Will you be up in Darwin in May?
We will be getting together for a communal Shabbat meal, joined by a very special guest: Rabbi Justice Marcus Solomon, who will be visiting from Perth.
Rabbi Justice Solomon has had an incredible career path, and in 2021 became the first Rabbi to be appointed as a Supreme Court justice in Australia.
We'll have some great traditional Shabbat food, as well as an intriguing and interesting talk to listen to.
I hope you can join!
As we commemorate ANZAC day today, we pay tribute to the many Jewish service men and women that have helped shaped our country.
Presented here are a collection of photos of Jewish people on the front lines. Interestingly, even while on deployment, there have been, and continues to be, many opportunities to engage in Judaism, from a Torah reading, to a Pesach Seder, and beyond.
Click on each picture to read the caption describing what is taking place.
Whether in Gallipoli, in Egypt, or here in Australia, thousands have made the commitment to protect us, and we thank them, and remember them.
Photo Credit: Australian Jewish News and Australian War Memorial
Chaplain Reverend David Freedman raises a Torah given to him by a congregation in Alexandria, Egypt, at a service in the field circa 1917. This scroll has become known as the ‘Anzac Torah.’
Sir John Monash and General J. J. T. Hobbs passing the saluting base outside Buckingham Palace during an ANZAC Day March, April 25, 1919.
Captain John Einfeld at the bima (dais) in the synagogue at headquarters, New Guinea Force, in August 1944, assisting Chaplain Goldman (right) with a Rosh Hashana service.
Australian, British and American soldiers and sailors raise their cups at a Passover Seder at the YMCA’s Jewish Hut, April 1919
Sir John Monash being knighted by English King George V.
Lieutenant General (then Colonel) Sir John Monash and Lieutenant Colonel Granville John Burnage on board the HMAT Ulysses, taken on voyage to Egypt.
French prime minister M. Georges Benjamin Clemenceau on his only visit to the Australian front, walking with Major General E. G. Sinclair-MacLagan and Lieutenant General Sir John Monash (right, foreground). At far right is Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Lavarack.
We're getting ready to hit the road again.
Where do you think we should visit next?
Enjoy your Chametz after nightfall today!
What an inspirational Pesach it has been.
Wherever you are celebrating in this vast country, we wish you a Chag Sameach!
May this Pesach be an inspiration for us all.
It's crunch time!
Our next group, Rabbis Mordy, Tzvi, Yaakov and Sruli headed off this arvo to Toowoomba!
Once site of the very first Synagogue in all of Queensland, this city will be having its very own authentic Pesach Seder this weekend.
And they are off!
Rabbis Mendel, Arik, Eli, Kovi and Shneur are heading up to Darwin tonight, where they will be visiting the local community there and hosting a Pesach Seder.
These young rabbinic students are spending their Passover ensuring that people living in the Top End can experience a warm and inspiring Seder.
Those black hats will keep them covered under the scorching sun up there, and they can hold a decent amount of water during the afternoon downpours as well!
If you see them in Darwin, please say hello 👋.
If you need matzah for Pesach, today would be a good day to order it. Go to our website and you'll see it right on the home page.
We received this message today.
How do you feel during these testing times?
We asked ChatGPT to make a cartoon of Rabbi Menachem holding the Matzah and the grape juice.
What do you think of it?
It's going to be a real struggle making Pesach without these items.
We can sort you out.
One of the best parts of the Seder night is crunching into some hand made matzah.
Have you got yours?
