Rowing rabbis make peace
A DISPUTE between two of Sydney’s top rabbis, which led to one quitting the Rabbinical Council of NSW (RCNSW) last week, appears to have been resolved.
A DISPUTE between two of Sydney’s top rabbis, which led to one quitting the Rabbinical Council of NSW (RCNSW) last week, appears to have been resolved.
The row erupted over an article in The AJN earlier this month about the establishment of an independent committee to open lines of communication between the wider Jewish community and the Kashrut Authority.
It’s understood that sparks flew after RCNSW president Rabbi Yosef Feldman implied that Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence of The Great Synagogue had been responsible for an unattributed comment in the report, a claim Rabbi Lawrence denied.
However, peace was restored just hours after Rabbi Lawrence quit the council, with Rabbi Feldman circulating an email to members of the rabbinate in which he stated, “I would like to apologise for all the misunderstandings that have occurred.
“I unintentionally said things about Rabbi Lawrence that should not have been said that set him in a bad light.
“I would ask him to please accept my heartfelt apology, withdraw his resignation from the RCNSW, and let us work in shalom and harmony together.”
Although Rabbi Lawrence told The AJN he has no immediate plans to rejoin the council, he said, “The argument between me and Rabbi Yossi Feldman was concluded last Wednesday night when Rabbi Feldman emailed me with an apology, which I immediately accepted.”
He added: “I wish him well in his work in the community and acknowledge the friendship and support that he has offered many.”
Praise for both rabbis and the high regard in which they are each held was reflected in a number of letters received by The AJN in recent days.
Welcoming the resolution of the dispute, the RCNSW executive issued a statement saying it was “saddened to see the coverage in last week’s AJN”. The statement continued “Rabbi Yosef Feldman has extended a hand of friendship to Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, which Rabbi Lawrence has accepted.
“The council looks forward to all rabbis working together for the good of the community and for Rabbi Lawrence’s return to the council in due course.”
Echoing that sentiment, Rabbi Feldman said, “I do not think it is now necessary to go into the details of the previous AJN articles and their implications, but I do confirm that the dispute between myself and Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence has been resolved. I sincerely wish him all the best and I do hope that he returns to the council as he has a lot to offer for the benefit of the community.”
JOSHUA LEVI
Rabbi Yosef Feldman
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