Law service in Sydney
Sydney’s The Great Synagogue has hosted the annual Jewish community Law Service to mark the opening of the New South Wales Law Term.
The service was attended by some 250 people which included some of the most distinguished names in the NSW judicial system, Members of Parliament, Rabbis and Faith Leaders and Councillors. Chief Justice, the Hon Tom Bathurst AC led the procession of judges and lawyers and delivered an address at the reception following the service. The Attorney General, the Hon Mark Speakman SC MP and Leader of the opposition, the Hon Luke Foley MP made addresses during the service and both made mention of the significant and important contributions members of the Jewish community have made to the law.
The only Jewish member of the NSW Parliament Ron Hoenig, himself a barrister, read a special prayer: “Almighty God, Judge of all the earth: Bless, we pray, the Chief Justice and Judiciary of New South Wales. Grant them wisdom, humility and integrity to render true justice. Bless all those who practice the law, may they discharge their duties with conscience, expertise and responsibility. May they uphold the dignity of the law, the stature of the profession and truth and morality in our society. Remember the souls of our departed colleagues. May their efforts to replace chaos and discord with order and peace be counted to their merit. May they rest in the shelter of Your wings for evermore. Amen.”
The service was led by Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton and Rev Joshua Weinberger and the Choir of the Great Synagogue. Rabbi Elton’s sermon addressed the relationship between religion and law in a shared society and the extent to which religious beliefs affect the way we look at secular decisions in a democracy. He said that when our freedom and rights are not being infringed upon we should not impose our religious views on society at large, and that has always been the approach of diaspora Jewry. Many in attendance remarked at the quality and insightfulness of the Rabbi’s sermon and the beauty of the music presented by the Cantor and Choir and look forward to next years service at The Great.
Lets hope that they can get that alleged pedophile headmistress back to Melbourne from Israel to face justice and a long gaol term if found guilty.