This is Your Life – Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins
Emanuel Synagogue honoured Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins for 20 years of loving, dedicated service to the Sydney community with a surprise celebration on Saturday night.
Rabbi Kamins with surprise guests sister Loni and mother Lorraine
Over 500 members and friends came to show their support as the Simchat Torah service turned into a “This is your life” style event. Hosted by Larry Emdur, the range of guests gave an indication of the breadth of inspiring work the Rabbi does for our community. Families from Villawood Detention Centre spoke with deep affection of Rabbi Kamins as someone who has supported them through the hardest times in their lives with nothing but warmth and openness. Children from Emanuel Preschool spoke of their “cool and awesome” rabbi. The highlight of the night was the surprise guests flown in under the cover of secrecy from Los Angeles. Rabbi Kamins’ sister Loni arrived as the first surprise guest of the night, and sat with an amazed Rabbi throughout the event and just when it seemed it couldn’t get any more emotional or surprising there was one final guest – Rabbi Kamins’ mother Lorraine. The joy was contagious as mother and son embraced to a standing ovation and a crowd exuding heartfelt warmth and support.
Celebrations continued into the night with the rest of the Simchat Torah service and a true party atmosphere as people embraced the tone of the evening with energetic dancing and high spirited singing.
