RONALD SINCLAIR / CHANAN BEN MOSHE 1934 - 2012
I have known Ron Sinclair for the past 34 years, ever since I arrived in Australia. I met him early in 1978 and when I heard his accent, I immediately asked him what part of Scotland he was from. When he told me “Glasgow” I asked if he was from the Gorbals. A few years before I had seen a TV programme of the Gorbals, and when he said that he was from there, I realised that here was a formidable person, someone who virtually had to fight for his very existence. In the 19th century the Gorbals was one of the poorest parts of Glasgow and as such attracted thousands of, virtually penniless, Jewish refugees who had escaped the persecutions in Russia. It had a reputation for social problems.
Ron’s father, Morris, had come from Russia to Scotland and the large family lived in the Gorbals. Ron was the youngest of a seven siblings, a couple of whom are still alive in the UK. Ron’s father, Morris, was known for his concern for the less fortunate people in the Gorbals, frequently to the detriment of his own family.
Ron, at the tender age of 17, decided he would leave the oppressive atmosphere of Glasgow, and he became a ‘Ten-Pound-Pom’, arriving in Australia virtually penniless, but with a determination to build a new life for himself.
He met Roz, who herself was from England, and they married and had two children, Jody and Mark. Ron involved himself in a variety of business ventures.
He was a dedicated member of the congregation and sought, and found, a place on the Board of Management of North Shore Temple Emanuel.
He has never lost his interest in the future of the community and its welfare. I was told that some years ago, when the late Gabby Clayman was in hospital, Ron brought a small group of friends to Gabby’s bedside and led a Shabbat morning service for him there.
He rose to the position of President of the congregation and has continuously been a worker on the Board of Management. Just 10 days ago, at the Annual General Meeting of the congregation, Ron was honoured for his endless service to the community by being appointed as Honorary Life Vice-President of the NSTE. Unfortunately he did not live long enough to enjoy the honour, although I know that he was very touched by the gesture conferred upon him by the meeting.
He was a generous donor to the refurbishment of our sanctuary, and he has also supported a number of other projects – the Jewish Art project led by Judy Campbell, and educational projects in the Hebrew and Religion School. In fact, Ron has set a wonderful example to other members of the congregation by leaving a bequest to the congregation.
He has been a regular attendee at Shabbat services and has involved himself in a number of intellect-developing activities within the congregation. He was a regular participant in the group that meets with me every Monday and in fact is responsible for the idea that we get the very interesting members of the group to tell the story of their lives.
FREEMASON – B’NEI B’RIT
Ron was an enigmatic man, a true product of the Glasgow which he left so many years ago. It was a combative environment and one which called for the survival of the fittest. Ron was such a survivor, fighting for his place in the community. He and Roz relocated to the Central Coast, and he earnestly sought involvement in the community there.
“Kadimah Jewish Congregation Central Coast send their sincere condolences to Mark and Jody and families on the passing of Ron. He and his late wife, Roz, were very involved in our congregation, were founding and former members of our congregation and often held functions and entertained us at their home on St Huberts Island.”
When Roz died, he developed a love for Israel as a result of participating in the tour that I led there in 2006, and he subsequently returned for a private visit and was a supporter of Israel and the Progressive Trust through the UIA. He decided to honour Roz’s memory by organising the annual ‘Roz Sinclair Walk for Israel’ which over the last number of years has brought the disparate elements of the North Shore Jewry together, at least once a year and has raised considerable funds for Israel
Joe, Ron’s brother sent:" He is sadly missed. Very sorry that we were not able to be physically closer to Ron during these latter times."
Ron's other brother Albert wanted to add the following to Joe's comments: "Ron had a difficult start in life growing up in a tough environment but he worked incredibly hard to overcome that and succeed. His heart was always in the right place."
GARY’S WORDS
Unfortunately, Rabbi Gary Robuck, the present rabbi of NSTE is away overseas. He has sent an email which he has requested me to read to the assembly here this morning.
Like so many others, Jocelyn and I were deeply saddened and completely shocked to learn of Ron’s sudden passing this week.
I regret terribly being unable to be present for today’s funeral and my entire family joins in extending our condolences to his family and friends. I am glad therefore to be able to share these few thoughts.
My association with Ron goes back to 1988. At that time he was President of the NSTE and as such, he played an instrumental role in welcoming our family to Sydney and to the congregation. We recall fondly the gracious hospitality and friendship shown to us by Ron and Roz and have always been grateful for it. In a letter sent to us in Cleveland in 2002 – a letter that bent the rabbinic placement rules just a bit - Ron initiated the process that did eventually lead to our return to Sydney in 2003. As a result and in a very real sense, Ron is responsible for having changed my family’s life and the synagogue’s direction forever. When I would remind him of this he would always smile.
