www.chabadofrara.org | Blogs | RARA in the Media

Pesach spirit comes to the regions

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 5:00:00 PM

When the RARA Rabbis come to town

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 4:00:00 PM

Link to original article: https://www.netimes.com.au/2026/04/16/when-the-rara-rabbis-come-to-town/

A colourful van has been turning heads across the New England this week, but its purpose goes far beyond novelty. Inside is a travelling kitchen, a small library, and two young rabbis on a mission to connect a community that is often invisible.

The visit is part of the work of Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia, an outreach initiative that supports Jewish people living in regional and remote areas where there is no synagogue or resident rabbi. Coordinated nationally by Rabbi Menachem Aron, the program brings bochurim – young, unmarried men studying at yeshiva (rabbinical school) – or newly graduated Rabbis from around the world to Australia for short-term tours, visiting communities that might otherwise go years without direct contact.

This week, brothers Menachem and Chaim Heidingsfeld, from Winnipeg in Canada, have been making their way through the region, stopping in Inverell and Moree before arriving in Armidale today. Their seven week tour will continue on to Tamworth tonight, where they are hosting a Shabbat (sabbath) meal expected to draw around 30 people tomorrow.

For the brothers, the journey is both a personal and professional step. Menachem, 24, describes the experience as “almost like a free rabbi internship,” giving young graduates of yeshiva the chance to build community skills while travelling.

“Guys come out of yeshiva and get involved in various projects, and it’s an opportunity to come out, see some of Australia, and flex a little bit of those community skills,” he said.

The work can be intense. On busy days, the pair will meet with many different Jewish people or families, with most visits being one-on-one and often lasting hours. They’ve had a number of very long days on this trip.

“Our first one was almost eight o’clock in the morning and our last one was like 9:30. That was a really jam-packed day,” Menachem said of of of their recent stops.

But it is the quieter moments that underline the importance of the tour. In many regional towns, Jewish residents may not know there are other yidden living nearby. Without the infrastructure that typically comes with a Jewish community – synagogues, mikveh (ritual bath), kosher stores and eating places, and so on – to connect people, many Jews in regional areas feel very isolated and disconnected from culture.

“This could be their only Jewish connection,” Menachem said. “Sometimes they won’t even know that there are other Jews living right around them.”

That connection can be life changing. Chabad of RARA celebrated their 25th anniversary last year, and made a documentary of their history for the occasion. The video includes the story of David, who grew up at Walcha not knowing he was Jewish, and finally had his bar mitzvah at 61.

Beyond conversation and connection, the young Rabbis also provide practical support, ensuring people have access to religious materials, information for upcoming holidays, and contacts for further assistance if needed. While a missionary-like service in feel, it is not like a Christian missionary seeking to convert people to their faith, as Judaism actively discourages proselytising, and conversion to Judaism is very hard. Their work is solely about connecting and helping.

For 23-year-old Chaim, the quieter of the two, the trip has been years in the making. He first heard about the opportunity while still at school and had long hoped to make the journey, helped along by a family connection — their father was born in Sydney.

“I heard that there’s an opportunity for young rabbis to go around Australia,” he said. “So it was always something I wanted to do.”

He had been planning the adventure for about three years.

“And then once I met the requirements to be able to do it, I started looking who I want to do it with. My brother was available, so I thought that sounds like a good trip.”

The plans were locked in and travel booked six months ago, before last Chanukah. But that long-held ambition to do a RARA trip only strengthened in the wake of the Bondi Beach antisemitic attack on December 14.

“If anything, more determined — 100%,” Menachem said of their decision to proceed with the trip.

Both brothers said the response they have encountered on the road has reflected a community seeking connection in difficult times.

“People have definitely been talking about it,” Menachem said.

“It affected a lot of people very deeply. But it also brought people together more, and people feel more connected, especially in times of challenge.”

While Chaim is still considering his future path as a Rabbi, possibly working in one of the behind the scenes roles that are essential in the Jewish world, Menachem is certain he will continue in the rabbinate with a goal of one day leading a synagogue, with a particular interest in youth and community work.

“It’s part of the reason I’m doing this.”

“I could see myself being involved in a young community or specialising in youth programs,” he said.

As they travel between towns, the brothers say the experience has reinforced the strength of the Jewish community, even when they are very spread out.

“It’s amazing to see that Jews are everywhere and still remaining connected, each in their own way,” Menachem said.

“You know, whether it’s their one Mitzvah or the full nine yards, everyone’s trying to work and improve and make this world a better place.

“And being able to do it with no infrastructure — or very minimal infrastructure — is probably the coolest part of this whole trip.”

MP thanks Jewish community of Wollongong in speech to parliament

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 8:00:00 AM

Link to original article: https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/mp-thanks-jewish-community-of-wollongong-in-speech-to-parliament/

The Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, gave a speech to Federal Parliament, expressing her sorrow and condolences ahead of January 22's National Day of Mourning.

In the days after the Bondi terrorism attack, in our parks, on our beaches and inside council chambers, people across the Illawarra came together to honour the 15 innocent lives taken. Again today, Australians will gather to express sorrow and solidarity with the Jewish community.

The Prime Minister has declared Thursday, January 22, a national day of mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast and everyone is urged to undertake mitzvahs (acts of kindness) for Bondi.

On Monday, ahead of the day of remembrance, Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes gave a speech to Federal Parliament, sharing her “heartfelt condolences to all those who lost a loved one, and whose lives have been changed forever”.

Ms Byrnes praised the courage of ordinary Australians and first responders amid the horror of December 14, when two shooters targeted Jewish families gathered for Chanukah by the Sea, a festival of light at Bondi Beach.

“We saw people running towards danger; stepping in front of a gunman because maybe they could stop him; calling out warnings and sheltering total strangers. People putting kindness and caring for others first. That is what being Australian truly means.”

Alison Byrnes MP acknowledged "the profound loss and sadness of the Cunningham community" in Federal Parliament this week

She thanked Dr Yoke Berry, from the Wollongong Jewish Community, for her "strength and kindness", and organising a public gathering to witness a Chanukah ceremony in Stuart Park on December 21.

“One week after the Bondi attack, on the National Day of Reflection, I attended the lighting of the Menorah with the Jewish Community of Wollongong, along with local leaders from all faiths,” Ms Byrnes said.

“Nepalese, Indian, Vietnamese, Buddhist monks, and a First Nations pastor, as well as members of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, the Salvation Army, the Member for Whitlam, the Member for Wollongong, the Deputy Mayor and local councillors, and Wollongong Area Commander Superintendent Karen Cook, local police and many members of our community.

“We all stood together as one with our Jewish community as Rabbi Menachem Aron spread a message of love, light and kindness.

“It was a display of solidarity and of shared grief demonstrating that we will not allow hate to define who we are or how we gather."

People of many faiths gathered to support the Jewish Community of Wollongong on December 21. Photos: Illawarra Flame

In “unequivocally" condemning the actions of the Bondi terrorists, and all forms of antisemitism, hatred and racism, Ms Byrnes said: “Acts of such immense and intense hatred are aimed at dividing us and driving a wedge between us, in this case, based on religion.

“But it has not. It has united our community – firstly in shock and grief, but now into a steely determination that similar incidents are not repeated against any group or at any gathering."

Chosen by the Chabad Community in Bondi, the theme for today's day of mourning is "Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance".

"We must use the light to guide us from this dark period and we must use the light to help us stamp out hate in all its forms in all parts of our community," Ms Byrnes told parliament.

"I hope to see others continue to put kindness and unity above division. We must do all that we can so that this event is not repeated in Australia."

Tonight, Australians are invited to light a candle and join a nationwide minute of silence at 7.01pm.

