Rabbi Genende joins AIJAC
Rabbi Ralph Genende has been appointed as The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council’s Interfaith and Community Liaison.
Rabbi Ralph Genende
Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein announced the part-time appointment this week, saying: “Rabbi Ralph Genende is one of Australia’s most senior, experienced and well-respected rabbis. His public profile extends far beyond the Jewish community and he has a proven track record in interfaith and intercommunal dialogue.
Not only does he bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to AIJAC, particularly in interfaith and intercommunal relations where he has been involved for many decades, but he understands the responsibility of complying with the values and norms of a democratic society that has underpinned the success and harmony of Australian multiculturalism but which is now under real challenge.
Dr Rubenstein said that the Jewish community has felt let down by the failure of some faith leaders and representative bodies to condemn the appalling massacre carried out in Israel by Hamas on October 7 and that this has damaged interfaith relations in this country.
He added: “Rabbi Genende is unquestionably a perfect candidate to coordinate and lead the important task of beginning to explore how relations can be rebuilt in what is clearly in the national interest.”
Rabbi Genende has been a member of AIJAC’s editorial board for over 10 years.
Walt Secord
In 2007, Rabbi Genende was appointed Senior Rabbi at Caulfield Shule, which is one of Melbourne’s largest Orthodox synagogues and is now Director of Jewish Life at Jewish Care Victoria, also a part-time position.
Since 2006, he has served as Senior Rabbi to the Australia Defence Forces (ADF) and sat on the Religious Advisory Committee to the Minister of Defence, where he has been involved in promoting multifaith and interfaith issues.
As well, from 2008, he has been on the Victorian Premier’s Multifaith Advisory Group.
Meanwhile, Dr Rubenstein also announced that former NSW State Labor frontbencher and MLC, Walt Secord had left AIJAC to pursue other challenges.
“We appreciate the contribution Walt has made to AIJAC in what has been a challenging time over the past six months and wish him well in all his future endeavours,” Dr Rubenstein concluded.
