Rabbi Glasman awarded Sir John Monash Award
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has recognised the exemplary achievements and contributions to the Jewish community of St Kilda Hebrew Congregation’s Rabbi Yaakov Glasman at its 86th Annual General Meeting this week.
Philip Zajazcand Rabbi Yaakov Glasman
Former awardees include Nina Bassat, Prof Louis Waller, Emeritus Prof Andrew Markus, Pauline Rockman and Anton Block.
Rabbi Glasman has been a pillar and stalwart of the Jewish and wider Victorian community for over 25 years. His contributions are numerous and diverse. He has served in leadership positions on Victorian and national rabbinical councils, and has delivered hundreds of presentations to enrich the community with his knowledge and inclusive way of thinking.
He is also a leader in interfaith dialogue and a builder of social cohesion. His work has had a profound impact on communal attitudes towards vulnerable groups, and he continues to make outstanding contributions to the community. Rabbi Glasman’s support was instrumental in the election of the first female President of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation, highlighting his commitment to positive social change. He also played an important role in implementing a climate change policy at St Kilda, a first for a Victorian Orthodox synagogue.
Rabbi Glasman is currently Co-Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria and is the Immediate Past President of the Rabbinical Association of Australasia.
Naomi Levin, CEO Of the JCCV, said, “Rabbi Glasman is a leading light of our community. He heads up one of the oldest congregations with a nod to the past but a thoroughly modern outlook. He brings energy and sensitivity to everything he does.”
“I have particular knowledge of the challenging but vitally important role that Rabbi Glasman has played in building relationships between the Jewish community and other communities. This work is not always easy, but there is no one better suited to it than Rabbi Glasman.”
Rabbi Glasman told J-Wire, “It’s an incredibly humbling experience to be recognised with such a prestigious award, especially an award named after Sir John Monash who had such a deep and long-standing connection to the St Kilda Shule, including serving on its Board for 11 years. It’s a huge tribute to my Shule which has constantly enabled me to do the work I do, but I particularly want to thank my dear Rebbetzin Sara without whom I could not have made even a fraction of the communal contribution I’ve made over the past 20 plus years.”
