Raymond Apple (rabbi)

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Rabbi Raymond Apple (born December 27, 1935) was the Senior Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of Sydney between 1972 and 2005[1]. In this role, he was one of Australia's highest profile rabbis and the leading spokesman for Judaism in Australia.[2] [3]

Contents

[edit] Education and early career

Born and educated in Melbourne[4] he received his rabbinic ordination (smichah) at Jews' College[5] (now the London School of Jewish Studies) in London. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne, a Masters of Literature from the University of New England, and a teaching and rabbinic diploma from the London School of Jewish Studies [6]. He is a Doctor of Laws honoris causa from the University of New South Wales and an Honorary Fellow of Sydney University and holds the Distinguished Alumni award of the University of New England, Australia[7].

[edit] Religious leadership

Rabbi Apple served London congregations at Bayswater and Hampstead between 1960 and 1972 before returning to Australia to take up the role of senior rabbi at the Great Synagogue, Sydney.

In Sydney he also served as a dayan and registrar for the Sydney Beth Din.

Interfaith dialogue has been a lifetime interest of Rabbi Apple and one which he pursued in Sydney.[8] He is joint president and a former chairman of the Australian Council of Christians and Jews and a life member and former chairman of the NSW Council. He founded the Christian-Jewish Luncheon Club in Sydney[9] and has been a leader in dialogue with Islam.

Rabbi Apple is an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to the community.[10].

[edit] Other roles

Rabbi Apple was an Australian Army reserve chaplain for 15 years and from 1988-2006 senior rabbi to the Australian Defence Force.[11]. He also served for two terms as chairman of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services, the first Jewish representative to hold this office. [12]

[edit] Retirement

Rabbi Apple now lives in Israel [13].

[edit] Writings

Rabbi Apple has written a number of books, including :

  • The Great Synagogue: A History of Sydney's Big Shule (2008) [14]
  • The Jewish Way: Jews and Judaism in Australia (2004) [15]
  • The Jews (1981) [16]
  • The Hampstead Synagogue 1892-1967 (1967) [17]

He has also published numerous articles on Jews, Jews in Australia, and various Jewish and interfaith themes. He is the author of "OzTorah", a weekly e-mail service and website presenting insights into the parashah and an Ask the Rabbi forum. The OzTorah archives are available on his website at http://www.oztorah.com

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Sun-Herald, "Farewell to the rabbi of tolerance" February 7, 2005
  2. ^ The Australian, "Apple spells out core values as he departs after 32 years" 7 February 2005, accessed through EBBSCO'S Australia and New Zealand Reference Net
  3. ^ Chief Rabbis Cabinet - Rabbi Raymond Apple
  4. ^ ABC Radio National Verbatim, 9 December 2002
  5. ^ Crown Content, Who's Who in Australia 2007 page 150
  6. ^ Crown Content, Who's Who in Australia 2007 page 150
  7. ^ Crown Content, Who's Who in Australia 2007 page 150
  8. ^ The Sun-Herald "Farewell to the rabbi of tolerance" February 7, 2005
  9. ^ Australian Council of Christians and Jews
  10. ^ It's an Honour, "Raymond Apple"
  11. ^ Crown Content, Who's Who in Australia 2007 page 150
  12. ^ Rabbinical Council of America
  13. ^ Australian Jewish News "Rabbi Apple to headline inter-faith conference" June 10, 2007
  14. ^ UNSW Press
  15. ^ National Library of Australia catalogue
  16. ^ National Library of Australia
  17. ^ National Library of Australia

[edit] External links