rich legacy 

which all her family and friends 

will always treasure and of which 

we will always be immensely 

proud. She will forever be in our 

hearts and minds. She was and will 

always be, an 

inspiration and 

her memory a 

blessing. May she 

now be at peace 

as she is reunited 

in spirit with her 

great love 

Norman. 

Colin Rubenstein

Judaism and The Arts 

Pisarro Modigliani Mendelsohn Gershwin 

As one views art collections 

either here or overseas there 

is an enormous borrowing 

from or relationship with the art of 

the church. Similarly, much in 

music is owed to the influence of 

the church. In these areas the 

influence of Judaism is less than 

proportionate to our numbers. 

Why? An obvious reason is that 

some of the wealth of the church 

was dedicated to its glorification by 

patronage of the arts especially 

painting, sculpture, and music 

The Jewish contribution to art 

was limited. Right from the Second 

Commandment "Thou shalt not 

make unto thee a graven image; 

nor the form of anything" is the 

prohibition in place. The word 

graven means sculptured or hewn 

which would certainly rule out 

sculpture. The second 

commandment was perhaps 

referring to wooden or copper gods. 

Whatever our attitudes to 

reproductions are today it is certain 

that our grandfathers or perhaps 

our great-grandfathers were loathe 

to be photographed or have their 

portraits painted either because of 

biblical prohibition or superstition. 

So, while Jews were carrying on 

their lives away from artistic 

reproduction the cathedrals and 

castles of Europe were being 

adorned by Michaelangelo, da 

Vinci, Titian, Raphael and others. 

Nevertheless, the rabbis of old 

prescribed that God should be 

adorned by the use of beautiful 

implements for the performance of 

religious observances. So we have 

sefer breastplates and crowns and 

wonderful illustrated manuscripts 

particularly in some famous 

Haggadahs. Perhaps, the greatest 

Jewish artist of the nineteenth 

century was Camille Pissaro. 

He was one of the famous 

impressionists. 

We cannot claim Rembrandt 

although he lived amongst Jews and 

painted many Jewish subjects. In 

the twentieth century Chagall 

probably stands highest but there 

was also Modigliani and Epstein. 

At the First International 

Congress of Jewish Music held in 

Paris in 1957 Curt Sachs described 

Jewish music "is that music which 

is made by Jews, for Jews, as Jews." 

There are some nineteen musical 

instruments described in the Torah 

so that Jews probably got a way to a 

good start in the development of 

their own music. Let us move to 

the year 70 CE. In that year the 

second temple was destroyed. From 

then on the use of musical 

instruments in the synagogue 

service was prohibited and Jewish 

music became a strictly vocal art. 

So we can see that while Jewish art 

was limited at the outset by a Godgiven 

commandment the limitation 

of music was implied by man in the 

form of religious leaders. 

Despite the banning of musical 

instruments the Torah is never read 

but is always chanted as is the 

haftorah. It is interesting to note 

that the Roman church retained the 

chant in a simple form although 

the development of the chant 

among the Greek and Russian 

Christians paralleled the Jewish 

development. 

Throughout over nineteen 

hundred years Jewish music 

amongst the orthodox community 

has retained the manmade 

prohibition Since the seventeenth 

century those few Jews who were 

sufficiently affluent had their 

children particularly daughters 

taught singing and playing musical 

instruments. This paved the way for 

the coming of the first great Jewish 

composers Meyerbeer and 

Mendelssohn. Of course, 

Camille Pisarro, 1877 

23 

throughout the middle ages Jewish 

musicians and entertainers had 

performed at court particularly in 

Spain before the Inquisition. 

It would probably be true to say 

that in classical composition the 

Jewish contribution has not been 

overly significant but in the area of 

light and popular music the Jewish 

contribution has been very 

significant. In the realms of 

performers Jews have almost 

monopolised virtuoso violinists and 

pianists and there have been many 

famous conductors. In the musical 

theatre the Jewish contribution has 

been immense and amongst 

popular singers, band leaders and 

soloists, particularly in the U.S.A. 

The Jewish contribution has been 

phenomenal and that is ignoring 

the contribution to publishing, 

management, and direction. 

Just one name which comes to 

mind is George Gershwin [pictured 

above]. 

After the European 

emancipation of the nineteenth 

century Jews were able to learn, 

participate, and instruct in the arts 

along with the Christians in whose 

countries they lived. In Palestine, 

later Israel, there has been a great 

rebirth of Jewish interest in the arts 

and today the Israel Philharmonic 

Orchestra is considered to be 

amongst the best in the world. 

Jewish music as described by 

Sachs does exist as does Jewish art. 

Christian music and art developed 

through and by the church. Jewish 

art was limited by religion itself and 

Jewish music was limited by selfdenial. 

Both have now blended into 

their environment and play an 

important part therein. 

Eric M. Cohen OAM 

Letter To The Editor: The Shule Family 

Dear Member, 

Did you know you had another family, here at the 

Toorak Shule? Like many other Jewish families, we get 

together once a week on Shabbat. Shabbat Toledot, on 

November 29th, 2008, was a small but warm and happy 

gathering of the shule family, principally to say ‘mazal 

tov’ to our Outreach and Public Relations Manager, 

Ronny Kowadlo and his wife Natalie on the birth of a 

new daughter, Noa Shlomit, sister to the very lovable 

Lior. Ronny’s parents, Michael and Sara Kowadlo were 

proud to sponsor a delicious Kiddush to celebrate the 

happy event. 

The Sherr family’s heart is always close to our shule 

as everyone knows (David’s second home) and on this 

Shabbat young Dean Sherr, David’s nephew, most ably 

recited his bar mitzvah haftorah. His parents, Robert and 

Debbie Sherr, listened proudly and naches was 

‘schepped’ all around! 

In an unusual finale to the service, ‘Anim Zmirot’ was 

rendered by no less than four lusty voices that more 

than compensated by their enthusiasm for any 

shortcomings! 

Please come and join us for a Shabbat morning and 

share in the warmth of our ‘shule family’. We’d love to 

see you ! 

Freda Kaufman

Chief Commissioner’s 

MultiFaith Dinner 

St Kilda Town Hall. 

Thursday 4th December 2008. 

Sitting with Samoan and 

Pacific Islander Christian 

leaders and Orthodox Church 

leaders was a rare experience for 

myself and even for MHC 

executive member, David Sherr, 

(already a multi cultural medal 

winner) and our Rabbi, Dovid 

Rubinfeld, who had only hours 

before arrived back from the 

United States, where he’d attended 

an Agudah conference. 

This multi faith dinner is an 

initiative, of Chief Police 

Commissioner, Christine Nixon, 

who sees strength in diversity. I 

agree with her and also see the 

opportunity for progress by 

bringing together all strands of 

faith that they might better 

understand where each other are 

coming from. The fact that we 

have so many differing points of 

view not only makes for a rich 

society, but the various views give 

us the chance to see solutions to 

problems from so many different 

angles. 

There were three main speakers, 

with entertainment ranging from 

Karen Language love songs to 

a haka performed by a mixture 

of Pacific Islanders and led 

convincingly by former Kiwi, 

Victorian Police Officer, Leading 

Senior Constable Eddie 

MacDonald. This was followed 

with some very exciting dancing, 

by a group of young Islanders now 

resident in the Dandenong area 

some of whom were formerly in 

trouble with the authorities, but 

who through the good services of 

Police Officer MacDonald and 

assisted by unpaid volunteer 

mentors, have been able to find 

some direction in their lives. 

Christine Nixon spoke well on 

her topic of “ New and Emerging 

faiths in an ancient land”, and it 

was interesting to note that the 

police force now have specialist 

multicultural units to deal with 

variety of ethnic groups that are 

part and parcel of this Victorian 

society. 

The keynote Speaker was 

Professor Des Cahill, whose topic 

“The Parliament of the World’s 

Religions Exactly One Year 

Hence”. This parliament will take 

place in Melbourne in the nearly 

completed Convention and 

Exhibition centre, adjoining “Jeff’s 

Shed” on Southbank. The reason 

Melbourne was selected over many 

competing international cities was 

because of the way this city is seen 

as a successful, multicultural 

society. 

