Latest RARA News

It's official - we are coming up Alice Springs to visit in 2 weeks. 

Our team consists of Rabbi Menachem and Shevi Aron, as well as Mushkie Gordon, who has joined RARA as a counsellor, and Amanda Gecelter, who makes sure the wheels are turning at RARA. We are also joined by Nussen and Sara Ainsworth from Melbourne; Nussen is a Barrister, and Sara holds a teaching degree and is involved in management roles. 

Please let us know if you will be around - it will be great to catch up.

We're looking forward to getting back to the red center!

We are very blessed to spend an afternoon with Michael in central Queensland this week.

Stemming from one of the first Jewish families in Australia back in the early 1800s, Michael is well aware of his rich family history and proudly looks to continue that legacy.

Michael was very happy to present the visiting rabbis with his full charity box, which he is sure to put a coin into every day (except for on Shabbat).

Every coin placed into a charity box may seem small on its own, but over time those individual acts of generosity build something much greater than the sum of their parts.

Michael's family's story, too, has been built over generations.

His lineage traces back to the very first recorded Jewish marriage in Australia, between John Moses and Rebecca Conolly in 1831. Incidentally, Rebecca is also the first recorded convert to Judaism in Australia.

In the almost two centuries that have elapsed since then, each generation, and indeed each individual, has added its own "coin" with their many contributions that have built up this great country.

Today, Michael represents the latest link in that remarkable chain. Just as a charity box is filled one coin at a time, Australia's Jewish story has been built one family, one mitzvah, and one generation at a time.

Echuca and its neighbouring town of Moama sit on opposite sides of the Murray River, around 220 kilometres north of Melbourne. Known for its historic paddle steamers, vineyards and rich farming country, it's a beautiful part of regional Australia, but not somewhere most people would expect to find Jewish outreach taking place.

When Rabbi Mordechai and Ruth Szmerling decided to spend part of their winter break in Echuca, they contacted Rabbi Menachem Aron to ask whether there were any Jewish people in the area they could visit.

Several introductions were made, leading to a number of meaningful visits throughout the week. One connection, however, proved especially difficult.

Rabbi Aron had introduced the Szmerlings to Kron, a long-time Moama resident whose maternal family traces back to the renowned Menuhin family, while his paternal family has been part of Australian history for generations. A retired Qantas pilot, farmer and passionate advocate for the local environment, Kron has maintained a strong awareness of his Jewish heritage through family stories, visits to relatives in Israel and his lifelong connection to his Jewish ancestry.

Despite several attempts, the Szmerlings and Kron kept missing each other.

As they were preparing to leave for Melbourne on Friday morning, hoping to arrive home before Shabbat, the phone rang.

It was Kron.

He invited them to stop by for what everyone expected would be a brief visit before they continued the journey home. Instead, they spent the next hour talking about family history, Jewish identity, Australia, Israel and the remarkable journeys that had brought their families to this moment.

Towards the end of the visit, Rabbi Szmerling asked Kron whether he would consider putting on tefillin. Having never done so before, Kron was initially hesitant. After some conversation about its significance and a little gentle encouragement, he agreed, wrapping tefillin for the first time in his life and connecting with a mitzvah that has united Jewish men across generations for thousands of years.

Following the visit, Kron wrote to Rabbi Menachem Aron:

"I now appreciate the pastoral reasons you represent and run... I certainly identify with my Jewish heritage through stories of my mother and visits to Israel to see family... Because of this latest connection and what I now understand [about] the tribal connectiveness, I thank you for the interest... Continue to leave me on your calling list."

Opportunities for Jewish connection can be few and far between, for those living in Australia's regional communities. Sometimes, it takes persistence, a few missed phone calls and one final stop before the journey home for a meaningful connection to be made.

Today we farwelled Ari and Mendel, who recently completed a 6 week, 12,000 kilometer trip through three states, travelling from Melbourne to Western Australia, with over 180 visits made along their route.

For the two young rabbis, it was an incredible experience, being able to witness the beauty of the Australian outback first hand, while simultaneously being welcomed by so many families in regional areas.

Ari and Mendel came to bring connection to distant families, and to give a listening ear to people living in areas where there is little to no Jewish community.

From Geraldton to Esperance, and everywhere in between, they met with people they agreed with, with people that they disagreed with, with people of their age, and people 80 years their senior. Whether seeing eye to eye, or even not, a close connection was made.

