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Who's who

AT OUR SHUL YOU WILL BE WARMLY WELCOMED BY OUR TEAM

rabbi yehuda stern

Our Rav and Spiritual Leader, associated with the Shul since July 2007.

Rabbi Stern was born in Melbourne and matriculated in Israel after his family made Aliyah. He furthered his Torah studies in leading Yeshivot in New York, London and Russia and later obtained his Smicha (Rabbinical Ordination) from the Central Lubavitch Yeshivah of America.

After marrying in December 2004, Rabbi and Estee spent the next two years teaching and lecturing in the Jewish community in Melbourne.

Rabbi Stern enjoys teaching and is an excellent communicator.

Rabbi and Estee are the proud parents of eight children.

rebbetzin estee stern

Estee joined Sydenham Shul in July 2007, and is the Rebbetzin of our Shul. With her gentle and caring approach, she has already developed an enthusiastic following among the women of the Shul.

Estee was born in Springs and raised in Johannesburg. As the daughter of Rabbi Avraham and Hadassah Vigler of the Orange Grove Shul, having an open home to all is a natural way of life. Estee matriculated at Torah Academy where she excelled and furthered her Jewish studies in Seminary in Israel. She then went on to serve as the Youth Director at the prestigious Shul of Bal Harbor, Florida in the United States. 

As a mother of 8 children, Estee has been able to inspire those with whom she has come into contact. Her shiurim are enjoyed immensely, they are deeply spiritual while still being real and relevant. Her energy and passion is genuine, positive and contagious.

rabbi yossy goldman

 

 

 

 

Rabbi Yossy Goldman was appointed Rav and Spiritual Leader of Sydenham Shul in September 1986 and is the Shul’s longest-serving Rabbi since it was established in 1943. He is today Life Rabbi Emeritus of our Congregation.
He is President of the SA Rabbinical Association, having served as its most successful Chairman for 12 years. He is a member of the Board of The Torah Academy.
His first book, From Where I Stand, life messages from the weekly Torah reading, was published by KTAV in 2012.
Rabbi Goldman has served as a member of the Religious Broadcasting Panel of the SABC and often represents the Jewish faith on radio and television. He produced and hosted South Africa’s only Jewish radio programme, The Jewish Sound, between 1976 and 2000.
In November 2021, Rabbi and Rochel were honoured to receive the coveted Community Service award at the prestigious Absa Jewish Achievers event.
Rabbi and Rochel were married in June 1973 and are the proud parents of 11 children and, Baruch Hashem, a growing number of grandchildren. They are particularly proud that their children are serving Jewish communities in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and in many cities around the world.

rebbetzin rochel goldman

          

Since 1986, Rochel has been Rebbetzin of our Shul. Her energy and dynamism are positively infectious. Over the years, Rochel has given many Shiurim and classes at Shul.

Her Challah-Baking demonstrations are legendary throughout Johannesburg. She ran a successful Rosh Chodesh Women's Forum for a number of years. She still meets regularly with a group of young women from the Shul and is guiding them in their Jewish journeys.

Rochel is Founder and Chairperson of Women of the World, a highly successful organisation which nurtures Jewish women, promotes education, and a more positive South Africa.

She has been in South Africa since March, 1976. She was a popular High School teacher at Yeshiva College and Torah Academy for many years.

Sun, 15 September 2024 12 Elul 5784