There are expected to be some 

8000 visitors generating about 

$8-9 million dollars in general 

income for the community. 

The conference will be a true 

democratic parliament with 

speakers free to express their 

beliefs, however already the 

agendas and topics are being 

carefully selected to ensure that 

while there is free speech, no 

damage will be done to the fabric 

of this community by loose 

cannons. 

We certainly don’t want what 

could be an enormously popular 

and educative event, becoming 

another Durban. Registrations 

and submissions to this parliament 

are available through 

www.parliamentofreligions.org 

But one of the most interesting 

speakers was the Reverend Samani 

Sila JP of the Pacific Island 

Trekkers that is associated with the 

Anglican Church in Brimbank, 

situated on Melbourne’s outer 

western fringes. He explained the 

problems his youth were having in 

settling down in this society. 

At home in Samoa, subsequent 

24 

to the Christian missionaries 

arriving in the mid to late1800’s all 

Samoans and Tongans became 

deeply imbued with Christianity. 

The children respect their elders 

and as in Jewish life, people are 

known by which congregation they 

worship with. 

In Australia many of their 

youth, at this time, see themselves 

as outsiders, not in the 

mainstream, and thus don’t believe 

that they are on an equal footing 

with others in the broader 

community. This is somewhat akin 

to the early migrations from 

Europe in the last two centuries. 

The fact that the Islanders use New 

Zealand as a gateway to enter 

Australia, means that they arrive 

not as refugees but ex-Kiwis. 

And because they’re not 

refugees and not yet citizens and 

don’t vote, they really don’t have a 

voice that can be heard by 

government, State or Federal, 

subsequently they fall though the 

cracks in Centrelink and 

They are not a yet fully self 

supporting, in terms of societal 

structures and really could use 

some help from those communities 

within Victoria that are settled and 

well established, because it 

certainly doesn’t look like they’ll 

get publicly funded assistance. 

In private conversation, as I sat 

with Reverend Sila, he illustrated 

the situation by describing cases of 

young men within his community 

who’d been in trouble with the 

authorities, but weren’t in essence, 

bad kids, just somewhat 

misguided. Certainly some of the 

young men were big and strong 

and in demand by others in their 

communities because of their overt 

physicality, but being young and 

not yet of a mature mind, a boy in 

a man’s body often can have some 

very ordinary results. 

However, Reverend Sila is a 

man of equally big stature and big 

heart, and with patience and time, 

future generations will become part 

of mainstream Australia. Some of 

his younger folk are now at 

university, he expects others will 

follow. If anyone is interested in 

offering help, be it as a mentor, 

counselor, and social worker or 

financially please contact this 

writer. 

The evening, finished on ahigh 

note, with all present believing that 

the networking that had taken 

place would be fruitful, because 

while listening to other religious 

leaders, it confirmed the position 

that while we all face similar 

situations, the accumulated 

wisdom and solutions that passed 

between the groups will benefit all 

of this diverse society. 


Photography this page Peter Haskin

3 May 2009 – 30 August 2009 

The story of comics is inextricably connected to its 

Jewish creators.This upcoming exhibition offers the 

visitor a behind the scenes insight into the history 

and genius of comic artists who, across the years, 

have captured the imaginations of children and 

adults alike. 

The Superheroes & Schlemiels exhibition traces 

comic-strip figures from 1910 to the present day. 

The first comic strips appeared in Yiddish and 

English-language newspapers.They make clear the 

ordeals faced by Jewish immigrants in their attempts 

to integrate within American society. 

In 1938 Siegel and Shuster launched the iconic 

superhero Superman, their response to the 

catastrophe of that time – Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, a 

world heading into war and the Great Depression. 

In the following period, around 1940, we see the 

emergence of the phenomenon of the American 

superhero in comic strips. 

The integration of Jews was by now well underway 

and various comic-strip writers focussed on the 

creation of superheroes with a national character. 

“An important part of the exhibition is devoted to 

the more recent work of Will Eisner,” claims Jewish 

Museum temporary exhibitions curator Jess 

Rynderman.“With A Contract with God, Eisner was 

the first artist to translate his memories of Jewish 

history into a graphic novel. He was concerned 

primarily with the culture and way of life of Jewish 

immigrants in American society.” 

The Holocaust plays an important role in the 

work of those Jewish comic-strip authors who 

became well known after Will Eisner. Maus by 

Art Spiegelman is now a model for graphic 

novels dealing with this subject matter. 

Jewish Museum of Australia 

26 Alma Rd, St Kilda VIC 

T: (03) 8534 3600 

www.jewishmuseum.com.au 

OPEN: Tues – Thurs 10 – 4, 

Sun 10 – 5 

CLOSED: Jewish Holy days 

Harry Gluck 

Thanksgiving Dinner 

In July last year (2008) Rev 

Gluck and his wife travelled to 

Israel for a family simcha, when 

he suffered a mild stroke. 

What was meant to be a happy 

occasion turned out to be 

otherwise. Rev Gluck, unable to 

travel, had to remain in Israel for a 

few weeks longer until it was safe 

to return home. 

Upon his return, he gradually 

built up his workload at Bialik 

College, and as we noticed, Rev 

Gluck was also unable to assist in 

last years High Holyday services. 

On Sunday evening 1st of 

February 2009, Rev Harry Gluck 

together with his wife Sue cohosted 

a Se’Udat Ho Daya 

(Thanksgiving Dinner) to mark 

his complete and full recovery. 

His brother Joe (pictured) 

made the trip down from Sydney 

to attend this meaningful 

celebration. 

We wish Rev Gluck and his 

wife a long and healthy life 

together, and a happy 

and kosher Pesach. 

25

Purim Function – 

Party With a Capital ‘Tea’! 

My curiosity was sparked 

on receipt of a cleverly 

designed invitation 

(complete with a branded tea bag) 

which stated the Mad Hatter had 

invited us to Winton Hall for a tea 

party to celebrate this year’s Purim 

festival. 

With two children more than 

fond of the Alice in Wonderland 

tale, my mind started ticking over 

possible costume ideas. 

So we arrived at Shule on 

Sunday, 8 March, and not even the 

recently married bride and groom 

huddling in the forecourt with 

family and friends, minded that in 

the background of some of their 

photos was my Mad Hatter, White 

Rabbit, and Alice (the latter being 

my ‘Rabbit’s’ best friend who 

insisted on joining us that day!) 

Alice herself greeted us at the 

door, and, as we ascended the stair 

case featuring red roses snaking up 

the balustrade, we passed the 

Cheshire Cat, and the Rabbit (the 

aptly disguised Shule Outreach 

and PR Youth Manager Ronny 

Kowadlo). 

We walked through the giant 

key hole and there holding court 

was the Mad Hatter himself (aka 

Rabbi Rubinfeld). 

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party was 

the brainchild of Linda 

Williamson who meticulously 

themed the function which was 

complete with papier mache 

Queen of Hearts tea pots, life-size 

snakes and ladders, checkers and 

dominoes (in true Alice in 

Wonderland style) and of course, 

what tea party would be complete 

26 

without sumptuous 

ribbon sandwiches, iced cup cakes 

and, in the spirit of the festival, 

Hamentashen? 

The children of all ages that 

attended thoroughly enjoyed the 

activities and food and, as a 

memento of the day, we were laden 

with take home goodies in the 

form of an Alice in Wonderland 

activities book, a giant packet of 

coloured pencils and balloon art – 

not your standard 

sword or flower either. Balloon 

maestro (Mick) was busy in the 

corner all afternoon creating 

masterpieces such as a parrot in a 

bird cage! 

So what’s in store for next year’s 

Purim? Linda promises something 

special… 

Report by Lysette Shaw

Purim Function – 

Party With a Capital ‘Tea’! 

27

15th Brighton Scouts – Serving the 

Jewish Community for 50 Years 

15th Brighton Scouts held a 

Family Afternoon Tea on Sunday 

November 9th to celebrate 

50 Years of Scouting within the 

Jewish community. 

In late 1958, a small group of 

dedicated parents got together with 

the vision and courage to start a new 

Jewish Scout Group in the Brighton 

area as the other two Jewish scout 

groups, 3rd St Kilda and 10th 

Caulfield, were just too far away. 

