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Latest RARA News

Welcome to the Chabad of RARA News page.

Here you'll find all the latest posts from our on-the-road volunteers.

Where It All Began: 48 Years of Reaching Jews Beyond the Cities

The brainchild of Chabad of RARA began in 1977, when three young university students spent their summer holidays travelling around Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland in a rented motorhome.

During that trip some 48 years ago, the three young men encountered over 100 Jewish families living in rural and regional areas.

Every family they met welcomed them warmly, and was pleasantly surprised to have an ad-hoc Jewish meeting take place in their living room.

From that trip, the fact that people living in regional areas needed more support could no longer be ignored. And so, over the subsequent years, outreach efforts to these areas continued.

23 years later, in July of 2000, Chabad of RARA was formally incorporated, and our outreach efforts reached new heights, with the launch of our year-round support for people living further away.

In the 25 years since then, we have connected with thousands of families, and have ensured that living further away is no obstacle to staying connected.

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Visit with Ofir

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A visit with Ofir, that stretched late into the night in rural South Australia.

A man that lives simply, yet conversed with our rabbis in matters that were anything but simple.

An age gap of 50 years between the young rabbis and Ofir was no barrier.

And when it came to say goodbye, a tear was shed.

Until next time.

A Moment of Humanity Beyond the Prison Walls

While recently in the Northern Territory, our volunteers Yissachor and Elazar took this time to visit Jeremy* who had been caught up in the legal system.

For Jeremy, spending time in prison was so lonely. He could barely let Yissachor and Elazar leave when their allotted visiting time was over.

Our volunteers were able to bring some joy to Jeremy, even during a very dark time of his life. And they certainly did not take for granted that they left the Darwin Correctional Precinct at their own will.

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Need something regional? Let us know!

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Chag Sameach!

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Yom Kippur

 

The main Mitzva of Yom Kippur is to fast. No food, no drink. This is even more important than going to Shul.

Here are the times for the Fast in locations around Australia:

Hobart

Fast begins Wednesday 5:59pm

Fast ends Thursday 7:01pm

Launceston 

Fast begins Wednesday 5:59pm

Fast ends Thursday 7:00pm

Melbourne 

Fast begins Wednesday 6:06pm

Fast ends Thursday 7:05pm

Canberra

Fast begins Wednesday 5:49pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:45pm

Sydney

Fast begins Wednesday 5:40pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:36pm

Gold Coast 

Fast starts Wednesday 5:29pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:22pm

Brisbane

Fast starts Wednesday 5:30pm

Fast ends Thursday  6:24pm

Sunshine Coast

Fast starts Wednesday 5:30pm

Fast ends Thursday  6:23pm

Townsville

Fast begins Wednesday 5:53pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:43pm

Cairns 

Fast begins Wednesday 5:56pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:46pm

Darwin

Fast starts Wednesday 6:25pm

Fast ends Thursday 7:14pm

Alice Springs

Fast begins Wednesday 6:16pm

Fast ends Thursday 7:08pm

Adelaide

Fast begins Wednesday 6:01pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:57pm

Perth

Fast begins Wednesday 6:01pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:56pm

Margaret River

Fast begins Wednesday 6:22pm

Fast ends Thursday 7:01pm

Suva, Fiji

Fast starts Wednesday 5:46pm

Fast ends Thursday 6:36pm

Wishing you an easy and meaningful fast!


Finding Meaning in Yom Kippur

 

Tonight, Wednesday 1 October, the Yom Kippur fast will begin. For 25 hours, we refrain from eating, drinking, or engaging in physical tasks. This allows up to focus on the themes of the day - Teshuva and Tefila, loosely translated as "Repentance/Returning", and "Prayer/Connection".

The fast begins at sunset on Wednesday, and concludes at nightfall on Thursday,

Although living regional may mean that a Synagogue is not immediately accessible for you to attend, the main aspect of Yom Kippur is to fast - which can be done anywhere. 

As the Day of Atonement approaches, allow me the opportunity to wish you and your family a sweet new year. May you and your family be inscribed in the Book of Life for goodness, kindness, health & prosperity.

May you find meaning in Yom Kippur, and have an easy fast.

Rabbi Menachem Aron

PS: I'm currently sending this email to you from Houston, Texas, where my family and I have travelled, to spend Yom Kippur and Sukkot with Shevi's grandparents, Rabbi Shimon and Chiena Lazaroff. At the direction of the Rebbe, they came to Houston in the 1970's, to establish a Jewish presence in the Lone Star State. I look forward to bringing you further updates from our trip!

Looking for older posts? See the sidebar for the Archive.