The Coalcliff community stood shoulder to shoulder after the Bondi attacks. Photo: Eric Hahn

North Wollongong held a moving tribute. Photos: Jeremy Lasek

by Genevieve Swart Published January 22, 2026

'City of Peace' expresses grief

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 9:36:00 PM

Link to source: https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/wollongong-chanukah-event-cancelled-as-city-of-peace-expresses-grief/

Australian and Israeli flags outside Wollongong City Council offices on Tuesday morning. Photo: Illawarra Flame

A day after the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown reaffirmed that Wollongong is a city of peace and councillors observed a minute’s silence at Monday night’s council meeting.

“We stand with all in our community to express our grief at the heartbreaking loss of life and in outrage that terrorists have targeted a gathering of the Jewish community to celebrate Chanukah, a festival of light,” the Lord Mayor said.

Fifteen people were killed, and one of the two gunmen, in Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades as a crowd gathered by the sea at Bondi to mark the start of Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) on Sunday.

The end of the eight-day Jewish festival was to be celebrated in Wollongong this Sunday with the lighting of the Menorah, a symbolic candelabra.

That has been cancelled, said KEVA, the Jewish Community of Wollongong, which organised the event with the Rural And Regional Australia (RARA) chapter of Jewish outreach group Chabad.

“Our Wollongong Jewish community together with Chabad of RARA were indeed going to light the last candle of chanukah this coming Sunday,” Dr Yoke Berry, facilitator of the Wollongong Jewish Community, told the lllawarra Flame on Monday.

“But because of the massacre yesterday we decided to cancel the event.

“Many people have sent messages of solidarity which is very heartening and much appreciated.

“At this immensely sad time our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Unanimous endorsement of Mayoral Minute

Monday’s Lord Mayoral Minute reaffirmed that Wollongong, as a City of Peace, stands with all members of our multicultural community. It formally expressed condolences, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, and also thanked the first responders and courageous citizens who aided victims of the mass shooting.

“We mourn that terrorism has come to our shores and struck at the heartland of Australia, the iconic Bondi Beach, known to us all for its idyllic location and lifestyle,” Lord Mayor Tania Brown said after reading her minute to the council meeting.

“And I say again that Wollongong is a city of peace, where many nationalities live in harmony, and when one suffers, we all share that pain."

Cr Tiana Myers said the shooting was a “hateful, anti-semitic act of violence”.

“The victims ranged in age from 10 years to over 80, and there's nothing but cruelty in that,” she said. “We cannot allow or let radical extremists undo the fabric of tolerance that stitches Australia together … when tragedy strikes, we wrap our arms around each other.”

Cr David Brown pointed to the queues of people outside Red Cross donor centres volunteering to give blood, saying, “It just shows you that we can be a resilient society, and people out there have got some genuine compassion in the face of such terrible events.”

Cr Kit Docker described anti-semitism as “a scourge on our community”, adding: “I think how we respond to this is really important – that we aim and lean into unity and compassion and be kind to one another and stay away from those who want to drive division.”

Cr Ryan Morris spoke of how he attended the Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism on the Gold Coast in September.

“I went because I could see division and hatred growing, and I wanted to try and learn some mechanisms to go and help temper division down and get back to unity,” he told the meeting. “We're too late. A tragedy has happened.”

Cr Ryan Morris organised for Israel's flag to be delivered to council chambers, where it was first raised and later lowered to halfmast on Tuesday after protocols were met. Photo: WCC

Flag at halfmast

Today, instead of being flown to celebrate the Jewish festival of lights, the Israeli flag will be at halfmast outside Wollongong City Council's Burelli St chambers to honour the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack.

“It's been approved,” Cr Morris told the Illawarra Flame ahead of the council meeting. “We're going to be flying the flag, the Star of David.

“There was supposed to be a Hanukkah festival in Wollongong this Sunday. There was also going to be a lighting of the menorah. There'd been invites sent out. So this was already in the works.

“Last night's tragedy has made that move a little bit faster than what it normally would, and the approval’s going through, because we have to show [the Jewish community] that we are thinking of them and that we do care for them.”

After liaising with the Lord Mayor and local Jewish leaders, Cr Morris arranged for the flag to be delivered to council chambers yesterday.

“We don't hold international flags at council. If they’re to be flown, they've got to be donated by the community,” he said. “So I organised with the Jewish community to get it dropped off at council."

Cr Morris said it was important for the Jewish community to know their concerns are being heard. "Because they're feeling extremely isolated and have for numerous years. They’ve been living in fear for a while now.”

He described Sunday's massacre as “sickening”.

“We will work to continue having a community cohesion and a multicultural community that sees evil for what it is, and we hope for unity going forward.”

After Monday night's meeting, the Lord Mayor posted her minute of condolences on social media, concluding with: "May the healing begin."

Reach out

Federal Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes today shared support lines via her networks.

"I know that many people are struggling with the horrific events of the weekend," she wrote. "Lifeline has put together a Wellbeing Support Guide to help people understand common reactions, find coping strategies, and access help. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out.

"If you're struggling, know that help is available 24/7."

NSW Mental Health Line: Call 1800 011 511
Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or chat online.
13 Yarn: Call 13 92 76.
MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Update, 18 December: KEVA, the Jewish Community of Wollongong has rescheduled a Chanukah event.

Chabad RARA Travels Miles So No Jew Left Behind

Sun, 11 May 2025 9:13:00 PM

Link to original article: https://collive.com/chabad-rara-travels-miles-so-no-jew-left-behind/

Jewish people across Australia were able to celebrate Pesach this year, thanks to the efforts of a large team of volunteers that travelled far and wide to ensure that no Jew is without a Seder, or Matza, for Pesach.

Headed by Rabbi Menachem Aron at Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA), a multi-faceted approach was taken, with people being engaged in a variety of different ways.

RARA oversaw Public Pesach Seders being coordinated in four different locations around the country, and for hundreds of other families, Matza, grape juice, and other Pesach staples were made available on the RARA online store, and shipped around the country.

First up was Darwin, a city of 120,000 people in the north of the country. Home to about 200 Jewish people, Chabad of RARA has been visiting and hosting Pesach Seders there for more than 20 years. This year, Eli Selek and Shneur Gurevitch, as well as three rabbinical students from Yeshivah Gedolah – the Rabbinical College in Melbourne – made the trip up, spending one week in the area, and hosting a Seder for 40 people on the first night of Pesach.

Jessica, who has lived in Darwin for the past 3 years, shared, “I really appreciate the Chabad crew coming to Darwin. The rabbis explained everything that was happening during the Seder and what page of the Haggadah we were up to.”

Oliver, who attended the Seder with his wife, related that he most enjoyed everyone getting together to share a meal and celebrate Pesach.

Moving back 3,000 kilometres down towards the coast, another group of volunteers visited the inland city of Toowoomba, a two hour flight and 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne. This quite city is home to the site of the very first Shul ever built in Queensland in the late 1800’s, and today, a small but vibrant Jewish community. The Seder was coordinated by Sruli Shapiro and Tzvi Levitin and a group of rabbinical students from the Yeshivah Gedolah in Melbourne. Yossi Matoci, a long-time local in Toowoomba hosted the Seder at his house, which was attended by 30 people from all different age groups and backgrounds.

Crystal and her young daughter attended the Seder, and shared “This year the Seder was smaller, which gave me a chance to meet and talk to the other people. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Rabbi did an excellent job. He was funny and engaging and ran the Seder very well.”

Down in New South Wales, two hours from Sydney is the beautiful Blue Mountains. This year, just meters from the world famous Echo Point – Three Sisters Lookout, a very large Seder was hosted that saw over 100 people attend across both nights. A team from Melbourne led by Yeshivah College Shluchim Maish Geisinsky and Nechemia Herson made the trip up, and were assisted by Mendel Hoffman from Sydney. Arriving just over 48 hours before the Pesach weekend began, they worked tirelessly to ensure that everything was ready for the grand Seder night.

Becky joined the Seder had a great time, and shared, “The boys were so warm and inviting. They really made us feel comfortable and they were so talented in the kitchen- all the food was delicious! Avraham and Rabbi Moshe engaged with all the guests so nicely. Thank you!”

