New president for TBI
At Melbourne’s Temple Beth Israel’s congregation’s AGM Dr Robert Sward was elected as its incoming President.
Dr Robert Sward
Life-long member Dr Sward joined the board in 2007, was co-Vice President this year, and has been an active member of the Va’ad (Executive) and several of TBI’s committees. Sward says together with the Board and rabbinic staff his ambitions include “developing and implementing new programs to further strengthen the bonds between members, with the rabbis, with Progressive Judaism and with other organisations.”
The significant goals achieved during Robert Hershan’s three-year term as President were praised, including the smooth transition of the senior rabbinic role from Rabbi Fred Morgan to Rabbi Gersh Lazarow; becoming a more welcoming community; attracting young members and families; and refreshing, refurbishing and rebuilding premises at 76-82 Alma Road, St Kilda.
Of his term as TBI President Robert Hershan says, “With attendance growing, membership increasing, a flourishing TBI Tamid Hebrew school program and almost full bookings for b’nei mitzvah for the coming year, I feel our TBI community is making generational change. TBI is becoming a place of greater relevance and meaning for future generations’”.
Joining the Board are Joshua Fast, Evgeny Vizelman, Sue Silberberg, David Freedman and Gary Lewis. Newly elected as co-Vice Presidents are Rebecca Silk and Judi Cohen. Alla Medownick is now treasurer and Joanne Loewy Irons is Secretary.
The Walter and Alwyn Jona Bequest Merit Award in Recognition of an outstanding contribution to TBI was presented to community stalwart and former co-Vice President Dorothy Graff.
The TBI President’s Award for outstanding contribution to TBI and to Jewish life was presented to tireless volunteer Evi Nelson.
