Fresh off the delivery truck… brand new RARA Kippas have just arrived!
Perfect for your next Shabbat, a gift for a mate, or just to show your support for RARA and Jewish life in the bush. These kippas aren’t just stylish — every one helps us bring Jewish connection to rural and regional Australia.
We only have limited stock for now — if you want one, send us a message or comment below and we’ll save one for you!
Would you wear yours around town? Let us know below.
Today marks Gimmel Tammuz, the third day of the Jewish month of Tammuz.
In 1994, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, passed away on this day. The Rebbe was the visionary Jewish leader that led the Jewish world from being crushed during the post-war years, to becoming once again a vibrant and growing global community. It is due to the Rebbe's inspiration that still today, 31 years after his passing, Chabad's presence is seen around the world. And it's thanks to the Rebbe that here in rural and regional Australia, the RARA volunteers travel thousands of kilometers, reaching out and connecting to Jewish people all over the country.
On this same day, in 2000, Saul and Beverly Spigler launched Chabad of RARA, with the inaugural road trip being undertaken by two young rabbis in a rented motorhome.
Today, RARA has come a long way, becoming the address for anything to do with Jewish life in areas outside of Australia's capital cities. 25 years have passed and the world has changed in many ways, but our commitment to provide for the Jewish needs of people living further away remains. We are committed to travel any distance to ensure that you can remain connected with your heritage. Be it by providing a Shabbat meal, a Bat Mitzva lesson, or saying the Shema at a palliative visit to a man taking his final breaths, we are here to serve the Jewish people of rural and regional Australia.
We are very excited to welcome a new couple to Australia, who will soon be embarking on a RARA Road Trip.
Rabbi Mendel and Chana Benjaminson have opted to take time out of their (American) summer break to reach out to people living in regional Australia.
Mendel's first stint with RARA was last year, when he and a friend spent 6 weeks in Western Australia, visiting isolated families. After he finished his trip and returning back to the US, he found his soul mate, and Mendel and Chana got married in January this year.
Chana grew up in Austin, Texas, and has always been involved in Jewish outreach. Her parents began their activities in Texas in 1984, and have since built up a strong community.
Next week, Mendel and Chana will be heading off to Gippsland, and then up the South Coast of NSW.
Then Benjaminsons are looking forward to connecting with families in regional VIC and NSW over the next five weeks.
This Sunday marks 31 years since the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, passed on.
The Rebbe’s love for every Jew—regardless of background—was at the heart of his leadership. He viewed the Jewish people as one, indivisible soul, with each person carrying a vital spark of holiness. To him, unity wasn’t just a value—it expresses the divine oneness within every Jew.
It's thanks to the Rebbe's vision that today, our volunteers travel tens of thousands of kilometers all over Australia, in search of connection with another Jew.
In this 1989 photo, the Rebbe is engaging with a family of supporters of the Chabad movement.
Here's a photo round up of some of our most memorable moments from Yaakov and Nochum's recent trip to Western Australia. It's a long way across the paddock, but well worth it to make connections with such welcoming and warm people living throughout the great state of Western Australia.
From Gary who does the woodwork in the men's sheds to Bill, who laid the Tefillin for the first time ever, it was a whirlwind of meetings, some short, and some lasting late into the night.
Each picture tells at least a story of 1,000 words, something which we look forward to filling you in on in the future.
And yes, Yaakov knows how to take a good selfie!
When was the last time you purchased a Jewish book? There's some great titles out there!
We've jusssst farewelled one group of volunteers, and in the coming weeks will be welcoming 3 new groups!
Our teams will be heading out to three different regions across Australia's beautiful east coast.
The first group will be covering western Victoria, and then heading north up to Mildura and beyond.
Our second group will head east, going through Gippsland and then heading up the South Coast of NSW.
And our third group will head up to Brisbane, where they will be visiting all over South East Queensland.
Do you live in any of these areas?
The word has gone crazy, but people still need to eat. And on our recent trip to the Sunshine Coast, we were treated to some fantastic Kosher food by Rabbi Oshy and Liba Goodman, who serve the needs of the Jewish community up there. They even made us sandwiches for the the flight home.
If you're looking for a holiday or work conference location that has access to quality Kosher food, consider the Sunshine Coast as a very strong option! The Goodman's will be sure to provide you with options that work for you appetite and budget.
Jewish?
In a regional area?
And have young kids?
We've just launched our online Jewish learning experience for young people. It's the perfect program for Jewish kids that live in areas that don't have any formal Jewish education.
For ages 2 through 10, this program is fun, engaging, and educational. This is something your children, or grandchildren, or friends children can benefit greatly from.
Program beings in early July - now's the time to get involved.
Our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land are in need of our good deeds.
What Mitzva will you do tomorrow?
We know that by giving ourselves a spiritual boost, our physical protection is also increased.
Take a minute, make a plan, and even better, get your whole family involved.
This is a pretty old photo of a very old Shul - the Ballarat Synagogue, that was built in 1851. And is still active until today! In the 164 year interim, a huge tree has grown in the front lawn, the facade has been updated, but most importantly, the Shul has remained in use on a regular basis!
This weekend there will be the monthly "Oneg Shabbat" service, taking place on Shabbat morning at 10:30am.
Our volunteers will be there as well, so if you are nearby, it is well worth stopping in and visiting this holy site. Oh, if the walls could talk!
Nochum and Yaakov have spent 5 weeks and 6,000 kilometres on the road, visiting people everywhere from Geraldton to Albany, in Western Australia.
Today, they begin their long treck back to Melbourne, and are stopping off in Esperance along the way.
