Before my mind's eye, there passes now a whole array of capable, devoted Jewish men and women, inspired by vision, foresight and understanding that, in order to sustain their communal mission, they would have to join forces and together build anew in a more suitable location and thus assure the future of two great congregations, now fused into one.

The actual amalgamation of the two memberships with their abiding loyalties to the respective synagogues and their differing attitudes and outlooks, was a long arduous
process. Our leadership at the time exercised great wisdom, ability to compromise and to practice forbearance, to bring this SHIDUCH about and their efforts were crowned with unreserved success.

Congregation Chevra Kadisha-B'nai Jacob, has in the course of years, become an Orthodox Synagogue of renown, with an enviable national and international reputation of excellence in its furtherance of Torah values and its noble deeds on behalf of the people of Israel.

In retrospect, my heart and mind swell with pride and thanksgiving, as I recall my years of service with you. What we accomplished was magnificent and rewarding. Not only were the literally thousand of classes, lectures, sermons in Shul, the Brotherhood, Sisterhood and the Creative Social Centre, intellectually rewarding, but most of all, they were emotionally satisfying because they helped create an atmosphere of Jewish observance and a spirit of genuine friendship, unity, mutual concern and camaraderie.

Not for naught does the Talmud tell us (Avot Ch.5 M.25), "at 40 we attain wisdom and understanding." You too, a Congregation at 40, have now reached the age of maturity, of "saichel", experience and insight to act wisely, responsibly, determined to preserve this treasure you were entrusted with, eager to transmit it unscathed into the future.

I pray that the Almighty bestow His choicest blessings upon all of you, who lead, maintain and support this Synagogue. May He endow you with good health and length of days to continue to labour on behalf of our Torah and our heritage in peace harmony and brotherly love.

          Happy Anniversary, G-d bless you all, from Zion and Jerusalem,

          Rabbi Benjamin Hauer, Rabbi Emeritus
 

          Spiritual Leader July 1972 – August 1993