Law service at The Great
Over 200 members of the NSW Judiciary, the Bar, legal profession and members of The Great Synagogue marked the beginning of Law Term 2015 with a Service attended by the Chief Justice Tom Bathurst, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Margaret Beazley and the Attorney General, Brad Hazzard.
Judges in synagogue
Joanna Markovina, Brad Hazzard, Justice Stephen Rothman and Ken Gresham
Members of the Federal Court, NSW Supreme Court and Federal Magistrates Court, barristers and lawyers formed an impressive procession into the Synagogue before assembled guests and then mingled in the beautiful surrounds of the sanctuary.
Guest Rabbi Stephen Boroda gave a sermon on the differences between Jewish and civil law and the precedence of the “law of the land” when it comes to criminal matters such as those being investigated by the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. Prayers about the pursuit of justice and the responsibilities of the legal profession and their role as community leaders were said by members of the Great Synagogue and guests.
Jason Lazarus, Kieran Ginges, Debbie Dinnen and Daniel Krochmalik
The Law Service is traditionally held to mark the beginning of Law Term and similar services are held at other religious institutions around Sydney. Great Synagogue President, Justice Stephen Rothman welcomed guests saying:
“It is a pleasure to welcome so many visitors to The Great Synagogue. We have a long tradition of reaching out to the broader community to celebrate shared events.
The coincidence of the anniversaries of the Babylonian exile 2600 years ago, the first of the Magna Carta 800 years ago and the Nostrae
Jenny Hillman, Daniel and Sarah Klineberg and Zoe Hillman
Aetate 50 years ago show the degree to which Jewish minorities have been in a precarious position historically, even in our society, and the importance of signalling respect of minorities by society and the Jewish community’s acceptance of the need to work and pray for the welfare and peace of the society in which we, as a minority, live.
Events such as this Service evidence the mutual respect of the Jewish community for the law and the law for the Jewish community.”
