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Latest RARA News

Welcome to the Chabad of RARA News page.

Here you'll find all the latest posts from our on-the-road volunteers.

Mazal Tov to Mr. Saul Spigler on His 70th Birthday! Founder of Chabad of RARA


Mazal Tov and a very happy birthday 70th to our founder and President, Mr Saul Spigler!

Forty-seven years ago, three young university students, Saul, together with Hershel Herbst and Yossi Loebenstein, headed out into regional Australia in a converted motorhome, looking to connect with Jewish people living in regional areas.

This monumental trip connected with over 100 far-flung Jewish families, and laid the foundations of what today is Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia.

In June of 2000, the organisation was officially launched, and since then, Saul has been involved in every aspect of it, from sending volunteers to reach new areas, to fundraising for our annual budget, and to hosting the annual Jewish Discovery Weekend Shabbat lunch.

Inspired by the vision of the Rebbe, Saul, together with his wife Beverly, have created an organisation that truly cares for every Jewish person, wherever they may be.

Many sleepless nights have been spent furthering Chabad of RARA's work from the Spigler's residence on Pearson Grove in Melbourne.

Please join us in wishing Saul a hearty Mazal Tov! May this year be full of blessings and good things, and may the reach of Chabad of RARA continue to every corner of Australia.

Saul has requested that in honour of this special day, more Mitzvot - good deeds - be performed throughout regional Australia. Pick up the phone, call a friend that needs it, wrap Tefillin, or prepare for Rosh Hashana. Whatever it is, do one more Mitzva today.

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Yizkor Candles and Prayers for the High Holidays Available

 

Over the upcoming High Holidays, we say the Yizkor prayer twice - once on Yom Kippur, this year 12 October, and once on Shmini Atzeret, this year 24 October.

Yizkor is the memorial prayer that we say for those that are no longer with us.

Even if you don't have a Synagogue nearby, you can still light a memorial candle and say Yizkor at home.

We have these special candles available, together with a booklet with the relevant prayers in Hebrew and in English.

If you'd like one, head over to chabadofrara.org/6094230

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Slichos

 

Slichos at Yeshivah Center Melbourne

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Welcoming a 120-Year-Old Torah Scroll to Chabad of RARA!

 

We recently welcomed a 120-year-old refurbished Torah scroll to Chabad of RARA. For so many people around Australia, they have never had a chance to see a Torah or to hear from it being read.

Thanks to Mr Dan Elisha, we now have this most valuable text, and it is accessible wherever our Mobile Library goes.

To welcome the Torah, a grand celebration was held in Melbourne, and it was a very joyous occasion indeed.

Have you seen a Torah scroll in real life before?

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New Sefer Torah already on the road

 

Chabad of RARA travels all over Australia in its brightly coloured motor home, visiting Jewish people living in regional areas.

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Chabad of RARA travels all over Australia in its brightly coloured motor home, visiting Jewish people living in regional areas.

 

A Jewish community member in Seymour, Victoria, Dan Elisha, wanted to do something in memory of his family members that had perished in the Holocaust.

 

So, the idea of a Torah scroll that would be used in Chabad of RARA’s travels around Australia was born.

 

A Torah scroll written before the Holocaust was sourced in Israel and spent six months undergoing restoration work to make it fit for use again.

 

A celebration was held at Beit Chabad for Israeli Travellers in North Caulfield, where over 200 people gathered to welcome the Torah and dance with it.

 

Elisha said, “I cannot tell you just how blessed I felt to have had the extreme pleasure and honour to have donated the Torah to the Jews of Australia.

 

“As I looked around the shule on the day seeing and feeling everyone’s joy, the loud singing, and the teenagers dancing, for a Jew who lives quietly so far away from the ‘ghetto’ it brought back so many memories.”

 

The Torah is already on the road with Chabad of RARA, heading to Ballarat and then on to South Australia.  

Request Your High Holiday Guide and Machzor for Rosh Hashana

 

Rosh Hashana is coming right up!

This week, we'll be sending out a beautiful print copy of our 32-page High Holiday guide. It's got all the details you need to have a meaningful Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

Reply to this post if you'd like us to send you one in the mail. Or if you have a friend that would appreciate one!

Additionally, if you would like to borrow a Machzor (Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur prayer book), please let us know and we will have one sent out to you.

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Yerushalmi Shofar and Rosh Hashana Preparations

 

David and Debra are heading to the Holy Land, but while they are still here, our volunteers, Kobi and Isaac, made it out to visit them in regional Victoria.

Normally we're the one's bringing the Shofar with us, but in this case, David was proud to bring out his Yerushalmi long a twirly one, which makes a very deep sounding blast.

It's a lovely reminder that Rosh Hashana is just around the corner!

Shana Tova

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Mikvah Tour & Havdala Candle Making

 

More Jewish Discovery Weekend pictures!

We had a very informative tour of the local Mikvah from Mrs Timmy Rubin, who has been managing it for many years. Such a special talk!

On Saturday evening after Shabbat, we participated in the Havdala ceremony, and then made our very own beeswax candles, to take home.

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Spot the Jewish Symbols

How many Jewish things do you see in this photo, taken this morning in rural Queensland?

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Resilience and Joy Through Jewish Traditions

 

Last week, Zalman and Shalom took some time to visit Leah, who lives in Toowoomba.

She's been a part of the Jewish community there for more than 2 decades, and was so happy to share a little about her families history, together with some photographs.

Having been through some difficult times, she has always done her best to celebrate the Jewish holidays and festivals.

We're not sure who came out more uplifted after this visit - Leah, or the rabbis!

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Jewish Discovery Weekend

 

Photos are in from the Jewish Discovery Weekend!

First up, the amazing Shofar factory workshop with Rabbi Reuvi Cooper. We had so much fun sanding and polishing the Shofars, and got to learn about which animals produce a Kosher shofar, and which do not.

Do you know how to blow a Shofar?

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Elul Preparations: Rabbi Aron Blowing Shofar

 

The month of Elul is upon us! We prepare for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur by blowing the Shofar every day.

Here's Rabbi Aron at the East Melbourne Synagogue, wearing an original rabbis cloak and hat from the late 1800's that the Shul has in its storage.

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The Big Day!

 

Today's the big day!

2024 Jewish Discovery Weekend is about to begin.

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Annual Jewish Discovery Weekend Kickoff in Melbourne

 

Here we go!

Tomorrow begins our annual Jewish Discovery Weekend. We will be welcoming 25 people from all over Australia to spend a Shabbat within the lovely Melbourne Jewish community.

With guests joining from as far as Geraldton in Western Australia and and Cairns in Queensland, we are looking forward to a weekend of connection, learning, and experiencing Shabbat.

Stay tuned to hear more about this incredible event!

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Visit to the Jewish Community in Darwin

 

Shalom and Zalman are right now in the Top End, visiting the small but vibrant Jewish community in Darwin.

It's hot up there, but well worth it to be making such great connections with the locals.

Are you up that way?

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Looking for older posts? See the sidebar for the Archive.