Taking seat at Australian Supreme Court, Orthodox Jew makes history with prayer

Rabbi Marus Solomon became this week the first Orthodox Jewish rabbi to be appointed to an Australian supreme court.

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The 58-year-old commercial litigator and arbitrator, was sworn in on Wednesday to the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

The Perth resident, who also serves as leader of the Dianella synagogue, recited a Jewish prayer at the end of his swearing-in ceremony – the Shehecheyanu blessing – which is typically recited to celebrate new experiences.

Solomon said he wanted to conclude the event “with an old Jewish custom.”

In a video taken at the ceremony, Solomon is heard saying, “At moments of importance in one’s life and the life of the community, whatever one’s belief, or indeed – non-belief, we humbly acknowledge and never take for granted life itself, the values and freedoms we enjoy, and the good fortune we share in having been sustained to come together on such an occasion.”

Solomon received his rabbinic ordination from Central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshivah Academy in Brooklyn, New York, and is also a graduate of the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand, in Melbourne, Victoria. He earned a law degree from the University of Western Australia.

He has served as vice president of the Carmel High School in Perth since 1997 and was previously a teacher of Jewish studies at the school, as well as director of Carmel’s Jewish studies department.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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