Hakfar Magazine - Chabad of Dingley

‫בס"ד‬

HAKFAR CHABAD OF DINGLEY VILLAGE

magazine

January 2021- Shevat 5781

MESSAGE FROM THE HALLERS DEAR FRIENDS In March of 2019, we moved with our family to Dingley Village. For a long time, we had heard that there were Jewish families in Dingley, but no Jewish Organizations or Community. We wanted the Jews of Dingley and surrounding suburbs to have a warm and inclusive local Jewish Community. So we moved to Dingley to make it happen.

2

Community is one of the bedrocks of Jewish life. Through Community, Jews connect to one another. They connect to their Jewish Heritage and through Communities, Jewish People are able to provide for their Jewish and social needs and that’s exactly what we set out to do.

We weren’t sure where to start, but that didn’t matter, because before we knew it many had found us. With over a hundred attending each of our first Lag Ba’omer, Shavout, Simchat Torah and Chanukah events. We learnt very quickly that there was a lot more Jewish families living around this part of Melbourne then we originally anticipated. The locals have been so welcoming and excited about the new Chabad Centre. Not only that, but in the short time we have been here we

delicious home baked cake, cookies and inciteful guides to the High Holidays at home. The feedback has been ( With this in mind we incredible. Like Carly* who thought it would be nice to is originally from London give a glimpse into Chabad she told us that the packages of Dingley over the last year make her stop missing home, We love it when someone and a half please enjoy this and David* who said it was asks us to do something new. so nice to celebrate Friday short magazine) Like when we first started night in their own home Like Melbourne Jewry and were asked to make Shul with the Challa and wine in general, we have a every Shabbat instead of now they are trying to do it mix of people from all fortnightly, or in addition more often on their own. different backgrounds, to the adult classes to start a from the traditional to Hebrew School. To make our Thank you for helping the unaffiliated, young transform Chabad of Monthly First Friday night families and older couples, Dingley into a strong Dinners more often. When Israelis, South Africans, community, thank you for people ask for more, we Englishmen, Russians and know they are getting more making a difference to the even some Australians. lives of the many Jews living involved.

But not withstanding our in and around Dingley Community is about being differences we have come Village, by providing us there for each other. Over together to form one with a place to connect, the last few weeks, we beautiful Community. We pray socialize and learn. value diversity and Celebrate have seen our community Thank you for helping come together and be there these precious children Unity and want every individual to feel at home at for each other. When we get a fundamental Jewish first went into lockdown Chabad Of Dingley Education, the ability to and we started to call learn to read Hebrew and For us it has been so Community Members it was passion to stay connected to heartwarming to hear the so heartening to hear how their heritage. comments that people make many had already received when they walk through the calls from other members Thank you for giving people doors. Like Barbre* who like Rachel* someone to of the Community. Or the calls Chabad of Dingley her phone calls we received from turn to when she can’t afford second home”. Or Nama* kosher food, or Romy* a members, offering to assist who told us how incredible others. While Lockdown has shoulder to cry on when it is to finally feel like you’re meant that we don’t meet she lost her son; for giving part of a community and Michael* the ability to in person, it has given us not on the outside looking celebrate his Barmitzvah the opportunity to connect in. And John* who said, even during lockdown with the Community in a “I never knew anyone else and Alan* a place to call more meaningful way. It Jewish lived in these areas let started with Pesach Seders when he’s lonely. Thank alone hundreds”. Joan* said boxes, cheesecakes for you for being part of this I never felt any connection Shavuot, Shabbat packages, Community and helping to Judaism but now I have to build it into a place that thoughtful gift boxes and a place to turn for all my just recently beautiful boxes many Jewish families now Jewish needs. We get asked for Rosh Hashana filled with call home. questions about how to do have been blessed by many new families joining us in Dingley.

certain practices on a regular basis. We often hear stories of how families have become great friends and are now more connected to other Jews and Judaism. These are the stories that inspire us!

3

VILLAGE KIDS

H EBREW

Learning about Our Jewish heritage. Culture & Customs Shaked & Noya

Anne & Sophie, Our youngest students

4

Hebrew reading & Writing

Ever since her daughter had started primary school, Jane* has longed to give her daughters a basic Jewish Education.

