Mr. (Isser Avrohom) Ian Wernick, a successful businessman who pioneered Public Menorahs in Australia, passed away on Monday, 6 Teves, 5785.
He was 81 and passed away after battling an illness for a year and a half.
Mr. Wernick was born to his parents Shlomo Zalman and Rochel Leah Wernick in Wolverhampton, England, during the war in 1943. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Australia.
In the 1980s, whilst serving as Centre Manager at Eastgate Shopping Centre, in Sydney Australia, the Rebbe launched the campaign for public Menorah lightings. Mr. Wernick was approached by Yosef Lipsker, a shliach in the first Kevutzah to the Sydney Yeshiva Gedolah, about the idea of erecting a menorah in the Centre. Despite significant opposition and media scrutiny about displaying symbols of another religion during the holiday season, Mr. Wernick courageously facilitated the public display of Jewish pride and pirsumei nisa. His efforts pioneered all the further public Menorah lightings in Australia, which have continued for many years.
Despite his very successful career, Mr. Wernick considered his greatest accomplishment to be his family. He was deeply proud of his 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, all living lives of Torah and Mitzvos. He often quoted the Hayom Yom of 9 Nissan to express this pride.
Throughout his life, Mr. Wernick used his business acumen to serve as president of several shuls and Jewish organizations, continuing this work up until this year. In fact, he was singlehandedly responsible for ensuring that some of these organizations remain open to this day.
Perhaps the best way to describe Mr. Wernick is how he was affectionately called by so many people: “Zaida.” He truly was a Zaida for all, especially for many families of orphans and children from divorced homes.
He is survived by his son, Rabbi Yoseph Wernick of Arizona, and his daughter, Rivka Bondar, a Shlucha in Melbourne, Australia.
Shiva Information:
Rabbi Yoseph Wernick and Rivka Bondar are sitting shiva in Melbourne at:
2/180 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick
Shacharis: 8:00 AM
Mincha: 8:30 PM
Maariv: 9:15 PM
Family rest time: 12:00–4:00 PM
An online Chalukas Hamishnayos has been set up. If you are able, please take upon yourself one or more Masechtos to complete by the Shloshim (5 Shevat / 3 February).
Click here to join: https://hadranalach.com/3397
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – Isser Avrohom ben Shlomo Zalman
he was a very nice man
It brought back fond memories as the menorah was actually built by my late father Reb Meir Barber AH in his factory at mascot in Sydney. The first person to build a public menorah in sydney
He really was a Zaida to everyone, not just the kids.
😢 Mr Wernick was a real mentch and true gentleman. He treated people with such respect and saw potential to do good in everyone. He is greatly missed by all.
Zaida Ian was an exceptional Mentch, full of loving kindness flowing through his veins!
We owe him much gratitude for his professional guidance and encouragement over many occasions in our Shlichus in Melbourne.
So humble and soft spoken.
May his dear family find comfort in all his great זכותים of טוב וחסד to many 💙
הקיצו ורננו שוכני עפר,והוא בתוכם
Levi & Channie Kurinsky
The best man ever you are in a better place and will never be forgotten great man always lovely to be around your missed a lot.
Sad to hear of his passing. A true mentch with a big heart. I’m proud to have known him.