New rabbi for Blake Street shul
BLAKE Street Hebrew Congregation has appointed Rabbi Ian Goodhardt as its new rabbi, with members ratifying the decision at the annual general meeting on the weekend.
PETER KOHN
BLAKE Street Hebrew Congregation (BSHC) has appointed Rabbi Ian Goodhardt as its new rabbi, with members ratifying the decision at the annual general meeting last Sunday.
The appointment ends more than a year without a permanent rabbi, after the shul terminated its arrangements with Rabbi Yirmi Garfunkel, a move that caused turmoil within the 560-strong Caulfield-based congregation.
Rabbi Goodhardt, who had been BSHC’s interim rabbi throughout 2009, “emerged as the successful candidate after a comprehensive process that began in Melbourne almost one year ago, becoming a national, then international search”, said outgoing shul president Andrew Davis.
BSHC hosted four rabbinical candidates this year for a week of activities, including a communal question-and-answer session and shiurim, with Rabbi Goodhardt emerging as the choice of a review committee.
“We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Ian Goodhardt to Blake Street to be our spiritual leader,” said Davis, a sentiment echoed by newly elected president Eugene Berkovic.
Rabbi Goodhardt said he was looking forward to joining BSHC, “a community that is united and strong and has a very bright future”.
The rabbi gained his s’micha from Jews’ College, London — now known as the London School of Jewish Studies — and has served congregations in Leeds and Reading in the UK, as well as Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.
He is an experienced mediator, and has been working for the federal Government-funded Family Mediation Centre, as well as running a small private practice. He is married to Sharon and has five sons.
BSHC’s former rabbi, Rabbi Garfunkel, who had served the shul for 11 years, was dismissed in August last year after refusing an offer from the board to resign.
The board said at the time it had plans to make BSHC more attractive to members in terms of youth programs, education and fundraising.
Seven disgruntled supporters of Rabbi Garfunkel vowed to stand for election at the 2008 AGM, but later dropped their plans when they realised they would not have the representation they needed to rescue the rabbi’s job. Threats to start a breakaway shul failed to materialise.
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