By COLlive reporter
When Josh Burns ran for office in Australia’s federal parliament, he was accused of not being a proud Jew by his Jewish rival because he didn’t have a Mezuza on the doorpost of his office.
The community leaders and Rabbis spoke out in defense of Burns, a grandchild of Holocaust survivors and a graduate of Mount Scopus College, an independent Modern Orthodox Jewish school in Burwood.
This week, after his win, to represent the heavily Jewish populated seat of McNamara, Burns made it a point to make a Jewish display at his office in Australia’s capital of Canberra.
For his inauguration, Burns extended an invite to Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, his friend and the new rabbi of the Ark Centre, a modern Orthodox synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn East.
With some 60 people present, Rabbi Kaltmann affixed a Mezuzah to the doorpost of the office of Burns and explained its importance and how it symbolizes faith in G-d’s protection.
They went on to cheer L’chaim to Burns and broke out in a small dance of Siman Tov. “The youngest member of parliament stands in good stead to continue being a strong community leader while undertaking his important role in Canberra,” Rabbi Kaltmann stated.
Way to go Gabi!! Miss you man! GEULA!