Cremorne’s loss is Maroubra’s gain
MAROUBRA Synagogue’s search for a new rabbi is over – while across the harbour, Cremorne Synagogue’s search for a new rabbi is about to begin.
After three years at Cremorne, Rabbi Yossi and Rebbetzin Chana Raizel Friedman will join Maroubra, taking up their posts in June 2015.
Rabbi Friedman told The AJN the move would be bittersweet.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision for us, because of the close friendships we have created in Cremorne and because we don’t like letting people down,” he said.
“But at the end of the day we had to make the decision that was right for our family and for our future.”
He said he had heard “a lot of wonderful things” about the Maroubra shul community and the adjacent Mount Sinai College.
“I have a passion for connecting with young families and children, and I see that as a key element of my role,” he said.
He said he was proud of what he had achieved at Cremorne.
“In particular, I’ve had a lot of joy seeing all the young people joining us over the past few years,” he said.
“In my next six months, I will do all I can to assist and advise my current shul board in selecting and transitioning the best possible replacement.”
Maroubra Synagogue president Daryl Robinson said Rabbi and Rebbetzin Friedman will bring “youthful exuberance and passion” to Maroubra.
“Maroubra is one of the fastest-growing areas for the Jewish population in Australia and we’re not really seeing those numbers translate into members at the shul or kids going to Mount Sinai, so it was critical for us to find the right rabbi and rebbetzin that are going to bring that people side,” he said.
Rabbi Friedman was shortlisted when Maroubra was looking for a rabbi in 2011 but was unsuccessful, the shul electing to go with Rabbi Elie Farkas at the time.
“Last time … we really felt that we needed a rabbi who had a bit of communal experience under their belt in a leadership role, which he was lacking at that point in time,” Robinson explained.
“The last two-and-a-half years have ticked that box.”
Cremorne Synagogue president Garry Hyman said he was “naturally disappointed” but understood Rabbi Friedman’s reasons for the move.
“We’ve had a tremendous couple of years, it’s been fantastic,” he said.
He said the board would convene a committee to search for a replacement.
GARETH NARUNSKY
Rabbi Yossi and Rebbetzin Chana Raizel Friedman and family.
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