New faces at the Beth Din…and a move

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The Sydney Beth Din is both delighted and proud to welcome the Sephardi Synagogue’s Rabbi Michael Chriqui as Associate Dayan.

The Beth Din has also moved from the CBD to Bondi Beach.

Rabbi Michael Chriqui

Rabbi Chriqui will over the next three years receive specific training in Beth Din related Halacha culminating in ordination (Yoden Yoden – Dayanut) as a full Dayan. Rabbi Chriqui will receive his Dayanut from the current dayanim of the SBD  together with Rav Shlomo Amar the Rishon L’Tziyon and Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem  . Rabbi Chriqui’s  joining the Beth Din is at the specific request of Rav  Amar and also the current Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Rav Itzchak Yosef. His appointment  represents  a return to  the tradition of the SBD having as one of its Dayanim the spiritual leader of the NSW Association of Sephardim and the Sephardi Synagogue.

After nearly forty years on the Beth Din, Rabbi David Rogut has retired.  In a statement, the Beth Din said: “Words simply are inadequate and cannot describe the invaluable contribution that Rabbi Rogut has  made to the Beth Din and the entire  Sydney community.  May Hashem  grant him and his Rebbetzin many long years of good health and happiness.”

Rabbi David Rogut

Their statement also announced: “The Sydney Beth Din also welcomes the additional appointment to the Beth Din of Rabbinic Associate – Rabbi Chaim Perez , former Chief Minister of the Maroubra Congregation. Rabbi Perez will bring with him  years of experience in the Sydney Jewish Community and will assist the Beth Din in many Rabbinic matters . The Beth Din is seeking to appoint two further Rabbinic Associates to assist it in its invaluable work for the community bringing the team of Dayanim and Rabbis to six.

The Beth Din’s jurisdiction extends not just over Sydney and NSW but also assists communities throughout Australia NZ and Asia in all Beth Din Matters such as conversions and divorce. The Dayanim visit those communities if and  when required. The Beth Din has a uniquely  close ongoing  relationship with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel as well as with world Halachic authorities in Israel  The office of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel oversees Batei Din throughout the world, and the members of the Beth Din regularly visit Israel and their Batei Din to gain further judicial experience. Leading Dayanim and halachic scholars have visited Sydney under the aegis of the Beth Din  including Rav Amar , who most recently participated in a “chalitza” , an event which last occurred in Sydney thirty-five years ago. All those who use the rulings and employ the services of the Sydney Beth Din can do so with the utmost confidence and certainty that  they will be recognised internationally without question.

After more than two decades of sitting at the Great Synagogue, the Beth Din has now moved to the Eastern Suburbs and is now located at 25 O’Brien St. Bondi Beach.  The move will also make it easier for those visiting the Beth Din to find parking and it will also allow for more flexible hours and additional sittings when required. The SBD expresses its deep appreciation to the Great Synagogue for its hosting of the Beth Din and thus providing an invaluable service to the Sydney Jewish Community. The hospitality of the Great Synagogue is renowned and on behalf of all the Dayanim who have been through its doors we thank The Great.

With Rabbis Moshe Gutnick and Yehoram Ulman , Senior Dayanim, at the head of the Beth Din , together with the exciting  move and expansion of its team,  the Sydney Beth Din is uniquely placed to continue to provide the Halachic services and needs of our community into the future. Any inquiries should be directed to Rabbi Eli Schlanger secretary of the Beth Din at   [email protected]