If you could have two Jewish people from all of history at your dinner table this Shabbat, who would you choose?
Latest RARA News
Here you'll find all the latest posts from our on-the-road volunteers.
Anyone up for a Visit?
Our Rabbi volunteers would love to visit Jewish residents between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla.
Know anyone?
Beautiful Shabbat at Batemans Bay NSW
Rabbis Avremi Rapoport and Yoeli Minkowicz just concluded a beautiful Shabbat in Batemans Bay, NSW.
They hosted some of the locals for a great Friday night meal.
And check this out: 95% of the food they served was sourced locally, and is 100% Kosher!
Keeping kosher in the regional areas can be more accessible than your think.
Have a blessed week ahead!
2023 Wollongong Jewish Cemetery Consecration
Yesterday, a very rare Jewish ceremony took place in Wollongong, NSW.
It took place in a cemetery, but no-one was in mourning.
How does that happen? Well, read on!
Over the years, Jewish families in the area have come together for various events and occasions in the area, which is just over an hours' drive south of Sydney. Many of the families were of Israeli origin, or had lived and worked in Israel in the past. Eventually, a group was formed, and given the name KEVA, which stands for "Kibbutz Ex Volunteer Association". (It seems like regional Jewish groups like 4-letter acronyms!)
Jumping to 2023, it became apparent that there was a real need for a Jewish burial ground for people living in the Illawarra region, an areas that encompasses Wollongong, Shellharbour, and Kiama.
Dr Yoke Berry, who has been the facilitator of the KEVA group, spearheaded this initiative, and was in extensive contact with the local council to arrange the burial grounds. The council was very responsive, and eager to help with this important development.
Yesterday, after many months of hard work, the burial grounds at the Wollongong Lawn Cemetery, located in Kembla Grange were finally ready for dedication.
Members of the Sydney Beth Din, the Sydney Chevra Kadisha, and Chabad of RARA, as well as various members of the Jewish communities in the area, came together for the cemetery consecration ceremony. The consecration is performed by walking around the designated burial area 7 times, and sounding the Shofar between each circuit. Special verses pertaining to life and death are recited while walking around.
This new cemetery section ensures that the locals can have easy access to Jewish burial, a very important Mitzvah.
Thank you to all those that helped make this happen!
Dedication and consecration of a new Jewish burial ground at the Wollongong Lawn Cemetery.
Rabbi Ulman leads the consecration ceremony. In his hand is a Shofar, which is used during the ceremony.
Members of the Jewish community circle the burial grounds as part of the consecration of a new Jewish burial at the Wollongong cemetery.
Rabbi Menachem Aron helps Paul Rybak lay the Tefillin and say the Shema.
Members of the community at the consecration service of the new Jewish burial ground in Wollongong.
Members of the community at the consecration service of the new Jewish burial ground in Wollongong.
Today, the ultimate kindness was fulfilled.
A name amongst many, a phone unanswered. For whatever reason, over the years, we were not able to get in touch with this individual. We never had a chance to meet them, and they did not meet us.
But when we were made aware that this person had passed away recently, we had to be there for the very last time.
Through patches of rain on an otherwise sunny day, exactly ten cars turned up at the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha's Lyndhurst Cemetery this afternoon. A minyan was formed, and our un-met friend was given a Jewish funeral and an appropriate send-off.
Those assembled did not meet her during her life on earth. But they did meet her as she crossed over to the eternal life.
May her soul be bound up in eternal life, and may her dear soul rest in peace.
Much gratitude is extended to the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha for facilitating today's Jewish funeral, and for all the volunteers that came out today to form a minyan so that the Kaddish could be said.
Light your Shabbat Candles
It is said that the darkest part of the night is right before the crack of dawn.
You can add a lot of light today!
Light Shabbat Candles 18 minutes before sunset today.
If you need a Shabbat candle lighting kit, we can help with that too.
Toward A Meaningful Life
Chabad of RARA runs a mobile public library, that operates out of our Mitzva Mobile truck. We often rotate the selection of available books. Each time you visit, there is something new to pick up.
Here, we share a review on one of the most popular books in the library collection.
Mrs Shevi Aron shares:
I am so lucky to have hundreds of RARA library books sitting on my shelves at home. This is where they are kept between rotations on the library truck. And there is nothing I like better on a Shabbat, once I put my kids to bed, to let my eyes wander across the titles, find a book that catches my eye and sit down to enjoy! Its amazing that no matter how many times I do this, I always manage to find a new fascinating book that I never noticed before.
But the point of the library is not to keep the books to myself, but to share it with others! There are so many titles to choose from, and I want to make it easier for you to choose a Jewish book! So I am writing this series to help get you motivated to borrow a Jewish book of your own and enjoy it as much as I do
After you borrow this book, let me know how it went, what you enjoyed about it and what you are curious to read about next!
