The Great Synagogue

March 15, 2019, 9:00 am

We have reached a stage in which almost everyone can and wants to be gracious towards each other. In that context there should not be tension, animosity or judgement.

By Rabbi Benjamin Elton

New NSW Labor leader Michael Daley (left) with Ron Hoenig MP at Maroubra Synagogue.

November 15, 2018, 12:01 am

Community congratulates Daley

THE NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBOD) has congratulated state Opposition Leader Michael Daley on his new role.

By Gareth Narunsky

Premier Gladys Berejiklian greets Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku at this year’s
Kristallnacht commemoration. Photo: Giselle Haber

November 15, 2018, 12:01 am

‘What unchecked hatred can breed’

Remaining vigilant against a concerning backdrop of rising antisemitism, most noticeably in the wake of the recent attack in Pittsburgh, was a pertinent message highlighted at last week's 80th commemoration for Kristallnacht held at the Great Synagogue.

Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton (Modern Orthodox) and Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins (Masorti) came together to honour the victims and their families.
Photo: Wendy Bookatz

November 8, 2018, 12:01 am

Religious streams unite for Pittsburgh

SYDNEY's Jewish community put religious differences aside at a pluralistic vigil for the victims and survivors of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre last Wednesday night.

By Gareth Narunsky

Tuvia Kastel reciting tehilim at Chabad North Shore. Photo: Noel Kessel

November 1, 2018, 12:01 am

Sydney shules show solidarity

AS Pittsburgh faces its darkest days following the worst antisemitic attack in American history, Jewish communities around Australia are paying heartfelt tributes to the victims, their loved ones and the broader Pittsburgh community.

From left: Author Kerri Sackville, Gennarocity Abroad founder Genna Radnan and the Great Synagogue's vice-president Caroline Lewis. Photo: Shane Desiatnik

July 12, 2018, 12:00 am

Women of Worth weekend set to inspire Sydney

More than 20 inspiring Australian Jewish women from all walks of life will headline the inaugural Women of Worth (WOW) festival's 14 sessions on July 28 and 29 as part of The Great Synagogue's 140th anniversary celebrations.

By Shane Desiatnik

ICJW delegates in the entrance of The Great Synagogue. Photo: Wendy Bookatz

June 13, 2018, 2:24 pm

Worldwide women gather in OZ

REPRESENTING 16 different countries and five Australian states, passionate female Jewish leaders gathered at the International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) Quadrennial Convention in Sydney last week, at which the organisation's first Australian president, Robyn Lenn, completed her four-year term of presidency.

From left: Sydney brothers Geoff Solomon, Adrian Paul and John Shrimski and a photograph of their ancestor Mordecai Solomon.

May 16, 2018, 11:58 am

Solomon family parties like it’s 1818

About 80 members of an unbroken Jewish family chain of up to seven generations met in Sydney late last month for a four-day celebration marking 200 years since their common ancestor, Mordecai Solomon, arrived in Sydney as a young, illiterate British free settler.

By Shane Desiatnik

April 18, 2018, 4:18 pm

Moriah and Great mentioned in parliament

TWO of the Sydney Jewish community’s oldest institutions were given special mention in the New South Wales parliament last month.

By Gareth Narunsky

Board member and volunteer of the Australian Jewish Fertility Network Lori Levin with her eldest son.

March 16, 2018, 12:01 am

Synagogues speak out

A NUMBER of Sydney synagogues are joining more than 100 shules worldwide for this week's Infertility Awareness Shabbat to enhance understanding and facilitate empathy for those struggling to have a family.

March 8, 2018, 12:01 am

PM, Premier honour The Great

"A BEACON of worship, dedication and intellectual faith in NSW's Jewish community," is how NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian poignantly described The Great Synagogue – often considered "the mother congregation of Australian Jewry" – at the shule's momentous 140th anniversary service.

From left: Justice Stephen Rothman, Nadene Alhadeff, Tiernan Brady, Lauren Reinhardt, Professor Kerryn Phelps, Jackie Stricker-Phelps, Dr Justin Koonin.
Photo credit: Wendy Lessick Bookatz.

August 11, 2017, 12:01 am

‘Gay or God… a false choice’

A PANEL discussion last Sunday on “marriage equality and what it means for our community” was held at a critical juncture given recent political developments in the same-sex marriage debate.

February 9, 2017, 12:00 am

Mosman represented at shul service

Mosman deputy mayor Roy Bendall says he was “delighted” to have been invited to attend the Law Service at the Great Synagogue on Wednesday (February 8), acknowledging that it was “important” Mosman was represented, and admitting that the mayor’s comments about Israel last month caused “anguish”.

By Evan Zlatkis

January 19, 2017, 12:00 am

Mayor’s cold shoulder to shul

Mosman Mayor Peter Abelson declined an invitation to attend a service at The Great Synagogue, citing Israel’s “gross and illegal” occupation of the West Bank.

By Evan Zlatkis

Hinda Young with her husband Rabbi Benjamin Elton from The Great Synagogue.

July 3, 2016, 12:00 am

United against ovarian cancer

The Great Synagogue is set to host a function to raise awareness for ovarian cancer later this month. The event is being organised by Rabbi Benjamin Elton’s wife Hinda Young, who told The AJN how she was inspired to plan the function after a meeting with Emma Robinson of Ovarian Cancer Australia.

By Yael Brender

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