And lastly, Levi and Dina Rosenbaum from Melbourne headed up to Chevron Island, a neighborhood in Queensland’s Gold Coast, where they hosted 30 people for the Seders, including holiday makers from Melbourne, locals, and Israeli travellers. One of the Melbourne visitors shared, “I really enjoyed meeting such diverse people. Levi and Dina were so warm, and it was great to connect over the Haggadah and share new insights into the Pesach Seder.”

For those unable to make it to a community Seder, Chabad of RARA offered a “Seder at home” kit with the essentials for making a Seder in any setting, as well as an online store with a large selection of Pesach items.

Over 250 such packages were shipped all over Australia, enabling Jewish people to celebrate wherever they were. Shana from Port Macquarie in New South Wales shared, “this is an incredible service to the Jewish community of rural and regional Australia. Well done!”

Margaret, who lives in Ballarat, hosted her own Seder and ordered Matza and other items from Chabad. “I really enjoyed just everything! I am so very grateful for the Pesach supplies! It made celebration and observance so much more meaningful. Thank you.”

One notable story took place in collaboration with Rabbi Dudu Lider from the Beit Chabad in Melbourne. A package had been sent to Lavi, an Israeli traveller working on a cattle station some 10 hours from Brisbane. Although the package did arrive at the local post office a week before Pesach, widespread flooding in the area meant that the two-hour drive from the station to the post office was impossible. Rabbi Lider used his contacts, and was able to coordinate a private plane to pick up the package from the post office, and land on the farm where Lavi was working. In a video of the package arriving, Lavi’s eyes light up at the sight of a Kippa, matza, and a bottle of grape juice.

Thanks to RARA, over the Pesach season well over 1,000 people were engaged in celebrating the Passover holiday, whether they live 20 minutes from Melbourne, or across the country.

In addition to the Seders that Chabad of RARA coordinated themselves, Rabbi Menachem Aron was also instrumental in placing young Yeshiva student volunteers around Public Pesach Seders around Australia. Some 40 young bochurim headed out to 17 different locations, from as far as Margaret River in Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland, and lots of places in between, to ensure that Chabad Rabbis around Australia would have the help they needed to bring Pesach to the masses.

Chabad of RARA and the RARA Foundation would like to thank our donors, supporters, and friends for ensuring that Pesach this year could run so smoothly, and that so many Jewish people had access to what they needed, no matter where.

Pesach is behind us, but RARA is as busy as ever, with a new group of travelling rabbis this week making the trip 3,500km from Melbourne to Perth via road, where they will be spending the next two months visiting families in the south of Western Australia. And over the coming months, five more such trips will be taking place, ensuring that no Jew is left behind.

25 years of travelling near and far

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 2:46:00 PM

Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia, or RARA for short, is celebrating 25 years of outreach and connection to the country community with a gala dinner on Tuesday, December 10.

From humble beginnings in 2000, when two young rabbis drove around Australia, to today’s ongoing road trips around the clock to every state and territory in Australia, RARA has become a household word across rural, regional and even metropolitan Australia.

It promises to be a special night of inspiration, memories and looking towards the future.

Shloime Zionce, a well-known personality in the Jewish world who writes for Ami magazine; has visited over 50 countries exploring Jewish life; and runs a YouTube channel with over 60,000 followers is the guest speaker.

Israeli musician and singer Eitan Katz will provide musical entertainment with his soul stirring songs and accompanying lyrics.

Throughout rural and regional Australia, there are more than 10,000 Jewish people living in areas that do not have an established Jewish community.

RARA is there to serve the needs of these people in every way, providing pastoral care, emergency support, and community gatherings.

In its 25 years of operations, the organisation and its volunteers has travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres all over the continent, to be able to bring connection to people that are isolated and without company.

From Darwin to Alice Springs, to Broome and to Geraldton, and from Rockhampton to Merimbula, no place is too far or too remote for RARA to travel to.

RARA has connected with over 5000 people in the past 25 years and has facilitated the establishment of permanent Jewish communities in many regional areas.

From birth until death, and beyond, Chabad of RARA provides for those that do not have access to the same amenities and resources of city residents.

Cocktails at 7pm, dinner at 7.30pm.
Tickets available at chabadofrara.org/25years
The venue will be provided upon RSVP.

New Sefer Torah already on the road

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 11:49:00 AM

Chabad of RARA travels all over Australia in its brightly coloured motor home, visiting Jewish people living in regional areas.

On Sunday September 8, Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) welcomed a new Torah scroll.

Chabad of RARA travels all over Australia in its brightly coloured motor home, visiting Jewish people living in regional areas.

On Sunday September 8, Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) welcomed a new Torah scroll.

Chabad of RARA travels all over Australia in its brightly coloured motor home, visiting Jewish people living in regional areas.

A Jewish community member in Seymour, Victoria, Dan Elisha, wanted to do something in memory of his family members that had perished in the Holocaust.

So, the idea of a Torah scroll that would be used in Chabad of RARA’s travels around Australia was born.

A Torah scroll written before the Holocaust was sourced in Israel and spent six months undergoing restoration work to make it fit for use again.

A celebration was held at Beit Chabad for Israeli Travellers in North Caulfield, where over 200 people gathered to welcome the Torah and dance with it.

Elisha said, “I cannot tell you just how blessed I felt to have had the extreme pleasure and honour to have donated the Torah to the Jews of Australia.

“As I looked around the shule on the day seeing and feeling everyone’s joy, the loud singing, and the teenagers dancing, for a Jew who lives quietly so far away from the ‘ghetto’ it brought back so many memories.”

The Torah is already on the road with Chabad of RARA, heading to Ballarat and then on to South Australia.

How a regional centenarian is celebrating Passover

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 5:23:00 AM

Every single Friday, 100-year-old Ruth Phillips lights candles around her home while her phone rings with friends, family and rabbis wishing her a happy Shabbat.

Despite living by herself in the small northern NSW town of Gleniffer, the centenarian has found through constant communication, she is not alone.

However, every year she braves the cold and travels 1,300 kilometres from her home in Gleniffer to Melbourne to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach, with her family.

"It's nice, I enjoy it. If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't come down here, because it's so cold," Ms Phillips said.

Ms Philips is one of around 10,000 practising Jewish people who live in regional Australia, according to Chabad of RARA.

From Monday April 22 until Tuesday April 30, she and millions of Jewish people around the world will gather for the festival which celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from exile in Egpyt.

Ms Phillips and her late husband moved to Gleniffer 43 years ago, and originally had several Jewish friends in the area.

"We had enough of the rat race and we wanted to live a quiet life," she said.

We had enough of the rat race and we wanted to live a quiet life.

- Ruth Phillips

She is the only one left out of her friends, who have all since passed away, but Ms Phillips finds her community and connection by staying in touch on the phone.

"I light Shabbat candles, I speak to my family every Friday, I speak to the rabbi every Friday, and that's what I do," she said.

A message of hope for all

For Tsipora Jensen, Passover is a very joyful occasion where she opens her home to friends both Jewish and non-Jewish people.

"Passover is a message of a miraculous escape from a very scary situation," she said.

"I would say the message of passover is hope for everyone regardless of their background or religious belief."

She's lived in Boat Harbour, in Tasmania, for five years, and says that she doesn't mind living away from larger Jewish communities.

"I'm very self-contained, but I do have some Jewish friends in Tasmania," she said.

Ms Jensen regularly speaks with Rabbis who help her feel connected to her faith and to the Jewish community.

"The rabbis are really nice and they come visit, ring and make sure everything is alright," she said.

"I really am thankful, I don't feel disconnected, because I'm talking to them, which is great."

Travelling rabbis

Rabbi Manachem Aron is the director Chabad of RARA, a Jewish outreach organisation for regional and rural Jews.

In the lead-up to Passover, he, other rabbis and volunteers travel around Australia visiting isolated Jewish families and individuals.