A meeting was therefore organised by 

Peter and “Chippa” Danby to discuss 

the possibility and logistics of a 

new group. 

That first meeting was held on 

December 1, 1958. Jack Dabscheck 

became the first President of the 

Group. Ken Lyons the first Scout 

Master and Peter Danby the Group 

Scout Master. 

The group first met at the back of 

the Marriage Road Shule with 3 boys 

in the Scout Section, Gary and Alain 

Grossbard, Solly Rosner and Melvyn 

Forbes. The first group flag was 

presented by the then president of 

Victorian AJAX, Jack Lipshut with 

Rabbi Danglow in attendance. 

Harold Nathan, the Group Scout 

Master of 3rd St Kilda, invested our 

4 boys and was therefore responsible 

for starting our troop off. 

Some time later the group had to 

leave Marriage Road and went to 

share a hall of 9th Brighton in 

Dendy Street next to the Golf 

Course. In 1963 Victor Nathan 

became president of the group and 

took the first steps to build a hall 

for the group. 

The land was not an easy thing to 

find, they were offered railway sidings 

and little pokey places. Just as the 

group was about to give up ifs search 

for suitable land, Moorabbin Council 

offered them the site at Wolsely St, 

Moorabbin. 

The land had belonged to the 

Moorabbin Catholic Scouts group 

who, upon receiving another block 

of land, donated it to the Council 

who in turn gave it to 15th Brighton 

scouts. 

So there was the incongruous 

situation of a Jewish group, belonging 

to Brighton District receiving land 

from the Moorabbin Council, 

land which had been donated 

by a Catholic group and which 

shared a boundary with a ham 

canning factory! 

The hall was officially opened 

on the 5th March 1967 by Lieut. 

General The Hon. Sir Edmund 

Herring and dedicated by Rabbi 

Chiam Gutnick. From then on the 

Group blossomed. 

Further developments saw the 

hall enlarged and form its own 

Venturer Unit. The group continued 

to flourish and developed into a 

strong and healthy community 

organisation. 

Many of the group’s scouts have 

gone on to become successful in 

their chosen fields including doctors, 

senior academics and businessmen. 

A number have had high profile 

positions including Councillors and 

a Mayor of Glen Eira and the 

Chancellor of Monash University. 

Over the years around 2000 

Jewish youth and adults have been 

associated with 15th Brighton. 

Whether as Cubs, Scout, Venturers, 

Rovers, Leaders or on the parents 

committee they have experienced the 

joy of being in a movement which 

has given them lifelong friendships 

and the opportunity to try things 

that they may otherwise have 

experienced. 

Scouting provides a fun and 

exciting framework in which to 

develop leadership skills, selfreliance, 

initiative, community 

awareness, personal responsibility 

and environmental consciousness. 

Today, 15th Brighton continues to 

foster the ideals of scouting through 

a varied program which see the 

youth members enjoying a range of 

activities both at our hall and out in 

the wider community and on our 

regular camping trips. 

15th Brighton scout has a long 

history of family involvement. Many 

of the youth members are children 

of past Scouters and leaders. 

Quite a number of families such 

as the Bearman’s, Hall’s, and 

Rabinov’s are now represented by 

the third generation to be involved 

with the group. 

28 

More recent young past and 

present MHC members of the 

scout group include Ben Cohen, 

Jessie Flicka and Ethan Faifer. 

For further information please 

contact Jak Grimm, Group Leader 

on 9578 5720 or at 

gl.brighton15th@viscouts.asn.au

He Offered More 

Than Prayers In Iraq 

Commander of the US Forces in Iraq, General 

Petraeus & Rabbi Andrew Shulman. 

My 15-month deployment 

to Iraq as a chaplain in 

the US Army just came 

to an end, and in a strange way, 

I was a bit sad to go. 

I'm going to miss the people 

I've met, the friends I've made, 

and, of course, the action and 

adventure. But I know it was time 

to go home. 

I left my house in Malden last 

year and reported to the US Army 

Chaplain School at Fort Jackson, 

S.C. Upon graduation, I was 

assigned to the Third Infantry 

Division in Savannah, Ga. By 

mid-May 2007, I was on a plane to 

Iraq. I'm a battalion chaplain with 

a Blackhawk helicopter unit. We 

were based in Baghdad. 

My primary responsibility was 

to look after the spiritual and 

religious needs of the roughly 400 

soldiers in my battalion. I 

performed Jewish services on my 

base. About once a month, I'd take 

a ride in a Blackhawk to visit Jewish 

soldiers at other bases around the 

country, giving them a taste of 

home, if only for a day or two. 

For the first half of my 

deployment, I was the only 

Jewish chaplain in Iraq. 

I wore a yarmulke everywhere, 

a strange sight in a place like Iraq. 

I ate strictly kosher food: lots of 

salad, cup o' soups, dried salami, 

dehydrated camping meals, and 

more tuna than most people eat in 

a lifetime. I fasted on all the fast 

days and celebrated every holiday in 

the Jewish calendar – a few of them 

twice. 

I lit the menorah on 

Hanukkah with Governor Arnold 

Schwarzenegger in California on a 

live TV simulcast; I met 

Condoleezza Rice and shook hands 

with General David Petraeus, ran 

frantically for cover during rocket 

attacks, and stood on the banks of 

the Tigris River. 

Twice I had to stick an IV into 

someone's vein. I got a mezuzah 

hung on one of the last 

Jewish homes in Baghdad, 

and when Rosh Hashanna 

came along, I taught myself 

how to blow a shofar. 

I answered hundreds of 

e-mails from 

schoolchildren, reporters, 

long-retired veterans, and 

countless Jewish mothers 

asking me to look after 

their sons, "who seemed a 

little sad the last time we 

spoke on the phone." One 

sent along a photo of her 

daughter, who was on her way to 

Iraq, and asked if I knew of any 

nice Jewish boys – in Fallujah. 

I learned on the fly how to be a 

social worker and an advocate for 

soldiers who needed help with their 

personal affairs, listening to them 

for hours or giving a hug if it was 

called for. I coached more than a 

few broken-hearted guys through 

their tears when they found out 

their wives had betrayed them. 

I even wrote love letters to unhappy 

women for their husbands who 

wanted to win back their hearts but 

didn't know how to say it. 

Over the course of 15 months, I 

served close to 650 kosher meals for 

Shabbat and holidays – all using an 

electric burner I bought at Walmart 

before I left – without a kitchen, 

sink, or running water. 

But in a place like Iraq, it was 

only a matter of time before death 

paid a visit. 

The newspapers referred to 

them as "Shiite extremists." In late 

March, they started aiming their 

missiles at the Green Zone in 

central Baghdad. During the course 

of about six weeks, militants fired 

more than 1,000 rockets and 

mortar rounds from Sadr City, 

some falling short and landing in 

Iraqi neighborhoods just outside 

the walls of the district. 

The week before Passover, a 

107mm shell went right through 

the roof of a makeshift gym in a 

coalition compound in the Green 

Zone. It hit someone I considered a 

friend, a Jewish Army reservist days 

shy of his 37th birthday, who left 

his wife and three young girls back 

home and had arrived in Iraq about 

three months earlier. He was killed 

in the attack, along with an Army 

colonel about to retire after a long 

military career. 

Two days later, I received word 

of another Jewish casualty, also an 

Army officer, a father of two young 

boys. He'd been hit by an 

improvised explosive device and 

29 

rushed to the combat support 

hospital in the Green Zone. By the 

time I got the news, his remains 

had already been flown to the 

mortuary affairs center at an air 

base down the road from me, to 

await the long journey home. I 

dropped what I was doing and got 

a ride to the airbase. 

Once at the morgue, I asked one 

of the young soldiers who work 

there if I could sit for a while with 

the body, in accordance with 

ancient Jewish tradition. A young 

private walked me down the hall to 

a small room, where four large 

stretchers seemed to fill every bit of 

space, save for a giant ice machine 

that took up the entire back wall. 

On three of the stretchers lay 

black plastic body bags. A lifeless 

arm lay on the fourth, still in its 

camouflage sleeve. The Army 

doesn't risk the chance of error in 

the awful task of match-up, so 

detached limbs and body parts are 

sent along separately.The soldier 

showed me to my Jewish casualty. 

