Items

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  2020-09-16

  Jewish Melbourne

  Reflection and Resilience
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  2020-09-08

  Jewish Melbourne

  Rosh Hashana 2020 Style - Achieving Inner Peace, Spirituality & Connection: Discussing Rosh Hashanah in a Covid world, the redefining of Rosh Hashanah 2020 Style! As part of our focus on Spiritual Health, the JCCV welcomed back two professionals who shared their insights on how to make the most of celebrating Rosh Hashanah this year, and offer ideas to achieve meaningful experiences for you and those closest to you.
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  2020-10-19

  Jewish Melbourne: Melton online programming

  During the lockdown Melton School turned to online programming in order to continue classes. This is one example of a course which they ran.
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  2020-09-16

  Jewish Melbourne: Chabad on Carlisle Rosh Hashanah deliveries to seniors

  During Rosh Hashanah Victoria remained in lockdown, and so Chabad on Carlisle - Russian Jewish Centre organised for volunteers to deliver "Challahs, meals, candles and honey cake to seniors in honour of Rosh Hashana".
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  2020-04-03

  Jewish Melbourne: Kehilat Kolenu Pesach drash

  Pesach in 2020/5780 came at the beginning of Melbourne's lockdown, and services were held online. Tal Cohen delivered a drash during Kehilat Kolenu's services.
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  2020-09-19

  Jewish Melbourne: Kehilat Kolenu Rosh Hashanah drash

  Kehilat Kolenu had an online service for Rosh Hashanah, due to Melbourne's lockdown, and Leah Justin delivered the drash
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  2020-09-27

  Jewish Melbourne: Kehilat Kolenu Kol Nidre drash

  Kehilat Kolenu ran services online for the High Holy Days, and shared the drash that was delivered by Alice Chipkin for Kol Nidre
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  2020-09-18

  Jewish Melbourne: Rabbi Ralph Genende for Rosh Hashanah

  For Rosh Hashanah, Caulfield Shule's Rabbi Ralph Genende pre-recorded a sermon and a short video celebrating apples and honey
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  2020-09-20

  Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Rosh Hashanah online

  While synagogues were closed under lockdown for Rosh Hashanah, Caulfield Shule provided a 'Rosh Hashanah highlights' service online before Rosh Hashanah started, as well as a standalone video of the Chazzan singing a "Rosh Hashanah Highlights Medley" with a choir in Israel
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  2020-09-28

  Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Yom Kippur online services

  Due to the lockdown, Caulfield Shule was unable to have a Yom Kippur service. Instead, they pre-recorded abridged Kol Nidre and Yizkor services, and livestreamed an abridged Neilah service after Yom Kippur had ended.
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  2020-09-29

  Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Avinu Malkeinu

  Caulfield Shule was locked down and unable to hold a Yom Kippur service in person, so as part of their online content they posted a video of "Chazan Dov Farkas and Kolot Min Hashamayim singing Avinu Malkeinu. Dov was recorded in Melbourne, the choir recorded in Israel, which was all blended together with the help of technology!"
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  2020-09-29

  Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule making Sukkot decorations

  A video as part of the online programming for Sukkot from Caulfield Shule: "Batmitzvah girls Shaylee Klinger and Hanna Sion teach you how to make Sukkot decorations"
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  2020-10-08

  Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Pre-Shmini Atzeret “Abridged Yizkor Service”

  "Go online with Caulfield Shule's Rabbi Ralph and Chazzan Dov Farkas this Yom Tov for a Pre-Shmini Atzeret “Abridged Yizkor Service” Thursday Night, 8th of October, 8.00–8.20pm"
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  2020-10-06

  Jewish Melbourne: Sukkot Party

  Organised by a range of Jewish organisations, including Project High Holy Day, a virtual Sukkot party was held online.
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  2020-10-07

