Tell September 2018 Tishrei 5779

{MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, ALEX LEHRER}
Dear Emanuel Community,
On behalf of the Board, it is
my pleasure to wish you G'mar
Hatima Tova and Chag Sameach. I
also wish to take this opportunity
to thank you for being part of our
wonderful extended family.
As we approach the start of the
Hebrew year 5779, Emanuel
Synagogue is in-the-midst of an
exciting time. The past year saw
the completion of construction of
our new preschool and mid-sized
sanctuary. History was made,
when our beautiful new sanctuary
provided the perfect setting
for Rabbi Kamins to officiate at
the first religious Jewish samesex
marriage in Australia. The
beautification of the Ocean Street
forecourt and streetscape will be
finished shortly, thus completing
this stage of the transformation of
the Emanuel campus.
Apart from achieving these
milestones, we have continued
to thrive as a pluralistic Jewish
community. The ongoing success
and vibrancy of our community is
testament to the tremendous work
of our clergy and staff, as well as
the inclusive and welcoming spirit
of our diverse congregation. As we
celebrate the 80th anniversary of
the establishment of what is now
Emanuel Synagogue, there is much
to be proud of.
Looking ahead, the board is
focused on consolidating the
successes of the past, whilst
building an ever- stronger
sense of community through
engagement. Engagement in
this context comprises religious
practice, cultural events including
music and art, education and
volunteering. One of our
successful initiatives to date
includes the weekly ‘Conversations
About Israel' discussion group.
This forum is always well-attended,
and provides participants with
an opportunity to engage in
healthy debate. A true diversity
of opinions is shared at these
meetings. Our Kef Kids program
is another popular and successful
initiative. It introduces young
children to Judaism and Jewish
concepts on Friday afternoons,
in a friendly, fun atmosphere.
Furthermore, our members,
clergy and staff participate in
numerous volunteering and social
outreach roles. Performances by
the Australian Chamber Orchestra
at Emanuel Synagogue over recent
years have been outstanding, and
our choir continues to impress
audiences week by week.
For 80 years, Emanuel Synagogue
has proudly provided an
egalitarian and welcoming
environment, in which its
congregation has had the
opportunity to nurture and express
its Jewish identity. In the years
ahead we intend to build on this
strong foundation, with a view to
providing our members with even
more opportunities to participate,
learn, contribute and thrive. I
encourage all our members to join
us on this journey.
Thank you for being part of the
first 80 years, and we look forward
to your continued participation in
the future. I hope to see many of
you over the chagim, and on behalf
of the Board. wish you all the best
for the year ahead.
Alex Lehrer
President
28
{MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS}
ALEX LEHRER
Alex has been a Director of
Emanuel Synagogue for four
years. During this time, he chaired
the redevelopment committee
which successfully delivered the
new sanctuary and preschool.
Alex has four children, and so
clearly, he is a meshuganah! The
children range in age from one to
nine. His wife Claire is originally
from a village called Whalley, in
the north of England. He is a keen
sportsman, and has played first
grade rugby for Eastern Suburbs and
won gold medals at the Maccabiah
Games in both rugby and cycling.
Although Alex is a Chemical
Engineering graduate, his
working life has been in the
investment management and
property development spheres.
In his spare time, Alex enjoys
playing guitar. You can spot him
performing for his son Reuben
and his classmates most Friday
mornings in the Cubs classroom at
Emanuel Woollahra Preschool.