The body bag hadn't been zipped 

up yet. I sat in a chair next to him 

and recited psalms while they filled 

plastic bags of ice and steamcleaned 

the creases out of the 

American flag that would drape 

over the transfer case for the flight. 

I looked at the body bags and 

thought about the three women 

back home who'd probably just 

received news that they were now 

young widows, single mothers of 

fatherless children. And of the little 

boys and girls who'd have to stop 

crossing off dates on the calendar, 

waiting for Daddy to come home. 

I thought of the parents who 

were soon to get that horrible 

phone call letting them know the 

baby they'd carried home from the 

hospital, taught to ride a bike, 

watched graduate from high school, 

get married and start a family of his 

own, was coming home on an Air 

Force plane in a metal transfer case, 

packed in ice, paperwork fitted 

neatly in a large manila envelope, 

his last name written across it with 

a black, felt-tipped marker, taped to 

the inside of the lid. 

At that moment, sitting in the 

makeshift mortuary among the 

body bags, so quiet except for the 

ice machine, I realized maybe it's 

time for me to go home. 

I want to drink coffee in the 

morning and wash the mug out in 

the sink. I want to take my 

SYRIA 

SAUDI 

ARABIA 

TURKEY 

Baghdad 

IRAQ 

IRAN 

PERSIAN 

GULF 

daughters to the park and push 

them on the swings until they 

giggle; then we'll go home and play 

a board game with new rules we'll 

make up on the spot. 

But the first thing I did was give 

my beautiful wife, Lori, a big hug 

for looking after everything at 

home while I was there, paying the 

bills and taking care of the house 

and going shopping and mailing 

me care packages. I'm going to 

make time to sit on the couch with 

her and hold her hand, and buy her 

a new dress or something. 

Maybe I'll write her a love letter. 

I'm getting pretty good at it. 

Rabbi Andrew Shulman has now returned 

home to the U.S. 

Reproduced with the permission of Rabbi 

Shulman (this article originally appeared 

in the Boston Globe).

Is “El Ghriba” the Oldest 

Synagogue in the World? 

El Ghriba Synagogue on the 

Tunisian island of Djerba 

(also known as Jerba ) is 

located in the formerly Jewish 

village of Harah Sghira or Srira, 

now known as Er-Riadh. 

El Ghriba, in Arabic means 

“the marvelous” or “the strange” 

and the synagogue is believed to 

have been established in 586 

B.C.E. by Kohanim (priests) who 

had immigrated after the 

destruction of the first temple in 

Jerusalem. 

The Kohanim are said to have 

brought a stone from King 

Solomon’s Temple which is 

incorporated in an archway of the 

19th century, reconstructed 

building. It is said that a Torah was 

also brought from Israel at that 

time. However, the synagogue does 

lay claim to having the oldest 

Torah in the world within its 

premises. 

I am grateful to my cousins, 

solicitor Charles New and his wife 

Dorothy for bringing El Ghriba to 

my attention, following their 

recent visit. For those wishing to 

go, a “google” search of El Ghriba 

is worthwhile. 

The inscription on the plaque 

reads: “ This sacred and antique 

place called”El Ghriba” 

the stranger) dated to the year 

586 bce since the 

destruction of the 

first temple 

(erected by 

Salomon) under 

the rule of King 

Nabuchodnosor 

of Babylon.” 

It has been 

restored during 

the centuries 

30 

and represents today the spiritual 

centre of the studies of the 

THORA and admiration of 

divinity, brought of the life by the 

venerable Rabbis whose time is 

dedicated to daily 

studies of holy 

books. 

May G-d give 

your desires his 

consent of 

fulfillment. Amen. 

Leonard 

Yaffe 

ALGERIA 

Mediterranean Sea 

Tunis 

TUNISIA 

Djerba 

Island 

LIBYA

Shule Roundup 

in Pictures 

Rabbis Rubinfeld and Kluwgant with Premier John Brumby and James Merlino MP. 

Noah Kowadlo [above] and being cuddled by Lior [below]. 

Congratulations to proud parents Ronny & Natalie. 

Dara Ellie Nowoweiski. 

The Magazine Editorial Committee appreciates sharp and clear 

photographs of recent social events and celebrations. Please forward 

to the Shule office in protective cardboard or email as high resolution 

jpegs if they are digital files. All material will be returned. 

31 

Congratulations Katrina and David Krygger on their recent wedding. 

Orly Rubenstein pictured above with Ilana & Estelle Rubenstein and Ilana & Noah Rubenstein. 

Julian Hoffman & Fiona Rotstein celebrating their recent 

engagement. Fiona is the daughter of Dr. Harvey & Eva 

Rotstein. 

Mazal Tov to the Rabbi & 

Rebbitzen on the marriage 

of their daughter Zisi to 

Chaim Yossi. 

Shaylee Isabella Goodman was born to Danya and Josh 

Goodman in Denver Colorado 4th August 2008. 

Congratulations to grandparents Selwyn & Linda Blackstone. 

Teal Jacobson born 29th February 2008 to parents 

Antony & Gaby Jacobson.

“All who are Hungry, 

Come and Eat” 

For the past two years, as the 

founding director of Tevel 

b'Tzedek, I have led groups 

of Israeli and Diaspora Jews 

(including our first Australian 

during our most recent cohort) on 

a new kind of Jewish experience. 

For four and a half months, 

after meeting in Kathmandu, 

Nepal, we delve as deeply as we 

can into the challenges and 

dilemmas of the developing world 

and its marginalised population. 

We do this both through study and 

direct action; we delve into the 

Jewish roots of social and 

environmental justice, into the 

history and politics of poverty, and 

into the language and culture of 

Nepal. In partnership with local 

organizations, we work with street 

children and working children, 

with poor villagers who are unable 

to feed their families and with 

landless stone quarry workers who 

eke out a living by the side of a 

river by crushing stones into gravel 

for cement. 

How to help the poorest 

populations in developing 

countries is a subject of immense 

debate among economists and 

other experts. We are learning as 

we go along; although each group 

comes for a limited period, we 

have both Jewish and Nepali staff 

that is there for the long run, 

developing organizational memory 

and strategies. One thing that 

seems increasingly clear is that food 

is at the center of questions of 

poverty. Of course there are other 

issues that are important too: 

health care, education, human 

rights and political power for 

example. But almost universally, 

poverty is a question of food: if 

you have enough food for your 

family day in and day out, you are 

one step beyond the deepest levels 

of poverty. In Tevel b'Tzedek we 

have had the opportunity of 

observing the centrality of food in 

a number of ways. When world 

food prices climbed in the fall of 

2007, and the government lifted 

the subsidies it had been providing 

to keep food available to the poor, 

their was an instant reaction: the 

poor shut Kathmandu down, 

burning tires and stopping traffic 

until the government promised to 

bring the prices down again. We 

have see how rising populations, 

degraded environment and the 

failure to institute land reform 

have created a steady stream of 

“food refugees” pouring into urban 

slums from rural areas as men, 

women and children come to seek 

work in the already overcrowded 

cities. 

It is no coincidence that food is 

at the center of the Pesach Seder. 

Pesach is our celebration of human 

liberation; slavery and extreme 

poverty are equated in the Torah; 

when God sees “the suffering of 

My people in Egypt” the Torah 

uses the word for poverty, “a'ni”. 

At the beginning of the Seder, we 

Tevel B’tzedek: 

The phrase is from Psalms, 

96:13, loosely translated as 

“the Earth – with Justice”. 

The program was conceived 

and developed by Micha 

Odenheimer, the contributor of 

this article. He is also a rabbi, 

journalist and writer from Los 

Angeles now living in 

Jerusalem, who believes that 

the program can tap into 

young Israelis’ treks through 

southern Asia and infuse this 

cultural rite-of-passage with 

Jewish meaning and 

universalistic significance. 

32 

invite all who are hungry to come 

and eat; and it is the matza, the 

simplest form of staple food, flour 

and water baked without yeast, 

that is devoured ritually at the apex 

of the Seder ceremony. The maror 

or bitter herbs are also ritually 

consumed, if with less gusto. Both 

matza and maror, as well as the 

sumptuous meal they lead in to, 

remind us of the ways in which 

food is much more than just 

nutrition, how culture and food 

are mutually entwined, how food 

binds us in community and ties 

together the physical, sensual, 

symbolic and spiritual levels. 