Ron was the first man I had ever known to wear a skirt-Ron’s Scottish background was always very close to his heart. I enjoyed the stories he would share with me about growing up there; his passage to Australia and the very early, modest times spent in his new, home country. I infer from his stories that he worked very hard until such time as he made a comfortable living for Roz, Jodie and Mark. To provide for his family’s needs (both his children and his grandchildren, whom he loved) was always most important to Ron.
Ron adored his wife Roz and was devoted to her. He was extraordinarily attentive to Roz when she fell ill and he never fully recovered from her passing in 2003. It meant very much to him to honour her memory whenever possible. I will always think of Ron and Roz when taking part in the now annual, Roz Sinclair Community Walk for Israel which he endowed-an event that has raised thousands of tzedakah dollars for Israel.
Ron contributed so much for so long to the Jewish community here and elsewhere; to our shule and to B’nai Brith. But that was OK for he was always happiest when asked to take on a task, for as he often said to me: “I just want to be useful”. I wish that I could thank Ron again for giving of himself so generously. He never had to be asked twice to give of his time or resources. Instead it gave him enormous pleasure to help bring about those activities that strengthened the social fabric of the congregation. He liked to recall the synagogue picnics he helped to organize when the children were young. Some in attendance this morning will long retain a memory of Ron at the recent Kosher Chef event when he and Mark Ginsburg, his cooking partner, took to the kitchen as “celebrity chefs”. He enjoyed that night tremendously and called it, as he did so many other activities, “top notch”.
Ron loved his synagogue and attended services regularly. First on Friday nights and later, following his retirement on Shabbat morning too. As a sign of the respect he enjoyed in the congregation, Ron was called to the Torah almost weekly and always by his Hebrew name, Chonen ben Moshe. His recitation of the Torah blessings was never the same week to week but that was OK. Sometimes on the bima we would tease him gently when he mispronounced a word or two but this served only to give everyone, including Ron, a chuckle. Ron did not go to shule out of a deep faith alone. He loved to be around people and loved kibitzing with members of the congregation. Often, he was the first to arrive and this I knew was so that Ron could have someone to talk with and to relieve his loneliness.
As most are aware, Ron received an award from Susan, the President of the shule, at the most recent AGM of the NSTE. He told me afterwards how meaningful this gesture was to him and how much he appreciated it. For Ron it was a confirmation of decades of devotion and service to our synagogue; his synagogue, that in these last few years, gave him considerable support and kavod in return.
Ron was not afraid to speak his mind and sometimes that would get him into trouble. But while he could be tough, he could also be tender, especially in recent years when he mellowed a lot I believe. I remember how at shiva homes or during minyanim at the shule, Ron would be the first to stand forward and share something of his association with the deceased as he did when his old mate, Lex Blank passed away. I was always impressed by the sincerity of his words.
Ron was fond of saying things like, “Quite frankly”, “I’ll catch you anon” and “slowly, slowly catchy monkey.” I’ll always think of him whenever I hear these phrases. I will miss lunches we shared together, his jokes and his laughter. As his rabbi, I thank him for the leadership he showed and for his service to the congregation. As his friend, I am grateful for his unwavering support for me and for my family. And like each person in the beit k’nesset, I am sorry that we didn’t get to say a proper goodbye; sorry that he died so abruptly.
That being the case we say nonetheless, baruch dayan ha’emet – blessed be the righteous judge. I hope and pray that his soul will be at peace.
From the Link family in Canada: “RONNIE WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL PERSON - A WONDERFUL, CARING, KIND AND GENEROUS INDIVIDUAL. HE HAD SUCH A WARM SMILE THAT IT LIT UP THE WORLD.
HIS OPEN HEART AND HUMOUR ALLOWED HIM TO COPE, AND COME THROUGH DEVASTATINGLY SAD AND PAINFUL SITUATIONS IN HIS OWN LIFE.
HIS WISDOM WAS PROFOUND. HE HAD THE GIFT OF BEING ABLE TO SAY THE RIGHT THING AT JUST THE APPROPRIATE MOMENT.
HE WAS ABLE TO BRING A SMILE TO A PERSON’S FACE, EVEN WHEN THAT PERSON WAS GOING THROUGH AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME IN HIS OR HER OWN LIFE.
RONNIE, WE ALREADY MISS YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN EVER EXPRESS. WE HOPE THAT YOU ARE NOW HAPPILY TOGETHER WITH ROZ AGAIN, AND AT PEACE.
MAY THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE LEFT BEHIND FIND PEACE AND COMFORT IN HAVING HAD THE GIFT OF YOUR PRESENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
MAY YOU BE OF BLESSED MEMORY. YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY.”
Friends: Those of you who would like to honour Ron’s memory by making a contribution to tz’dakah, are invited to make a donation to the NSTE education fund in honour of Ron.
RONALD SINCLAIR / CHANAN BEN MOSHE 
1934 - 2012
Click here to read more...
and numerous”
Are you interested in bringing new spirit to some of the festivals?
