The UPJ is delighted to offer a hearty "mazel tov" to Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins on being awarded an OAM on the Queen's Birthday. Click on "read more" for a special message from Emanuel Synagogue President Louise Thurgood-Phillips and CEO Suzanna Helia.

We are excited to share with you that Rabbi Kamins has been honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia, announced on Monday. The Order of Australia is one of the pre-eminent ways we recognise the achievements and service of our fellow citizens, with nominations coming directly from the community.

"I am incredibly humbled to receive this honour. After 27 years, it feels good to be considered a real Australian. It is wonderful for Emanuel Synagogue is recognised as part of the fabric of the wider Australian community.

Importantly, the award is also a reflection of the values and spiritual life of Emanuel Synagogue and I am grateful to all of you who support the wellbeing of our synagogue: my colleagues, staff, board, volunteers and each and every one of our members."  

— Rabbi Jeffrey B. Kamins OAM

We are forever grateful to Rabbi Kamins for the incredible work he does in our Emanuel community as well as in the broader community—particularly through his commitment to creating a welcoming, pluralist spiritual home in Emanuel Synagogue, along with his work with the interfaith community and his passion for social justice.

We are fortunate to have religious leaders so committed to harmony and tolerance and it is a very special honour to have these contributions acknowledged.

Rabbi Kamins, on behalf of the board, clergy, staff and members of Emanuel Synagogue, we wish you a hearty mazal tov, and we thank you for your passion and commitment. It is an honour to call you our rabbi.

We also wish to congratulate all of the other recipients on the Queen's Birthday 2016 Honours list and especially those in our own community—mazal tov to John William Kaldor AO and Leon Fink AM.

Louise Thurgood-Phillips, President
Suzanna Helia, CEO