She wanted them to have fundamental Hebrew reading skills. To feel connected to their tradition.

She requested a Hebrew School in Dingley! Thanks to your support and others like you, this February, it finally happened. Jane’s two daughters were the first to join the newly established Chabad Hebrew school. They love it.

Now thanks to you, on Mondays they join their friends at Village Kids Hebrew. They learn all about their heritage, the basics of Judaism and of course Hebrew.

5

M IC A ’ S CAMP M I CA’S CAM P E X PERIENC E E X PE RI E NC E

TE E N C A M P

Breakfast with f riends Mica f ishing in the lake at Camp Mica's f irst time putting on Teff ilin

When the taste of milk that had been frozen is the only thing that wasn’t great about being at camp, you have to know just how fabulous a time the 20 boys who attended a recent 5-day camp organised by Chabad really was.

Mica Peterson, a Chelsea soccer supporter from Dingley Primary had a really great time and thoroughly enjoyed himself at the camp, even though he started off with some serious trepidation. Like so many other young men he assumed that Chabad was only for the ultrareligious Jewish boys. What he found was a group who shared their Jewishness – even if they weren’t traditionally orthodox.

Mountain Biking at Harrietville

6

What makes Mica’s experience so exciting is that he is the first Jewish boy from Dingley Village to attend the camp, which is organised by Chabad Dingley, Malvern, Moorabbin and Glen Eira.

Although he went to the camp because his mom, Lemor suggested it, it didn’t take long for Mica to find a group of old and make new friends that he now shares a What’s App Group with. And the fact that learning was in both English and Hebrew enabled him to understand, participate and enjoy himself, with Mica getting his first opportunity to read Torah and lay tefillin.

Asked what stood out for him, Mica said: “I found the camp filled with boys who

were not that religious. Yes. We are all Jewish, but not everyone was that observant, and it didn’t matter – we all enjoyed ourselves.”

Some of the real highlights were the fact that the food was fantastic (other than for the milk). Admitting that although this was the first camp he had attended under the auspices of Chabad, he has been to 4 or 5 other school camps and this was by far the best. Even Lemor (Mica’s mother) had to admit that there was something different about this camp.

“When Mica came back he couldn’t stop talking about it.

Usually, we have to ask him questions and get the usually Yes/No answer you get from teenagers. This time around, he couldn’t stop raving about

the fun he had at the camp.”

Until now, young Jewish children in Dingley had little opportunity to connect to their foundations. Under Rabbi Mendel Haller, and Rebbetzin Chaya-Mushka, that has changed. Their warm, friendly and nonjudgemental approach to our religious practise makes everyone welcome and ensures that everyone gets an understanding of their spiritual birthright.

And Mica reinforced that view telling this reporter that he had real fun fishing for trout, mountain bike riding and learning more about his religion in a way that he could digest, understand and enjoy.

So, what makes Chabad camps so uniquely funfilled occasions? Simple.

Everyone – regardless of their level of understanding or observance is truly equal and welcome; everyone is made to feel special and the events planned are designed to maximise enjoyment, rather than slavishly pouring over religious texts. That doesn’t mean that these aspects are over-looked. It simply means that following Chabad traditions, the camp is another outreach to ensure that young Jewish adults have an opportunity to learn more about what being Jewish means.

In a final word from Mica, he is looking forward to the next camp!

7

snapsh 8

ts

WOMEN'S PROGRAMS

Challa Bake

Donna & Anette.

Spa Evening

Paint Night Adar & Chaya Mushka

Sheryl & Gali

9

ADULT EDUCATION

10

MONTHLY FIRST FRIDAYS SH A B B AT EXPE RIE N C E Celebrating Shabbat together at our monthly f irst f ridays.

