Shalom Institute welcomes B’nai B’rith

A NEW partnership between the B’nai B’rith Centre and the Shalom Institute brings the two organisations into an agreement that will see the former move its operations from East Sydney to the Shalom Institute’s premises at the UNSW Kensington Campus.

Since selling its iconic East Sydney building in 2013, the B’nai B’rith Centre has been in search of long-term premises for its members and is now delighted to be settling in the Eric Caspary Learning Centre at UNSW.

When B’nai B’rith initially sold its inner city property, it had intended to move to the Hakoah Club-owned White City site. However, B’nai B’rith leaders told The AJN that they didn’t support the plan for the new site, and believed it was not appropriate for them to move to that location.

“We were considering a number of alternatives when the possibility of moving in with Shalom was raised as an option,” said chairman of the B’nai B’rith Centre Dorrit Mahemoff.

“It felt right for both our executive and members from an early stage in our discussions, not simply because of the nature and location of the premises, but also because we share the same values.”

Shalom president Jonathan Leib stated he was delighted with the outcome. “As custodians of communal assets, we consider it our responsibility to ensure they are used as efficiently as possible,” he said.

“This arrangement ensures that the premises at Shalom will be utilised to their full capacity, which will in turn provide funds for the continued growth of our cutting-edge programs.”

The Shalom Institute was originally formed by the merger of Shalom College and Hillel NSW,  which was in turn established by the then-president of B’nai B’rith NSW.

“Notwithstanding the fact that we have never occupied these premises, given the origins of Shalom and the types of programs it runs, this feels like a bit of a homecoming for us,” said Anna Marks, current president of B’nai B’rith NSW.

B’nai B’rith has engaged builders to refit the premises to suit its long-term needs and will move in following its completion.

YAEL BRENDER