CONNECTING CULTURES

St Kilda Shule hosts visitors from Scotch College

The visit also revealed a fascinating confluence as both Sir John Monash and Sir Zelman Cowen, historical members of St Kilda Shule, were once students at Scotch College.

Students and staff with Rabbi Glasman in front of the Torah Scrolls.
  Photo: Paul Topol.
Students and staff with Rabbi Glasman in front of the Torah Scrolls.  Photo: Paul Topol.

In yet another cultural exchange, St Kilda Shule recently welcomed approximately 50 students and staff from Scotch College as part of Zionism Victoria’s “Connecting Cultures” program. The visit served as an opportunity for the all-boys school students to experience some of the practices of Judaism and step foot inside a synagogue for the first time.

During the visit, the group delved into the history of Judaism as a religion and explored the diverse composition of Melbourne’s Jewish community. They also had the chance to appreciate the significance behind many of the shule’s architectural elements and artefacts, with a special focus on the Torah scrolls.

The visit also revealed a fascinating confluence as both Sir John Monash and Sir Zelman Cowen, historical members of St Kilda Shule, were once students at Scotch College.

Rabbi Yaakov Glasman of St Kilda Shule, expressed his delight in hosting the students and staff.

“Spending quality educational time with the students of Scotch College was most enlightening and was an experience that will have proven very unique for almost all the students who’d never before stepped inside a shule.

“Building bridges across faiths has never been more important, and I applaud Zionism Victoria for their Connecting Cultures program, which does just that,” he told The AJN.

The Connecting Cultures initiative seeks to foster understanding and appreciation between different faiths, facilitating cross-cultural exchanges that promote unity and respect.

Through experiences like this visit, students from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and embrace the beauty of cultural diversity.

read more:
comments

Support the Australian Jewish News and enjoy 3 months free website access.

The AJN has been delivering important, timely and free online news to our community — keeping you informed, connected, and engaged. To continue providing the high-quality, independent journalism you rely on, we need your support. From May 2025, we will be introducing a website paywall, but subscribers who sign up now will enjoy 3 months of free access to the AJN website. After the free period, full access will be just $18 per month. Subscribe today to help us keep our community’s stories alive and ensure the AJN thrives for years to come.

Lock in 3 Months Free Before the AJN Paywall Begins!

The Australian Jewish news website is introducing a new subscription model soon. Subscribe TODAY to secure 3 months of free access to the entire website and our wealth of important and impactful articles and news content. Don’t miss this early bird offer!

Register Now