Farewell Canberra, hello Sydney
Rabbi Alon Meltzer is to move from Canberra to Sydney to become the Programming Director of Shalom, an affiliate of the JCA and Rabbi of the Or Chadash Community in Bondi.
Rabbi Alon Meltzer
Jewish life in the national capital changed dramatically since the ACT Jewish community decided to engage a full-time rabbi. Three years later, the community has seen the development of a full suite of programming, the arrival of Shlichim, and the conclusion of a very successful Capital Campaign to revitalise the centre among many other things.
Rabbi Alon and Linsay Meltzer have served this new and emerging community, and have been fully committed in the development of a broad-tent Jewish community that is accessible for all. They have enabled the growth of the young adult community made up of young entrants to the Australian Public Service and university students who have moved to Canberra from larger cities and who are looking for a continued connection to Jewish life. They have also served both the local and national Jewish communities in areas of representation across political, diplomatic and interfaith forums.
Rabbi Meltzer stated: “I’ve been privileged to work with such a vibrant and innovative community over the past few years, and I’ve been proud of what has been accomplished. To look back and remember what the canvas looked like in 2014, and to see it now, it just wows me every day.”
The ACT Jewish Community President, Yael Cass added: “We have been fortunate to have found a Rabbinic team that has accepted the mission of the community, has taken the legacy of our founders and the many lay leaders of our past, and who have run with that mission; fostering and developing it in a unique Canberran way.”
On the level of activity and programming, Ms Cass said: “Our community offers something for all ages and all persuasions. To see the level of activity for our youth, young adults, and adults in terms of social and educational programming is very inspiring. We have grown these past few years, and we look forward to further growth as we enter the next chapter of our community.”
Rabbi Alon Meltzer has spoken about his two new roles which he takes up in January 2018.
Rabbi Meltzer said: “Both roles will allow us to serve the Jewish people in diverse and exciting ways. The former especially will see collaboration in educational and social programming with the ACTJC.”
Tamara Samuel, Shalom’s CEO, said: “We were looking for a person who is passionate about creating vibrancy in our community by creating quality, inclusive and edgy programs. Alon has done this for many communities and is committed to broad tent Jewish cultural engagement. Shalom has a diverse program team to ensure that its programs are inclusive.”
President of Or Chadash, Dr Jonathan Erlich says: ‘We have been fortunate to have been associated with several rabbis, including most recently Rabbi Selwyn Franklin, Rabbi Danny Eisenberg and Rabbi Ari Lobel. We are very excited to move to this new phase of growth and development of the shul with the appointment of Rabbi Meltzer. We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Meltzer and his family to Or Chadash and look forward to being able to develop the shul under his leadership’.
The ACT Jewish Community is currently searching for candidates to assume the role of Rabbinic Team of the ACTJC. A full job description and details of how to apply can be found at