"It's a very busy time because a lot of people want to connect with the holiday of Passover," he said.

The organisation plans Sedar events around the country to help Jewish people celebrate and relieve the message of Passover.

They also distribute passover packages containing products unavailable in regional communities.

"The message is that Jews left a place of exile, a place of constraint, and confinement and became a free people," he said.

"Which is something that is very relevant today, that we are able to leave our constraints and go beyond ... to help people."

'Most relevant today'

Rabbi Aron said that he is seeing more people wanting to get together for the religious event.

"You can't go without mentioning the hostages who are stuck in Gaza, stuck there for six months, who want to be home with their family," he said.

He said that the story of Passover is extremely relevant today.

"We're looking at an event that happened three and a half thousand years ago, and the relevance of it is perhaps the most relevant today than it has ever been for Jewish people around the world, and definitely in Israel."

"God is the one that has stood beside us despite all the adversaries and challenges that have come our way."

RARA brings the light of Chanuka around Australia

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 9:14:00 AM

For Jewish people living in places in Australia far from a community, celebrating Jewish holidays can be challenging. The sheer distance, coupled with low numbers, makes doing anything as a group very difficult. Australia is a massive country - roughly the same size as the United States, but with a fraction of the population, and home to approximately 150,000 Jewish people, of which most live in the bigger cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

That’s where Chabad of RARA - Rural and Regional Australia - comes in. Founded in 2000 by Saul and Beverly Spigler in Melbourne Australia, the organisation has spent close to a quarter of a century seeking to bring connection to Jewish people in far off places.

Led by Rabbi Menachem and Shevi Aron, this year the organisation travelled over 12,000 kilometres and helped Jewish people in every state and territory around the country celebrate Chanuka.

Rabbi Menachem, his wife Shevi, Chaya Mushka aged 4 years, Levik aged 3 years, and Chaim, aged 3 months, as well as Yakira, a friend and babysitter, spent the entire Chanuka on the road, travelling from one regional town to the next, celebrating Chanuka in a different place each night.

“We started off in Albury-Wodonga, two cities that sit on the state borders of Victoria and New South Wales” recounts Rabbi Menachem Aron. “There, we held a beautiful gathering at the home of Josh and Adelle Reich. Josh had been unwell over Rosh Hashana, but he knew that he needed to be well enough to host Chanuka at his house, as he has done for so many years prior. And indeed, he pulled through!”

Each night brought something else, with additional stops made in Wollongong, Katoomba, Dubbo, Muswellbrook, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

“Some of these towns have 15 Jews in a population of 43,000. Others have 40 families in one area. But we don’t look at the numbers. We look at the people that show up, meet other Jewish families, and connect on an incredible level,” said Rabbi Aron.

One such example was in Katoomba, a town located in the Blue Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Listed natural wonder that people from all over the world flock to see. There, a giant 7-foot Menorah was lit, and afterwards, an engaging discussion took place regarding what our best response to the war in Israel needs to be. “It was really eye-opening for some to hear the Torah perspective on the Land of Israel, and how our actions in far-away Australia can make a difference to those on the front lines,” related Vera. Chanuka was her first time attending a RARA event.

Further up the highway, a gathering was held in Muswellbrook, a small town best known for the mining workers that work in the nearby coal mines. But amongst the hi-vis outfits and heavy machinery that is not unusual to see on these streets, there are a handful of Jewish people living around here. A family from Scone, a nearby town came to join, as well as a family from Aberdeen, and Denman as well. A young Jewish man who had recently started working on a nearby farm also heard about the Chanuka party, and was sure to attend as well. Given the mining characteristic of the town, there were not many places to host the gathering, so it was decided that the common area of a local motel would be where the sixth candle on the Menorah was lit. It was quite the site - mining trucks and workers from the mine checking in to their rooms, and in the middle of it all - a Chanuka party!

A special mention for Port Macquarie must be made. As in previous years, the Chanuka gathering there was held at the home of Gary Frankel, a local Jew that over the years has invested much effort in gathering Jewish people living in the area. Throughout the year, whether for Pesach, or just a regular Shabbos, Gary would contact those living in the vicinity and invite them over for a meal. What was not known at the time on Chanuka, is that just a few short weeks later, Gary would suddenly pass away. It turned out that the Chanuka gathering at his place was indeed his last time spent with the local community. In retrospect, it was very fitting that Gary was honoured with lighting the Menorah, something he was so pleased to be able to do.

While all of this was taking place, 4,000 kilometres away, another stint of Chanuka gatherings were taking place. Rabbis Pinchos Sudak and Yaacov Brooks, both originally from London England, came to Australia to run a RARA trip and visit people living in rural and regional areas.

Travelling in the RARA Mitzva Mobile Library, a especially outfitted motorhome packed with Jewish books, a kosher kitchen, sleeping arrangements and everything else needed for a stint on the road, the rabbis visited small towns and cities across the states of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and finally, the Northern Territory, a remote part of Australia that is mostly red-earth desert, very hot temperatures, and home to a handful of Jewish people.

Many of the families they made contact with were so relieved to have someone to talk to about the ongoing war in Israel, and were very willing to wrap Tefillin or accept a set of Shabbat candles and commit to light them.

One of the objectives of the rabbis was to show people how relevant and practical Judaism is today. To that end, one of the families they visited was having a very busy day. Rabbis Pinchos and Yaacov had the opportunity to show the four children of this family all about their special Mitzva Mobile Library, and the books contained within. They also taught them about having a Kosher kitchen, and were able to demonstrate how they had separate dishes for meat and milk aboard the Mitzva tank kitchen. Thanks to the latest advances in technology, the children were also treated to a virtual reality experience of the Beis Hamikdash and a show of some of the 613 Mitzvos, thanks to the new Torah VR headsets that Chabad of RARA recently acquired.

Another unique visit took place near Echuca, a small town in the north of Victoria set on the Murray river. Having recently received the contact details of an older gentleman there named Malcom, the Rabbis made contact. A time was set, and a 2-hour conversation ensued, covering everything from hats and jackets to the war in Israel and many other topics in between. What is remarkable is that Malcom, who is in his 80’s, is indeed a direct descendant of the Alter Rebbe!

Over Chanuka, various gatherings were held, including a visit to the Marcus family in Murray Bridge. They are accomplished artists, and have even drawn many pictures of the Chabad Rebbes. They welcomed the rabbis and ended up playing dreidel late into the night. The Marcus family thoroughly enjoyed the visit, and were sad to see the rabbis leave.

Pinchos and Yaacov also joined the grand Adelaide public Menorah lighting, led by Rabbi Yossi Engel of Chabad of Adelaide. The rabbis helped run the event, and just as they were turning up to the park where the Menorah would be lit, a participant remarked, “it’s always a good thing when RARA comes to town!”.

One of the highlights of the trip was the 3,000 kilometre journey that was made to Alice Springs, an outback city located in the desert in the very centre of Australia. Just to get there and back took a full four days of driving through the desert. With the temperature hitting over 40 degrees celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), it was a great effort, coupled with the fact that the Shabbos meal that would be hosted was taking place right after the Asarah B’Teves fast day. The rabbis were hosted by Dr Rael Codron, a long time friend of Chabad of RARA. And when it came time to light the Shabbos candles, 15 locals came together for a community Shabbos meal, something which invigorated them with connection and strength in the middle of a physical and spiritual desert.

In the days that followed, the rabbi also visited Uluru (Ayers Rock), one of the magnificent natural wonders of Australia, which also holds great cultural value for the local indigenous people, the Aboriginals. After visiting this spectacular site, Pinchos and Yaacov headed to Yulara, the town that sits at the base of this massive rock. They had travelled five hours just to get here, and it wasn’t only to visit the national park. They were in search of Dwain, who is the only Jew in this tiny town, and plays the didgeridoo, an ancient native Australian instrument fashioned from the branch of a tree. Unable to get through to Dwain over the phone, the rabbis drove their motorhome over to his house, and lo and behold, he was home! Although tight on time, Dwain wrapped the Tefillin and said the Shema. “I am so touched that you guys shlepped all the way here just to get in touch with me!” Dwain related.

