Are you near Ballarat? Our volunteers, Yaakov and Benyomin will be joining and co-leading the monthly service at the oldest Synagogue in mainland Australia.
No, this is not a museum. This is an active Shul, with a lively minyan and a full service, for young and old, for far and for near.
There is something very special about praying at the same pews that our ancestors have been praying at for more than 150 years.
Please stop by this Friday night and Saturday if you are around!
So shocking to wake up to the news this morning that the Adass Synagogue in Melbourne was the victim of an arson attack at 4am today. This is one of the busiest Shuls in Melbourne, and the damage caused will have a huge effect.
What can you do about it? Go to a Synagogue near you tonight and tomorrow, over Shabbat. Turn up, and fill the Shuls. A full Shul is a good Shul.
And if there isn't a Shul near you, gather together with others in your home and talk about Jewish things.
We are here to stay. Am Yisrael Chai.
With great pain, we learned today of the murder of the Chabad rabbi in Abu Dhabi, Rabbi Zvi Kogan.
Zvi had been actively involved in serving the needs of the growing Jewish population in the UAE.
On Thursday, he was reported missing, and today officials located his body.
He was murdered for simply being a Jew. At just 28 years old, he had only just began building his life.
Our hearts and prayers are with his family.
We will continue our mandate to bring more light to this world, and dedicate our future efforts in his memory.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐บ ๐๐ฐ๐น ๐ต๐ข๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ข ๐ธ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ
For just $18 million, this work of art could be yours to hang, anywhere in rural and regional Australia.
But seriously, if you would like a charity box for your home, we can get that sorted for you in no time!
Throwback to the recent Jewish Discovery Weekend that took place in September in Melbourne. This annual event gives people living in regional areas the opportunity to spend a weekend and a Shabbat within the Melbourne Jewish community.
Meeting up with people and making new connections is what keeps us going here at Chabad of RARA.
Here, there, everywhere.
This week we visited Deniliquin.
The locals were keen to chat, and we made some new connections!
Next week we will be in the Adelaide area.
Regional + Jewish = We'll be there!
Chanuka is coming right up!
We've got dreidels, candles, menorahs and more.
Anyone Jewish up in this part of VIC/NSW?
Yaakov and Binyamin are in the region, and would love to make some connections.
Today they met up with two friends in Wangaratta, and are spending the night in Yarrawonga. For these two American rabbis, they are sure getting their fair share of Aussie sounding towns!
Wherever the Jewish people have roamed over the thousands of years, they have always taken the Torah with them. And now, we do the same in regional Australia, thanks to a generous donor that has recently gifted us with a Torah scroll.
Pictured here is Reuben, who has a story of his own how he came to Judaism. Reuben was so thrilled to be able to hold an authentic Torah in rural Victoria.
Have you seen a real Torah before?
Shabbat Shalom!
What a special day! Yaakov and Benyamin spent the day in Shepparton, visiting some of the remaining Jewish residents up that way.
Back in the middle of the last century, this area was a hub of Jewish activity, with a Synagogue and Yeshiva that was home to a large community. Over the years, Jewish people slowly moved down to Melbourne, and a monument was erected about 10 years ago to commemorate this era.
Our volunteers visited Maurice and his family, who have been growing apples in Shepparton for over 60 years!
How many kilometres can you drive in 25 years? Come and join us for our exciting gala dinner in December and find out!
Mendel (on the left) and Mani (on the right) are not twins, but they sure look similar!
Today they are near Batemans Bay NSW, and are heading down the coast, towards Melbourne.
If you see them along the way in their yellow RARA car, be sure to give them a wave!
A very warm welcome to Yaakov Kahanov and Binyomin Gorodetsky!
Hailing from New York and from Paris, these two newly ordained rabbis have just arrived on our shores, and after a few days of orientation, have just headed out this evening.
They will be in Seymour tonight, then heading up to Shepparton and into NSW. If you're around, look out for the big yellow RARA bus! We'd love to come visit.
They are pictured here learning the streets of Melbourne, and meeting with Mr Saul Spigler, founder and president of Chabad of RARA.
We've been a little quite over here, but for a very exciting reason. In just a few weeks time, we will be marking a celebration of 25 years of rural and regional outreach with Chabad of RARA!
From Ballarat to Blairgowrie, and from Port Fairy to Port Hedland, Jewish people have been connecting with their heritage all over the continent for the past two and a half decades.
In happy times, and in times of disaster, people living in regional areas have had the opportunity to remain connected, and to celebrate and support each each other.
To mark this milestone, we will be hosting a gala dinner at an exquisite Melbourne venue. Featuring great company, tasty Kosher cuisine, international guests, and a night to remember, and a look towards the future.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday evening, 10 December 2024, in Melbourne!
It was an honour to attend the third annual Marcus Stone Memorial Address at the historic Ballarat Synagogue today. This years talk was given by Bernard Stone, son of the late Marcus himself.
John Abraham, long-time president of the Synagogue opened the afternoon, followed by Rabbi Menachem Aron who led the Mincha afternoon prayer service, which was followed by the main address.
Bernie shared anecdotes about the Jewish history of Ballarat and its Shul, and the details of the life and times of his father, who was a pioneer of the Ballarat Synagogue, serving as its president for over 30 years, and influential in the Jewish community as well. The fifty-plus assembled visitors were engaged and there was something new for everyone to learn.
Max Lasky, who had been coordinating Shabbos prayer services at the Shul each month for the past 11 years also shared some words, and the story of his background growing up north of the city many years ago.
As they say, a full Shul is a good Shul, and today, the 163 year old Shul was indeed full!
A lavish Kiddush followed, giving attended the opportunity to meet and greet, some which were attending the Shul for the very first time.
If you in the area, be sure to stop at this significant Jewish Australian landmark!
