Rabbi Yossi ‘honoured’ to lead Coogee dawn service
"We're all united in service of our country, and our nation is only as strong as all of us are, provided we're united and working towards the same goals with the same values,"
Royal Australian Air Force chaplain Rabbi Yossi Friedman led the dawn service at Coogee on Anzac Day, the first time a Jewish chaplain has led a dawn service.
Having participated as support chaplain in Bondi dawn services in previous years, Rabbi Friedman was invited to lead the Coogee service by stating the welcome, introductory blessing and final benediction, which he concluded by singing Oseh Shalom, the prayer for peace.
“I’m deeply honoured to be able to represent the Jewish community, and deeply honoured to have been invited to participate in such an important moment of memorial,” Rabbi Friedman told The AJN.
With a significant number of Jewish Australians fighting in World Wars I and II, and in all wars since, Rabbi Friedman said Jewish representation and involvement commemorating Anzac Day was “only appropriate”.
“It sends a great message that we as Jews have always stood at the forefront, to contribute to our society and to defend our country … We’re all united in service of our country, and our nation is only as strong as all of us are, provided we’re united and working towards the same goals with the same values,” he said.
“Anzac Day is the most significant day of memory in Australian history, but for it to fall out on the actual day of Yom Hazikaron as well, a day when we as Jews remember Israel’s fallen, the heroes of our people, I guess for me is extra special.”
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