Latest RARA News

There's a wild story that happened with our volunteers three years ago. Yisroel and Uziel were heading up the New South Wales coast, and stopped in a petrol station in Port Macquarie.

While they are filling up, a fellow comes over and says hello. Turns out, he's Jewish, from England, and moved to Australia a few years back. The last Jewish thing he remembers was his Bar Mitzva half a century earlier.

The rabbis invite him on to the Mitzva Tank, and say the Shema together with him. A lovely encounter. They also make sure to give this fellow some candles and a menorah, as it was Chanuka.

They soon realise after driving off that they forgot to get this fellow's details, so that they can stay in touch. They look through the photo they took together, but in it, their new friend was covering his face with his hand, as is customary to do during the Shema.

All Yisroel and Uziel have is their freind's name - Neil - and that he lives near the petrol station.

No phone number, not even a picture of the fellow to refence back to!

After a short search, with barely any results, they move on.

Two weeks later, Rabbi Menachem Aron gets an email. Its a lit up Menorah, with a little Santa next to it.

"Thanks for wonderous gift. Best wishes, Neil"

It turns out we hadn't lost touch altogether - Neil had sent us an email!

"Did you meet our rabbis in a petrol station?"

"Yes, that was me!"

Wow. We had reconnected! From Birmingham to Port Macquarie, a Jewish soul had remained lit, and connected.

Needless to say, we have kept in touch since, and it has been a real pleasure getting to know Neil and his family.

You just never know who you might meet!

Our RARA Mitzva Mobile Library carries a very special Torah scroll with it. This scroll was rescued from the Holocaust, and meticulously restored in Israel, before being sent over to Australia.

For many, when RARA comes to visit, this is their first opportunity to see a Torah scroll up close.

Chabad of RARA is very thankful to Mr Dan Elisha for the generous gift of the Torah. It is an invaluable resource for people living in regional areas.

Have you seen a Torah scroll up close? 

Get your menorah, candles, holiday guide, dreidel & more.

Order today so it arrives in time for Chanukah, starting the evening of Sunday Dec 14th

Order here: www.chabadofrara.org/lightup

Taking place this Sunday in Ballarat!

We stopped by for a friendly visit and left with full hearts. It’s amazing how much warmth and strength comes from simply sitting together and sharing stories. Thank you to everyone who opens their doors, and their hearts, to us on our travels.

We have just FOUR copies left of the student workbook for our upcoming "How Happiness Thinks" Jewish learning course. Starts this coming Tuesday!

Are you going to get one?

We'd like to wish a hearty Mazal Tov to Ariella from the Sunshine Coast QLD and Lullaby from the South Cost NSW on their recent Bat Mitzva celebration.

The two young ladies recently participated in our online Bat Mitzva program, learning all about what it means to be Jewish, the Jewish Holidays, and about living as a proud Jewish person in 2025.

Rabbi Menachem and Sheina Sufrin, who run our educational programs, ensured that this milestone would be a memorable one. They travelled up to the Sunshine Coast last weekend for this special event.

The Bat Mitzva course culminated in a Shabbat weekend event that was graciously hosted by Rabbi Oshy and Liba Goodman at Chabad Sunshine Coast. The girls and their families joined for a Friday night Shabbat dinner, and got to meet in person for their first time, after spending 10 weeks studying together on Zoom.

On Sunday, a grand ceremony was held where there girls were presented with gifts, and shared what turning 12 meant for them.

Our online Bar and Bat Mitzva course is available to anyone Jewish in regional Australia, and runs for 10 weeks at a time, four times a year. This is a great way for your child to prepare for their special day in a memorable and enjoyable way.