The 80s
The Australian Jewish Times, Thursday 18th December, 1980
Strathfield Delights in Shabbat Lights
Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick of the Strathfield Synagogue this week expressed satisfaction at the apparent acceptance and prevalence of the precept of lighting Sabbath candles in his area, even in homes that may otherwise show little sign of Jewish traditions. The rabbi was commenting on the ease and competence shown by the many women and girls when they lit the candles as a prelude to their recent “Shabbaton 80” program held at Strathfield. Although this was pleasing to see, it should only be seen as an encouraging factor in efforts to foster and instil an even greater Sabbath atmosphere and observance in Jewish homes.
This is particularly important for families in outlying areas which may have little other contact with Jewish life or tradition, he said. Rabbi Gutnick said this was one of the important reasons for organising the highly successful Shabbaton, the third such program in the district. More than 130 people attended the gathering and participated in communal singing led by the rabbi. Rabbi Gutnick said he believed the event was a highly enjoyable educational experience for adults as well as children.
“Such programs can only help in greatly encouraging many families to upgrade their own Shabbat experience in their own homes, stimulate a happy family life and closer awareness of the beautiful traditions of the Jewish religion,” he said. The Shabbaton followed a series of successful functions held in recent times in the Strathfield area. These included a Bar and Batmitzvah reunion for young people who celebrated these events in the past five years. These young people were guests at a special Shabbat service and JNF tree certificates [were] presented to each person. In his sermon to the special service, Rabbi Gutnick called on the congregation to realise that the Bar and Batmitzvah ceremony was not a graduation from Jewish learning or practice but a graduation to Jewish awareness and commitment.
Another successful activity was a gathering of 30 recent Jewish migrants from Russia at the rabbi’s home during which a talk in Russian on the Jewish festivals and the synagogue was given. As a result of this gathering there was been a greater involvement and attendance in the synagogue by the Russian families living in the area. These gatherings will now become a regular feature of life in the area.
Strathfield Delights in Shabbat Lights
Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick of the Strathfield Synagogue this week expressed satisfaction at the apparent acceptance and prevalence of the precept of lighting Sabbath candles in his area, even in homes that may otherwise show little sign of Jewish traditions. The rabbi was commenting on the ease and competence shown by the many women and girls when they lit the candles as a prelude to their recent “Shabbaton 80” program held at Strathfield. Although this was pleasing to see, it should only be seen as an encouraging factor in efforts to foster and instil an even greater Sabbath atmosphere and observance in Jewish homes.
This is particularly important for families in outlying areas which may have little other contact with Jewish life or tradition, he said. Rabbi Gutnick said this was one of the important reasons for organising the highly successful Shabbaton, the third such program in the district. More than 130 people attended the gathering and participated in communal singing led by the rabbi. Rabbi Gutnick said he believed the event was a highly enjoyable educational experience for adults as well as children.
“Such programs can only help in greatly encouraging many families to upgrade their own Shabbat experience in their own homes, stimulate a happy family life and closer awareness of the beautiful traditions of the Jewish religion,” he said. The Shabbaton followed a series of successful functions held in recent times in the Strathfield area. These included a Bar and Batmitzvah reunion for young people who celebrated these events in the past five years. These young people were guests at a special Shabbat service and JNF tree certificates [were] presented to each person. In his sermon to the special service, Rabbi Gutnick called on the congregation to realise that the Bar and Batmitzvah ceremony was not a graduation from Jewish learning or practice but a graduation to Jewish awareness and commitment.
Another successful activity was a gathering of 30 recent Jewish migrants from Russia at the rabbi’s home during which a talk in Russian on the Jewish festivals and the synagogue was given. As a result of this gathering there was been a greater involvement and attendance in the synagogue by the Russian families living in the area. These gatherings will now become a regular feature of life in the area.
The Australian Jewish News, November, 1982
Four ‘Brother’ Rabbis in Induction Service
Strathfield and District Synagogue’s new Chief Minister, Rabbi Moshe Dovid Gutnick, will be inducted into office at a ceremony on Sunday, November 28. Rabbi Gutnick, 24, arrived in Sydney before the High Holydays to succeed his oldest brother, Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick, as spiritual leader of the congregation.
Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick, [who was] recently installed into office as spiritual leader of the North Eastern Jewish Centre, Doncaster, Victoria will induct his younger brother. Also participating in the ceremony will be brother-in-law Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, Rav of the Yeshiva Centre, Sydney, and another brother, Rabbi Joseph Gutnick, of Melbourne. State and Federal parliamentarians as well as civic and communal dignitaries and members of the Sydney Rabbinate have been invited to attend the ceremony.
