Events and Programs

Debbie, Davina, Ethan, extended family, Rabbi, Quentin and the Board of MHC, ladies and gentlemen.

Whilst it's an honour to be able to speak about Norman, needless to say I'd much rather there was no such occasion. But death is part of the life cycle and I was privileged to know Norman, and glad to be able to say something about him.

A solid citizen, decent, principled, dependable, reliable, knowledgeable (particularly in his field of building), a devoted and proud family man - these are the words the first come to mind when I think about Norman.

I didn't really get to know Norman well until 1998. At that stage, he and I had been on the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Board for a relatively short time. I knew him as the husband of Debbie, who was a relative by marriage of my wife Karen.

But I had already pegged him as a "solid citizen". So when I became president of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation for the first time many years ago, in 1998, and immediately thought about various issues affecting the Shule, which specifically included many building and structural issues, as well as considering an eventual succession plan, I approached Norman about becoming Vice President.

He was initially a bit reluctant and sceptical, but I managed to persuade him, which was great, because his expertise in particular re building  and engineering issues became invaluable.

The Synagogue building, whilst very beautiful,  is a complex building with lots of structural issues. It's Heritage- listed, it's got a massive heavy dome which can leak, there was a complicated and old heating system, security system - you name it, all needing attention and fixing.

And slowly, I persuaded Norman, with his expertise, to progressively attend to these issues while I attended to the broader issues of running the Shule.

And in fact for years, but especially those first couple of years we worked together, he would often look at me quizzically and a bit sceptically, and wave his finger at me - "what have you gotten me into?" - but it was clear he actually loved the Shule and fixing up these things.

One early legacy of his is the Rabbi's office over there (pointing).
The former Rabbinical office was a pokey little room at the back, which I didn't think befitted the Rabbi of this major institution. But we had a very large space and open choir area over there that I thought should be redeveloped into a proper and suitable Rabbinical office, and it was largely Norman who ended up making it a reality.

And whilst after he became President and eventually retired from the Board, he remained the Synagogue's expert on the building and its structural issues - there wasn't a brick or a wall or pipe or screw that he didn't know about and couldn't attend to.

More recently in recognition of his devotion to the Shule, Norman was appointed a Life Governor of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. It's a great pity that he didn't have a very long life after he was appointed.

The appointment was an acknowledgement of his progressive devotion to the Shule, his commitment to voluntary work in general and his expertise as a builder.

As most here probably know, Norman was a respected figure in the building industry, and sat on, and chaired, several building bodies, had an academic position (he was always happy to have his bed card read "Professor" Norman Faifer whenever he was admitted to hospital in more recent years) , and he was an expert builder and later mediator and expert consultant and witness.

One other enduring and endearing feature of Norman at Melbourne Hebrew Congregation - he was a physically imposing figure of 140 or so kilograms with a loud voice, and if we ever needed peoples' attention at a Kiddush or other event, rather than me trying to call out or tinkle a bell, I'd ask Norman,  and there would be this great roar commanding people to basically "shut up", and it would work almost instantaneously each time!

In more recent times, Norman, who unfortunately had a strong family history of premature and significant cardiac problems, developed significant problems of his own, and especially in the last couple of years, had multiple hospitalisations.

When I wasn't away, I'd generally see him daily in hospital  (socially -  I wasn't his cardiologist) and I was struck by how stoic he was. He never complained even though he was pretty unwell, and would divert the conversation to his family or something humorous. He certainly didn't wallow in self pity and was strong and positive.

Norman wasn't publicly demonstrative, but it was clear from our discussions how much he cherished Debbie, who has been a wonderful and strong support. He was also very proud of his two children - Davina, who is here from New York, and how she was thriving personally and professionally there, and Ethan, who especially when he was younger looked like a spitting image of Norman, except he's got plenty of hair (!), and has grown into a strapping successful man of 6 foot three, and Norman told me the other day nobody should ever get into a fight with him!

The day before he passed away, Norman told me "I've cashed all my chips in". He was tired but wanted to talk., even smiled and thanked me for my friendship.

Norman was a true Mensch, and we will all miss him very much.

Rest in peace, Norman