TOWARD A MEANINGFUL LIFE
by Simon Jacobson
The wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson
I had heard about this book for a long time, and Menachem recommends this to people all the time, but I had never actually read it myself. And when I saw it in the RARA library I thought “its about time.” The hype sure didn’t disappoint! It was another one of those riveting books, and even though I have grown up with all of these perspectives (growing up in a Chabad Chassidic family), the way its explained in the book is extremely easy to read and practical.
Ever wonder what the Jewish and Chassidic view is on all aspects of life? Well, this book has got you covered, from life to death literally, including topics on childbirth and education, love, intimacy and marriage, work, charity and wealth, fear, anxiety, government and leadership, aging death and suffering and so many more! There are also chapters explaining G-d, faith, miracles, good and evil and redemption.
Rabbi Simon Jacobson wrote this book to present the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to a wider audience. Although the Rebbes style of leadership was revolutionary, these teachings and messages are as old as the Torah (which is older than the world!), and for every question that modern life raises, the Rebbe found an answer in the Torah.
This book, as the Rebbe’s teachings are, is so empowering and positive. The book is infused with stories and practical examples and tips so that the perspective shift is so palpable and attainable. This book is an avenue to infuse every aspect of your life with rich meaning, purpose and empowerment to make your life the best it can be!
I highly recommend this book to anyone that finds themselves in a spiritual rut. And even if life is wonderful, this book has such powerful and positive perspectives that it is well worth reading!
Join us for Shabbat
Anyone Jewish near Eden NSW this weekend that would like to join a Shabbat meal?
Helping Israel with our good deeds here in Australia.
The one in this photo was spontaneous. No planning, no thinking. Just doing!
And they are off!
Rabbi Yoeli Minkowitz (on the left) and Rabbi Avremi Rapoport (right) have just headed out on the next RARA trip.
They are headed towards Gippsland, Victoria, and eventually to the South Coast of NSW. The rabbis will be providing support and visiting families that live further away. Our two volunteers have spent the past 12 months in Israel, studying and mentoring, as well as providing support to the IDF and visiting army bases in their spare time. They are both still in touch with soldiers that are on the front lines right now. Look out for the mobile library and Mitzva Mobile, and say hello to Avremi and Yoeli if you see it in your area! Pictured: RARA rabbis about to head off on the next road trip with the RARA Mobile Library and Mitzva Mobile.
Light your Shabbat Candles
Light Shabbat candles 18 minutes before sunset today.
Bring the holiness of Shabbat into your home.
1200 Tefillin Sets for Rural Australia: A Commitment to Remember
Over 1,200 of our brethren are no longer with us here.
Jewish men: in memory of each victim, a set of Tefillin is available. That's 1,200 sets.
Commit to put them on every weekday, and they will be sent to you, complimentary. Anywhere in rural and regional Australia.
Let us know if you can make this commitment. It will change your life for the good
It is time to act, Make a difference.
It is time to act, to make a difference.
You might ask, "but how?"
Do a Mitzvah. Donate to a worthy cause in Israel.
Our actions here in rural and regional Australia have a strong effect on what is taking place in the land of Israel.
When we are strong in our faith, and strong in our actions, we are boosting the moral and abilities of those on the front lines.
Lay Tefillin. Give charity. Light Shabbat candles. Eat kosher food. Learn some Torah. Say the Shema. Be kind. Be nice.
Do a Mitzva (good deed) today!
Picture: A stand outside the RARA Mitzva Mobile and Mobile Library, offering pedestrians the opportunity to lay the Tefillin and give charity.
Unity Gathering for Jewish Children
Happening this evening!
Join with Jewish Children from around Australia in Support of Israel.
Here's some positive news in your feed today.
Rabbi Menachem Aron spent some time at Caulfield Park helping people do a Mitzva for Israel.
We know that our Mitzvos are a big help to our brethren in the Holy Land.
Can you add a Mitzva as well?
May our suffering and pain come to an end immediately.
United With Israel
Our thoughts and hearts are with our brethren in Israel.
We can help by strengthening the Jewish nation as a whole through acts of Torah and Mitzvot.
We know that our spiritual strength has great affect on our physical strength.
Say the Shema, give charity, and study some Torah. Encourage young children to do so as well.
For your own well-being, limit your intake of social media regarding the current situation.
Tonight at 7:30pm AEST there will be an Israel solidarity event and prayers, held in Melbourne. You can tune in live by following then link in the comments.
This will take the place of our regular weekly class.
May we know of only better times. And may this suffering and pain end.
Our Thoughts and Actions for Those Affected by Bushfires in Victoria and New South Wales
Our thoughts are with those affected by bushfires currently burning in Victoria and New South Wales.
And more so, our actions are with you as well.
If you are in need of support during this time, please reach out to us.
We are here to assist those living in rural and regional areas.
Mazal Tov!
We are so thankful to Hashem to announce the arrival of our beautiful baby boy, born this past Shabbat afternoon, the first day of Sukkot - 30 September in Melbourne.
Chaya Mushka and Levik are so excited to welcome their new sibling, and everyone is doing really well!
Rabbi Menachem and Shevi Aron