South Head congregation’s meeting wants to continue
Around 100 members attended South Head Synagogue’s emergency meeting unanimously agreeing they want to see the shule continue.
The following matters were resolved unanimously.
- That the Congregation wants the Shule to continue.
- That the Congregation will want the administrator to be indemnified for the next three weeks in order to ensure that there is a chance to consider a DOCA. [Deed of company arrangement]
- That this indemnity should come from the Assets of the Shule (which are clearly in excess of any claim by the secured Creditors)
- That The Congregation being represented by a Committee comprising Peter Wise, Steven Simons, Adam Green and myself will with Corrs put together a DOCA that will enable the Shule to move forward.
- That the DOCA will address the issue of Rabbinic renewal as well as Board renewal
The president of the synagogue James Hochroth did not attend the meeting but has been alerted about the outcome.
The Rabbinical Council of NSWhas expressed its concerns over the developments at South Head Synagogue.
In a statement it says: “It is a tragedy that the doors of the Shule and its attendant religious facilities are to close and that this longstanding and respected Kehilla will be deprived of a sanctuary to attend Shabbat and daily services.
A communal Rabbi fulfils an integral part in the religious activities of his community as an inspirational leader and teacher. As such, it is important that the Rabbi understand and reflect the spiritual needs and desires of his community consistent of course with Halacha. We hope that even at this late hour a sensible compromise can be worked out for the sake of the Shule and the wider Sydney Jewish community. This Council remains ready to assist the parties without partisanship to find an acceptable solution to their differences.”
Without South Head, many members who own & use seats for the high holidays only, will tragically be lost forever. They won’t move and start again. This is truly sad – if you think of the vast numbers that once attended South Head during the high holidays. The shule can’t carry on as is and serious change needs to occur to ensure the continuity of the overall community. Getting rid of debt alone won’t solve the issue, money needs to be injected to revitalise the shule too. There is no other shule the size of South Head in the area, it can’t be lost!
The report above contains several inaccuracies. There were about 60 attendees, not 100, and many of those were not even members.
The meeting was called by supporters of the Rabbi. The congregation is in no way represented by the committee members named in the above report. The vast majority of members did not take part in voting for any of the above measures.
Of course the Congregation wants the Shul to continue. That is not in dispute. It is the issue of Rabbinic renewal that needs to be resolved and as a matter of extreme urgency, not some time down the track, if ever.
Does this meeting have any validity in terms of The Corporations Act. ie does this meeting comprise a quorum and is this resolution binding ??
Greatly appreciate the efforts of those named in this report for their efforts to save the shule for its members and the community. It would be a tragedy to close it.