Conservative impressions

AS the congregation awaits the arrival of a new rabbi, Melbourne’s first Conservative synagogue is hosting a visiting rabbi for two months.

Halfway through his Australian visit, Israel’s Conservative movement leader Rabbi Michael Graetz said he and his wife have found the Kehilat Nitzan community to be “active and cohesive”.

“The kehillah [congregation] here is very warm and welcoming and it’s a joy to see an active and vibrant Conservative movement here,” he told The AJN.

“I think they will succeed in inspiring other communities. Hopefully the work they do will bear fruit.”
Despite having officially retired in 2005, the American-born rabbi and his wife have spent recent years travelling the world to lead congregations for short periods of time.

While serving the Masorti movement for decades in Israel, most recently Rabbi Graetz has taught Conservative rabbis at a convention in Ecuador, and stepped in at congregations in both California and New York.

He said Melbourne has both similarities and differences from the other communities in which he has served.
“As far as Diaspora communities, we have found Melbourne to be very cohesive in terms of identity and commitment.

“There are more [Jewish] schools per capita than in any other Diaspora community, and there are other differences too,” he said.

But there are similarities too, in concerns and topical issues under discussion in the community, he noted.
According to Rabbi Graetz, the Masorti movement also differs in Australia to Israel.

“Anything that happens in Israel is different to begin with, because the surrounding culture is so clearly Jewish and Hebrew oriented,” he said.

“Every movement in Israel is immensely different … but there is the same kind of pluralistic approach in both places.”

As for the next rabbi to be welcomed by the Kehilat Nitzan community in coming months?

“Rabbi Adam Stein is a fine scholar, a great personality and an active rabbi,” he said.

Slated to arrive in July or August with his wife Tamar, Rabbi Stein will serve the congregation for two years.

DALIA SABLE

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