The Great greets a new president

 Email this story

Print

1 Comment

Justice Stephen Rothman has taken over the presidency of Sydney’s The Great Synagogue….the city’s oldest and a jewel in it Jewish historical crown.

Joining Rothman on the executive are Max Freedman, Caroline Lewis and Ken Gresham. The synagogue had previously been under the presidency of Michael Gold.

Stephen Rothman and Michael Gold

Rothman told J-Wire that he had great hopes for the future of the synagogue located in the city’s CBD. He said: “We can attract the ever-growing number of those choosing to live close to the city and the inner west as well as offering the majesty of the building to the community at large. There is no doubt the shul had a style which was not for everyone and our plans are to bring back to the congregation an inclusive sense of participation and warmth rather than theatre. I am well aware that it represents a huge challenge but I look forward to seeing the congregation embrace growth.”

The synagogue is a protected building and a popular destination for tourists visiting Sydney. The synagogue does not currently have a rabbi but Rothman told J-Wire that the Board is currently considering candidates for the position. Its former spiritual leader Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence moved to

Stephen Rothman shows Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis a model of the building

London to take up a post at Kinloss in Finchley vacated by Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis on his appointment as Chief Rabbi.

During his recent visit to Australia, Rabbi Mirvis visited the Great.

Susan Bures writes:

It was a meeting anchored in history when the Chief Rabbi of Britain and the Commonwealth spoke at The Great Synagogue on Monday.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis participated in Mincha and engaged in a lively question and answer session with around 50 members and visitors taking time out of their busy day.

He commented on the historic link between The Great – the ‘mother congregation’ of Australian Jewry – and the office of the Chief Rabbi which for more than a century has been the Halachic ‘go-to’ authority for the Antipodes.