New Year’s Eve – just another night’s work – with a twist
Rabbi Mendel Kastel will don his police chaplain’s uniform as Sydney’s police force prepares for its busiest night of the year.
Rabbi Mendel Kastel pic: Henry Benjamin
For Mendel it will mean a night on his beat….doing the rounds of police stations in the Eastern Suburbs in his role as official Jewish chaplain to the men in blue.
He told J-Wire: “There are around 12 Jewish members of the police force, but a chaplain’s work is not confined to members of his own faith.”
Rabbi Kastel will be on hand to assist in any case that needs on the spot counselling. He said: “Some officers are still short of experience and get distressed by some of the more outlandish matters they have to deal with. My job, if needed, is to be available if needed by the police to help anyone who finds himself or herself in a position of distress.”
New Year’s Day? It will be just another day at the office for the CEO of Sydney’s Jewish House refuge and crisis centre.
