Events & Activities 2010 Cops and Rabbis Luncheon
| Cops and Rabbis Luncheon |
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Cops and Rabbis Strengthen Ties The Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) yesterday held its third annual Cops and Rabbis Luncheon at the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation’s Adele Southwick Hall.
Over ninety guests, including parliamentarians, community leaders and members of the Victorian Rabbinate and Victoria Police, enjoyed the opportunity to meet and discuss issues affecting local communities and to explore ways of expanding cooperation between the Jewish community’s religious leadership and the police force.
Addressing the guests, RCV President Rabbi Yaakov Glasman said that “the RCV has made it an important goal to connect with faith leaders across the spectrum of Victoria’s multicultural community. In conjunction with such efforts, we also work closely with political leaders, community organisations and, of course, Victoria Police”, he said.
“In light of the difficult history experienced by the Jewish People, we must express our appreciation for the fact that we live in a society that allows for the practice of religion free from prejudice and discrimination. In particular we owe tremendous gratitude to the men and women in blue, who work tirelessly to ensure that Victorians of all backgrounds, faiths and cultures can live in safety and security, free from the oppression that plagued many of their ancestors,” he said.
Members of Victoria Police’s most senior echelons, including Commander Ashley Dickinson APM and Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius, also addressed the guests and emphasised their desire for Victoria Police and the RCV to continue working closely together towards a more secure and harmonious society.
The luncheon took place on the last day of Chanukah, and as part of the three-course meal, guests were treated to traditional foods including latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts. A highlight of the event was the lighting of the chanukiah, with members of various police stations taking part. Guests were also treated to a cantorial rendition of the Chanukah blessings by Rabbi Philip Heilbrunn and to an operatic performance of Ma’oz Tzur by Rabbi Dovid Rubinfeld.
On a related note, the RCV was represented by its Immediate Past President, Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, at the Chief Commissioner’s Multifaith Reception held earlier in the week. Taking advantage of the opportunity to engage with senior members of other communities, Rabbi Kluwgant met with a number of faith leaders, many of whom expressed their appreciation for the RCV’s efforts to engage with the wider community and requested to meet with the RCV to discuss the possibility of joint endeavours. Rabbi Kluwgant also met with Chief Commissioner Simon Overland, who commended the RCV for its contribution towards the Victoria Police Academy’s Community Encounters Program and congratulated Rabbi Kluwgant for his involvement in the chaplaincy program and on his work as Jewish chaplain for the Southern Metropolitan Region.
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