Joburg rabbi a wizard in Oz

STAFF REPORTER

In the two-day conference, he addressed topics such as: “The power of the pulpit”; “Making life-cycle events meaningful”; “Should rabbis be social workers?” and more.

As the longest-serving rabbi of the iconic Sydenham Shul, and as president of the South African Rabbinical Association, Goldman was well-received by his Australian colleagues, who peppered him with questions.

“This was a first for the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, which is dominated by Melbourne’s rabbonim and a sprinkling from outlying areas,” said Rabbi Goldman. “We, in South Africa, have a much longer history of rabbinic conferences, which were initiated by late Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris.

“Also, our community is much more ‘organised’, probably one of the most organised in the Jewish world. Many of the rabbinic best practices the Australian rabbis were debating have long been standard policy in South Africa.

“So, besides sharing my own experience of 36 years in the pulpit, I was also able to share much valuable information about the South African experience.”

The conference grappled with issues from boosting shul attendance to combating the scourge of intermarriage. Youth programmes were high on the agenda, and as there was a mix of younger and older rabbonim, the sharing of ideas and sense of chaverschaft (comaraderie) was helpful and uplifting.

“As one of the doyens of the South African rabbinate, Rabbi Goldman’s wisdom and experience made him one of the most obvious choices as our guest presenter,” said Rabbi Moshe Kahn, the vice-president of the council, and one of the main organisers of the conference.

“Rabbi Goldman has inspired our participants, and brought out the best in them,” said Rabbi Philip Heilbrunn, council president. Formerly of Johannesburg’s Northcliff Shul, today he is a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal.

Rabbi Goldman also gave public lectures on anti-Semitism at various shuls. In addition, he and Rochel were guest speakers at a Shabbaton for one of the communities there.

“Of course, it was a lecture tour, but it was also a big nostalgia trip,” said Goldman. “Wherever we went, we met old friends from Sydenham Shul and Johannesburg, and couples who told me I had married them.

“Suffice to say there was a large attendance at all the lectures, big bear hugs, and lots of selfies! Most emigrants have made new lives for themselves, and many still feel homesick. All my past congregants miss Sydenham Shul, and all of them still support the Springboks!”