Thanking our cops
Rabbi Kastel: 'The fact the Jewish community makes an effort to show its appreciation is very appreciated by the NSW police'.
THE Jewish community paid its respects at the annual Police Remembrance Service at Central Synagogue last Friday night.
Current officers, chaplains, other emergency services personnel, politicians and members of the community honoured current and past officers who have devoted themselves daily to keeping the wider community safe.
Leader of the House in the Legislative Council, Scott Farlow, gave the keynote address.
“It was a really good event all around,” police chaplain Rabbi Mendel Kastel, who also addressed the event, told The AJN.
“We had a wonderful message from the police minister who is very grateful for the work chaplaincy does, and the fact the community makes an effort to show its appreciation is very appreciated by the police.”
Meanwhile, a moving ceremony took place at Rookwood Cemetery last Wednesday to honour Australia’s first police detective, Israel “Izzy” Chapman, more than 150 years after his death.
A memorial headstone was unveiled with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, deputy commissioners, senior officers, Rabbi Kastel and descendants of Chapman’s family in attendance.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBOD) vice-president David Ossip and CEO Vic Alhadeff represented the Jewish community. Ossip addressed the ceremony, while he and Alhadeff jointly laid a wreath.
Ossip commended the “tremendous support” the Jewish community receives from the NSW Police on an ongoing basis.
Born in London, Chapman was transported to Australia with a life sentence for criminal activities, arriving in Sydney in 1818.
He subsequently became the overseer of the Hyde Park Barracks and went on to join the Sydney Police Force.
He became known for his exploits in single-handedly finding and capturing bushrangers, being appointed the nation’s first police detective in recognition.
comments