And lastly, en-route back to Melbourne, Yaacov and Pinchos spent Shabbos in Mount Gambier, a small town close to the South Australia-Victoria border. They were joined by Geoffrey, a local yid who is so thirsty to learn more. The rabbis were able to answer each and every one of Geoffrey’s questions, much to his great satisfaction.

Chanuka has been a very busy season, and we look forward to what comes next. We take this opportunity to thank all our generous supporters that enable stories like the ones above to take place.

For those that do want to participate in ensuring these stories can continue to take place, in just a few short weeks Chabad of RARA will be having its annual giving day fundraiser, on the 6-7 February 2024. Get in on the action before then by visiting chabadofrara.org/support.

How roving rabbis help the few Jews of rural Australia celebrate Rosh Hashanah

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 9:00:00 AM

Link to original article: https://www.jta.org/2023/09/13/global/how-roving-rabbis-help-the-few-jews-of-rural-australia-celebrate-rosh-hashanah

Rabbi Mendel Junik prays while overlooking the rugged outback of the Pilbara region in western Australia. (Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Aron)

MELBOURNE (JTA) — Ruth Hannah has lived in the Australian coastal town of Mallacoota for more than 30 years. The 72-year-old daughter of Holocaust survivors knows of only one other Jewish person in her town, which has a population of 1,183 people.

Known for its beautiful beaches and wildlife, Mallacoota is located near the middle of a 650-mile coastal route from Melbourne to Sydney. Along that route, there is not a single city with more than 50,000 people within a 5-hour drive. Unsurprisingly, preparing for Jewish festivals in the region can be challenging.

“Mallacoota is one of the most remote towns in [the state of] Victoria, so we don’t have a shul,” or synagogue, said Hannah.

Since the 1980s, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement — a Hasidic sect that focuses on outreach to Jews in countries around the world — has filled the void for Hannah and thousands of other Jews scattered across the less populated areas of the outback. Most Chabad emissaries focus on Jewish life in one locale, but Rabbi Menachem Aron and his wife, Rebbetzin Shevi Aron, who are based in Melbourne, coordinate the Chabad of RARA — short for Regional and Rural Australia.

“People want connection. You see how much they need it and appreciate it. It’s really rewarding,” Rabbi Aron told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “You see on their faces. Living in these places is not just far away from a Jewish community, it’s also isolating. People don’t have access to the most basic things…like groceries or healthcare. You can wait eight weeks to see a [doctor]. So, it’s quite challenging for anyone.”

Rabbi Mendel Zarchi helps Howard Rother lay tefillin at his cotton farm in Cecil Plains, in the Australian state of Queensland. (Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Aron)

Like other Chabad chapters around the world, the RARA branch often sends Jews care packages with food and materials to use in celebrating holidays. For Rosh Hashanah, Jews like Hannah will receive honey cookies and shofars.

But Chabad of RARA also sends out groups of roving rabbis to drive thousands of miles across Australia’s outback to visit Jews and deliver supplies in person. The Arons coordinate groups of young Chabad students from yeshivas around the world who come to Australia for the Northern Hemisphere summer, to conduct visits to Jews living across Australia in some of the least inhabited places on earth.

Young Rabbis Menachem Manssouri and Mendel Junik from Los Angeles flew to Australia in early June for a month, for example, to conduct a 2,500-mile road trip to find Jews to connect with. The trip began in Darwin — one of Australia’s most remote capital cities, which has no existing Jewish infrastructure, and according to the 2021 Australian census, a total of 91 Jews.

“We started in Darwin where we had a list [of Jewish people]. In Darwin, we probably met up with 40 Jews,” Manssouri said.

From Darwin, Manssouri and Junik flew to Broome in Western Australia and drove thousands of miles up the coast.

The RARA Mitzvah Mobile makes its way to Esperance, a rural town of 13,000 people in western Australia. (Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Aron)

“We did something very unique compared to other RARA trips. We went to a lot of towns. South Hedland. Roebourne. Monkey Mia. Deham. Exmouth. No one had ever done those areas,” Manssouri said.

When asked how he located Jews in towns where there are no existing contacts, Manssouri was full of practical advice. “We go to the police station. The hospital. We walk around town to all the stores trying to get leads. We were pretty successful with that,” he said.

Manssouri is awed by the way he connected with Jews in the most unexpected places — including at one of Australia’s most remote gas stations, in Karratha, a city in the sparsely-populated Pilbara region. Manssouri talked to Jews who were waiting to fill up their RV with gas and who lived a more than 15-hour drive to the nearest synagogue.

“When you look back at it, it blows you away,” he said. “People think that they get inspired by the rabbis, but really, the rabbis get inspired by the people. It’s a two-way connection.”

Around 7 million people, or 28% of the Australian population, live in remote or rural areas, according to the country’s government. According to Aron, there are about 10,000 Jewish people living in regional and remote Australia, and he said personally keeps in contact with approximately 4,000 of them. (There are approximately 120,000 Jews in all of Australia.)

The Chabad movement is constantly extending its global footprint; in the past years emissaries have established a presence in places from Zambia to Costa Rica to the Canary Islands. Their methods of growing communities in certain countries can be contentious and cause friction with existing communities.

Rabbi Mendel Zarchi in conversation with Gordon Graham in Toowoomba, Queensland. (Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Aron)

But their track record of growth is undeniable. Around 100 Jews lived in Cairns, Australia, for example — a small city in the Queensland state that’s over 1,000 miles from Brisbane, the state’s largest city — before the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the city boasts closer to 500 Jews and what is likely the largest communal Passover seder in all of Australia, drawing over 130 people in 2021. It’s one of the Chabad centers connected to the RARA branch.

Aron nominated Groote Eylandt, an island in the Gulf of Carpentaria — which, on the northern coast of Australia is not far from Papua New Guinea — as the most exotic location he sent a shofar to in 2022. A Jewish woman working there in manganese ore mines had specifically requested one.

“Australia is four-fifths the size of the United States of America. It’s a massive country with not a lot of people in it, just 25 million,” said Aron. “There are more Jews in Boca Raton than the entire Australia. You can drive for 27 hours and still be in the same state, but we don’t let that be a barrier to connecting with others and sharing a Jewish connection.”

20,000 KM to Reach Every Jew in Regional Australia

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 9:00:00 AM

Link to original article: https://collive.com/20000-km-to-reach-every-jew-in-regional-australia/

Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia, famously known as “RARA,” has had a record-setting past two months, led by Rabbi Menachem and Shevi Aron. During this time, 8 Bochurim have travelled thousands of kilometers around the country, in search of Jewish people in far-flung places.

Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia, famously known as “RARA” has had a record-setting past two months. During this time, 8 Bochurim have travelled thousands of kilometers around the country, in search of Jewish people in far-flung places.

Founded in 2000 by Sauly and Beverly Spigler of Melbourne Australia, RARA seeks to bring connection and Yiddishkeit to Jewish people in remote places around Australia that do not have any Jewish infrastructure.

Led by Shliach Rabbi Menachem Aron, four different areas were identified to be visited by Bochurim over the American summer.

Yaakov Meir Zarchi and Mendel Zarchi were the first group to head out, visiting Jewish people in South-East and Central Queensland. They utilised the Chabad of Brisbane Mitzva Tank, a beautiful motorhome that is dedicated in honour of Sheindal Bas Eliezer Haltowski. A special thanks goes to Rabbi Levi Jaffe for facilitating this incredible vehicle.

The Bochurim spent five weeks and covered 4,000 kilometres on the road, visiting Toowoomba, a town famous for being the site of the very first Synagogue in the state way back in the 1880’s, and then making their way all the way up the coast to as far north as Bowen.

