Leading Melbourne rabbi passes away at 94
Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber Hakohen Gutnick has passed away at the age of 94 in Melbourne.
Rabbi Sholom Gutnick
He was born in Russia in 1924 and his family moved three years later to what is now Israel before going to London.
In 1948 he was sent on a rabbinical mission to Melbourne where he married Devorah Feiglin in 1952.
He became involved in the Yeshiva teaching there for 50 years.
In 1952, he was appointed the rabbi of Caulfield Hebrew Congregation which eventually became the largest shul in Australia.
Rabbi Gutnick at Caulfield’s 25th anniversary
The synagogue’s current spiritual leader Rabbi Ralph Genende told J-Wire: “As founding rabbi of Caulfield Shule he was a man of vision and energy. He was a long serving loyal rabbi, ensuring the place of the Shule as one of leading congregations in Melbourne. He carried out countless life-cycle events reaching across the community in times of joy and celebration as well as in times of sadness and loss.
As current Rabbi I appreciate his tireless efforts and appreciate the personal and family sacrifice in this relentless position on behalf of the Shule and community in general.”
He is survived by his children Rabbi Motty Gutnick in Melbourne, Rabbi Meyer Gutnick in New York, Rabbi Moshe Gutnick in Los Angeles and Rabbi Yossi Gutnick in Melbourne, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The Rabbi ז”ל was also head of the Melbourne Beth Din.
A position now held by his esteemed nephew Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick.