Faith in the law

THE Melbourne legal fraternity will make history on Monday when it conducts the inaugural interfaith law service at Government House. Hosted by Victorian Governor Alex Chernov, the event will mark the first coming together of all the major faiths to bring in the new legal year.

Alan Goldberg, a retired judge, was approached by longtime friend Chernov, who asked if Jewish lawyers would be interested in participating. The event had been scheduled to take place at St Paul’s cathedral, but at Goldstone’s behest was moved to Government house.

Representing the Jewish contingent will be Temple Beth Israel’s (TBI) Rabbi Gersh Lazarow and Caulfield Hebrew Congregation’s Rabbi Ralph Genende. Attendees will also be treated to a performance from TBI cantor Michel Laloum.

Rabbi Genende is set to recite a prayer for Australia that he composed, while a prayer composed by barrister and Jewish community leader the late Maurice Ashkanasy for the legal profession, will be read by QC Peter O’Callahan.

There will also be a fanfare performed by the brass section of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and members of the community are invited to attend.

“It’s very important,” Goldberg said of the interfaith service. “It has provided a forum, for an Orthodox rabbi and a Reform rabbi to participate together in a multi faith environment.

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