About Us

Bondi Shule started in 2002, when Rabbi Kastel was Rabbi at the Great Synagogue as well as Chaplain for the Jewish children at Reddam College.

It became clear to him that there was an entire community at Reddam College and the Eastern suburbs that were unaffiliated with any Shule and were not committed to Judaism or a community.

He started Bondi Shule at Reddam High, and encouraged the Jewish parents and teachers to attend on the first Friday of every month.

Rabbi Kastel was very keen to integrate non-religious Jews into the shul service. He transliterated the entire service, had special booklets printed, and ensured that every attendee was made welcome, regardless of their level of religiosity.

He catered a Kiddush after every service, and in the beginning made the Kugel himself that was everyone’s favourite. Now fortunately, Rebbetzin Kastel makes the kugels for us, and they are just as delicious.

The service’s popularity grew and it became time to find a bigger venue. Fortunately, due to Jewish House’s relationship with COA (Jewish Centre on Ageing), they allowed us to use their venue, and many more congregants joined.

These services have been held now for over 20 years, and fills a need in the Community that was never serviced.

Meet the Team

Rabbi Mendel Kastel

Founder and Spiritual Leader

Rabbi joined Jewish House as CEO at the beginning of 2008. He has been providing rabbinic expertise to the Sydney community for almost 30 years, is a rabbinic fellow of the Great Synagogue, Board member of NCOSS and Ending Street Homelessness, the Jewish Chaplain of the NSW Police Force, and is a commissioner on the National Mental Health Commission. His deep community and social welfare experience, passion for the cause and collaborative approach has seen Jewish House grow and continue to develop. Both he and Jewish House are well recognised for applying innovative best practices to the provision of expert crisis services in the Sydney community.