Congregation celebrates upgrade completion

It was a day to rejoice, celebrate and reflect at Cremorne Synagogue on November 23 when special guests joined congregation members in a rededication ceremony and prayer service to celebrate the completion of the shule’s refurbishment project.

A memorabilia display, performances by the shule’s choir, speeches exploring the shule’s history and bright future and a delicious afternoon tea, were highlights.

Built in 1960, the shule’s last major renovation was two decades ago.

The current upgrade included replacement of all rows of wooden seating, a new floor layout, comfortable and stylish seat cushions, an elegant floor divider and a new bimah.

More than $120,000 was raised by the shule community itself through a donations drive and other key contributions to make the project possible were a successful application for a redistribution allocation from proceeds from the sale of the former Strathfield Synagogue and also two NSW Government grants.

Importantly, the shule remains debt-free.

The celebration was attended by more than 100 people and was emceed by board member Shirley Casper, whose father, Yossi Weiss, was the shule’s first president and whose mother, Bella, founded its Ladies Auxiliary.

Casper recalled how “along with about 10 other couples, who like my parents were mainly Holocaust survivors, they took on this aspirational project, organising many events to raise the necessary funds to build this shule.

“Now, like many of us when we get into our 60s, we need some refurbishment and so does our shule,” she said.

“Thankfully, today we are here to celebrate this much-needed and beautiful renovation.”

The shule’s president, Jonathan Hamberger, expressed gratitude to all who contributed to making the project possible.

“It was a team effort, but I do want to place on the record a deep appreciation for the contribution made by Harold Marshbaum [a former president of the shule], as it would not have happened without him.

“And also to Cesare De Veroli, our architect, who put countless hours into the project.”

Cremorne Synagogue board member and Strathfield Synagogue treasurer Rodney Hyman said the joyous occasion felt like a “full circle moment”.

He attended Cremorne Shule when he was a young boy before moving to Strathfield and joined the board at Cremorne when moving back to the area in 2009.

“This is such a welcoming shule, just like Strathfield was – it’s a shule that you can call home.

“Its numbers may be small, but it is a well-established community and it is growing.”

The shule’s new rabbi, Mendel Slavin, emphasised how the synagogue is first and foremost a place to build connection.

“That is why we do not call today a celebration of architecture, but rather a chanukat habayit, because our focus is not on the new paint, but on the people and on the future.”

Other guest speakers were North Sydney state MP Felicity Wilson, Willoughby state MP Tim James and Rabbi Chaim Koncepolski from Kehillat Kadima, who was Cremorne Shule’s rabbi for a decade until early this year.

“It’s great to be back here on this special day,” Rabbi Koncepolski said.

“This renovation was not building from scratch, but rather on a solid foundation and it is about rededicating and bringing new life into ourselves and our communities.

“May it continue to grow and be a source of light.”