Ark Centre

Ark Centre is a modern Orthodox synagogue and Community Centre located in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn East. It was founded by a number of people who were previously members of Kew Hebrew Congregation.[1]

Ark Centre
Exterior of Ark Centre
Religion
AffiliationModern Orthodox Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusActive
LeadershipRabbi Gabi Kaltmann
StatusSynagogue
Location
LocationCato Street, Hawthorn East, Melbourne, Victoria
CountryAustralia
Location in Melbourne
Geographic coordinates37°50′35″S 145°02′34″E

Overview

Ark Centre opened in 2008 operating from a hall in Bialik College, under the leadership of Yoram Symons and later Rabbi Yaron Gottlieb[2] who had the role as the synagogue's Magid. Under the stewardship of Symons and then Rabbi Shneur Reti-Waks, they operated out of a hired home in Lovell St, East Hawthorn, before moving into their permanent residence in Cato Street[3] in 2014.

Since moving into the Cato Street premises the suite of offerings provided has grown. Beyond the ‘traditional’ services of life-cycle events, events associated with religious festivals and holidays and synagogue services, Ark Centre has invested in providing more to the community. The physical premises were designed to be multi-purpose to facilitate usage in a number of ways: celebration of life cycle events, synagogue services, youth programs, yoga and wellbeing activities, conferences, adult and youth programs and much more.

Within the premises is a commercial kitchen where kosher catering is available. There are also other services provided by the centre.[4]

Under the stewardship of Reti-Waks, the Ark also courted controversy when there were a number of marriages where there were rumours that they did not conform to halachic standards. The matter was resolved between the Rabbincal Council of Victoria and Reti-Waks, when the marriages were all accepted.[5]

Reti-Waks on behalf of the Ark has signed letters in support of marriage equality, and against the Australian government's treatment of refugees.[6][7]

In 2019 Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann and Rebbetzin Mushka Kantor Kaltmann assumed the role of Rabbi and Rebbetzin of Ark Centre.[8]

Conversions

The Ark Centre was one of a number of conversion programs in Victoria, existing as an alternative to the existing Melbourne Beth Din program. The program was run under the auspices of Rabbi Yisrael Rosen, but these conversions were not officially accepted by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and did not appear on their list of recognised conversion courts.[9]

In trying to deal with this situation, Reti-Waks joined the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, and later the Ark agreed to suspend any conversions for 12 months while the Beth Din determined their legitimacy.[10] Ultimately the conversions were rejected by the Beth Din, even though they did not provide any proof of illegitimacy on the part of the Ark.[11]

Ark Centre are currently teaching conversion students, but do not perform the conversions. The centre facilitates the conversions through the Melbourne Beth Din and continues to have a positive relationship with the conversion[12][13] Beth Din in Alon Shevut.[14]

Spiritual leadership
  • Yoram Symons, 2008-2009, 2010-2012
  • Rabbi Yaron Gottlieb, 2008-2009
  • Rabbi Steven Link, 2009-2010
  • Rabbi Shneur Reti-Waks, 2009-2019
  • Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, 2018–present

See also

References
  1. "Downer asks Arab states to do more - The Australian Jewish News". The Australian Jewish News. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  2. "Yoram Symons". Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  3. "Contact Us – Ark Centre". thearkcentre.org.au. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  4. Henry Greener (8 March 2017), The SHTICK S48-02 Seg.1 Rabbi Shneur Reti-Waks of Ark Community Centre, retrieved 28 December 2017
  5. "Couples' ketubahs 'not legitimate'? - The Australian Jewish News". The Australian Jewish News. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  6. "Rabbis provide leadership to Australian Jewish community on people seeking asylum - +61J". +61J. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  7. "Postal plebiscite issues". J-Wire. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  8. "A new rabbi for the Ark Centre". J-Wire. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  9. "Recognized Rabbinical Courts for Conversion -ITIM". www.itim.org.il. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  10. "Question mark over conversions - The Australian Jewish News". The Australian Jewish News. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  11. "Ark conversions rejected - The Australian Jewish News". The Australian Jewish News. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  12. "For Some, the Road to Judaism Leads Through the Court of Last Resort". Haaretz. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  13. "Founder of state conversion authority and Zomet Institute, dies aged 76". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  14. "About us – Ark Centre". Retrieved 7 November 2019.
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