Top job for Rabbi Roberts
RABBI Nicole Roberts has become the first female spiritual leader of a synagogue congregation in NSW, after she was named the senior rabbi of North Shore Temple Emanuel.
RABBI Nicole Roberts has become the first female spiritual leader of a synagogue congregation in NSW, after she was named the senior rabbi of North Shore Temple Emanuel (NSTE) this week. Rabbi Roberts replaces Rabbi Gary Robuck, who held the position for more than a decade.
Since relocating to Australia in 2012 and joining the shul, Rabbi Roberts has engaged in community outreach through her community wellbeing initiative and young family programs. She has also contributed to Progressive Jewish life as treasurer of the Moetzah, the Council of Progressive Rabbis of Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
Rabbi Roberts was ordained at the Hebrew Union College in 2012, and was one of only five in her class to receive the Tisch Rabbinical Fellowship.
“The NSTE family has embraced me and my husband, David, from the moment we arrived,” Rabbi Roberts said. “From the start, it has felt like such a good fit. NSTE quickly became our second family and I am committed to ensuring that our members feel the same way. When they come to NSTE, I want them to feel they are coming home.”
NSTE president Mark Ginsburg said the appointment was the result of a “unanimous decision” by the board of directors.
“Having completed an extensive study examining the needs and wants of our community, including what we seek from our spiritual leadership team, it became abundantly clear to the board that what we were looking for was right in front of us,” Ginsburg said.
Ginsburg also announced that a search will be conducted to find a support for Rabbi Roberts, whose appointment has been warmly received by fellow Progressive congregation and member of the Union for Progressive Judaism, Emanuel Synagogue.
“Ever since I met Rabbi Roberts I have been thoroughly impressed by her intelligence, her poise, manner of communication, clarity, calm and absolute reliability and steadfastness,” said Emanuel’s Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins. “She is a fabulous colleague and a wonderful rabbi. I am thrilled to hear of her appointment.”
YAEL BRENDER
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