From Australia’s Jewish Past
Rabbi Lazarus Morris Goldman – his whole soul was dedicated to life in Australia – an achiever and most dedicated human being
Rabbi Goldman
Lazarus was born in London in 1908. His family was always closely connected with Jewish life and their religion. He studied at the Yeshivah Etz Chaim until he was twenty-one and then at Jews’ College. He very early had dedicated himself to the service of his people and his whole training as a young man was shaped to that end.
He came to Australia in 1930, and two years later married Sarah Cohen, and they had two children, David and Nina. He became headmaster of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation’s classes and in 1932 was appointed to the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation as assistant minister and secretary. He did not spare himself in any way, was untiring in his teaching, able to explain subjects clearly, and was gifted with the ability to establish an immediate bond of friendship with his pupils. The classes grew under his supervision and understanding of young people, he was a trusted friend and guide. During these years he was making his mark within the community, his practical common sense, cheerful personality, and ever-ready desire to help won him respect and affection everywhere. While at the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation, he joined the United Jewish Education Board, which had not long been established and later became its principal.
When the Second World War broke out, he enlisted within a few weeks and was recommended as the Jewish Chaplain to the AIF (6th Division). He sailed from Sydney on 15 April 1940 to the Middle East. He served in Egypt, the Western Desert, Lybia, Syria, as well as the north of Australia, New Guinea, the South-West Pacific, and elsewhere over a six-and-a-half-year period, ministering to Palestinians, Czechs, British, American, and Australian servicemen of many nations with tremendous energy and zest. His tenacity was unrivalled. No obstacle stood in the way of his making and keeping up contact with the Jewish servicemen and women. He would borrow vehicles and travel hundreds of miles to visit camps and bases. His popularity among the forces was unrivalled and he wore himself out in his role. When he returned to Australia in May 1943, Chaplain Colonel Jacob Danglow asked him to continue his active service, now to the South-West Pacific War region of the Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea. During 1945 he was promoted to the rank of Major. He was discharged in May 1946 after a most notable service.
Lazarus had wished to take his rabbinical diploma before the war, but there was no one in Australia who was suitable to teach him. Once in Palestine, he commenced his studies with Rabbi Isaac Herzog an American rabbi, and received his rabbinical diploma from Chief Rabbi Schorr in 1949.
Once discharged from the army, he returned to the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and was appointed its Minister in 1947. He serviced his congregation with all his heart in times of joy and sadness. He loved all he did and ensured his sermons were heard with interest and attention. To him, the Torah was a way of life and he sought to bring its message in terms that could be understood by all congregants and, this he certainly achieved. He was outspoken on communal problems, and often took the line of least resistance when he felt that justice and truth demanded that he speak out. This did not always bring him popularity but it did win him respect amongst many of the congregants. It would be fair to say that all he had to deal with took an inevitable toll on his health.
It was not enough for him to have become a rabbi and being a scholar at heart he commenced a university course in 1950 in the Department of Semitic Studies, graduating with honours in 1950, and completing a master’s degree in 1956, his thesis on Australian Jewish history. Given all he was required to do during this period, completing his university degree was no mean achievement and spoke volumes for his determination.
Before the creation of the State of Israel, he spoke out in defence of those living in Palestine who were struggling to achieve independence. He was a lover of Zion and advocated for the cause of Jewish nationalism from the pulpit. Unfortunately, his advocacy did much to influence the lukewarm indifference in favour of the cause of Israel. This did not stop his efforts and he succeeded in raising thousands of pounds of revenue for Zionist causes. One of the other organisations he became involved in was the Jewish National Fund where he served as vice president for several years.
Lazarus never lost a moment in being able to do for others. He was certainly a man of incredible achievements, and he was also a historian. He published two notable books – one on the history of the Jews in Victoria in the 19th century and the other on New Zealand Jewry, both requiring enormous research. The books received well-deserved praise and did much to record early Jewish life in Australasia. There were several other unpublished works, including one in Hebrew on Moses Montefiore, plus several stories and short studies.
On 30 September 1960, while conducting the Kol Nidrei service at the Adelaide Synagogue, Rabbi Goldman collapsed and died of a heart attack. The Rabbi had been an integral part of Jewish life for thirty years. As a teacher, rabbi, guide, friend, and war-time chaplain, he gave everything of himself in the highest tradition of Jewish service. He had been a most well-loved figure throughout Australian Jewry for so long that it was hard to believe he was only fifty-two. Those fifty-two years for him had been a most colourful experience and he had accumulated a great deal that would have appeared in the book he was writing to be titled “The Diary of a Rabbi”. This would have been a fascinating piece of writing, including his wife’s many quiet acts of hospitality and kindness. It would have shown that this amazing human enjoyed the company of others and was staunchly loyal to his friends. In an article written by the late Rabbi Raymond Apple in Oz Torah, he said: ‘’If there is any consolation in the very early age at which he died, it is that he as a soldier would have thought it fitting to die with his boots on while serving God and man. His strong, forceful personality and deep Jewish loyalty had served God and man well.
His sincerity was unquestioned, always fighting for truth and justice and the relief of suffering through Jewish teaching to which his whole soul was devoted to life in Australia.
The AJHS acknowledges the following references in the preparation of this story:
National Library of Australia – Trove 7 October 1960; St Kilda Synagogue; Oz Torah Rabbi Raymond Apple 1978; AJHS Obituary
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I am a born again Christian Aussie aged 87 love my countrytoo
My wife of 63 years came to Australia at aged 12 born in London April 1944 her mother Elizabeth wasa widow & had an older child, Leslie Anne ,.They came to West Australia in 1956 her grandfather was a Jew a named Abraham his wife was gentile name Sarah,they had 12 children.
My wife Patricia,said
their father was a deserter from the airforce & he married Elizabeth during WW2, The Grandfatherhad to change his surname to Alexander for safety reasons. So there is alot of story to tell yet.
To be continued.One day.