For the past two or three 

decades, the policy of international 

economic organizations such as the 

IMF, World Bank, and World 

Trade Organization has been to 

push poor populations away from 

growing food for their own 

consumption and towards the 

production of “cash crops” such as 

coffee, sugar, or tropical fruits that 

can be sold on the world market. 

One of the problems with this 

strategy is that markets fluctuate, 

and with the poor always living on 

the edge, a change in coffee or 

INDIA 

Kathmandu 

NEPAL 

Nepal: 

With a population of just under 

30 million, Nepal is one of the 

poorest states in the world. 

Devastated by a Maoist 

insurrection and civil war that 

have led to the establishment of 

an unstable democracy plagued 

by infighting, Nepal’s annual 

gross national per capita income 

was under AUD $500 in 2007, 

according to World Bank figures. 

Nepal was only opened to the 

outside world in the 1950s, 

after a century of government 

imposed isolation, and since 

then has been torn between 

tradition and breakneck 

modernisation. 

Kathmandu, Nepal’s only large 

city (pop. 700,000) is an 

intoxicating and dizzying mix of 

modern and ancient, 

transcendently sacred and 

crudely mundane.Throughout 

the city, there are thousands of 

temples, monastries, pagodas, 

votive pillars and fountains, 

together with feral dogs, wild 

monkeys, roaming cows, Internet 

cafés, people chatting on mobile 

phones, taxis speeding around 

hairpin turns and motorcycles 

zigzagging at breakneck speed. 

The air pollution can be 

suffocating, the views of the 

mountains awe-inspiring and 

humbling. Social organizations 

report that in Kathmandu there 

are over 1,000 ragged children 

that no one wants between the 

ages of 4 and 16 picking 

through the garbage or the 

ashes of the bodies cremated 

along the rivers, searching for 

something they can trade or sell.

sugar prices can 

mean tumbling into 

hunger. Another 

problem is that when 

agriculture becomes 

international 

business, poor 

farmers are often 

pushed off their land 

and lose whatever 

food security they 

had. It is of vital 

importance, in 

ending poverty, that 

poor farmers be 

helped to first of all 

feed themselves and 

their families, and 

only afterwards grow 

crops to be sold to 

other countries and civilizations. 

At Tevel b'Tzedek we are beginning 

to gain the capacity to help in this 

way; there is much more that Israel 

and Diaspora Jewry can do. 

Our Talmudic sages expressed 

in the most poignant terms the 

value of eating the fruits of one's 

own labor—and the centrality of 

food production in human life and 

in the divine scheme: 

“Rabbi Ahai ben Josiah says: 

He who purchase grain in the 

market place, to what may he be 

likened? To an infant whose 

mother died: although he is taken 

from door to door to other wet 

nurses, he is not satisfied. 

He who buys bread in the 

market place, what is he like? 

He is as good as dead and buried. 

He who eats of his own is like an 

infant raised at his mother's breast. 

VCE Celebratory 

Function 


Rachel and 

Alan Goldberg 

and Family 

VCE is a highly 

stressful year 

for the 

majority of students as 

it is the final year of 

schooling which sets 

the path for their 

future. 

In February I had 

the privilege to take 

out a number of VCE 

graduates from 2008, 

weeks before their 

university course 

started just to get to 

know them on an 

informal occasion. 

The function was 

held at a Bar called 

“The Local” situated on Carlisle St just 

near Chapel St. For myself and my wife 

Natalie, it was a great opportunity to 

learn more about our graduates and 

where they plan to be. 

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• Pallet Racking • Long Span 

Shelving & Archive Storage 

Israel Rosenfield Managing Director 

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33 

At the beginning 

of the creation of the 

world, the Holy 

One, blessed be He, 

began with planting 

first, for it is written: 

“And the Lord God 

planted a garden 

Eastward in Eden.” 

(Gen. 2:8) 

(Quote is from Fathers of 

Rabbi Natan, Judah 

Goldin translation, Yale 

University Press, 1955, pg. 

125) 

For the hundreds 

of millions of poor 

farmers in villages all 

over Asia, Africa and 

South America, 

regaining the ability 

to grow food for eating is—as 

Rabbi Ahai suggests—a matter that 

skirts on issues of life and death. 

Helping in this task is a worthy 

intention to bring to the Pesach 

Seder, as we declare: “All who are 

hungry, come and eat.” 

Article written for 

Destiny by Rabbi Micha 

Odenheimer. 

How You Can 

Participate 

Tevel b’Tzedek participants intern 

with local human rights, social 

justice or environmental 

organisations. 

In addition to the volunteer 

internships, the programs include: 

• Study of globalisation and its 

affect on developing countries. 

• Study of Nepalese language 

and culture 

• Study of Jewish sources and 

traditions on social, economic 

and environmental justice, from 

the prophets until 

contemporary thinkers, and a 

discussion of our place as Jews 

and Israelis in the struggle for 

better world. 

Interns will be placed in 

organisations / projects according 

to their interests and skills. 

For an application form or more 

information contact : 

tevelbtzedek @gmail.com 

Together with Natalie, we would like to wish THIS year’s 

VCE students the best of luck and we look forward to 

reproducing a similar gathering next year in 2010. 

Ronny Kowadlo, Outreach & Public Relations Manager 

Compliments and 

best wishes from 

Michael & Sara 

Kowadlo 

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“Give Peace A Chance”– 

the AFL Peace Team in Australia 

Linked arm in arm 13 

Palestinian athletes and 13 

Israeli athletes joined 

together in an emotional singing of 

John Lennon’s “Give Peace a 

Chance” before the bounce of the 

ball in the first round of the 2008 

Australian Football International 

Cup in Melbourne. 

The Palestinian and Israeli 

athletes became, and have become 

known as, the “AFL Peace Team". 

I was privileged to be part of the 

Team’s development, first when I 

was invited to be “guest coach” in 

Israel in April 2008, and later as an 

assistant, during the competition 

series, to Robert DiPierdomenico 

(“Dipper”), the Team’s Australian 

coach, and to Simon Jacobs, the 

Team’s mentor, skills and rules 

teacher, and coach in Israel. 

The Teams’ first game was 

against Great Britain in Melbourne 

on 27 August 2008 and although 

the Peace Team lost badly it was 

commended for its enthusiasm, 

spirit and courage against an 

aggressive skilful and tough 

opponent. 

The Peace Team went on to win 

two out of its five games but more 

importantly won the respect and 

admiration of the organisers and 

every team and official taking part 

in the international competition. 

The idea that Israelis and 

Palestinians could join together in 

pursuit of a common goal let alone 

learn the rules and skills of a sport 

played principally in only one 

country on the other side of the 

world was intriguing. 

However the vision in which 

people of the Middle East working 

together to build peace at the 

community level through socioeconomic 

co-operation and 

development and people to people 

interaction through music, 

education, the professions, 

agriculture, and sport, was not new. 

In 1996 the former Israeli Prime 

Minister and current President, 

Shimon Peres, announced an 

initiative to encourage dialogue and 

understanding between Israelis and 

Palestinians at the community 

level. He sought to break down the 

obstacles to peace through a 

number of cultural, businesses, 

professional and sporting programs 

in which both communities would 

participate. 

[LtoR] Simon Jacobs, Henry Jolson, Harvy Belik (Team Doctor) and Dipper 

The Australian Contingent at the 10th Anniversary of the Peres Center for Peace. 

On the 26 October 2008 the 

Peres Center (sic) for Peace 

celebrated its 10th anniversary in 

Tel Aviv. The theme for the twoday 

celebration was “New World 

New Peace – It's People That Make 

Peace Not Just Governments". 

The Peres Center for Peace has 

a counterpart in the West Bank 

through an organisation called 

Al-Quds Association for Dialogue 

and Democracy. The Peres Centre 

for Peace is a non-governmental 

and non-partisan organisation 

dedicated to promoting peaceful 

Palestinian Coach Naser Gous and ‘Dipper’ (Robert DiPierdomenico) explain tactics. The Australian Contingent with the President Shimon Peres. 

