Cash-strapped shul set to lose rabbi

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.