Rabbi Gavriel and Rebbetzin Leah Fogelgarn

When Rabbi Kanowsky gave notice to leave Elwood Shule 18 months ago, I indicated to my fellow trustee and board member, Jack Lipson, that Rabbi Gavriel Fogelgarn might be a good person to approach as we had seen him “in action” in our daily Minyan, and over many years the Shule had good interactions with some of his 9 brothers.

Following a number of positive meetings earlier this year, Rabbi Gavriel decided to assist the Shule as a fill-in Rabbi till the end of the year, whilst fulfilling his teaching commitments, where he seamlessly fitted in well with our Kehilla and the feedback from the Congregation over the High Holydays was very encouraging.

The Board on behalf of the Congregation wish Rabbi Gavriel and Rebbetzin Leah, together with their 3 young boys blessings of success in the new role as Elwood Shule’s new Spiritual Leader in leading the next generation into the future.

Message from Shule President Mark Kuran

Rabbi Shmuel & Rebbetzin Rivki Karnowsky led & served the Congregation with deep love and care, first as Outreach Rabbi & Rebbetzin from February 2008 until August 2015 and then as Senior Rabbi & Rebbetzin until August 2022.

For 14 1/2 years, Rabbi Shmuel & Rivki and their beautiful children gave their heart and soul to the Shule and were the driving force behind the growth, warmth and energy of our Shule community.

Rabbi Mordechai & Rebbetzin Sara Gutnick led and served our congregation with distinction from 2002 until 2015.

Over the years they guided, educated, counselled and nurtured this community, with integrity and wisdom, and with compassion and sensitivity.

In 2015 they handed over the position of Senior Rabbi & Rebbetzin to Rabbi Shmuel & Rivki Karnowsky and upon his retirement in 2017 Rabbi Gutnick assumed the position of Rabbi Emeritus.

Aside from his Elwood Shule role, Rabbi Gutnick has served the Australian rabbinate for almost 40 years in a number of leadership roles, including President of the Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia as well as of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria. He is currently Senior Dayan of the Melbourne Beth Din and rabbinic administrator of Kosher Australia.

Rebbetzin Gutnick founded the very successful Rosh Chodesh Women Circle, which she ran for a number of years at the Shule.

Rabbi Chaim Gutnick ob’m led and served our congregation with absolute devotion from 1957 until 2002.

He is remembered fondly and with reverence not only for his brilliant and inspirational oratory, but also for his sensitivity and care, his passionate love of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael, and for devoting his life to comfort and strengthen those who survived the horrors of the holocaust and their families – Families who not only went on to rebuild their personal lives, but went on to build our Shule and community.

May his memory always be for a blessing.