One of the highlights of their trip was connecting with Danielle and her family in Maryborough, a town of just 18,000 people. Danielle has only recently connected with her Judaism, and was keen to learn as much as she could from the visiting Rabbis. Her children were equally as enthusiastic, with her son James donning Tefillin for the very first time during the rabbis visit.

Another Israeli family that the bochurim visited mentioned how much they missed traditional Israeli snacks, and in no time, Chabad of RARA organised that a box of Bamba be sent to them in the mail. “This brings back such great memories of Israel!” the family exclaimed when they received the package.

3,500 kilometres away, on the West Coast of Australia there were more Jewish people to visit. Mendel Lipskier and Mendel Shmotkin flew to Australia, and then spent 4 days driving across the Nullarbor, one of the flattest and most arid environments in Australia. They drove Chabad of RARA’s flagship Mitzva Tank and Mobile Library to people living south of Perth, visiting families there that that had not seen another Jewish face in over a year.

Just earlier this week, they visited Michael in Margaret River, who was so excited to hear that the rabbis were in town. He welcomed them to his 8 acre property, which was followed by a full afternoon of discussion and talking. Michael received a beautiful Mezuzah to hang up on his front door, and his children were gifted with colourful plush Torah toys. Michael was so thrilled to spend time with the rabbis, that he even invited them to spend Shabbos with him over the weekend.

Mendel and Mendel have been turning heads with their brightly coloured Mitzva Tank, which has been parked on busy street corners throughout South-West Western Australia, enabling everyone in the region to hop aboard and learn about Yiddishkeit.

Over 2,000 kilometres north, Chabad of RARA’s third group was hard at work. Menachem Manssouri, together with Mendel Junik were visiting a region that had never before been visited by Chabad of RARA. Starting in Darwin, the rabbis hosted a Shabbos that was attended by more than 20 locals. It was an evening of L’chaims, Divrei Torah, and lots and lots of laughter.

After spending 10 days in the Top End city of Australia, the Bochurim jumped on a plane and flew to a small town called Broome, famous for its pearling industry. There, they met up with the only Jewish resident in town, and a few Jewish doctors that were working in the area. They also visited the old Jewish cemetery that has half a dozen burials, dating back to the turn of the 20th century.

Menachem and Mendel then rented a motorhome, adorned it with temporary Chabad of RARA magnet signs, and began their 2,500 kilometre road trip down to Perth.

With just a few names, their work was cut out: To locate Jewish people living in this remote part of Australia. An incredible encounter took place at a petrol station between Broome and Port Hedland, where the rabbis, by pure Hashgach Protis, happened to have stopped at the wrong petrol pump. When they came around to the right one, they were met with a loud “Shalom!”. They looked up, and met Sivan, a traveller.

The three quickly got into a conversation, with the rabbis mentioning that they were looking to connect with Jewish people in places like Port Hedland, Karratha and beyond. Sivan’s eyes lit up when she heard the names of these cities. “I know a Jewish woman that lives in Wickham, not far from Karratha”. Details were exchanged, and indeed, a few days later Menachem and Mendel were sitting in Wickham and talking with Osnat about Jewish life.

That meeting led to another Jewish person, an Israeli man named Avi who lives in a tiny little town called Roeburn with just 980 residents. The bochurim ended up spending an entire Shabbos with Avi, which was packed with farbrenging, singing Niggunim, and lots of great food. Avi had studied in Kfar Chabad many years back, and the bochurim brought back his memories from then. He had been living inRoeburn for 14 years, and this was the very first time that he had spent Shabbos with other Frum Yidden.

The visit came at the perfect time, as Avi wanted to have his Tefillin checked, and the rabbis were able to arrange for this to take place.

Although this all sounds like a lot already, there are even more people to be reached. So, just two weeks ago, a fourth group of Bochurim arrived in Australia. Yosef Eagle and Yisroel Bernstein hit the road, and headed up to Albury-Wodonga, two cities located on either side of the Victoria and New South Wales Broder.

A very special visit took place with Paul, a paramedic who just managed to squeeze the bochurim’s visit into his busy schedule. Paul related how his mother had only revealed to him that they were Jewish when the family had arrived by boat in Australia. Paul described the connection that he feels every time RARA comes to visit, and was very excited to be able to put on Tefillin again.

While there, the Yosef and Yisroel were sure to tell Paul about the upcoming annual RARA Shabbaton that takes place in Melbourne, were people from all over regional Australia are given the opportunity to spend Shabbos within the Melbourne Jewish community. Paul immediately checked his calendar, and saw that the weekend was exactly when he had off from work. The same day that the rabbis visited, Paul booked to join the meaningful and uplifting Shabbaton.

To be able to have four groups travelling around Australia simultaneously is no small feat, at no small cost. “This year, for Shnas Hakhel we wanted to do something more than the usual,” said Rabbi Menachem Aron, who, together with his wife Shevi, has directed Chabad of RARA for the past 3 and a half years. “There are close to 10,000 Jewish people living in rural and regional areas around the country. So many people have reached out to us, asking for a visit, to spend time with other Jewish people, or even someone to just say ‘Good Shabbos’ to. The Bochurim that we have are doing an incredible job at fulfilling the Rebbe’s mandate that no Jew should ever be left behind, no matter the distance.”

In addition to the above, the Aron’s and their two children Chaya Mushka and Levik also embarked on a trip during the recent winter break, spending 8 days visiting families in regional Victoria and parts of South Australia.

In Warrnambool, a beachside town, they were trying to meet with an older woman named Rachel who had been in the area for about six years. Unable to get through to her on the phone, they turned up at her house, only to learn that she had recently moved into an assisted living home. The timing was just right, as Rachel’s daughter was just then going to visit her. Rabbi Menachem followed along, and was able to meet with Rachel and her daughter. It had been some time since Rachel had seen a friendly Jewish face, and her eyes lit up when she heard some familiar Jewish songs being sung.

Later on, the Aron’s made a Shabbos in Mount Gambier, South Australia, and spent an afternoon with Geoffrey, who since the passing of his mother last year, has become closer with his Yiddishkeit. Geoffrey used the opportunity to get the answers to many questions that he had come up with over the past months.

The stories continue to unfold, with three of the four groups still on the road meeting more people every day.

Thank you to the generous support of those that enable Chabad of RARA to be there for every Jew.

To support Jewish life in rural and regional areas around Australia, visit chabadofrara.org/support

Miles And Miles Of Shlichus – Rabbi Yossi And Malki Rodal, Newcastle, Australia.

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 9:00:00 AM

Link to original article: https://vinnews.com/2022/06/24/miles-and-miles-of-shlichus-rabbi-yossi-and-malki-rodal-newcastle-australia/

Shlichus in Australia is unique. Apart from Sydney, Melbourne, and a few other big cities, the rest of the population is spread out over wide areas of wilderness. That’s why RARA – Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia was started. You are essentially the shliach for hundreds of cities over thousands of miles. Much of the shlichus is done virtually, but the highlight of our work would be the month-long road trips, where we visit one or two Jewish families in each area. These are done every few months, so each area is visited once or twice a year. It’s a very challenging shlichus in many ways, but it also comes with its own share of rewards.

When we first moved to Australia, we worked with RARA for five years. During that time, we were approached by SBS, one of Australia’s primary television networks, who wanted to work with us on a documentary, detailing our Jew-finding road trip adventures. Making “Outback Rabbis” turned out to be quite the experience. We learned that not much on “reality” TV is actually real.

As our family grew and our kids got older, it became increasingly impossible to drive that long that often. It was also difficult without a set and stable community. We really wanted a more active shlichus, where we could meet people on a more consistent basis.

