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To be a Rabbi in Wellington PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 17:39
This article was send recently to a U.S.A. Rabbinical magazine.

My role is the Rabbi of the Wellington orthodox community Beth El, a community that is more than 165 years old and currently numbers approximately 1000 members. My association with this community began in 1987 when my wife, five children and I first came here as Shlichim. During the course of our four year contract my role was redefined and I became the Rabbi and Sochet. In 1991, on the completion of our contract we returned to Israel.

Three years ago the Wellington Community was in a state of crisis; lacking any Rabbi. I was approached to return as interim Rabbi for a period of three months. Given our previous experience of Beth El, my wife and I made a decision to continue our Shlichut and came back to Wellington and have remained here to date. Being in New Zealand is we believe, real ‘Shlichut’ and not just another ‘job’. Our role demands the utmost of us both. Without my wife’s support, encouragement and active participation my role would be impossible.

The challenges we face stem from:
The tiny size of the community; the mix of reform and orthodox (through the community’s social activities); the extreme sense of isolation we experience (intellectually, physically and spiritually) as a result of New Zealand’s geographical position Beth El sits under the umbrella of the Sydney Bet Din (Australia) which is a three hour (international) flight from Wellington.

Our size and isolation mean that the services that are freely available to the communities of America (including kashrut, Jewish education, and identification with Israel etc etc.) are all things which we struggle to maintain on a daily basis. Nevertheless the Beth El Wellington Hebrew Congregation functions as an active Jewish Centre. Its facilities include a mikveh, kosher deli, Jewish kindergarten and small Jewish day school, Care of the Aged, B’nai Brith, Zionist Federation, youth movements, and voluntary Chevra Kadisha. In total there are 25 active voluntary organisations focused on Jewish life in Wellington.  My wife and I are personally involved in the majority of these.
In this article I want to focus clearly on the key needs of the community: education, tefillah and kashrut.

Education: we have succeeded in growing the tiny weekly cheder, increasing numbers and the commitment from children and parents alike. We also run weekly bar and bat mitzvah classes, and an adult education program as well as study for those wishing to convert. We maximize use of the internet expanding on these activities and offering a weekly Parshat Ha Shavuah, newsletter and monthly magazine - all in an effort to enhance one on one contact.

Tefillah: in addition to Shabbat and Haggim we manage (with tremendous effort and the commitment of a tiny group of supporters) to have a week day minyan and more recently a Rosh Chodesh breakfast. Wherever necessary, (for Yartzit or Sheva) we succeed in having a minyan even if this involves travelling north or south of Wellington by car, ferry or plane. Where there is a need we ensure that it is met.

Kashrut: for 10 years there has been no resident Sochet in New Zealand. Regardless the congregations have managed somehow to maintain the supply of kosher meat (importing from Australia). My presence has changed the extent and national availability of access to kosher meat and other kosher lines. Since my arrival kosher turkey and New Zealand kosher lamb are available. In addition I have been responsible for the certification of a wide variety of other wonderful New Zealand produce. This includes the export to the US of the ‘iconic’ New Zealand ‘pavlova’. Please understand that in order to activate this process I have spent many hours flying and driving around the country. My wife and I use this as an opportunity to meet with New Zealanders’ of Christian background, many of whom have Jewish roots. We have established an outreach network (from north to south) which is supportive of the local Jewish Community and Israel. Our travels bring us into contact with isolated Jewish families and ex Israeli’s who actively embrace renewed contact.

The Beth El Hebrew Congregation’s location in Wellington (the capital of New Zealand) has enabled me to maximize contact with government ministries and representatives.

In addition to the above I see one of the key challenges to be the maintenance of positive dialogue with interfaith bodies active throughout New Zealand.

My wife and I receive real love and respect from (nearly) all members of the community; this in addition to the positive relations that we have with members of the reform and the gentile community of New Zealand. It is the depth and quality of these relationships which makes it very difficult for us to complete our Shlichut in New Zealand and return to our children and grandchildren in Israel.