This past weekend was historic! Over 60 Jewish people from all over Australia gathered at the Broken Hill Synagogue, in outback NSW for a special get-together.
Coordinated by Mr Maurie Hasen and Professor Leon Mann, himself born in Broken Hill, a special Shabbaton weekend took place at the historic Synagogue, which was once the gathering point of a thriving Jewish community in the early 1900's.
Rabbis Mendel Shmotkin and Mendel Lipskier, who had just returned from a trip in Western Australia, joined the crowds in Broken Hill and participated in the proceedings.
They shared stories of their travels, and how they had found Jewish people in places almost as remote as Broken Hill over the past two months.
Over Shabbat, a service was held in the Synagogue and the space was put to use just like it had been back in the old days. It was incredible to pray in the same space, and from the same books as people had done over 100 years ago.
A highlight of the weekend was many people laying Tefillin on Sunday, including Gary, who was doing it for the very first time at age 77! After Gary had his "Bar Mitzvah", all the attendees broke out in spontaneous singing and dancing, celebrating this special occasion in a special spot.
The weekend concluded with a special dedication ceremony in front of the Synagogue, where two benches were unveiled and dedicated to the memory of some of the former leaders of the Broken Hill Jewish community.
It was a truly historic event, and a special privilege to take part in. Thank you to Maurie and Leon and all those involved in putting together this very special event.
A special thanks to Mrs Margaret Price, a Broken Hill local, who has managed the Synagogue and museum for many years, and was a big part of making this event happen.
If you're in Broken Hill, be sure to visit this special Shul!
