Jewish culture & tradition

Montefiore has its foundations as one of Australia’s oldest, and largest, Jewish communal organisations. It is this strong Jewish ethos that drives us to honour and care for the older members of the community, and treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Our Randwick, Hunters Hill and Woollahra Residential Care Campuses offer kosher meals and a Religious, Spiritual and Cultural Life program based on the Modern Orthodox tradition. We embrace the wide variety of residents’ Jewish religious, spiritual, and cultural attitudes, also welcoming people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.

In 2012, Montefiore received a Better Practice Award for its Religious, Spiritual and Cultural Life Program. Guided with compassion and wisdom by our Spiritual Dean Rabbi David Rogut OAM and his wife Vicky as Rebbetzin, the program includes:

  • Religious practice and synagogue services for Shabbat, Festivals and High Holy Days
  • Celebration and commemoration of festivals and cultural events
  • A lifestyle program of Jewish discussion groups and guest speakers
  • Community engagement with local Jewish schools
  • Pastoral and end-of-life care for residents and their families
  • Valuable staff education to improve understanding and care of residents

For further information on Jewish life at Montefiore, please contact the Spiritual, Cultural & Community Engagement team, email: spiritual@montefiore.org.au

Rabbi David Rogut OAM

Montefiore Spiritual Dean Rabbi Rogut OAM joined the Montefiore family 11 years ago and has previously served the Sydney community for decades as Rabbi of the North Shore Synagogue, President of the Rabbinical Council of NSW, a Dayan on the Sydney Beth Din and as Spiritual Dean of Masada College.

He is energetic and constantly active and he has earned the respect and affection of the Montefiore community that he devotes his time to. The Rabbi’s wife, Vicky, is not only an active volunteer at Montefiore but also assists Rabbi on Shabbat and other festivals.

Rabbi Rogut’s role at Montefiore is busy and varied, and includes overseeing kashrut, consulting to all departments on religious matters, conducting Shabbat and Festival services and running weekly shiurim. He also offers vital pastoral care, offering spiritual and religious guidance during palliation, as well assisting families with funeral and minyan arrangements.

To contact the Rabbi, please email rabbi@montefiore.org.au

Participating with residents at the Shabbat service and appreciating their knowledge of Judaism and the lives they have led is fulfilling.

Peter Haneman, volunteer