Rabbi Yehuda Cohen. Photo: AJN file
NAOMI LEVIN
MELBOURNE’S only Sephardi synagogue has been left without a rabbi, with the community struggling financially and membership dwindling.
Paul Berman, president of the Sephardi Association of Victoria, has confirmed that Rabbi Yehuda Cohen’s contract had not been extended. It is due to expire on January 31.
It is understood that Rabbi Cohen, who has been at the synagogue for five years, will not return to Melbourne after taking annual leave over the summer.
“We’re in the financial position that we need to get a part-time rabbi,” Berman said. “He wasn’t able to consider that as an option.”
Sephardi Association members, which number about 150, were informed of Rabbi Cohen’s departure in November last year. A newsletter to members said that with “decreasing membership and high holy day donations, coupled with increasing operational costs”, the board could not afford the expense of a full-time rabbi.
Berman added: “There are members within our congregation who are disappointed, who have made connections with Rabbi Cohen and feel it is a shame that he hasn’t been able to stay, and there are members who are looking forward to a new beginning with someone new.”
The outgoing rabbi had tried to build up the Sephardi community, which is seeking younger members, but Berman admitted his organisation is going through “trying times”.
“Our donations were the lowest they have ever been in the history of the association over the past high holy days.”
While the search for a new, part-time rabbi is undertaken, Rabbi Ben Hassan, a shaliach at Leibler Yavneh College, will lead services.
Rabbi Hassan arrived in Melbourne at the end of last year. He is English-born, but undertook his rabbinic studies in Israel.
“He is very excited to be involved with a Sephardi congregation and certainly he is assisting us at the moment,” Berman said.
A formal search has begun, but the president said the Sephardi Association would be limited somewhat due to its financial difficulties.
“We don’t have a bucketful of Sephardi rabbis here in Australia,” he added.
Enquiries or to make a donation to the Sephardi Association: info@justincasedirect.com.
Nathan you assume too much, for a start Rav Yehuda is not absent he is not returning melbourne. So to have a go at the president is uncalled for Rav Yehuda took his holidays as was due to him, so he did so, and left melbourne early to spend time wit his family.
If you Nathan or any one else wants to assist in building then please come to the Beith Knesset and speak with me.
Shalom,
Yitzchak
This matter regrading the rabbi appearing in the Jewish News by the president in the rabbi’s absence overseas when he is not here to defend himself or for your Journalist to interview him. (Of course, under the guise of looking for a new rabbi) This is a symptom of the cancer in the committees of management of this beautiful holy place of worship.
Why is it that ex-presidents and ex-members keep away and why have the numbers fallen, no matter which rabbi has officiated, it is easy to lay blame for attendance on the rabbi. There are many ex-members who will tell you the true story and lack of finances is not it? The bible tells us if we do the right thing then wealth and abundance will flow, but if our egos get the better of us and we think we can do without G-d, what are we doing running a synagogue and why are we in this state?
In the words of Paul Berman himself the extension has been a Balagan. While well intentioned as a place to have elderly people meet as a drop in centre, nothing of the sort can occur now?
He might want to take a Rabbi along to be sure he realizes what has happened?
they had a wonderful rabbi but they did not ask him about these Religious matters and wasted money, the non renwal of the Rabbi is the scapegoat for their mismanagemnt
Bricks and mortar do not build a community and Rabbis who try to build a community or bring donations get short changed by them, but not in the hereafter.
Rabbi Cohen was taken on as a full time rabbi and brought the community together.
sadly a few people wished the Rabbi to do what was against code of Jewish law. This very principled Rabbi did not agree.
This matter has been brought to the attention of the Rabbinical council and we have heard nothing so far.
B.H. May it be his will that the Synagogue be restored to with the G_dly presence and freed of wickedness soon amen
To Ashkenzazi
1. In Australia donations to building funds are tax deductable donation.
2. People love to give when the name often family or loved one is mentioned in someway.
3. significantly less people like to give to the Rabbi’s or Staff fund because there is not status or long standing memory of doing so it is purely a Shem sh’mayim when someone does this.
Let me also put you straight this Sassoon Yehuda is the only Sephardi Beit Knesset in Melbourne. The so called sephardi shul you mention is actually a shabbat and Chagim minyan only.
If your reporters were doing their job correctly they would have found that the Sasson Yehuda Synagogue has recently spent a lot of money on expanding their synagogue premises. It would appear that the board of management is more concerned with a physical building than paying for the spiritual services of a rabbi. I have attended this synagogue and have always found Rabbi Cohen a sincere and dedicated person.
Secondly, the statement that this is the only Sephardi synagogue is incorrect. There is another Sephardi shul in the premises of the Yeshivah which is extemely active and has a large daily attendance.