Vale Rabbi Amzalak

Tributes are flowing for Rabbi Aron Amzalak – who served the Machzika Hatorah and Nefesh Synagogues with incredible distinction for more than 50 years – after his passing early in the morning of May 20, at the age of 85.

Nefesh Shule’s Rabbi Moss told The AJN, “The Sydney Jewish community has lost one of its iconic leaders … A man dedicated with every fibre of his being to Torah and mitzvot, who led and loved his family and his community with absolute devotion.

“Until very recently he would lain, lead the service [at Nefesh], share dvar Torahs, and often all of the above.

“He was a senior mashgiach for the Kashrut Authority, trusted by all.

“He looked after the Glenayr Ave mikvah for many years with great devotion and taught at Moriah – most famously as a bar mitzvah teacher – to generations of students.”

Rabbi Moss added that Rabbi Amzalak’s shofar-blowing ability was legendary and he was renowned for his love of gematria, for his love and pursuit of peace “like his namesake Aharon Hakohen”, and his pride and joy in his family, from his wife Judy to his many great-grandchildren.

“On the birth of each one, he would bask in the joy of being called up to the Torah and everyone singing mazal tov for yet another Amzalak great-grandchild – the latest one just a few weeks ago.

“He was always learning, attending shiurim and excited to share a new Torah thought.”

Delivering the eulogy at the Sydney Chevra Kadisha on Tuesday afternoon, Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz – who with his wife Miriam are leaders of the Jewish community of Kharkiv in Ukraine – emphasised how his late father-in-law “was a person who knew how to do things right, with no shortcuts” in his dedication and commitment to his faith and to the Jewish community.

“He taught us that we have to praise and say ‘thank you’ to Hashem, for whatever he gives us. His chesed and all the good deeds that he did – there were not times when he did any less, even when he was tired.

“And we saw that in his last days [in hospital], davening, with the last strength that he had … with that same fire.”

Rabbi Moskovitz also spoke about Rabbi Amzalak’s passion for Nefesh Shule “being a place of light in the whole community”.

He leaves behind his wife Judy, sisters Fortuna Schachna and Mary Levy, children Aviva Itkin, Gaby Amzalak, Miriam Moskovitz and Benny Amzalak, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.