Newcastle was one of the cities we regularly visited during our RARA trips. Located conveniently near Sydney, Newcastle boasted an existing Jewish community and shul, which was more than we could say for most of our other RARA stops. Our shlichus technically covers two areas: Newcastle and Central Coast, which, together, is roughly the size of New Jersey. That means that we have two communities and need to do double of everything – two Hebrew Schools, two Chanukah parties, two Sedarim, and any other services we provide. It’s a lot of work, but we don’t intend to back down from a challenge.

—————–

One of our RARA trips had us running a seder in Alice Springs for the 40-odd Jews that lived there. It’s one of the remotest and furthest locations that RARA reaches. Five years later, a woman named Linda moved to the Central Coast and called the current RARA shliach to find out what was near her. He directed her to us. She shared with us that she had been lighting Shabbos candles every week for the last five years – all because of a “nice young couple” who had come to do a Seder in Alice Springs and had inspired her. Although she didn’t remember our faces or names, the impact of our shlichus and that one Pesach seder was strong enough to influence the rest of her life.

What may seem like one small action to you can mean a world of difference for someone else.

———————-

We were at the tail end of a month-long road trip for RARA on the Sunshine Coast, a strip of oceanside communities 112 miles long. The day before we were set to begin our 17-hour drive back home to Melbourne, we heard about one Jew named Nebby. He lived on the north end of the Sunshine Coast, an extra hour and a half out of the way. We debated back and forth about visiting, but I knew this would be his only opportunity to meet frum Jews. He didn’t sound overly enthused on the phone, but told us we could come by in the evening, while he was closing up his shop.

We met and began talking, and of course, I offered to put tefillin on him. He informed us that he wasn’t just uninterested, but was anti-tefillin. His brother had become frum and was constantly harassing him about it. “What makes my brother think he’s the ‘spiritual’ one?” he fumed. “Every Friday night, I go to my backyard and commune with nature and the trees. But just because my spirituality doesn’t include some ritualistic black boxes, it’s not good enough for him. He thinks he’s somehow ‘more religious.’ He’s always looking down on me for it.”

He was an elderly man and had never put on tefillin in his life. At the end of our conversation, something told me to try again. “Listen, I don’t want to bother you, but I have my tefillin right here…” I began. I explained what tefillin were all about, and how they bind us to Hashem. I’m not sure why, but this time, he agreed. I wrapped his head and arm and began to say Shema with him. Suddenly, he burst into tears that streamed down his cheeks, unchecked. “This is life changing,” he said, over and over again.

A week later, back home in Melbourne, I received a call from Nebby. He asked, “Rabbi, what is this verse, ‘V’erastich?’ I don’t remember saying that one with you.” I explained that there were different customs, but commented, “Don’t worry about it. It’s really only a question when you’re actually putting on tefillin.”

“Of course I am, Rabbi!” he said, to my absolute shock. “As soon as you left, I ordered myself a pair! Haven’t missed a day since!”

I spoke to him again three years ago, and he still hadn’t missed a day – including Shabbos and Yom Tov, until I corrected him. Even with those beginner mistakes, his dedication is inspiring.

—————-

Sharon is an incredible testament to the value of chinuch from a young age and the pintele yid that can never be extinguished.

Sharon’s father isn’t Jewish, but she and her brother have grown very close to our family and are slowly but surely learning more and more about their Jewish heritage. Sharon currently attends a Christian high school where they have mandatory religious studies and prayer time. Throughout the entire chapel service, as the sunshine beams through stained glass versions of saints and various Bible stories, and everyone around her chants their prayers dutifully, Sharon closes her eyes. This young, brave girl, just starting her journey to Yiddishkeit, spends the entire service concentrating on the one Jewish puzzle piece she holds – she recites Shema over and over, exactly as she learned in our tutoring sessions. Now she’s an assistant in our Hebrew School and is planning a trip to Israel in the summer.

————————-

Esther is a elderly woman in her 90’s from Jindabyne, a remote town near Sydney. One day, she called the Great Synagogue of Sydney and asked to “see a rabbi before she dies,” even though she was born Jewish, but isn’t anymore. Since she lives far out in Jindabyne, they directed her to our RARA offices. We made Jindabyne a priority for our next trip, and got there on the third night of Chanukah. Esther surprised us by arranging a party for Jews in the area whom we hadn’t even known about. We had a lovely time, and at the end of the party, I asked Esther why she had called for a rabbi, especially since she didn’t consider herself Jewish.

“I was brought up by my grandmother in the hills of Austria,” she told us. “During the war, I was heavily involved in the Austrian underground. I was the guide for groups who needed to escape over the border. Most of my groups were Jews, running for their lives.

“I eventually got married and had a baby boy, but I still kept smuggling groups over the border. I must have taken a total of over 50 groups to safety. After a while, my husband was drafted and sent to the frontlines. A few months later, I was informed that he was killed in action. I mourned his passing, but I was a young, single mother and needed a husband’s support. I remarried and was looking forward to rebuilding my life with my new, blended family.

“It turned out that my first husband had not actually died, a fact I learned when he showed up at our home. Now I had two husbands and a child from each of my marriages. I chose to stay with my second husband, hoping for a peaceful future. However, he was annoyed that my son from my first marriage was still living with us when his father was alive and able to take care of him. He wanted me to give my son away. I obviously refused. We had many bitter arguments about it, resulting in him taking our daughter and running with her to Australia. I followed them, of course, and that’s how I ended up here.

“I met my third husband here, and lived a good life with him for 30 years. After he passed, I moved here to Jindabyne because it reminds me of the Austria of my childhood. Rabbi, I am definitely not Jewish, but ever since last year, I’ve been getting these feelings and hearing voices, telling me to return to my Jewishism. I tried ignoring them, but they got even worse. I ended up in need of medical intervention. I had to speak to a psychiatrist! Finally, I decided to give in and call a rabbi and here you are!”

I told her how amazing it was that she saved so many lives and that their merit would stand her in good stead. I explained to her how a neshama remains pure, despite conversion and asked her if she wanted to light the menorah.

“I’m not Jewish, but I’ll listen as you light,” she answered. We lit the menorah and began singing Ma’oz Tzur. Esther got very emotional and began to cry. “What’s wrong?” I asked her.

She told us that one of the groups she had smuggled over the border consisted of an Italian father and son who had nothing but the clothes on their back – and a menorah. Their dangerous journey took place over Chanukah and they asked her if they could light the menorah, even if just for a minute. “Absolutely not!” Esther had refused. “It’s incredibly dangerous! It’s basically suicide!” They begged and convinced her it would be just one moment – just so they could say the bracha. “Fine,” she agreed. “But if I hear anything or anyone approaching, I am leaving and abandoning you to your fate – just so we’re clear.” They agreed, lit the menorah, and quietly sang Ma’oz Tzur, the faint strains of which Christina could still hear as we sang it in her modern, well-lit dining room.

It was a very emotional evening for all involved and Esther didn’t want us to leave. She put us up for the night and kept us the next day, asking many questions. She had rediscovered her “Jewishism” as she called it, and was excited about it. She also introduced us to her son who lived next door. We informed him that since his mother Esther was Jewish, he was Jewish as well, and he agreed to put on tefillin for the first time in his life. We put mezuzahs on her doors and remained in touch with her.

We made Jindabyne a permanent stop on our RARA trips and continued visiting Esther. She embraced her Jewishism and chose Esther as her Jewish name. She even kashered her kitchen so that we could stay with her and eat her food on future visits.

Esther is practically blind and had eye surgery scheduled in Melbourne a couple of years ago. She was very anxious about it, but we invited her to stay with us. We promised to care for her while she recovered. She stayed with us for a month, becoming an honorary grandmother to our children. We’re still in touch with her today, and have arranged a kosher kevura for her after 120.

——————–

Filming “Outback Rabbis” wasn’t easy. Every aspect of our lives was on constant display for ten days straight! We agreed to it because we thought it might reach people who would never know about Yiddishkeit otherwise. Baruch Hashem, our efforts paid off, and there are many people who have taken massive strides in their Yiddishkeit because of that fateful documentary.

