Tributes for long-time NSTE rabbi
For more than 40 years, he taught devoted students at his Monday adult education classes.
The North Shore Temple Emanuel (NSTE) and wider north shore Jewish community, are mourning the recent death of Emeritus Rabbi Richard Lampert, whose funeral service was held at the shule on March 24.
Rabbi Lampert was the heart of the NSTE community for a quarter of a century, as its senior rabbi from 1977-2003 and as revered rabbi emeritus thereafter.
His energy, love of Judaism, his enthusiasm and dedicated leadership were significant in the growth and development of the congregation and Jewish life on the north shore.
He was present for so many people at times of simcha and times of sadness, and was also a staunch advocate for social justice, both in his birth country of South Africa and here in Australia, as well as for gender egalitarianism in Judaism.
For more than 40 years, he taught devoted students at his Monday adult education classes.
Rabbi Allison Conyer, chair of the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors of the Union of Progressive Judaism and senior rabbi at Melbourne’s Temple Beth Israel – who officiated his funeral service – said in her eulogy, “Rabbi Lampert’s passion for Judaism, commitment to excellence and love of his community was intoxicating and inspiring.
“He built a community where people felt connected, valued and cared for.
“A valuable lesson I learned from my mentor was that as rabbis and leaders of our community, we have an ethical imperative to teach, speak out and advocate for living according to our Jewish values – for our values transcend politics,” Rabbi Conyer said.
NSTE’s Senior Rabbi Nicole Roberts – currently away in the United States – sent a eulogy and personal tribute, in which she described Rabbi Lampert’s legacy as being “full of gifts beyond measure”.
She wrote, “Rabbi Lampert not only taught countless members of our community, from youth to seniors, but also empowered so many in the congregation to help serve the community, that grew so dramatically under his leadership.
“He named innumerable babies and children of our congregation, who, years later, would ask him to conduct their weddings, or their parents’ funerals and consecrations.
“Rabbi Lampert stood alongside many of us in our grief with a guiding hand, a compassionate heart and a voice that many of us will never forget.”
He is survived by his wife Diane, daughters Sharon and Yael, grandchildren Zac, Jonah, Zoe and Joshua, and sons-in-law Paul and Jonathan.
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