LAG-BAOMER 2019

Simon, Joshua & Benji enjoying their marshmallows at the Lag Baomer Bonf ire

11

PRE ROSH HASHANA CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS 2019

Making our own Shofars

YOM KIPPUR BREAK FAST 2019 Breaking the fast at the end of our f irst Yom Kippur in Dingley

12

CHANUKAH 2020

CELEBRATED AT THE KINGSWOOD GOLFCOURSE AND IN FRONT OF NOVA PHARMACY

13

PURIM 2019

14

F INDIN G A CON N E C T ION Julie, Ettty & Elliot at the Chabad Purim Party

Julie

immigrated from New Jersey to Melbourne together with her parents in 1970 at the young age of eleven. Growing up in a foreign country, in a city with only a fraction of her hometown’s Jewish population, Julie never quite managed to find her place in Melbourne’s Jewish life. This took an unexpected change in (month X) 2018.

Julie had received a diagnosis of breastcancer and was undergoing medical treatment in a battle for her life. She was

weak, down, and lonely.

A mutual friend reached out to Rabbi Haller who then visited her at her home. “Rabbi Haller’s soft kindness that day is what formed our connection”, Julie recounts. Since going into remission, Julie (along with her family) has become actively involved with Chabad of Dingley.

As she puts it, it affords her the opportunity to rediscover her heritage that she never had the chance to explore. She also loves the new people she’s met: “After an active sixty years,” Julie reflects, “It’s nice to stop and find a good group of friends that I really connect with”.

I’ve always longed for a warm, inclusive Jewish environment. I think I’ve finally found it.”

15

PESAC H

SEDE R I N A BOX

A

s soon as the first wave of corona started back in February, Loren called us. “are you still having your Public Seder?”. Every day another call or message from someone in the community. What will be with Pesach?

Soon enough it became clear that a Public Seder wouldn’t be happening.

Thank G-d for the Seder Kit. A box with the seder essentials including wine, Matzah, Haggadah and Seder items. 100 families benefited from these packages.

Like Jody*, who celebrated Pesach for the first time in her own home, she called to say how she could never have done it without the assistance and how special it was for her to have her own Seder: “We had a really meaningful Seder and we really delved into the story. It wasn’t done perfectly but I felt like coming home, one of our only Jewish experiences at home”.

Katy*, who usually takes her family to celebrate with her Mom broke down on the phone saying “Mom is in England with my sister this year, we wouldn’t have had anything this year, if not for your help, Thank you so much”.

CORONA Times

16

SHAVUO T

This Shavuot Cheesecake, Ice cram & Chocolate for a Covid Style Celebration

17

BR EW Y EAR B R I NG IN G T HE NNEW It

was all about bringing it home this Tishrei. 170 High Holiday boxes were distributed thanks to our dedicated volunteers. Each one with a delicious Honey Cake, a comprehensive holiday guide, Apples & Honey & kid’s activities. The most exciting part of Rosh Hashana was the beautiful Shofar in the park. Many from the community came in shifts to hear the

Shofar. Shul’s may have been closed, but the Rosh Hashana spirit was alive and well In Dingley.

Hom e

gladly climbed in even in the rain. Hadas* beautifully remarked “Hopefully it Over Sukkot Dingley will be these really special transformed into a mini moments that the kids Jerusalem with many will remember rather than families owning their own Lulav & Etrog and building the endless months of a Sukkah in their backyard. nothingness that this year has delivered” To top it off we went from house to house with the fun Mobile Sukkah, everyone Honey Cakes all baked and ready to go into the High Holiday Boxes

ROSH HASHANA Thank you to the crew at your Dentistree and all the volunteers that delivered the High Holiday boxes.

Rabbi Mendel ready to deliver your High Holiday Box

Tova missed Shofar blowing on Rosh Hashana, but still really wanted to hear it, Rabbi Mendel went to blow the shofar for her the day after Rosh Hashana

18

2020

SUKKOT

Even the rain and wind did not stop Sheryl, Daniel, Charlie, Toby & Lexy f rom shaking a lulav in the mobile Sukkah

While walking their dog, Leeza & Josh spotted the mobile sukkah!

Jenny Shaking the Lulav & etrog

19

MY R OAD TO C H AB AD

BY PE TER FINKE L STE I N

W

hen I first learned about a Chabad starting up in Dingley, I think I was like many other unobservant Jews who believe in Hashem but that is it. My perception was that Chabad was not for me because it was made up of a group of religious zealots who were intolerant of people (like me) who did not keep kosher and who were not fully observant.

