Induction for Rabbi, Rebbetzin Epstein

Mizrachi Organisation recently inducted Rabbi Daniel and Rebbetzin Ilana Epstein.

Over 400 people witnessed Rabbi Epstein being accompanied into the main sanctuary by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and Mizrachi president Benji Jotkowitz, closely followed by six past presidents, all present in recognition of this exciting community milestone. In addition to hundreds of Mizrachi members, the event was attended by a range of political, lay and spiritual leaders from across the broader Melbourne community.

In welcoming all in attendance, Jotkowitz described Rabbi Epstein as “a leader of depth and clarity, someone able to teach with insight while connecting genuinely with people across every generation” and Rebbetzin Epstein as “a partner in leadership whose warmth and wisdom bring people together, nurturing the spirit of community and enriching the life of our kehillah”.

Thereafter, in addition to special prayers for the brave soldiers of the IDF and all of Eretz Yisrael, members of Mizrachi’s rabbinic leadership, together with its chazzanim and representatives of Kosher Australia, Leibler Yavneh College, Bnei Akiva and the Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash all participated in traditional tefillot ahead of Rabbi Epstein’s official acceptance prayer, an address from Chief Rabbi Mirvis and Rabbi Epstein’s opening address to the community.

The Chief Rabbi, having developed a strong relationship with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Epstein during their tenures at congregations in London, noted the importance of the shidduch between a community and its rabbi, echoing Jotkowitz’s sentiments about all that the Epsteins bring to their roles, and quoting from the weekly portion, the blessing “May it be Hashem’s will that the Shechinah rest upon the work of your hands.”

Rabbi Epstein spoke of the many facets of the Mizrachi Organisation, the interconnectedness between them all and his dedication, along with the Rebbetzin, to serving each of them to the best of their abilities. He described Mizrachi as “a powerhouse in the Jewish world” but recognised that just like the Mishkan, Mizrachi’s “power came not from its dimensions but from the hearts of the people who built it”.

He expressed his and his wife’s hope that together they will be “Nosei lev – heart lifters”, drawing the community upwards to realise its true potential.