  Jewish Melbourne: Caulfield Shule Chol Hamoed lolly bags

  Melbourne was still in lockdown during Chol Hamoed Sukkot, so Caulfield Shule organised treats for their congregation, encouraging people to come down and pick them up.
• 
  2020

  Jewish Melbourne: Bialik College Foundation fundraising projects for Covid-19

  Amongst its other fundraising efforts, Bialik College launched a special 'Covid-19 Relief' fundraiser: "Our goal is to ensure no child leaves Bialik College as a result of financial hardship caused by COVID-19. Help us make this a reality and support a family in need. We are all in this together." They also launched a fundraiser to create new outdoor spaces: "Help us transform our outdoor amphitheatre into a flexible event space. With current social distancing measures in place as a result of COVID-19, we need to think creatively to look for alternative ways to gather as a school community."
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  2020-09-15

  Jewish Melbourne: Year One students at Bialik College wish Emmy Monash residents Shana Tova

  "The children of Year One at Bialik College share with us their messages of love, hope and resilience" through Rosh Hashanah messages sent to residents of Emmy Monash Aged Care
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  2020-08-07

  Jewish Melbourne: Continental Kosher Butcher responds to Stage 4 lockdown

  Continental Kosher Butcher shared information on their facebook page after the Victorian Government announced Stage 4 of lockdown, which involved restrictions on the meat industry, explaining some of the short-term impacts, but reassuring customers not to panic about supply.
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  2020-05-25

  Jewish Melbourne: Fella Hamilton makes PPE

  The Australian Jewish News reported on Fella Hamilton making PPE: "WITH delays of several weeks in the arrival of imported masks, surgical gowns and scrubs to manage COVID-19, an Australian garment label founded by a Holocaust survivor has stepped up, converting its facilities to manufacture Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) wearables. The Fella Hamilton company has responded to an Australian government call for factories to retool to make products that help the fight against COVID-19. Sharon Hamilton, CEO, and her husband David, son of founder Fella Hamilton, decided to take action, switching fashion wear production at their Melbourne factory to PPE products." "Sharon said Jewish doctors have helped the company design isolation gowns now in use at Cabrini Health Australia and other private hospitals in Melbourne, and a WA aged-care provider."
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  2020-09-07

  Jewish Melbourne: Access Inc talks to JCCV about their Covid Response

  At each Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) plenum meeting they have a guest speaker. At their September plenum meeting, "Access CEO Sharon Malecki will be speaking about Access Inc.'s Covid Response - Celebrating Ability in Our Community During Crisis at the Jewish Community Council of Victoria Plenum Meeting TONIGHT. Sharon will be talking about Access Online the new suite of programs that has been integral in helping participants manage their time under restrictions and ensuring they do not feel "abandoned"."
• 
  2020-09-28

  Yom Kippur in the year of the plague

  Community is important to all, especially in these difficult times. For significant events and religious observances, we need to be inventive to stay connected. The Reform Jewish movement in Melbourne, has been broadcasting its services throughout the Victorian lockdowns, and this was especially so for the High Holidays, when thousands tuned into live streamed services.
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  2020-04-09

  Jewish Melbourne: 'Police raid ultra-Orthodox prayer group above store in Ripponlea'

  report in The Age, by Paul Sakkal: "Police raided an ultra-Orthodox Jewish prayer group in Melbourne’s inner-east on Thursday morning where a group of at least 10 men were praying in contravention of social-distancing rules. Just after 11am, about 10 police vehicles swooped on an apartment above an IGA store in Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea."
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  2020-04-03

  Jewish Melbourne: Australian Jewish community management of COVID-19 pandemic – National Bulletin #3

