Blessing the State of Victoria
Senior members of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) Executive, have met with the Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews.
The Premier and the rabbis Photo: Peter Haskin
The meeting, a long-standing tradition, was an opportunity for the Rabbis to bless the State of Victoria preceding the Jewish New Year.
The rabbis also discusses subjects of mutual concern and thanked the Premier for the ongoing support of his office and for the support of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.
The Premier expressed his appreciation of the RCV for its religious leadership in the community and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the safety and security of the local Jewish community and to Israel.
Rabbi Ralph Genende, Committee Member of the RCV, talked about how Rosh Hashana initiates a season that focuses on the value of life and how we use time. He also spoke about the shofar sounds symbolising both the broken parts of society and how we can heal them. He remarked that politicians like rabbis bring a message of hope and inspiration to the broken and the wounded. He read a prayer for Australia and presented a copy to the Premier.
The meeting concluded with the commitment to an ongoing mutually beneficial relationship between the Premier and the RCV, as the religious representatives of the Jewish Community.
Rabbi Daniel Rabin, Vice-President of the RCV, felt that the meeting was very successful. “It was a great honour for the RCV to meet with the State’s Premier prior to the Jewish New Year. Premier Andrews has been extremely supportive of the important and crucial work that the RCV provides to the Jewish community of Victoria. The Premier was delighted with our gift of his very own shofar and he assured us he would practice sounding it before our next meeting! We look forward to a continued strong and close relationship with the Premier’s office.”
Also in attendance were RCV committee members Rabbi Philip Heilbrunn, Rabbi Moshe Kahn and Rabbi Menachem Stern, together with RCV member Rabbi Yaakov Glasman.
