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February 2018

Team building for community

15 Jan 2018, Community & Sponsorship

When you’ve got more than ten tonnes of historic Oamaru blue stone to move, bringing in a young Super Rugby squad to do the heavy lifting isn’t a bad idea!

A photo of the original Beth El synagogue taken
in 1901, as a horse-drawn carriage pulls up to a wedding
Obtained from the collection, and used with permission, of Christchurch City Libraries. File Reference: CCL-PhotoCD06-IMG0079

Christchurch’s Beth El synagogue has been rebuilt twice in its near 140-year history. The original 1881 structure in Gloucester St was demolished in 1987 and a new building constructed in Durham St. It was consecrated the following year, but was devastated in the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

The Oamaru blue stone that fronted the original building was reused in the 1987 rebuild, to retain some of its historic character. However, the stone blocks were so badly damaged during the earthquakes that they couldn’t be used for the second rebuild in 2013 and they were moved to an adjacent site.

Following a period of consultation, it was decided the blue stone remnants should be used to create a memorial sculpture that will grace the front lawn of the new synagogue.

To help get the approximately 13 tonnes worth of stone ready for transport, PlaceMakers teamed up with the Crusaders Super Rugby squad in December.

PlaceMakers Canterbury Marketing and Merchandising Manager James Munro said it took the young squad just 45 minutes to get the job done, while working under the scorching summer sun.

“They’re a young group of guys and they hadn’t been together long, so the team’s management asked us if we were working on any projects that could be good team building for them. We suggested this and they loved the idea of doing some honest labour, while
giving back to the community – even the coaching staff got involved!

“Each block weighed about 10kg, so they formed a chain gang and just ripped through it. The local Jewish community were really appreciative and a few came down to see the team in action.” Crusaders Team Manager Shane Fletcher described the project as a win-win-win.

“Obviously it was great for both PlaceMakers and the synagogue’s congregation to get the job done, but it was also perfect for the team. They are all fresh faces, so to see them working hard shoulder to shoulder is great for us.”

It didn’t take the Crusaders long to fill the empty pallets, as they were done in less than an hour!


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