  In the lead-up to Pesach, this update provides a summary of "the current status of Jewish community life in each State and Territory". It begins: "Jewish community organisations and leaders across Australia continue their efforts to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jewish institutions, families, individuals and, most especially, the elderly and vulnerable. We recognise with deep appreciation the continuing work being done by the Jewish community roof bodies in each State, the Crisis Management Teams of the Community Security Groups, shules, the Day Schools, the aged care sector, the welfare sector and volunteers, and commend them for the high sense of responsibility they have demonstrated. With the approach of Pesach, when families typically gather to celebrate the Seder, many individuals and families will be feeling the effects of physical isolation from relatives and friends. Perhaps in the future we will look back upon these times and appreciate all the more the joy of being able to celebrate Pesach with family and friends, and have all the more compassion for those who have nowhere to go on Seder night, and are all alone."
• 
  2020-07

  Jewish Melbourne - my Facebook profile picture for the lockdown

  I wanted to convery my feeling when the Victorian government told us we are going back to lockdown again. I made this from my youngest daughter's toys, including a mock mini toilet paper distributed as a promotion by supermarket chain Coles.
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  2020-08-07

  Jewish Melbourne: 'High Holy Day Services in the shadow of Covid'

  Newspaper article by Rabbi Yonatan Sadoff (from Kehilat Nitzan) in the Australian Jewish News, 7 August 2020.
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  2020-04-14

  Jewish Melbourne: South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation Pesach Reflections

  On 14 April 2020, Rabbi Daniel Rabin from South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation recorded a livestream from the shul with "Some reflections pre last days of Pesach and Yizkor on Thursday." This video was streamed to facebook, where it remains.
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  2020

  Jewish Melbourne: South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah

  During lockdown, South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation has been running online kabbalat shabbat and havdalah services, through zoom and streamed to facebook. One example of this from September can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/SCHebrewCongregation/posts/2849524248601840
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  2020-09-11

  Jewish Melbourne: Blake St Hebrew Congregation Shabbat Services

  Throughout the lockdown, as synagogues have been closed, Blake Street Hebrew Congregation has conducted Shabbat services via zoom, and shared videos on their Facebook page. At times this has involved singing with Moshe Hendel Feiglin for Mincha, which can be seen in this video.
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  2020-04-11

  Jewish Melbourne: Solidarity Seder

  On Saturday 11 April 2020, a group of Jews from across Australia gathered together on zoom for a 'Solidarity seder'. Organised by people from Here, Queer, and Jewish Australia, Sydney Left Jews, Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS), Fully Automated Luxury Kosher Space Kibbutz and Jews against Fascism, this seder raised money for undocumented migrants as well as Grandmothers Against Removals. Approximately 60 people gathered together, reading through the haggadah together, sharing a meal, and sharing ideas about what Jewish life and possibility looked like in that moment. Everyone agreed that this was a unique and special Jewish space.
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  2020-07

