Emanuel Synagogue marks leadership change at AGM
Australia’s largest congregation, Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra, has appointed Ian Rathmell as its new president.
Members gathered on Tuesday evening for Grant McCorquodale’s final AGM as president, bringing to a close his term as leader of the board and marking 16 years of community leadership across Emanuel School and Emanuel Synagogue.
Ian Rathnell (l) and Grant McCorquodale (photo: supplied)
McCorquodale was elected as a board director on 25 May 2021 and became president on 23 May 2023.
During his presidency, Emanuel Synagogue said he guided the congregation through some of its most difficult periods, including COVID, major building works, the aftermath of the 7 October attacks in Israel, rising antisemitism and the impact of the Bondi attack.
His term included major projects such as the $10 million Heritage Sanctuary capital appeal, which led to the
Grant McCorquodale tries on the McCorquodale tallis (photo: supplied)
restoration of one of the synagogue’s most-used spaces.
McCorquodale also helped establish the Emanuel Synagogue Foundation and the Jeffrey B. Kamins Endowment Fund, both aimed at securing the congregation’s future. He also played a key role in reuniting the synagogue with Emanuel Woollahra Preschool.
Emanuel Synagogue said McCorquodale had represented and advocated for the congregation at the highest levels, giving it a strong voice and active presence in the wider Jewish community and Australian society.
Over the past year, he also helped guide a major transition in senior rabbinic leadership and supported an artistic project that will be revealed on 21 June at a celebration honouring Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins.
The synagogue paid tribute to McCorquodale’s “courage, conviction, heart and integrity”.
McQuorquodale was also previously president of Emanuel School.
As a gesture of appreciation, McCorquodale was presented with a tallit featuring the tartan of the McCorquodale Clan, chosen to match his kippah. Emanuel Synagogue said the gift was made possible with the help of his wife, Ilana McCorquodale, and acknowledged the support she and their family had given throughout his years of service.
McCorquodale said serving Emanuel Synagogue and the wider community had been “one of the greatest honours of my life”.
“Together, we have navigated extraordinary challenges and celebrated remarkable achievements, always guided by our shared values of courage, compassion, resilience and connection,” he said.
He said he was “deeply proud” of what the congregation had achieved, including “restoring and securing treasured spaces for future generations, strengthening our foundations through enduring philanthropic initiatives, and ensuring Emanuel continues to be a vibrant, inclusive and influential voice within Jewish and Australian life”.
McCorquodale said Emanuel’s future was in strong hands under Rathmell, who he said brought “integrity, wisdom and deep commitment” to the community.
At the conclusion of the AGM, the board unanimously elected Rathmell as the new president.
Rathmell has been a fixture at Emanuel Synagogue since arriving in Australia from the US and has given generously to the congregation. He served as treasurer on the board and has represented the synagogue in LGBTQ spaces.
Rathmell said he was honoured to have been chosen as president of Emanuel Synagogue.
“I was drawn to Emanuel Synagogue when I moved to Australia 10 years ago because of the community’s pride in its pluralistic, egalitarian, and inclusive values,” he said.
“I grew up as a proud Jew in the US South, and today I stand as a proud young, gay Jew in a community that celebrates both my partner and me.”
Rathmell said he looked forward to supporting Rabbi Ninio as the new senior rabbi, “the first female rabbi in our synagogue’s history”, along with the rest of the clergy and staff.
The congregation also farewelled three board members, Joseph Constable, Eve Altman and Yael Bradbury, thanking them for their dedication and commitment and saying their contribution would be felt for years to come.
Three new board members have joined the board, with Leonid Shaflender appointed treasurer and Daniel Deutsch and Shoshana Gottlieb-Beker taking up board roles. The synagogue said the new members brought broad professional experience and a strong commitment to community.