Melbourne-born, Strathfield’s new minister is a graduate of Yeshiva College, Melbourne and the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand. He gained Smicha from the Rabbinical College of Canada and the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in New York. Before coming to Sydney he spent some time studying in Kollel and later in Cincinnati, USA. An experienced youth leader, he was director of many summer camps in the United States and also participated in many adult education programs.
His wife, Esther, is a graduate of Beth Rivkah College, New York, and the Beth Rivkah Teachers’ Seminary in New York. Before her marriage she taught for a number of years in the Jewish day-school in Minnesota, USA.
Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick is returning to his former congregation for the weekend to officiate at the Barmitzvah of a former pupil.
Four ‘Brother’ Rabbis in Induction Service
Strathfield and District Synagogue’s new Chief Minister, Rabbi Moshe Dovid Gutnick, will be inducted into office at a ceremony on Sunday, November 28. Rabbi Gutnick, 24, arrived in Sydney before the High Holydays to succeed his oldest brother, Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick, as spiritual leader of the congregation.
Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick, [who was] recently installed into office as spiritual leader of the North Eastern Jewish Centre, Doncaster, Victoria will induct his younger brother. Also participating in the ceremony will be brother-in-law Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, Rav of the Yeshiva Centre, Sydney, and another brother, Rabbi Joseph Gutnick, of Melbourne. State and Federal parliamentarians as well as civic and communal dignitaries and members of the Sydney Rabbinate have been invited to attend the ceremony.
Melbourne-born, Strathfield’s new minister is a graduate of Yeshiva College, Melbourne and the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand. He gained Smicha from the Rabbinical College of Canada and the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in New York. Before coming to Sydney he spent some time studying in Kollel and later in Cincinnati, USA. An experienced youth leader, he was director of many summer camps in the United States and also participated in many adult education programs.
His wife, Esther, is a graduate of Beth Rivkah College, New York, and the Beth Rivkah Teachers’ Seminary in New York. Before her marriage she taught for a number of years in the Jewish day-school in Minnesota, USA.
Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick is returning to his former congregation for the weekend to officiate at the Barmitzvah of a former pupil.
The Melbourne Jewish News, Thursday 2nd December, 1982
A Brotherly Gesture! – Stathfield Rabbi Inducted to Office
A Brotherly Gesture! – Stathfield Rabbi Inducted to Office
History was made in Sydney last Sunday when Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick, chief minister of North Eastern Jewish Centre, Melbourne, inducted his younger brother, Rabbi Moshe Gutnick, to the position as minister of the Stathfield and District Hebrew Congregation. Apart from the two rabbis being brothers of the “flesh” as well as of the spirit, Rabbi Moshe Gutnick is his brother’s successor in the pulpit of Strathfield Synagogue.
Many members of the Gutnick family were at the ceremony including their mother Rose Gutnick of Melbourne, the other two Gutnick brothers, Rabbi Joseph and Rev Avraham, and their sister, P’nina Feldman, with her husband Rabbi Pinchas Feldman. Proud grandmother, Rebbetzin Chayah Abramson, was also there.
Special guests at the ceremony were the mayor of Burwood, Alderman John Lutman, the mayor of Ashfield, Ald Lewis Herman, the State Member for Burwood, Phil O’Neil MP and the Federal Member for Lowe, Michael Maher MP. Rabbis Boruch Lesches and Yaacov Lieder of the Yeshiva, Rabbi David Freilich of the Kingsford Maroubra Hebrew Congregation, Rev Henry Amzalek of the Machzike Hatorah Congregation, Rabbi Dr Lionel Singer and Rev J.S. Weiss of the Yeshiva.
Many members of the Gutnick family were at the ceremony including their mother Rose Gutnick of Melbourne, the other two Gutnick brothers, Rabbi Joseph and Rev Avraham, and their sister, P’nina Feldman, with her husband Rabbi Pinchas Feldman. Proud grandmother, Rebbetzin Chayah Abramson, was also there.
Special guests at the ceremony were the mayor of Burwood, Alderman John Lutman, the mayor of Ashfield, Ald Lewis Herman, the State Member for Burwood, Phil O’Neil MP and the Federal Member for Lowe, Michael Maher MP. Rabbis Boruch Lesches and Yaacov Lieder of the Yeshiva, Rabbi David Freilich of the Kingsford Maroubra Hebrew Congregation, Rev Henry Amzalek of the Machzike Hatorah Congregation, Rabbi Dr Lionel Singer and Rev J.S. Weiss of the Yeshiva.