Shofar sounds at Victorian Parliament
The echoes of the shofar could be heard in the halls of State Parliament last Thursday as the rabbis and rebbetzins of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) met with Premier Daniel Andrews and Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy.
THE echoes of the shofar could be heard in the halls of State Parliament last Thursday as the rabbis and rebbetzins of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) met with Premier Daniel Andrews and Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy.
The meeting with the Premier is a longstanding annual tradition and was an opportunity for the rabbis to bless the state of Victoria preceding the Jewish New Year. This year they also offered an additional prayer for rain for the drought-stricken farmers.
“Each year I look forward to catching up with my rabbinical friends before Rosh Hashanah,” said the Premier, before adding his Rosh Hashanah greeting to the broader community.
“From my family to yours, may you all have a sweet and happy new year – Shanah Tovah Umetukah.”
The rebbetzins took a central role in the meeting, with Rebbetzin Althea Mirvis presenting a brief dvar Torah, Rebbetzin Sarah Rabin expressing gratitude for the ongoing support of the Victorian government, and Rebbetzin Dina Kahn presenting the Premier with an inscribed set of candlesticks and explaining the significance of bringing light into the home.
Following the meeting, and traversing the parliamentary corridors the group met with Guy and Member for Caulfield, David Southwick.
“This is a significant time of the year for the Jewish communities all around the world and a cherished time to spend with family and loved ones in the spirit of reflection and community celebration,” shared Guy.
“I thank the RCV for sharing this blessing with us all and I extend a warm Shanah Tovah to Victoria’s Jewish community”.
Southwick added: “It is a proud, heartwarming occasion when I can share with my parliamentary colleagues and the Leader of the Liberal Party the significance of the Jewish holidays for the Jewish people worldwide.”
REBECCA DAVIS
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