Moriah College celebrates 80 years

Thanks to a relentless commitment to Jewish education from an extraordinary man named Abraham Rabinovitch and his fellow visionaries, the College officially opened its doors on 14th February 1943, as the North Bondi Hebrew Day School and Kindergarten with just one class of 25 students aged three to six.

Professor Bettina Cass OA was three years old when she joined that first North Bondi class 80 years ago. “Going to the Moriah kindergarten and experiencing the sense of friendship with the other children there was an extension of the happiness we felt in the community,” said Professor Cass. “There was an enriching experience in the kindergarten that enabled me to move into school feeling really prepared.”

Over the past eight decades, Moriah has become a cornerstone of the Sydney Jewish community. Today, the school is home to more than 1,700 students from Early Learning to Year 12, with an impressive and diverse network of experienced educators and support staff, as well as thousands of alumni who have found success in all walks of life.

While much has changed in the past 80 years, the vision that the school’s founders had for Moriah College remains the same. It is to provide the Sydney Jewish community with a modern orthodox Zionist school where Jewish children, regardless of academic aptitude or financial standing, can access an excellent general and Jewish education. It is also a school where heritage, tradition, culture and identity are infused into the day-to-day experiences of each student.

Having several grandchildren attend the College, Professor Cass has seen firsthand how the school has grown and flourished. “The teachers are excellent, there are amazing extra activities and, of course, Jewish studies and the chance to learn Hebrew. To have both an excellent general education and an excellent Jewish education in the same place is what makes Moriah stand out.”

From Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), we learn “At Eighty, One Achieves Strength”. Carrying the core messages of pride, strength and looking towards the future, the College’s year-long anniversary celebrations will feature a wide range of activities connecting students and their families, past and present staff members, alumni, Foundation members, grandparents and the wider community.

“We would like the entire community to join us as we celebrate our 80th and the unique way in which Moriah family members have permeated the Australian Jewish community and beyond,” said College Principal, Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler.

“Moriah is as strong as it is today because of the foresight and tenacity of the pioneers and trailblazers who came before us. Looking back and appreciating our history empowers us to recognise the strength and achievements of the present, while clearly seeing the path ahead. There is so much to be proud of and together we will build an exciting and bright future for our College.”