And although the two did receive a great deal of hate online, as was widely reported, on the ground was a very different experience. It was heart-warming to be stopped by strangers on the street, and shoppers in Coles, as locals offered words of support and encouragement. It really is true that there are more good people out there than bad.

Ari and Mendel extend a big thank you to all those that welcomed them through their doors, hosted them overnight, and made them feel welcome.

Pictured here from left to right, Ari Segelman, Mendy Mendelzon, Rabbi Menachem Aron, Saul Spigler, getting together in Melbourne last night post the big trip to celebrate the 12,000 kilometer trip.

Wheels can only go round so many times before you need new tyres!

Thank you to the folks at P&J Tyre in Maryborough QLD for sorting us out on short notice with four new tyres.

And by the way, have you seen the recently painted mobile library that's on the road on the north? Its a real eye catcher - be sure to look out for it!

Shneor and Mendel are now safely on their way, and are arriving in Bundaberg this evening, ready to connect with the small but vibrant local Jewish community.

Today, we're very excited to be back on the big screen!

Since debuting the now famous "Outback Rabbis" documentary by Danny Ben-Moshe in 2018, we've connected with so many people that came across this fascinating film on TV and streaming platforms around the world. David, who grew up in the tiny town of Walcha in New South Wales saw the film, and immediately got in touch, as did Chrissie in Shepparton VIC, and so many others.

Many lasting connections have been created as a result of this production.

Today, we've very pleased to have partnered with SBS with our 2024 documentary titled "Driven by Belief". The half hour film, produced by Eli Lerner is now available on SBS On Demand - all that's required to watch it is a free account.

Driven by Belief tells the incredible story of Saul Spigler's vision to connect with regional Jews beginning in 1977, and how it has flourished into a living network of communities and individuals all over the country today, who may be far from Australia's established communities, but closely connected to each other and to their heritage.

The documentary takes you from Nhill in Western Victoria to Deniliquin, Newcastle and beyond, and follows in the tracks of the roving rabbis that are out to build connections all over rural and regional Australia.

This film might just be the best 34 minutes you spend today - Get your popcorn, and enjoy!

Have you ever baked Challah before?

Don't even know what a Challah is?

This weekend, Geelong is the place to be to get hands on in the pop up Kosher bakery.

On Sunday, we'll be running a Challah making event for everyone, whether you're an expert weekly Challah baker, or its your first time tieing dough in a knot.

Today, Rabbi Menachem Aron travelled 100 kilometres out of Melbourne to visit an elderly Jewish community member in hospital.

What wasn't expected was the incredible welcome from several local residents who have quietly been making a difference for years.

It was a privilege to spend time with James, Amanda and Kelvin, whose kindness and dedication have been a lifeline to this member in hospital, who is someone in need of company. Their support has been steady, practical and heartfelt over many years.

Although not related in any way, it was so heart-warming to see their genuine care and support for another person.

A heartfelt thank you to James, Amanda, Kelvin, and others that have stepped up. Your compassion has made an enormous difference, and we are deeply grateful for everything you continue to do.

There are some very decent people in this country!

Some of our volunteers cook everything from scratch while they are on the road.

Others like scouring the supermarkets for the best regional Kosher food options.

What do you do?

So nice to be able to catch up with Ben, as well as Jack today.

Adelaide is a beautiful city with some very incredible people.

Have a read of this beautiful card that we received from Lotty in Goulburn, NSW. What a thoughtful message!

Dear Chabad RARA,

I write to thank you for the massive contributions that Aussie Jews have made to our country. I am not a Jew, yet for several decades I have been a friend of the Jewish people and the state of Israel. I speak out when I experience antisemitism and have dropped/been dropped by a dozen (now former) friends because of that. I have no regrets as Jew hatred sickens me.

Please be proud Jews and do not shrink from being a light unto the nations. The world needs you.

Am Yisrael Chai

Happy Birthday to our incredible Director, Rabbi Menachem Aron.

Today we celebrate someone who gives so much of himself to others.

Whether travelling thousands of kilometres, answering late-night calls, bringing communities together or offering support when it's needed most, Rabbi Menachem works tirelessly to ensure that Jewish people across regional and rural Australia always have a connection to community, tradition and one another.

Thank you for your dedication, kindness and unwavering commitment to strengthening Jewish life throughout Australia. Your impact is felt by so many.

