AJN: An organisational restructure and a change in approach to issues affecting Israel were among the resolutions passed at the biannual conference of the Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia (ORA) this week.? ?

Close to 70 Orthodox rabbis, out of a total of 98 members in Australia and New Zealand, met in Melbourne for two days of lectures, discussion groups and a dinner at which Yeshivah Centre director Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner was the keynote speaker.

?The conference was very successful and we had the highest turnout in some time,? ORA president Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick said.? Regarding the possible restructure, Rabbi Gutnick said: ?We felt that it would be wise to bring our organisation into the 21st century and draft a new constitution that will reflect our wishes and protect us accordingly.?

A working party was established with a view to turning the organisation into a roof body for the state rabbinic bodies.

Rabbi Gutnick said the session on Israel resulted in an agreement to ?a united attitude towards Israel that is in accordance with halacha but also realistic given Israel?s present circumstance?. ?

It was agreed that there be an absolute policy of opposing any violence or encouragement to disobey orders.

Rabbnical Council of Victoria president Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant said: ?We don?t need to have the same opinions [as one another] …? unity doesn?t mean having the same opinion, it means we respect the right of each other to have different opinions.?

Other topics covered included marriage in accordance with halacha and the various problems facing smaller Jewish communities. ?

The speakers included Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Grahame Leonard.

At a dinner on Monday night, Rabbi Groner received an award from ORA for more than 50 years? service to the Australian rabbinate.