12 May 2006
One of the leading figures of the Australian Jewish community, Rabbi Emeritus Dr John Levi has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Monash University.
In 1960, Rabbi Levi became the first Australian-born ordained rabbi and has since founded several progressive synagogues in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
He accepted the degree and gave the occasional address at the Faculty of Business and Economics graduation ceremony on Thursday 11 May, at the Clayton campus.
In his address, Rabbi Levi paid tribute to Sir John Monash after whom the university is named.
Rabbi Levi quoted Sir John as saying: "The only hope for Australia is the ballot box and an educated Australia."
"I would suggest to you with every fibre of my being that this is the most important sentence in Australia's history and deserves to be enshrined," Rabbi Levi said.
"That's the real challenge isn't it? To live to see an Australia in which every citizen is entitled to the highest level of education possible. That is the dream that must never be lost. It is far more important than endless cake and public circuses."
Rabbi Levi was a pioneer in Australian ethnic broadcasting, on Radio 3EA and 3ZZZ, and has written several books, including The Forefathers: A Biographical Dictionary of the Jews In Australia1788-1830.
In 1981, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia.
For further information please call Ms Penny Fannin, Monash Media Communications, on + 61 3 9905 5828. Photographs of Rabbi Levi being presented with his honorary doctorate are available.
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