Rivka Roche (far left) with fellow female participants at a siyum Sefer Torah in Melbourne on Chabad of RARA's weekend retreat. FOR three generations, Rivka Roche's family kept their Jewish heritage a secret. Despite her first cousin's nephew becoming a rabbi, Roche, 63, who lives in Cairns, was unaware she was Jewish until a year-and-a-half ago. After confronting her elderly mother, who told her the truth, Roche said she was "in shock". Roche contacted Rabbi Dov Oliver from Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) and last weekend joined 20 guests in a "Back to your heritage" retreat in Melbourne. "I'm glad I'm here ... it's a process of learn-ing, even at my late age," she said. Chabad of RARAs four-day retreat, the first of its kind, aimed to bring together Jewish people from all over regional and rural Australia for a weekend of learning and connection. Participants came from areas as diverse as Darwin, Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and the Blue Mountains. Rabbi Oliver, Chabad of RARAs program director, said bringing the group together had countless benefits. "It's great to have someone visit you, but it's a whole other thing to spend four days in a Jewish environment," he said. "They're able to brainstorm with each other and empathise with the plight of being Jewish in isolation." Rabbi Oliver said participants had also been able to form new friendships, an important element for those living without much day-to-day Jewish contact. Activities over the four days included guided tours of the Jewish Museum of Australia and Carlisle Street, creating mezu-zot, learning kosher recipes and observing an Orthodox wedding. Sam Reich, Newcastle Hebrew Congregation's treasurer and one of around seven members of the Newcastle community taking part in the retreat, said the weekend was productive. Werner Reimann from Cairns at the pulpit in St Kilda shul. "What I think we'll be taking away with us is the fact that we're not alone," he said. Rabbi Oliver said another aim of the weekend was to encourage those in isolation to consider physically moving back into the fold. "We're not trying to rob the outback of its inhabitants, but ... the goal is to impress upon people the value of moving away from isolation and joining the community," he said. Chabad of RARA was established in 2000 as a non-profit organisation caring for Jews living outside the main Australian cities. Young rabbis drive around Australia in a "mitzvah tank" visiting Jews in remote towns as part of the organisation's outreach program. Inquiries: www.chabadofrara.org ; 0425 730 412.