  Jewish Melbourne: Survivors in Isolation - A different isolation

  In July Elly Brooks - who is a photographer, member of the Board of the Jewish Holocaust Centre, and President of Friends of JHC - worked with the JHC to take photos of Holocaust survivors at their front doors. In line with Melbourne's lockdown procedures, the JHC was closed, and everyone was required to be at home, so these photos show the survivors as they stayed home to isolate. Elly Brooks reflected: "Holocaust Survivors and other elderly people are perhaps more impacted in this time of covid isolation than younger people as they are confined to their homes under the country’s partial lockdown and many find themselves far from their usual network of support. What shines through this series of images of Holocaust survivors in Melbourne is a strong spirit to overcome adversity, with an understanding that it is a temporary. Most of the survivors pictured, have been coming to the Jewish Holocaust Centre for many years, presenting their testimony to students and the general public and being connected to a community. In early March, when the pandemic was becoming an inevitable danger in Melbourne, the survivors were the first to be asked to stay home, away from the JHC. For some, the memories of our survivors are always there just below the surface and this enforced isolation makes our elderly feel vulnerable and threatens their independence. As a photographer, I wanted to capture the strength and dignity of survivors as they posed on their doorsteps of their homes during this lockdown.As a longtime friend to most of them, I have been missing them so it also gave me good reason to visit them and hear their wise words. For some the virus brought back memories: “that feeling of dread all the time. You never know if other people on the street are going to give you the virus, or they were going to turn you in to the Gestapo because you were a Jew.” Each survivor had their photo taken and they each contributed a reflection: Joe de Hann: I keep occupied by reading and cooking for myself. I have been alone a long time so I am used to being by myself but I miss the Holocaust Centre and the people Henry Buch: I feel unchallenged and lack motivation. My son visits but my daughter is in isolation. Jewish Care assists me but when you are isolated like this memories and worries come back Irma Hanner: “It’s not a war! “We are in a lucky country but even so we must be aware of and call out racism. The extremes of politics both right and left sides are bad. “I miss my work at The Jewish Holocaust Centre” Gisa Frayman: I am lucky that my children come to visit which means that I am not alone. We talk everyday on the phone and as long as they are well, they visit me John Lamovie: I have a large family and before this isolation they visited often but not now. That is the hardest for me at this time.Life during the pandemic ihas an unsettling resonance, especially the isolation from family members. Some of my family drive by to wave to me. A couple of family deaths were very hard to reconcile at this strange time of isolation. I attended a virtual funeral. Overall I feel lucky and nothing to complain about. Abe Goldberg: It’s not a war but it is very hard for me because my wife Cesia is in care and I cannot visit her. That is devastating for me not being allowed to visit her. We have been together so many years Sarah Saaroni: I’m perfectly fine and see my family from a distance. I am fully occupied and well looked after. Henri Korn: Life during the pandemic is unsettling especially the isolation from my friends and family. “It pains me that I cannot be with my family, with my friends,” Wolf Deane: We are happy to be living here and have our family close by. Joe Swarczberg: I miss The JHC, the students, staff and my friends. I used to go often and now I just stay at home. I hope I live long enough to see the new Centre. David Prince: I miss my work at The Holocaust Centre especially seeing the students. I am used to being independent and have friends and family nearby. It is an unsettling time and I hope we can go back to the way it was and I am around to see the new Centre. Viv Speigel: I miss going to The Centre but I am lucky to see my family from a distance and I have all that I need. Maria Lewitt: I am happy to be close to my family and well cared for. John Chaskiel: I am fine and my family visits from a distance. They come to my driveway but I miss The Holocaust Centre and the students. I hope I will see the new museum
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  2020-04-21

  Jewish Melbourne: "Second Generation Holocaust Survivor Triggers During The COVID 19 Crisis"

  This is a video recording of a conversation between Liora Miller and Simone Szalmuk-Singer of Jewish Women of Words. It was hosted as well by the ZIonist Federation of Australia.
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  2020-05-13

  Melbourne Jewish Book Week and COVID - 19, part 3

  MJBW shifted to regular online events that are now occurring on the second Tuesday of each Month
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  2020-03-18

  Melbourne Jewish Book Week and COVID - 19, part 2

  MJBW email newsletters announcing cancellation of 2020 Festival
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  2020-03-18

  Melbourne Jewish Book Week and COVID - 19

  Melbourne Jewish Book Week was raring to go with its 2020 Festival, scheduled for 2-7 May. International and local writers were booked – more than 80 in total. Almost two years in the planning, the festival was going to include two full days of panels and workshops; opening and closing night galas; a performance at fortyfivedownstairs; a literary brunch with two leading writers from New York; and a keynote address. As coronavirus spread, and governments started imposing restrictions, including the closure of borders, we held several meetings and on 12 March we decided that a live festival was not in the interests of our supporters – and we pulled the plug, with tears and heartache. We were one of the first festivals to do so, but in the days and weeks that followed, no-one had any other option. We felt an obligation to our supporters, sponsors and writers to provide an alternative. We opted for regular on-line events using available technology, and decided not to commit to a live event until the heath risks were well and truly passed. Six months later, we are delighted and proud of what we have achieved in the CoVid world. Starting with no knowledge of the technology, we are now familiar with all aspects of Zoom. We have established the second Tuesday of the month as Melbourne Jewish Book Week evening. Our offerings (to March 2021) have been: • May 2020 Philippe Sands and Mark Baker • June 2020 David Isaacs and Elizabeth Finkel • June 2020 (extra) Colum McCann and Mark Baker • July 2020 Ben Lewi and Jan Epstein • August 2020 Juliet Rieden and Bram Presser • September 2020 Paul Valent and Rachel Kohn • October 2020 Shais Rishon (MaNishtana) and Claire Coleman – moderated by Isabelle Oderberg. • November 2020 Summer Reading Guide with Tali Lavi, Elissa Goldstein and Bram Presser • February 2020 Arnold Zable and Tali Levi • March 2020 Open mic
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  2020-08-30

