Shliach Leads Tycoon Funeral

By vosizneias.com

More than 1000 of mourners have farewelled billionaire philanthropist Richard Pratt at Melbourne’s Kew synagogue. The 74-year-old tycoon died at his Kew home, Raheen, on Tuesday night after a battle with prostate cancer.

Sydney Rabbi Levi Wolff, a close friend of Mr Pratt, led the service. Mr Pratt had insisted on conducting the ceremony according to strict Orthodox tradition. Mr Pratt’s body was wrapped in a plain white prayer shawl and placed in a wooden casket.

“Judaism was in his veins, ” Rabbi Wolff said. He also excused the decision to bury Mr Pratt after the traditional 24-hour period after death because many mourners had to travel from interstate and overseas. “As long as the delay isn’t too long, it’s OK,” he said.

Rabbi Wolff acknowledged Mr Pratt had led a “complex” life, which involved an extramarital relationship leading to an out-of-wedlock child, and, more recently, a record $36 million fine for price fixing in his cardboard business.

“He was such a unique character that it would be impossible to say there were no faults, as no human being is faultless,” Rabbi Wolff said. “Richard was tempted by big things, and he overcame even greater things and, you know, once in a while, he was human.

“It was a unique soul, let me put it like that. Each one of our children is beautiful but none are perfect, and the intrinsic love that God has for any of his children is so deep that these type of elements are almost expected in his children.”

The two men met five years ago and, in February, Rabbi Wolff officiated at the bar mitzvah for Mr Pratt’s grandson, in the grounds of the family’s mansion, Raheen, which was once the official home of the Catholic prelate Daniel Mannix. “I could not turn down the chance to perform a Jewish ceremony in the archbishop’s house,” he joked.

Former prime minister John Howard, who was wearing a skull cap, joined mourners trucking magnate Lindsay Fox, Premier John Brumby, Molly Meldrum, Michael Gudinski and several Carlton Football Club players.

Mr Pratt’s wife, Jeanne, was escorted into her husband’s funeral flanked by family members dressed in black.

Howard said Mr Pratt was a remarkable man who exemplified the immigrant story. “He combined all the positive elements that migrants successfully gave so much to our country,” Mr Howard said.

“He became in many ways the example of things regarded as Australian – sport, success, family and commitment. He exemplified the migrant success story.”

Mr. Pratt’s daughter, Heloise Waislitz, said her father had also taught her how to carry on when times got tough and added, as chairman of the Pratt Foundation, she hoped she could carry his qualities forward.

A crowd formed on either side of the synagogue this morning where plasma screens and speakers have been erected.

Police cordoned off Malmsby Street in Kew, near the intersection of Walpole Street, and security services have been employed around the synagogue’s perimeters.

Eight police motorcycles were this morning parked outside Raheen, where the Australian flag is flying at half-mast. Dozens of Kew residents lined the streets, watching mourners arrive. Up to 50 members of the media have congregated outside the synagogue.