B’nai B’rith Honour for the Gottshalls
B’nai Brith will honour the memories of the late Rabbi Dr Benjamin Gottshall and Rebbetzin Jana Gottshall, in a special ceremony in Sydney this coming Sunday [6 February].
Rabbi & Rebbitzin Gottshall
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gottshall were respected and admired members of B’nai Brith since coming to Australia as Holocaust survivors from Czechoslovakia in 1949.
B’nai B’rith Sydney Masada Co-President, Mr Henry Krug, said the devotion of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gottshall to B’nai B’rith and the community deserved recognition and acknowledgement.
“They were both irreplaceable members of B’nai B’rith whose personalities and qualities were unique,” he said.
” We recall the late Rabbi Gottshall with respect and admiration for his integrity, humility and contribution to not only B’nai B’rith but also our community and now we also lovingly remember a gracious lady, our Rebbetzin Gottshall.”
Rabbi Gottshall, who died in 1978, originally joined B’nai B’rith in Prague where he was a spiritual leader of the famous Altneu Synagogue, and subsequently served in several congregations in Australia and New Zealand, including Newcastle, Wellington, Brisbane and Maroubra.
His wife, Rebbetzin Gottshall, passed away last April and the consecration of her tombstone was held at Rookwood Cemetery on Sunday 23 January.
” A long-standing member, her sparkling personality, infectious smile and genuine friendship and kindness to all contributed to the continuing success of our organisation,” Mr Krug said.
” With her passing, a major link in our communal chain has been broken, unable to be repaired and never to be replaced.”
Mr Krug said to coincide with B’nai Brith’s Sydney Masada 2011 installation on Sunday night, a Gold Leaf in honour of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gottshall will be affixed and dedicated on the ‘Tree of Life’ at the entrance of B’nai Brith House in East Sydney.
The Gold Leaf inscription reads ” In loving memory of Rabbi Dr Benjamin Gottshall & Rebbetzin Jana Gottshall – Esteemed and Loved Members of B’nai B’rith – A remarkable couple and shining example”.