  Kehilat Nitzan Services

  Jewish Melbourne
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  2020-08-30

  Chabad on Carlisle Rabbi Videos

  Jewish Melbourne
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  2020-08-30

  Elwood Shule Shabbat Virtual Services

  Jewish Melbourne
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  2020-08-30

  East Melbourne Synagogue Schedule of Services

  Jewish Melbourne
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  2020-08-30

  Chabad House Glen Eira What is Shabbat Page

  Jewish Melbourne
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  2020-08-30

  Kehilat Kolenu Online Shabbat Events

  Jewish Melbourne
• 2020-05-11

  New days, ancient words

  Saying Shehecheyanu as a thanks to all that we regard precious in life
• 2020-04-05

  A very different Pesach

  Pesach 2020: This night that is different from all other nights is going to be even more different this year.
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  2020-04-01

  NCJWA Vic

  The National Council of Jewish Women of Australia Victoria (NCJWA Vic) was established 93 years ago with the vision of creating a better world for women. Our mission, is to support women at key points across the life cycle, advance their status and promote social cohesion and human rights. NCJWA Vic rolled into crisis management determined to continue our mission to support women and girls during this difficult time. Strong and decisive action was taken to keep our people safe and continue serving our community. We quickly adapted most of our program, while participants were incredibly grateful for our continued support, illuminating the need and value of social connection for mental wellbeing throughout our lives, even more so during such a crisis.
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  2020-03-01

  Connect - Powered by NCJWA Vic

  Connect Is NCJWA Vic's set of programs for older women, encouraging social interaction while improving their mental and physical health. These programs create a sense of community and family while offering a place where older people come together, have a chat and relax. Our main programs are The Golden Age Clubs, for Russian speaking Jewish migrants from the former Soviet Union, and Seniors and Bridge clubs.
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  2020-04-07

  Jewish Melbourne Passover 2020

  Missing the Seder with friends...the story, songs, prayers, food and children squirming waiting for dinner.
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  2020-04-12T16:15:10

  Jewish Melbourne - Passover 2020

  Passover is one of my favorite holidays. I love the Seder, songs, prayers, food and sharing it with loved ones. For the last several years, I have been a guest at my dear friend's house. She has three grandson's, twins age 13 and a 10 year old. Her daughter is a wonderful baker and makes the most wonderful desserts! Her son is a chef and dinner is spectacular! He also conducts the Seder with the perfect combination of fun and the seriousness of the occasion. I miss this terribly!
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  2020-06-29

  Bubba Helen reflects on how to cope with the Cholera virus while NOT participating in her Israeli dancing passion (Jewish Melbourne)

  The Israeli Folk dancing community in Melbourne specifically, is bereft at not being able to participate in weekly dance classes since the outbreak of the cholera pandemic
• 2020-07-17T23:12+10:00

  Aleph Melbourne COVID-19 Resource Page (Jewish Melbourne)

  Shortly after the coronavirus pandemic was announced I created and maintained a page on the Aleph Melbourne web site containing a list of resources catering to the Jewish and the LGBTIQ+ communities. I keep the page as current as possible.