New look for Caulfield Synagogue
Melbourne’s Glen Eira City Council given the go-ahead to the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation for its planned community centre redevelopment.
Rachel Mihalovich (Director Business Development CHC), Edwina Laidlaw and Tim Biles (Message Consultants Australia), Robert Weil (Vice President and Immediate Past President CHC), Rabbi Ralph Genende, Rodney Horin (Chair of Redevelopment) Anthony Raitman (President CHC) and Danny Gluck (Board Member CHC)
The decisions is subject to a 21 day legislative right of appeal process.
Cr Michael Lipshutz in moving the motion said: “I compliment Rabbi Genende and Caulfield Shule for its work to date and its vision to provide a community centre for future generations…” Cr Lipshutz also gave the Shul advice as to how to seek conditions from the Council that were best for the aims of the Shul.
The planned facade
Cr Mary Delahunty added: “I congratulate the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation, The Board, administration and Rabbi Genende for their vision to future-proof this land as a true community asset. The changes allow for traditional religious observation but also for the buildings to act as a true hub for the Jewish community and the wider Caulfield community. It is a credit to the Board and Management how open-minded they have been to the potential amenity changes for the nearby residents. I wish congregation all the best with the next stages of the project, as a nearby resident myself I certainly look forward to seeing the outcome”.
Rabbi Genende and the Board share a vision to develop an innovative and dynamic community centre for the future of the community. It has been well supported by a dedicated team led by Rodney Horin, Chair of the Redevelopment and Rachel Mihalovich, Director,
Planned youth area
Business Development.
Rabbi Genende was delighted with the decision saying: “The decision of Council will hopefully pave the way for the development of our ambitious and innovative Community Centre. A centre that will cater to the needs of young and old, from Jewish youth activities to senior citizen programmes. It will also provide a base for our outreach work– in the areas of social inclusion (eg: reaching out to the homeless and needy) and our interfaith and multicultural endeavours”.
This planning stage was supported by a committed advisory team including Charles Justin and Jeff Appel who worked alongside our professional team of Sally Draper Architects and Message Consultants Australia.
