American position for Jerusalem-based ex-Sydney rabbi
Australian-born Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple has been elected president of the Israel Region-Rabbinical Council of America.
Rabbi Reuven Tradburks (RCA Israel Executive Director), Rabbi Apple, Rabbi Marc Dratch (RCA Executive Vice President)
Rabbi Apple is not only not American by birth or citizenship, but he has also never served as the spiritual leader of an American congregation.
His first rabbinical posts were in the London congregations of Bayswater and Hampstead before becoming the spiritual leader of Sydney’s The Great Synagogue in the early 1970s.
Rabbi Apple was installed at a Melaveh Malka event at the home of Rabbi Emanuel and Rena Quint by Rabbi Mark Dratch, executive director of the National RCA. Other rabbis participating in the program include Jeff Bienenfeld, Reuven Tradburks, Elan Adler and Aaron Adler.
Rabbi Raymond Apple told J-Wire: “I joined the RCA years ago at the suggestion of the then Chief Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits but was in Australia and could not attend meetings, though on a visit to NY I went to see the then RCA president and executive vice-president .
When I made Aliyah I began attending meetings of the Israel Region and became involved in their activities, even joining their Board despite my decision that after retiring I was finished with boards and committees.
I did not nominate for president but allowed myself to be persuaded. I have undertaken the post for a two-year period as I don’t believe in long-term appointments. RCA has about 150 members in Israel and apart from reinforcing the spirit of fellowship I hope to encourage the organisation to work on a position in regard to Israeli religious issues.
The Israel Region does not act independently of head office in NY, which makes policy and acts as the address for the modern orthodox rabbinate.”
Rabbi Apple is the emeritus chief rabbi of the Sydney Great Synagogue and now lives in Jerusalem He succeeds Rabbis Aaron Borow and Jay Karzen as president of the RCA.
Congratulations Rabbi Apple, That means we get more of Rabbi Michoel. Yeah. He really brightens my dull dreary days and lifts me up with his thoughts.