34 

relations between Arabs and 

Israelis. 

‘Through common professional, 

educational and recreational 

platforms, the Peres Center brings 

together Arabs and Israelis – with 

an emphasis on Palestinian – 

Israeli relations – to engage in cooperative 

activities, capacity 

building, and mutual-beneficial 

projects. The programs comprise a 

diverse and multi-faceted spectrum 

of participants across many 

different fields, including 

agriculture, medicine, sport,

the arts, business and are designed 

to directly respond to the needs of 

the respective populations are 

founded upon the notion that the 

establishment of a just and 

sustainable peace based on a viable 

2-state solution, and the ability to 

create real change, lies not only in 

the hands of politicians but also in 

the hands of the people. …’ 

Its list of achievements and 

programs is impressive. 

See www.perews-center.org 

In recognition of sport’s power 

to promote integration between 

youths of different backgrounds 

and as a response to the needs of 

local Palestinian and Israeli 

communities, the sport department 

of the Peres Center for Peace 

founded the “Twinned Peace Sport 

Schools” program. This project has 

made and continues to make a 

positive impact on the 

participating communities, by 

providing a safe and practical 

avenue through which to engage 

Palestinian and Israeli youth. Joint 

sporting activities involving 

Palestinians and Israelis promote 

cultural integration between the 

two populations, providing a 

medium through which they can 

communicate, and an avenue by 

which social change can be 

encouraged. 

The “twinned Peace Sports 

Schools” program annually engages 

nearly 2000 Palestinian and Israeli 

children aged between six and 14 

in a weekly schedule of sport 

training in football or basketball, 

peace education and auxiliary 

educational support in their 

separate communities stopped once 

a month, the Palestinian and Israeli 

children from each “twinned” 

community are brought together to 

participate in joint sporting and 

social activities, led by their 

coaches who are trained in peace 

education. The program benefits 

youngsters and their coaches from 

35 disadvantaged communities in 

Yaakov Frenkel Upsherin 

One of our Thursday morning attendees, 

Yossi Frenkel, who celebrated the first haircut 

(Upsherin) of his 3 year old son Yaakov. 

Palestinian & Israeli athletes sing John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance”.? 

the region, in the belief that these 

populations most severely affected 

by hardship have a higher 

propensity to develop negative 

attitudes in the context of the 

ongoing conflict. 

After their experience in 

Australia, the Israeli and 

Palestinian members of the Peace 

Team returned to their respective 

communities with a passion for 

AFL, and a keen interest to 

introduce the sport to youngsters 

in the conflict areas. I have 

witnessed the passion and 

dedication of members of the Team 

to remain together as “team 

mates", to develop their own skills 

as Aussie rules footballers, and to 

teach and encourage AFL football 

in their communities in the 

Middle East. I have also seen and 

been encouraged by the bonds of 

friendship that developed between 

members of the Team irrespective 

of what side of the Green Line 

they came from. At the Team 

reunion in Jerusalem in October 

last year the Team came together 

for the first time since the 

International Cup competition in 

Melbourne. The warmth and 

friendship which they displayed 

towards each other remained. 

Some of them had brought their 

parents and relatives to the reunion 

35 

who for the first time witnessed 

their children embracing “the other 

side". One Israeli mother said that 

she did not think she would live to 

see her son embrace a Palestinian 

that warmly or that there could 

ever be a friendship between them. 

The irony was that her son was 

due to go into the Army the 

next day. 

At the reunion I met one of the 

leaders of the Palestinian Al-Quds 

Association for Democracy and 

Dialogue who told me that he had 

lost his 10-year-old son at the 

hands of the Israeli army in one of 

the Intifada uprisings against Israel. 

I asked him why he was now 

involved as a leader in the peace 

movement and in particular with 

the Peres Centre for Peace. 

His simple reply was “we can't go 

on like this for another 60 years". 

This was the same answer given to 

me by the coach of the Palestinian 

members of the Team who used to 

be Yassa Arafat's bodyguard and 

who spent three years in an Israeli 

jail for terrorism, or as he would 

have it, for being a “freedom 

fighter". 

The totality of my experience 

with the Peres Centre for Peace has 

encouraged me to believe that 

there is a dream and desire 

amongst a large body of the 

civilian population on both sides 

for peace and that peace will only 

come if the civilian population 

engages with each other at all 

levels. The Peres Centre for Peace 

has demonstrated, over a period of 

10 years, by its deeds and not just 

words, that there is a significant 

and worthwhile move towards 

peace and we should do all that we 

can to encourage its work. 

A demonstration of the success 

of the Peace Team’s participation 

in the AFL International Cup last 

year, was the holding of an AFL’s 

Auskick session, led by Palestinian 

Peace Team player, Muhammed 

Ibdeir (Hamudi), that took place 

in Jerusalem on 29 January 09. 

The Israeli and Palestinian 

children that participated were 

from the Sderot-Tulkarem 

“Twinned Peace Football Schools” 

Programme. The children spent 

the session learning the basic skills 

of Australian Football, and it is 

envisaged that this will be a new 

programme to be incorporated into 

the Peres Center’s existing sporting 

programmes. 

In Australia the Peres Centre is 

intending to expand upon the 

success of the Peace Team to 

launch the “Footy Yalla” program 

based on the successful model of 

the “Twinned Peace Sports 

Schools” programs in Israel. Footy 

Yalla will provide three Palestinian- 

Israeli pairs of schools – each with 

a 60 youngsters, totaling 480 

youths – with a unique 

opportunity to experience AFL 

footy over a three-year period. 

For further information about 

the Peres Center for Peace all their 

Footy Yalla Auskick program 

contact Tania Oziel, Executive 

Director, Australian chapter of the 

Peres Center, on 0411 545 654 or by 

e-mail: tanya@peres.org.au. 

Henry Jolson QC 

Jewish Humour 

Before the commencement of the Shabbat 

service the rabbi approached a new member of 

his congregation, saying; 

“Hi, before we begin, I’d like to introduce you, 

and for you to say a few words about yourself 

to the rest of the congregation. 

What’s your name?” 

The man says,“Esther Rosenblum.” 

“No,” said the rabbi,“I need YOUR name.” 

“It’s Esther Rosenblum.” 

“How can that be your name?” said the rabbi. 

“Well, I’ve been having financial problems so 

now everything’s in my wife’s name.”

Access Inc. Musical – 

“Rags To Riches” 

About five months ago, I was 

approached by a friend of 

mine who works with the 

Access group and asked whether I 

would be interested in helping out 

with a small performance that they 

were planning. I had never really 

had much experience with working 

with Access but I knew that this 

endeavour would be a very special 

and memorable experience. It far 

exceeded any of my expectations. 

I teamed up with Romy Snow 

Hoffman who has a strong 

background in Musical Theatre 

and together we set about writing a 

show that would include both 

Access members and helpers from 

the community. Together we 

conceived the story of Rags to 

Riches, which involved the 

beautiful Princess Rose’s search for 

a husband, and the Castle’s Janitor, 

Joe, who eventually captures her 

heart. Romy looked after the all 

the production details and 

choreography, I wrote the script, 

and together we directed the show. 

Rehearsals were held every Sunday 

afternoon at Bnei Brith and 

Spirit Grow and involved lots 

of laughing, dancing and, most 

of all, fun. 

All the wonderful cast members 

approached this show with so 

much enthusiasm and excitement 

and were so committed to its 

outcome. We wanted to give the 

participants the opportunity to star 

in a real show; with big sets and 

colourful costumes, and experience 

the thrill of performing to a large 

audience. The entire journey, from 

the auditions that we held to the 

nervousness embodied in waiting 

to go on stage, gave the 

participants a genuine theatre 

experience. Their performances 

blew the entire audience away and 

far exceeded any expectations. 

They sang, they danced, recited 

lines and caused a few wet eyes 

throughout the theatre, and the 

nachas they brought to their 

friends and family was 

overwhelming. 

The thunderous applause and 

ecstatic laughter with which the 

cast members were met will be 

memories that I am positive will 

last a life time for these amazing 

young adults, and the pride that 

filled the room on that Tuesday 

night is something that Romy and 

I will never forget. 

Josh Gurgiel. 

