Progressive to embrace far-flung Jewish Victorians

FOUR of Progressive Judaism’s highest achievers have been honoured by their movement, receiving prestigious Ner Tamid (eternal light) awards.

The Ner Tamid awards recognise individuals at 26 Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) congregations and affiliated organisations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, who have provided dedicated service and outstanding involvement in their congregations and communities. The annual awards are open to all congregants who have not served as congregational presidents.

Ner Tamid honoree Mark Ginsburg, who has contributed extensive hours to Sydney’s North Shore Temple Emanuel as a chorister and musician, has in the past year volunteered even more time to the synagogue in upgrading infrastructure, budgeting processes and membership databases.

He is heavily involved with Jewish Arts, a program that benefits the Progressive and wider Jewish community, and was a driving force behind the annual Jewish music festival Shir Madness, which began last year.

For the past 15 years, Sue Morgan of Melbourne’s Temple Beth Israel (TBI) has volunteered in numerous social-action projects, including the Aboriginal Learning Circles program, projects to aid Sudanese refugees, and the Anti-Defamation Commission’s Building Bridges project for interfaith dialogue.

She founded and led several choirs and musical groups at TBI and has provided pastoral care throughout the Jewish community, as well as helping to create a Chevra Kadisha for Progressive Judaism Victoria.

Leon and Sue Goldwater are prolific volunteers in the Auckland Jewish community and both have dedicated years to the life and working of Auckland’s Beth Shalom congregation. They have taken on many responsibilities: as board members of the shul, as vice-presidents and as shammashim. They have also focused on community care and helping to develop the synagogue’s outdoor area, including a biblical garden.

Meanwhile, a Vatik [veteran] award, open to former UPJ congregational presidents, has been conferred on Tony Leverton of Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation (BPJC).

In addition to serving as BPJC president and as a past president of Temple Sinai in Wellington, Leverton is a member of the UPJ’s executive committee, chair of the United Board of Hebrew Education in Brisbane, caretaker chair of the State Zionist Council of Queensland, a member of the Sinai College board, and joint sports director of the Maccabi Junior Carnival 2012. He is also an active member of Brisbane’s Chevra Kadisha and Community Security Group.

UPJ president David Robinson said he hopes to visit the Ner Tamid and Vatik award winners’ synagogues to present them with their accolades.

PETER KOHN