Message from Rabbi Gavriel Fogelgarn
Dear Members and Friends, It is with great honour, excitement and humility that I have accepted the position of Rabbi of Elwood Shule. Over the past six months I've cherished many meaningful moments at the Shule, including meeting many of you over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, officiating various life cycle events, and leading daily services. The warmth and spirit of your unique community has made this period most rewarding and meaningful. My family's connection to Elwood shule dates back to 1962, when my grandparents were married here by Rabbi Chaim Gutnick ob”m. I fondly recall my Uncle Mark and Aunt Viv getting married in the shule when I was only a young child. It’s inspiring to note, that as Rabbi, I will be taking our family connection to the third and fourth generation. My wife Leah and I, were both born and raised here in Melbourne. Following school, I spent many years studying in yeshivas in the USA, UK and Israel. Whilst in Israel, I attended a course in Jewish education and community outreach. For the past decade, I have been a Rabbi and Jewish studies teacher in Yesodei Hatorah College. In 2022 I completed my Bachelors of Science Liberal Arts (a focus on Talmud) and am currently undertaking a Masters degree of Occupational Therapy. Together with Leah and our children, Shmaya, Yaakov and Ari, I would like to thank the members, committee, chazzan, secretary and president for making us feel so welcome. We look forward to many years of service in this illustrious community. A community needs a Rabbi and a Rabbi needs a community. It is when we work together that we can achieve great things. Please feel free to reach out to me and I look forward to meeting you all at our upcoming Chanukah event! The Jewish community is currently going through a difficult time and a shule can be a source of comfort, prayer and connection. I pray that Hashem will provide me with the strength and wisdom required to nurture and guide our community. May the future bring us all much blessing and happiness and may peace be speedily restored in our homeland, Israel. Yours sincerely, Rabbi Gavriel Fogelgarn
|