Mizrachi sets out a roadmap to the future
AFTER a stormy few months for Bondi Mizrachi Synagogue that saw it cut ties with its long-standing rabbi after a lengthy court battle, the shul is finally looking ahead.
CHANTAL ABITBOL
AFTER a stormy few months for Bondi Mizrachi Synagogue that saw it cut ties with its long-standing rabbi after a lengthy court battle, the shul is finally looking ahead.
On Tuesday night, Mizrachi president Mark Schneider mapped out bold plans for the shul’s renewal. Those plans seek to wipe out the shul’s debt and grow its membership base by almost double within the next decade.
Schneider said the shul expects to meet its obligation to pay its former rabbi, Moshe Gutnick, an estimated $800,000 over the next 15 years after the London Beth Din ruled he had the right to life tenure in August.
The improving prospects for the cash-strapped shul, which at one point this year said it faced the possibility of insolvency, comes after a benefactor donated $200,000 to the shul this week.
Meanwhile, the shul continues to operate without a rabbi.
“We’re a whole lot better off now than we had previously anticipated,” Schneider told about 40 members who gathered in the shul’s hall for the briefing.
“We’ve been able to reduce ongoing cost and return the synagogue to recurrent operating surplus.”
The recent contributions, he added, have allowed the shul to shave hundreds of thousands off its debt, which is now projected to peak at $300,000 in 2010 and be paid off by 2018.
Nevertheless, he warned that membership, currently at about 120, was expected to dip by about 20 per cent in the short term. Numbers are expected to recover and begin to grow by 2011.
Schneider said the shul also plans to secure a full-time rabbi by 2012, but has set aside an allowance of up to $10,000 per year in the meantime for guest rabbis and pastoral care.
Other initiatives in the works include setting up monthly women’s Torah classes, an adult education program, a children’s service and Thursday/Sunday minyans.
The shul also plans to hire out its facilities to bring in additional funds and build on its fundraising efforts. It will hold two benefit shows starring comedian Jack Felman in The Bubba Unplugged in November.
Many members reacted positively to the plans. “I can see there is a fresh beginning,” said Cyrill Feilich.
Oli Colman said: “I think this was the turning point for the shul. Mizrachi will now go from strength to strength. I don’t hold any fears of the future of Mizrachi now.”
Others also signalled support for the board. “Without this board, the doors of Mizrachi would have been closed,” said Chana Hersh. “They definitely have a plan for the future. I’m very committed to the shul.”
Some, however, are still wary.
“A lot of the regulars have left the synagogue,” said Ron Weiser. “Attendance [at the meeting] was less than a third of the group that attended the previous general meeting. For the shul to have any future, it must retain existing members and attract new ones. This will require the board to act in a healing manner. A change in attitude will be a positive and necessary step.”
Mizrachi’s benefit shows with comedian Jack Felman will be held at Mizrachi Synagogue on Saturday, November 7, 9pm and Sunday, November 8, 7.30pm. Bookings: (02) 9386 0660.
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