About Us > Board

OUR FIRM

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Board of Management

Trevor Collins - President

I am a fifth generation Australian Jew,  raised and schooled in the Western Sydney suburb of Belmore.
I did my BarMitzvah at Strathfield Synagogue under the tutelage of my grandfather, Reverend
Leon Goran. After qualifyingin Food Science and Technology, I worked in the food industry for over 50
years. During the Vietnam War, I completed National Service with the Royal Australian Artillery.

Jackie and I were married in Glasgow, Scotland, and we have three sons - Josh, Peter & Eliot and grandchildren aged 2 years, 1 year and 6 months.

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I lived and worked in Israel, London, Hong Kong and Auckland. I was Managing Director of a Unilever subsidiary, travelling extensively throughout China, North Asia & South East Asia, managing the Unilever business in these markets. Subsequently I ran my own company supplying functional ingredients to the Australian Food Manufacturing Industry.

I have lived in St Ives for the last 32 years and have been a member of The North Shore Synagogue for over 30 years. Prior to being elected President in July 2019, I had been a member of the Board for 10 years including 2 years as President. 

Diana Laufer - Connections

Term 2018- 2019 is my third as a member on the Board of The North Shore 

Synagogue. When invited to join the Board I agreed with the concept that we are one community, aiming to strengthen and support each other. After completing my first task of interviewing our congregants, I realised the importance of founding Connections, a wonderful avenue for meeting new people and making new friends. From a childhood spent amongst migrants and a professional life as a Medical Technologist, my concern has always been for the welfare of people. Through my thirty year involvement with B’nai B’rith I have had the pleasure of serving on several boards. Today I represent The North Shore Synagogue as a Constituent Member of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. The North Shore Synagogue has been the centre for my marriage to David, and Bar and Bat Mitzvah for our son and daughter. Today we are grandparents to Annabelle and Isaac.

Lara Friedman

I am happy to join the NSS Board this year. I work at a company which helps to manage some of the services in NSW public hospitals. Currently I’m looking at data in Food Services. Prior to acquiring a physical disability in 2007, I worked as a physiotherapist in a hospital setting and was part of the CSG, at this shul and others. The North Shore Synagogue is special to me as I attended Masada College Primary School here in the 80s. Lastly, I am happy to challenge any member to a game of Shesh Besh!

Shaun Mirkin

I was born in Cape Town and after qualifying as a chartered accountant, spent 2 years in London before emigrating to Sydney in 2000. I am currently working in the not-for-profit sector as a Financial Controller. I am married with two children who both attend Masada College. Time outside work is spent with family and friends exploring Judaism, watching sport and an annual camping trip. This is my second year on the Board and I’m looking forward to contributing, as part of a unified Board, towards connecting members and their families through community and educations activities as well as reaching out to non-members within the North Shore catchment.

Peter Gorfinkel

I retired a few years ago after a career in engineering and IT. I have been assisting the Synagogue office staff with their information systems for a number of years and am active with the Connections program. I am a volunteer with Jewish Care and also enjoy assisting the elderly in the wider community with their use of computers through the Computer Pals for Seniors organisation. My wife Melanie and I are fortunate to have 3 young grandchildren with whom we love to spend whatever time they can spare us.

This is my second stint on the Board.

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