Farewelling Rabbi Lawrence

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Sydney’s the Great Synagogue’s Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence will leave Australia next month. to become spiritual leader of the Finchley community in London…he has been officially farewelled.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President Yair Miller spoke on behalf of the wider community.

Synagogue president Michael Gold make a presentation to Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence photo: Gisell Haber

Miller thanked Rabbi Lawrence for the wonderful work he had done building deep and genuine relationships with other faith communities and representing the Jewish Community and many civil and state events. He also spoke of the role Rabbi Lawrence has played in being a confidant and advisor to a number of senior community leaders in what can often be isolating and challenging positions. Miller acknowledged that Rabbi Lawrence has earned the respect of all sectors of the community and been willing to work with all streams of Judaism in order to achieve the best outcomes for the community as whole – without compromising his core beliefs. He concluded by thanking the Board and members of the Great Synagogue for allowing their Rabbi the space and flexibility to work on these matters outside of the scope of his congregational work. This work is critical and greatly enhanced the profile of the Great Synagogue but must obviously take time from the role as communal spiritual leader.

Rabbi Lawrence received greetings from former Premier Barry O’Farrell and NSW State Governor Marie Bashir.

O’Farrell referred to Rabbi Lawrence’s inaugural sermon in 2005 in which he said he was “privileged in taking the pulpit is such a treasured synagogue. The former Premier commened Rabbi Lawrence on his interfaith work.

Governor Bashir praised Rabbi Lawrence “for his services to the community over the past nine years.’

Justice Stephen Rothman also addressed the meeting.

J-Wire spoke at length with Rabbi Lawrence ….

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