Sister Lenore Sharry Plaque

Beneath the rustling leaves of this memorial tree, we find the Sister Lenore Sharry Plaque. It’s a quiet tribute to an extraordinary woman. Sister Lenore Sharry dedicated her life to building bridges between faiths. In 1979, Sister Lenore arrived in Sydney with a mission. She sought to foster better Catholic-Jewish relations. She saw the Eastern Suburbs as her starting point. It was a community largely unexplored in interfaith dialogue. She quickly identified existing groups, like the Jewish-Christian Study group at the Great Synagogue and another in Bondi led by Rabbi Alony of the Central Synagogue. A Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee, overseen by Professor Alan Crown at Sydney University, was also on her radar. Sister Lenore sensed the cautious atmosphere surrounding interfaith discussions at the time, recognizing the delicate nature of the situation and the need for a clear plan. Years later, her vision materialized. In 1987, thanks to her persistent efforts, a Catholic-Jewish Relations Committee was formed under the Archdiocesan Commission for Ecumenism in Sydney. Father Richard Dixon led as Chairman, with Sister Lenore serving as the dedicated secretary. This plaque stands as a testament to her tireless work. The Hebrew inscription etched into the plaque is a further symbol of the connection she nurtured. This tree, planted by the Council of Christians and Jews in 1995, serves as a living memorial. It reminds us of Sister Lenore’s dedication to fostering understanding and respect between different faiths in Sydney. Her work laid the groundwork for deeper dialogue and stronger bonds between communities in the years that followed. The Sister Lenore Sharry Plaque is more than just a plaque. It represents a legacy of empathy and interfaith collaboration that continues to inspire today.