Wishing you a year filled with good health, happiness, strength and abundant blessings. May you continue to go from strength to strength, bringing light, kindness and inspiration wherever you go.

If Rabbi Menachem has touched your life or someone you know, we'd love for you to share your birthday wishes, blessings or a favourite memory in the comments below. 

Happy Birthday!

עד מאה ועשרים!

Saul & Beverley Spigler & Family and the RARA Team

What's your favourite Jewish item?

And what's one that you really miss?

PJ Library & RARA are coming to Geelong!

Come along for a relaxed afternoon of fun & connection for all ages.

We'll be baking challah together, sharing stories, catching up with the locals! Everyone will make their own challahs to take home and bake!

No need to bring a thing—we've got everything covered.

Just sign up and join us!
www.chabadofrara.org/event

🗓️Sunday, 26 July | 3:00pm
📍 Bell Post Hill, Geelong

We’d love to see you there

Ari and Mendel are on their way back to Melbourne!

After spending 3 weeks travelling all over southern Western Australia and meeting so many lovely people, they are now headed back across the Nullarbor.

They'll be spending the weekend in Adelaide and hosting Shabbat there, and then returning to Melbourne shortly afterwards.

Thank you to all those that have welcomed our volunteers in and spent some time with them during their trip.

Today, Benny and Rivka had the privilege of attending the funeral and burial of Eliza at the Jewish section of Kembla Grange Cemetery in Wollongong, standing together with family and members of the local community to pay their final respects.

It took a real community effort to bring together a minyan so that Kaddish could be recited. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who made the effort to come and help make this possible. Your presence ensured that this important Jewish tradition could be observed with dignity and respect.

For many Jewish families living in regional Australia, having members of the Jewish community present at such an important moment brings comfort and reminds them that they are not alone, even when they are far from larger Jewish centres.

May Eliza's memory always be a blessing, and may her family be comforted for this great loss.

Our dedicated volunteer, Pinchos Cylich, has been up visiting Darwin since last Sunday. There's a lovey community up in the Top End, and it has been a pleasure to meet with them.

Over the last week, Pinchos has spent much time with members of the community, and was even able to make the 300 kilometre drive down to Katherine as well, keeping to our commitment that no distance is to far for another visit!

Pinchos will be around until tomorrow, Tuesday night, and is very keen for any last minute visits!

Thank you to the great reporters at The Australian, Bimini Plesser and James Dowling for reporting on the outrageous comments we received on this page.

We hope that this beautiful image in Western Australia of Ron holding the Torah, flanked by Rabbis Mendelzon and Segelman bring much hope and light to Jewish people all over Australia.

Anyone want to meet up around Batemans Bay NSW today?

Our latest volunteers, Mendel Goldshmid and Shneor Oberlander are headed up to Queensland today.

They'll be spending 5 weeks on the road, visiting the regional areas.

Are you around?

I just want to give a shout out to our incredible volunteers that were on the road this week.

This week, they were successful in visiting families in all of the following locations: Albany, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Batemans Bay, Bridgetown, Castlemaine, Club Terrace, Cooma, Darwin, Daylesford, Denmark, Echuca, Esperance, Jindabyne, Lancefield, Mallacoota, Margaret River, Melton, Merimbula, Moama, Paynesville, Pemberton, Shepparton, Sunbury, Traralgon and Warrnambool.

Thank you for bringing connection to Jewish people all over Australia!

Did you see the RARA volunteers this week?

Will you be in the beautiful Blue Mountains at the end of this month?

We're hosting a community Shabbat, with special guests Rabbi Benny and Rivka Winterfeld from overseas.

We'd love to have you come join for a weekend of connection.

Are you in Darwin today?

We're getting together with the community tonight!

Our capable Benny and Rivka are hosting Shabbos and have cooked up a storm.

Can you guess where in regional Victoria this delicious Challah has been made?

Shabbt Shalom!

Rabbi Benny and Rivka are out in Gippsland, VIC for the week.

Yesterday they had a lovely meeting with Ilan, whose previous RARA visit was about 15 years prior.

It was lovely to catch up, share some great books, and have a few moments of connection.

And they even put up a Mezuzah on Ilan's door the old fashioned way - with a hammer and nails. Bang bang bang it went!

Before Benny and Rivka departed, they assured Ilan that the next visit would be a lot sooner than another 15 years.