“Access Incorporated” 

is a tax-deductible, non-profit, 

voluntary organisation which 

advocates for the inclusion into 

the community of Jewish people 

with disabilities. 

www.accessinc.com.au 

36

Our best wishes on the “new additions” 

B I R T H S 

to their families go to: 

Sonia & Morris Majtlis.......................................................................great grandson 

Golda Lasky......................................................................................2 great grandsons 

Estelle & Merv Rubenstein ..............................................................grand daughter 

Estelle Redlich......................................................................................grand daughter 

Greta Redlich ............................................................................great grand daughter 

Milly & Jack Micmacher ...............................................................................grandson 

Sue & Harry Gluck..............................................................................grand daughter 

Natalie & Ronny Kowadlo ............................................................................daughter 

Lara & Dan Krasnostein ................................................................................daughter 

Barbara & Barry Landau ...................................................................grand daughter 

Minnie & Sam Smorgon........................................................great grand daughter 

Candi & Sasha Apel........................................................................................daughter 

Jan Green ..............................................................................................grand daughter 

Rachel & David Boymal ................................................................................grandson 

Anita Boymal........................................................................................great grandson 

Elise & Adrian Rose ...................................................................................................son 

Shirley Rose......................................................................................................grandson 

Dahlia & Brian Goldberg .........................................................................................son 

Ann & Isaac Lesh ............................................................................................grandson 

Jill & Jack Goldberg........................................................................................grandson 

Rita & Lionel Kowal............................................................................grand daughter 

Michele & Graham Lasky .................................................................grand daughter 

Caroline & David Bernshaw.............................................................grand daughter 

Greg Rosshandler ...............................................................................grand daughter 

Sue & Joe Aarons................................................................................grand daughter 

Esther Rozen .................................................................Twin great grand daughters 

Beck & Justin Tempelhof ..............................................................................daughter 

Lilliane & Michael Aisenberg ..........................................................grand daughter 

Penny & Michael Bock..............................................................................................son 

Sandra & Esmat Hakin..................................................................................grandson 

Evelynne & Jack Gance .................................................................................grandson 

Lil & Sol Chester ..................................................................................great grandson 

Lisa & Brian Sidlo.......................................................................................................son 

Lynne & Ben Sidlo ..........................................................................................grandson 

Romy & Steven Katz.......................................................................................daughter 

Ricci Swart ............................................................................................grand daughter 

Bettie Kornhauser ...................................................................great grand daughter 

Sue Selwyn.......................................................................................................grandson 

B A R M I T Z V O T 

Solly Gelman 

Joseph Friedman 

Jarred Sibel 

Social and Personal 

B ’ N E I M I T Z V O T 

Sienna Fitt 

Ashlee Edelstein 


175 Stanley St, West Melbourne 

Ph: 9326 6258 www.worboys.com.au 

Reagan Milstein 

David Borensztajn 

Jeremy Wald 

Jemma Roseman 

Tessa Faiman 

Our best wishes on attaining Bar 

Mitzvah are extended to the following 

young men and their families: 

Anton Fitt 

Toby Sherr 

Blake Shnider 

Our best wishes on attaining Bat 

Mitzvah are extended to the following 

young ladies and their families: 

Joanna Friedman 


The Danos Family 

37 

E N G A G E M E N T S 

Liz Bondarcev & Jonathan Glickfield 

Naomi Goldenberg & Dov Hersh 

Bianca Burd & Daniel Manheit 

Fiona Rotstein & Julian Hoffman 

Lisa Sack & Martin Meltzer 

M A R R I A G E S 

Paulina Ison & Dimitry Burdenjuk 

Sharni Spigelman & 

Timothy Friedman 

Tamara Glasberg & Ashley Bloom 

Victoria Blidman & Adam Dascal 

Lior Albeck-Ripka & Rowan Opat 

B E R E A V E M E N T S 

Our sincere condolences are extended 

to the following families: 

Ruth Anderson .......................................................................on the loss of her aunt 

Harry Perelberg.......................................................................on the loss of his aunt 

David Grace...........................................................................on the loss of his father 

Hedy Bloom .......................................................................on the loss of her mother 

Marcel Lasker ...........................................................................on the loss of his wife 

John Cashmore........................................................................on the loss of his wife 

Jenny Blakeley...................................................................on the loss of her mother 

Jeff Cashmore ....................................................................on the loss of his mother 

Jill Diamond.......................................................................on the loss of her mother 

Claire Pask..........................................................................on the loss of her mother 

Colin Rubenstein...............................................................on the loss of his mother 

Kevin Milstein ..................................................................on the Loss of his mother 

Richard Shaw .......................................................................on the loss of his father 

Henry Frenkel.....................................................................on the loss of his mother 

Aaron Eidelson...................................................................on the loss of his mother 

Rodney & Leigh Goldbloom .............. ........................on the loss of their mother 

Sonia Sicree & Loraine Fabb .......................................on the loss of their mother 


Melbourne’s Leading Kosher Caterer 

Phone: 9555 3255 

Fax: 9555 3455 

2 Keys Rd Moorabbin VIC 3180 

catering@kosherclassique.com.au 

MAZAL TOV 

Our heartiest Mazal-Tov go to the 

following couples and their families: 

Georgia Danos & Julian Dunne 

Lauren Goodman & Rodney Hampel 

Michelle Coleman & Monty Sacher 

Michelle Aronowicz & Adam Kahan 

Our best wishes for a long and happy life 

together go to the following couples: 

Rimma Goldberg & 

David Nemirovsky 

Inna Segal & Vlad Haimovich 

Ilana Banky & Herschel Parker 

Joanna Rogers & Darren Rubenstein 

Dziunia & John Selwyn......................................................................great grandson Anton Fitt celebrates his recent 

Bar Mitzvah on Saturday 7th March 2009. 


The Kutner Family

Calendar Friday 1 – 7 Iyar 

Mincha/Kabbalat 

Thursday 2 – 8 Nisan 

Morning Service 7.15 am 

Friday 3 – 9 Nisan 

Mincha/ 

Kabbalat Shabbat 6.00 pm 

Candle Lighting 6.53 pm 

Saturday 4 – 10 Nisan 


Shabbat HaGadol 

B/M Mikael Movitz 

Shabbat ends 7.49 pm 

Wednesday 8 – 14 Nisan 

Erev Pesach 


Evening Service 6.00 pm 

Yom Tov 



1st Day Pesach 



Yom Tov candle 

lighting not before 6.41 pm 


2nd Day Pesach 



Shabbat 6.00pm 

Shabbat candle 

lighting not after 5.43 pm 


Chol Hamoed Pesach 

Morning Service 8.45am 


Sunday 12 – 18 Nisan 



Monday 13 – 19 Nisan 



Tuesday 14 – 20 Nisan 



Evening Service 6.00pm 

Yom Tov Candle 

Lighting 5.37 pm 

Catered Breakfasts 

Following all Rosh 

Chodesh & 

Thursday morning 

shacharit services, 

a light breakfast is 

available that 

includes fresh 

coffee, bagels, fruit 

salad & juice. 

A catered breakfast 

however is served 

at the conclusion of 

all early morning services during 

Chol Hamoed Pesach and when 

Selichot are recited (prior to 

Rosh Hashanna). 

A P R I L 2 0 0 9 

Wednesday 15 – 21 Nisan 

7th Day Pesach 






8th Day Pesach 


Yom Tov ends 6.32pm 



Shabbat 5.30 pm 



Shabbat Service 8.45 am 

Mevarchim Hachodesh 

Parshat Shemini 

B/M Zac Kabaker & 

Bryden Zeldin 





Rosh Chodesh 





Tuesday 21 – 27 Nisan 

Yom Hashoa 

Saturday 25 – 1 Iyar 

Anzac Day 


Rosh Chodesh 

Parshat Tazria – Metzora 


Tuesday 28 – 4 Iyar 

Yom Hazikaron 

Wednesday 29 – 5 Iyar 

Yom Ha’atzmaut 

Thursday 30 – 6 Iyar 


A fully catered breakfast 

follows each service 

Join us & start the 

day on a spiritual 

high! 

