Return to Auckland after 44 years since my Student pulpit and my jubilee visit 18 years ago.
Our first day was a bonus day to void the cyclone over Tonga and it was a 38k step great day We took the ferry over to the dormant volcano Rangitoto for our scenic harbor tour and hike and then over to quant Devenport where we combed the thrift "Opp"(ortunity shops. Back in Auckland we went to the gorgeous Auckland Art Gallery complete with contemporary Polynesian art pieces and then over to Albert Park and University of Auckland O(rientation) week with a happenstance visit to the notable Jewish macher, Alfred Nathan's House.
At night we went over to the Auckland Hebrew Congregation for Purim services at their new campus in suburban Remuera at a former private girls' school. The rabbi and shaliach read the whole megillah as we enjoyed hamantaschen and fellowship form visitors from Papeete to our cruise ship. We saw a small but determined congregation dress up and shake home made groggers. The congregation continues. Membership includes AHC 300 people, Beth Shalom 100 units, 2 Chabads with 50 each totally about 3,000 in Auckland and about 5,000 in NZ out of a total of five million people.
LHR stands for "Little Hairy Rabbi" as Gordon Stern called me remarking on my huge Jewfro and mustache (see below). Over a yummy dairy lunch complete with hamantaschen at the Kosher Deli, we reminisced about Temple life then and now with L-R Jill and John Pesaro, Chris and Arthur Berman and Naomi Johnson who like me have aged as the congregation has and celebrates 70 years of service.
Temple Beth Shalom,180 Manaku Road, Epsom then and now:
Then 1982 
Today 2026
Then 1982 Today 2026
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