J-Wire exclusive – Coogee Synagogue to receive $50,000 grant for community upgrades

In an exclusive reveal to J-Wire, Member for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite has announced that Coogee Synagogue will receive a $50,000 federal grant to upgrade its community facilities. The funding will be officially announced this Thursday by Thistlethwaite and State Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill.

The grant, secured through a federal multicultural programme, will be used to refurbish the synagogue’s kitchen and improve key infrastructure such as ageing doors and windows within its community centre.

“It’s an important infrastructure upgrade to better cater for the community,“ Thistlethwaite told J-Wire.

Coogee Synagogue’s Rabbi Elozer Gestetner told J-Wire:
“We are really, really grateful for the Australian Government’s assistance for Jewish places of worship. We very much value our close friendship with our local member, Matt Thistlethwaite — he has always been a friend, especially in these difficult times of rising antisemitism. His personal support, and the government’s, allow our synagogue to flourish.”

Thistlethwaite, who has attended numerous events at the synagogue, said it plays an important role in Jewish communal life in the eastern suburbs. He paid tribute to the long-standing leadership of Rabbi Elozer Gestetner and his wife, Miri, who have been instrumental in fostering a welcoming environment. “They, as a couple are some of the longest serving congregation leaders in Australia.”

Synagogue president, Wilfred Lax echoed Rabbi Gestetner’s sentiments stating “[Thistlethwaite] has been consistently a good friend, a great friend to Coogee synagogue and the Coogee Jewish community. He comes two, three times a year to the Shul for different things… he comes to our Hanukkah party, he comes to the Anzac Day (commemoration).”

 

Although the grant is for infrastructure improvements rather than security, Thistlethwaite confirmed that Randwick Council will also be funding additional safety measures for the synagogue, including bollards in front of the building.

“It’s sad that we need all those things,” he said. “But I’m glad we can support community groups not only with security, but with the infrastructure they need to thrive.”

Said Rabbi Gestetner: “The funding will go towards refurbishing the rear of the synagogue — the hall and function area. We’re updating the kitchen and painting the space to make it look more modern, sharper and cleaner. It’s not structural, but it will make a real difference.”

The Coogee Synagogue grant follows the Albanese Government’s $2 million commitment to Jewish House in Bondi, which will fund an expansion of crisis accommodation and services for vulnerable people in the area.

“These grants are about recognising the essential work Jewish organisations do in our local area,” Thistlethwaite said. “Whether it’s crisis accommodation or strengthening community connections, they’re making a huge impact.”