38 

M A Y 2 0 0 9 





Parshat Acharei – Kedoshim 




Friday 8 – 14 Iyar 






Parshat Emor 


Tuesday 12 – 18 Iyar 

Lag B’Omer 









Parshat Behar – Bechukotai 





Yom Yerushalayim 






Mevarchim HaChodesh 

Parshat Bamidbar 

B/M Chase Jacobson 


Sunday 24 – 1 Sivan 

Rosh Chodesh 


Thursday 28 – 5 Sivan 


Erev Shavuot 



Friday 29 – 6 Sivan 

1st Day Shavuot 



Candle lighting 

not after 4.53 pm 

Saturday 30 – 7 Sivan 

2nd Day Shavuot 





Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong 

Road, 

Chadstone 3148 

Phone 8564 1222 

J U N E 2 0 0 9 









Parshat Naso 



Wedding Martin Meltzer 

& Lisa Sack 



Friday 12– 20 Sivan 






Parshat Behaalotcha 



Wedding Abby Friedman 

& Amir Lefkovic 










Parshat Shelach 

B/M Jordan Giusti 


Wedding Georgia Danos & 

Julian Dunne 

Monday 22 – 30 Sivan 

Rosh Chodesh 


Tuesday 23 – 1 Tammuz 

Rosh Chodesh 


Thursday 25 – 3 Tammuz 


Friday 26 – 4 Tammuz 




Saturday 27 – 5 Tammuz 


Parshat Korach 



SUPERMARKET 

550 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn 

102 Burwood Road Hawthorn 

64 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

J U L Y 2 0 0 9 A U G U S T 2 0 0 9 



Friday 3 – 11 Tammuz 




Saturday 4 – 12 Tammuz 


Parshat Chukkat – Balak 



Shiva Aser B’Tammuz 

Fast begins 6.11 am 


Fast ends 5.45 pm 

Friday 10– 18 Tammuz 




Saturday 11– 19 Tammuz 


Parshat Pinchas 


Thursday 16– 24 Tammuz 


Friday 17– 25 Tammuz 




Saturday 18– 26 Tammuz 


Mevarchim HaChodesh 

Parshat Mattot – Masei 


Wednesday 22 – 1 Av 

Rosh Chodesh 


Thursday 23 – 2 Av 


Friday 24– 3 Av 




Saturday 25 – 4 Av 


Shabbat Chazon 

Parshat Devarim 


Wednesday 29 – 8 Av 

Erev Tisha B’Av 

Fast begins 5.30 pm 



Tisha B’Av 


Fast ends 5.59 pm 

Friday 31 – 10 Av 





The Majtlis 

Family 

Saturday 1– 11 Av 


Shabbat Nachamu 

Parshat Vaetchannan 

Annual Masonic Service 


Sunday 2 – 12 Av 

Wedding Amy Passov & 

Mark Grant 

Wedding Alexandra Glass & 

Jacob Kanter 

Thursday 6– 16 Av 


Friday 7– 17 Av 



B/M Rebecca Maher 


Saturday 8 – 18 Av 


Parshat Ekev 




Friday 14 – 24 Av 




Saturday 15– 25 Av 



Parshat Re’eh 


Thursday 20– 30 Av 

Rosh Chodesh 


Friday 21– 1 Elul 

Rosh Chodesh 





Saturday 22– 2 Elul 


Parshat Shoftim 


Thursday 27 – 7 Elul 


Friday 28 – 8 Elul 




Saturday 29 – 9 Elul 


Parshat Ki Tetze 


Manufacturers & Suppliers of Corporate, 

Promotional & Sporting Apparel 

and Accessories 

3A Fink Steet, Preston 3072 VIC 

Ph: 03 9489 5499 Fax: 03 9489 6399 

www.actionknits.com.au action@mdrglobal.com.au 

39 

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 9 







Saturday 5 – 16 Elul 


Parshat Ki Tavo 


Thursday 10– 21 Elul 


Friday 11– 22 Elul 




Saturday 12– 23 Elul 


Parshat Nitzavim – Vayelech 


First Selichot 

Midnight Service 12.01am 

Monday 14 – 25 Elul 


Tuesday 15 – 26 Elul 


Wednesday 16 – 27 Elul 






Erev Rosh Hashanna 




Saturday 19 – 1 Tishrei 

1st Day Rosh Hashanna 

Shabbat (& Yom Tov) 

Service 8.00 am 




Thursday Morning 

Services 

Held in the Herscu Minor 

Shule at 7.15am followed 

by a tasty breakfast. 

Tuesday Night Shiur 

The Rabbi’s Tuesday night 

Shiur held for both men 

and women commences 

at 8.30pm at 33 Melby 

Avenue, East St Kilda. 

Shule Notes 

Sunday 20 – 2 Tishrei 

2nd Day Rosh Hashanna 

Morning (Yom Tov) 

Service 8.00 am 

Yom Tov ends 6.53 pm 

Monday 21 – 3 Tishrei 

Fast of Gedaliah 

Fast begins 4.54 am 


Tuesday 22 – 4 Tishrei 


Wednesday 23 – 5 Tishrei 


Thursday 24 – 5 Tishrei 


Friday 25 – 7 Tishrei 





Saturday 26 – 8 Tishrei 

Shabbat Shuva 

Parshat Ha’azinu 


Sunday 27 – 9 Tishrei 


Erev Yom Kippuur 

Kol Nidre 


lighting & fast 

begins 6.02 pm 


Monday 28 – 10 Tishrei 

Yom Kippur 

Yom Tov service 9.00 am 

Yom Tov & 

fast ends 7.00 pm 

A fully catered breakfast 

follows each service 

Bat Mitzvah Classes 

Yehudit Kazatsky holds Bat Mitzvah classes. 

Call Jackie Somerville on 9866 2255 

for details. 

Bar Mitzvah Classes 

The classes the Rabbi holds for Bar Mitzvah 

are held at his home 33 Melby Avenue, 

East St Kilda every Tuesday night at 7.30pm. 

Any questions feel free to contact the Rabbi at 

the Shule office or on mobile 0419 302 422. 

Convenient Morning Service 

Since the last edition of the Destiny magazine we have had numerous 

Smachot (Happy Occasions) held in the Herscu Synagogue. Our regular 

Thursday morning minyan has attracted a new “Trend” in the way of 

baby naming as well as mini Bar-Mitzvah’s. 

This is a small but convenient ceremony offered by the Shule to its 

members and non members alike, where the service begins at 7.15am and 

concludes at 8am followed by a sponsored breakfast. 

Based on the location of the synagogue, we are strategically placed 

between the nearby hospitals and the CBD allowing attendees to get to 

their destination ON TIME.

Shule Roundup 

in Pictures 

Bella Zelman born on 14th December 2008 to Sara Kowal and 

Aaron Zelman. Rita & Lionel Kowal are very proud grandparents. 

Michael & Irene Beder celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. 

Hayden Samuel Goldberg born 2nd December 2008 to proud 

parents Dahlia and Brian Goldberg. His sister, Hanna and 

Grandparents: Ann and Isaac Lesh; Yael and Rai Gaita; Jack and 

Jill Goldberg are also delighted. 

Mazal Tov Leon Young seen here celebrating his 90th birthday 

with wife Norma and grandchildren [L-R] Nicholas & Chelcee 

Karp and David Young. 

Bade Hilton practises for his Bar Mitzvah. 

The Magazine Editorial Committee appreciates sharp and clear 

photographs of recent social events and celebrations. Please forward 

to the Shule office in protective cardboard or email as high resolution 

jpegs if they are digital files. All material will be returned. 

The photos above were taken at the Jewish Care Chanukah service in December. 

Greta Redlich celebrates the safe arrival of her 

Great-Grandson Asher. 

Congratulations Jarred Sibel on his recent 

Bar-Mitzvah. 

40 

Sarah Pesha, born on 17th October 2008 to Tali & Aaron Sull, 

Granddaughter to Harry & Sue Gluck. 

Isabella Zara Milner with her delighted parents Allen & Bat-Sheva. 

Newly engaged couple Naomi Goldenberg and Dov 

Hirsch. Daughter of Howard & Annette Goldenberg. Tony & Roslyn Roseman celebrate Tony’s 70th birthday.

The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation The Melbourne Hebrew

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