I am just an ordinary fellow who was looking for some solace when my wife passed on. What I found was a shul that was not judgemental, that was (contrary to my own thoughts) so strictly religious that I, as ordinary, occasional shul goer, would not be welcome; and even if I was accepted, would feel out of place because of all the religious rigmarole.

Peter, Chabad Chanukah event 2019

20

But that isn’t what Chabad in general is, and certainly is not anything like

Chabad Dingley where Rabbi Haller and the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka make everyone – regardless of how religious; irrespective of whether they can read or understand Hebrew – a welcome member of their extended family, not just another congregant.

a choire so I could read Hebrew. And I attended shul on every Shabbos and for most weddings. But it wasn’t until attending Dingley Chabad that I actually started to understand the Torah and our laws, our history and traditions in a way that made sense – even in the I have been going to shul – on 21st Century. And by the way, and off – for most of my life. I whilst I can read Hebrew I have had periods where I was still struggle to understand steeped in our religious ways but that has not dulled the and times when I went madly joy of being part of Dingley astray. From being the lead Chabad. singer in a choire in South Here is what has made Africa’s main shul to walking Chabad Dingley so different away to such an extent that and so excitingly unique.

I did not name my eldest When we don’t have a daughter in shul until she minyan Rabbi Haller gets was 14 years of age. the congregation to read the But in the last year or so, I have been going to Dingley Chabad. It is a small, new, eclectic community of Australian, Israeli, South African, British, Scottish, American and Malaysian members.

There is something unique that has made the most substantial difference to me and I know, to many others.

As I said earlier, I sang in

week’s Parshah from the Chumash. And everyone get an opportunity – not just the Kohanim and Levies.

But most importantly, Rabbi Haller encourages questions, debates, points of view and discussions. This isn’t the old-style orthodoxy that demanded that you sit and listen to the “all knowing” Rabbi. This is a vibrant community that gathers to

discuss Hashem and his word and what it means to be a Jew. As a result, in the year or so since Chabad Dingley started up I have learned more about the Torah and our religion.

And I have grown to respect more of our traditions than ever in my life – regardless of the period (i.e. shul going choire lead-singer to almost being an agnostic).

So, if you really enjoy being Jewish and want to understand what being Jewish is all about, join us on a Shabbos morning.

It’s informal and starts at Jewish time – that’s any time between 9:15 and 9:45 with a constant that Rabbi Haller finishes the services around 12:15. So, for about 2 ½ hour you get to relive our fundamental principles in a way that everyone can understand and anyone who has a different point of view is encouraged to join in.

21

NEW FAMILIES

YOUR COMMU NIT Y

i s g r o wing!

Wel co m e to t h e f a milies that have rece n t ly m oved to Dingley Leeron, Sasha, Sophie and Levi Meyer

Zac and Claire Gomo

Sahar, Mor, Boaz, Nurit and Ari Charit

22

F O OD

HONE Y CAKE

In the High Holiday boxes there was a honey cake baked by Chaya Mushka. So many asked for the recipe- here it is!

Ingredients 2 eggs ž cup honey 1 cup sugar 1 cup Oil 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon 2 ½ cups flour 1 cup strong coffee Combine ingredients, bake @180 for 30 minutes.

23

for being a part of Chabad & sharing in our vision.

Please consider making a donation. You will make all the difference to the many Jews around Dingley.

Please remember that we depend entirely on local funds.

www.ChabadDingley.com.au/donate For Direct Debit Our bank details are Chabad House of Dingley BSB 033-358 Account Number 613240 Please Note: Tax Deductible receipts can be given for donations to our benevolent fund.

Chabad SEM Benevolent Inc BSB: 033-180 Account: 346340 CHABAD OF DINGLEY VILLAGE

HAKFAR Magazine

PUBLISHED BY

C O N TAC T U S P : 04 06 987 900 E : info@chabaddingley.com.au W : www.chabaddingley.com.au A : 66 Golfwood Close, Dingley Village, VIC, 3172, Australia

D E S I G N & L AYO U T B Y C R E AT I V E C H I N U C H

FOLLOW US ON instagram.com/chabaddingley fb.com/ChabadDingley Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Search Chabad Dingley on YouTube.

V I S I T W W W. C R E AT I V E C H I N U C H . C O M