Taking the helm at Southern Sydney
SOUTHERN Sydney Synagogue’s new minister and spiritual leader Tzuri Avila aims to build the “kind, vibrant” community, saying it is “full of potential”.
SOUTHERN Sydney Synagogue’s new minister and spiritual leader Tzuri Avila aims to build the “kind, vibrant” community, saying it is “full of potential”.
Raised in Los Angeles, Avila successfully completed four years in yeshivah and holds a bachelor of arts in religious studies. He replaces Rabbi Yosef Feldman who parted company with the shul earlier this year after more than two decades.
Speaking to The AJN, Avila, who has yet to obtain his smicha, said he is “very excited” to take up the position.
“I have been attending the synagogue as a devoted member for the last year. It has been a special place for me, my family and in-laws for many years now. My wife’s great-grandfather, Leo Lindner, was a founding member of the synagogue and served as vice-president for many years,” he said.
Avila’s goal is to grow the community by offering a Sunday cheder, weekly Shabbat children’s programs, yom tov services and Torah classes.
“My vision is to positively inspire every individual who walks through our synagogue door to reach their spiritual desire,” he said.
Stating that he brings a passion for Judaism, an open mind and “a genuine interest in every individual”, Avila said, “I believe a community is made up of individuals, and that is why every individual, member or not, is important to me.”
Asked about the challenges of being the leader of a shul that is geographically removed from the hub of Jewish Sydney, Avila said, “There is no major challenge.
“The reality is that we’re only 20 minutes away from Westfield Eastgardens where you can buy kosher meat, and with so much kosher food around you can successfully get everything else locally,” he explained.
“Also with the Jewish community expanding from east to south, as we’ve seen Maroubra Synagogue flourish, we are a great option for anyone living in southern Sydney.”
Shul vice-president Margaret Foster said Avila brings to the synagogue “a young and vibrant approach”, and he and his wife Fiona “hope to reach out to the Jewish people in the areas of southern Sydney with this vibrance”.
“Their outlook in leading this community is not to change anyone’s method or style of serving God, but rather to inspire and fuel the individual’s love and dedication to their Judaism,” Foster said.
“Southern Sydney Synagogue looks forward to a long and strong association with Tzuri and Fiona.”
EVAN ZLATKIS
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