Rabbi’s Lennox Head visit is full of heart

Thu, 8 Jun 2023 9:00:00 AM

Link to original article: https://www.australianjewishnews.com/rabbis-lennox-head-visit-is-full-of-heart/

Not ready to retire when he was 70 and about to be made redundant by his employer, Henri decided to purchase farmland near the town, began studying agriculture, and planted 6000 macadamia trees.

Lennox Head resident Henri Bader (left), 93, with Rabbi Menachem Aron on May 28.

Rabbi Menachem Aron and his family made a special stop on May 28 on their road trip up the northern NSW coast, on behalf of Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA).

Arriving in Lennox Head, they spent some quality time chatting to 93-year-old Henri Bader, and his wife Lorraine, and left feeling truly inspired.

Not ready to retire when he was 70 and about to be made redundant by his employer, Henri decided to purchase farmland near the town, began studying agriculture, and planted 6000 macadamia trees.

Over time, his macadamia nut farm became very successful, reaped huge harvests, and drew interest from television shows, magazines and regional newspapers.

And the farm – and the Baders – are still going strong today.

Henri shared details of his upbringing in a close-knit Jewish community called Springs, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, where he used to go to cheder daily.

Rabbi Aron said these days, Henri puts on a special pair of tefillin every morning, that his late father used before him.

Every Friday night, Lorraine lights the Shabbat candles, and Henri recites the Kabbalat Shabbat prayers, as he has done, weekly, for more than 80 years.

“He has been through tough times and through better times, but Henri still has a twinkle in his eye, as he leans back and speaks about having the right perspective and values in life,” Rabbi Aron observed.

“It is never too late to start something new, and give it another chance.”

Campaign boosts regional outreach

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 9:00:00 AM

Link to original article: https://www.australianjewishnews.com/campaign-boosts-regional-outreach/

The campaign has so far raised $260,000 for its outreach work for isolated Jewish families and individuals across Australia, and remains open for additional donations.

A Purim celebration in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, run by Chabad of RARA earlier this month.

Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) has expressed thanks to the almost 700 people that donated to its 2023 annual giving campaign earlier this month.

The campaign has so far raised $260,000 for its outreach work for isolated Jewish families and individuals across Australia, and remains open for additional donations.

Rabbis Menachem Amar and Mani Holzman from New York completed the latest RARA road trip earlier this month across the NSW coast, starting with spending time with Jewish families in Wollongong, before driving hundreds of kilometres up the Pacific Highway to help families in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour celebrate Purim.

Rabbi Holzman described the road trip as being about “something greater than yourself … and encompassing our inner light – that Jewish spark”.

Chabad of RARA helped coordinate and run Purim celebrations in Toowoomba (Qld), Geelong and Emerald (Victoria), and Katoomba (NSW), and it has planned seders in more than a dozen locations, from Hobart and Launceston in Tasmania, to Mullumbimby in northern NSW, Alice Springs and Darwin in the Northern Territory, Rockhampton and Townsville in Qld, and in regional Victoria.

Items for Passover can also be ordered via its new online shop, from anywhere in Australia.

In an Australian Outback Mining Town, a Lone Jew Receives His Final Honors

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 9:00:00 AM

Link to original article: https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/5680177/jewish/In-an-Australian-Outback-Mining-Town-a-Lone-Jew-Receives-His-Final-Honors.htm

Dr. Avron Moffson is laid to rest by members of Perth, Australia’s Jewish community, who traveled 14 hours for another Jew. From left, placing earth over the fresh grave: Dennis Davidoff, Marc Roth, David Ninio and Rabbi Shalom White.

The dusty plains near Kalgoorlie, a forgotten mining town deep in the Australian interior, belie the rich Jewish history of Western Australia’s Goldfields region, once home to two synagogues during the peak of the gold-rush era in the early 20th century. While Kalgoorlie—some 370 miles from Perth, the nearest metropolitan area—may be remote, the handful of Jews there are not forsaken.

Just six people identified as Jewish in the most recent census, and Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) has kept in touch with them for decades, visiting to provide them with pastoral guidance and a Jewish connection, as recently as August.

When longtime Kalgoorlie physician Dr. Avron Moffson, 85, passed away on Oct. 10—the first day of Sukkot—the staff at a local funeral home was at a loss. How could they help him have a traditional Jewish burial? They posted on a local Facebook group asking if anyone knew what to do for a deceased Jew.

In Melbourne, 1,700 miles away, Avi Kassman, who used to live in Kalgoorlie, received a message from his sister-in-law, a Kalgoorlie resident, sharing the post.

Kassman knew Moffson from his Kalgoorlie days and was eager to help. “I met him about 10 years ago at his clinic with my son,” Kassman, who converted to Judaism, told Chabad.org. “I was not Jewish yet, but on my way to becoming Jewish. He noticed our yarmulkes, and we got talking. He was a proud Jew.”

The not-yet converted Kassman later helped the doctor wrap tefillin and gave him a menorah for Chanukah, but soon moved to Perth to facilitate his conversion.

Rabbi Shalom White, center, leads the funeral service

Moffson stayed in touch with Chabad of RARA and received periodic visits from their Roving Rabbis. Rabbi Shalom White, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Western Australia in Perth sent him packages regularly.

Kassman called White to inform him of Moffson’s passing. At the same time, a Jewish businessman who visits Kalgoorlie had seen the post and notified the Perth Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society). Mike Gomer, president of the Chevra Kadisha, also called White, and they liaised with the Kalgoorlie funeral home and made plans to travel to the outback. “Initially, the plan was that I would go myself, and conduct the taharah and the funeral,” explains White. However, being that preparing the deceased for burial is really a two-man job, Gomer decided he would accompany the rabbi on the long journey.

While Kalgoorlie—some 370 miles from Perth, the nearest metropolitan area—may be remote, the handful of Jews there are not forsaken.

Volunteers Set Out on a 14-Hour Journey

Joined by a small group of volunteers, White and Gomer headed out for the 14-hour round-trip journey on Thursday, Oct. 13. “We left Perth at 6 a.m. and returned at midnight,” says White. White brought along a pop-up sukkah, so the group could fulfill the mitzvah of eating in the sukkah even while on the road.

“It’s amazing that a group of Perth Jews gave an entire day just for a lone Jew who needed help,” says White. “I had always known about him and communicated with him, but the rest of the group had just heard of him for the first time after his passing .”

Kassman is similarly moved. “He was committed to living in remote areas and helping people,” Kassman says of Moffson. “He was well-loved by the community and helped many families with his services. He never forgot who he was as a Jew.” That community, in turn, made sure that this Jewish man was buried according to his sacred traditions.

The small Jewish section in Kalgoorlie’s cemetery is marked by a sign reading “Hebrew.” From left: Perth Chevra Kadisha President Mike Gomer; Rabbi Shalom White, director of Chabad of Western Australia; and Perth community member David Ninio.

Indeed, the outpouring of messages on Chabad of RARA’s Facebook page from local Kalgoorlie residents shows how beloved their doctor was, and how he made sure everyone knew he was a Jew.

“A fitting tribute to a dedicated doctor who gave much care to his patients. We will remember him,” wrote Donna Hendry.

“Bye mate. RIP. I’ll miss talking about cricket with you,” wrote another, one of dozens of such messages.

It had been a decade since the next most recent Jewish burial and at least a half a century since a rabbi had conducted a funeral there.

But by Divine design, Avraham ben Lazer Moffson was buried in Kalgoorlie’s Jewish section (marked by a small sign reading “Hebrew”), at rest in the deep red earth of the Goldfields.

The rabbi built a makeshift sukkah so they could fulfill the mitzvah of sitting in the sukkah during their long journey.

The Jewish section of the Kalgoorlie cemetery.

Rabbis from Chabad of RARA regularly visit the cemetery when they travel through the remote area. Last year, this youg rabbi paid his respects at the Jewish gravesites in Kalgoorlie.