RABBI'S RETIREMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 14

RABBI'S RETIREMENT

FIFTY-FOUR YEARS' SERVICE CAREER OF SUCCESSOR In deference to the wish of Rabbi S. A. Goldstein, th<§ function to mark his retirement, which was to have been held at the conclusion of the Svnagogue service on Saturday morning, will now take place in the Synagogue at eight o'clock on Sunday night. Saturday will mark the conclusion of the Rabbi's unique' record of 54 years* continuous service with the Auckland Hebrew Gongregation. On Sunday a presentation will be made to him by Mr. C. H. Moses, president of the congregation, and a tablet will be unveiled recording the memorable services he has rendered. Rabbi Goldstein's successor, the Rev. Alexander Astor, B.A.v was born in London in 1900, and was rabbinics at the "Etz Chaim" Theological Seminary. He was trained for the Anglo-Jewish ministry at Jews' College, London. He took an active and prominent part in the student movement in Great Britain., and was an executive member of the InterUniversity Jewish Federation and. of the Young Zionist Movement in' London. „ . Mr. Astor was appointed in July, 1925, as minister of the Dunedin Hebrew congregation, where lie had a successful ministry of six years. He was a vice-president of the Dunedin branch of the League of Nations Union, an executive "member of the Cancer Campaign Committee and a member of the executive of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. In 1931 Mr. Astor was requested by the Auckland ctaberegation to become assistant to Rabbi Goldstein and to succeed - him oh his retirement. During the past three years Mr. Astor has' devoted himself to the reorganisation of the Auckland Hebrew School* with very gratifying results. With the help of Mrs. Astor, he has successfully founded the Auckland Judean Association, a, cultural, social and sports organisation, for the youth o* the community. The association » well established and is doing good work. Mr. Astor is an executive member & the Auckland Discharged Prisoners Aid Society, and helped to found tha New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing.