Chabad of Melbourne CBD

Functions Purim 2003 Purim 2004 Sukkot 2004 Chanuka 2004 Sukkot 2005 Chanuka 2005 Purim 2006 Evening with Rabbi L. Groner Evening with Rabbi C. T. Groner Sukkot 2006 Chanuka 2006 Purim 2007 Sukkot 2007
  Simchas Beis Hashoeva Rabbi Skobac
  “The DaVinci Code”
   A Jewish perspective Chanuka 2008 Lunch & Learn
  Guest Rabbi Zvi Telsner
  Dayan of the Yeshiva Centre

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Rabbi A. A. Trugman has been involved in Jewish Education for thirty years. He and his family were one of the founding families of Moshav Meor Modiin in 1976. Rabbi Trugman went on to become Director at the Moshav of the Centre of Jewish Education, which successfully ran programs for over 5,000 participants a year from over 25 countries. In 1988 Rabbi Trugman took the position of Regional Director of NCSY in Denver, Colorado where he created a new region. The Trugman Family were devoted students of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (OBM) and have incorporated his music, teachings and spirit into the exciting programs they have been running for students and the general community in the USA and Israel for the last 30 years.

PURIM in the CBD 2009

The largest Purim celebration in Melbourne took place yesterday At Chabad CBD, with hundreds of business men and women in Attendance. The Mayor and Government Politicians joined in the Celebration.

The event began with a mass mivtzah tefillin by the Tmimim of Machon Smicha, afterwards Shliach Rabbi Chaim Herzog officially Opened the celebration with inyonei d’yoma, stressing that the Megillah is timely for all generations including ours and we must Stand proud in our Yiddishkeit as Mordechai and Esther did in their Time.

The multi-cultural Minister assisting the Prime Minister the Honourable James Merlino representing the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told the Assembled that the Victorian Government is proud to host this Purim Party, and announced that a new budget allowance for all religions inculuding Jewish was just passed. He commented on the shofar blowing at the Memorial For the bushfire victims had made a great impression on all.

The Honourable Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle thanked Rabbi Herzog for Organizing the Holiday events, throughout the year, Purim at the Melbourne Town Hall, Succos in the Melbourne City Square, and Chanukah at Parliament House,etc. And hopes that he will be invited to future celebrations. He amused the audience With a few Jewish jokes.

The megillah was then read and the proceedings were concluded with a catered Buffet seudah and live music

Chabad of Melbourne's Central Business District
Menorah Lighting and Cocktail Party at
Victoria's Parliament House Australia

The Chabad House of Melbourne's Central Business District directed by Rabbi Chaim Herzog held its annual Menorah Lighting and Cocktail Party at the Victorian State Parliament House on the second night of Chanukah. Victoria's Premier John Brumby and the Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu were in attendance as well as many other politicians, community leaders and members of the community.

The master of ceremonies Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant opened the evening with inspiring words on how the fact that we are able to light the Chanukah Menorah in Parliament proves how the Government supports and helps Jews to keep their traditions and celebrate their religion. Rabbi Herzog then addressed the audience on the importance of lighting up the darkness – even after the tragedy of Mumbai – we must now continue to light up the world even more so – that not one place in this world shall remain dark with hate and intolerance.

Premier Brumby spoke on the State of Victoria's tolerance and welcoming of all peoples in the spirit of multiculturalism. Premier Brumby expressed his happiness at joining in the Chanukah celebrations as a demonstration of how Australia, and Victoria in particular, value their Jewish citizens and their Jewish culture and their right to freedom.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu spoke about the importance of the festival of Chanukah – how it has been celebrated for almost 2,000 years – and how the Victorian Parliament respects and celebrates all cultures and their ancient traditions.

Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner of the Yeshivah Centre then spoke about how Chanukah celebrates Unity – he addressed the Premier and State Opposition Leader who are unified in their support of Victorian Jewry. Rabbi Groner also explained the Seven Noachide Laws at length to the participants.

The Menorah was then lit by Rabbi Herzog and Chazzan Yechezkel Braun sang Haneros Halalu and Maoz Tzur. Many Jews from Melbourne's city-centre and many professionals and businesspeople participated in this annual event which was followed by a Cocktail party.

Sukkah in the City Sqaure

Thursday the first day of Chol Hamoed in the Diaspora, Chabad of Melbourne Central Business District directed by Shliach Rabbi Chaim Herzog held a luncheon and lecture in their large Sukkah in City Square. Many business people and professionals who work in the area used this opportunity to 'bentch' Lulav and Etrog in the morning and various schools including 'King David School' (a Progressive school) visited with their classes.

The highlight of the Sukkah exhibition which lasts all Chol Hamoed, was the luncheon which was attended by Melbourne's Lord Mayor, the Deputy Lord Mayor and Rabbi Levi Mochkin, Rabbi Herzog thanked the Lord Mayor and the City of Melbourne for their continuous support for the past four years that the Sukkah exhibition has been held and asked the Lord Mayor to speak.

The Lord Mayor spoke at length about how Melbourne is a multicultural city that is made up of people who speak over 200 different languages and every religion. The Lord Mayor spoke of how the Sukkah represents unity - where everyone is welcome to live in harmony. He spoke of how lucky we are to live in Melbourne, a city where people of all denominations also live with tolerance. Afterward, Rabbi Herzog invited the Deputy Lord Mayor to speak. The Deputy spoke of how he appreciates the merit he has to help Rabbi Herzog to open this Sukkah which demonstrates that everyone can coexist and work together for greater good. He also spoke of how he is proud to help members of the Jewish community by giving them more opportunities to fulfill the Mitzvah Sukkah while at work.

Rabbi Levi Mochkin then addressed the participants explaining the Chassidic messages behind Sukkot according to the Rebbe's teachings. Rabbi Mochkin also pointed out that this Sukkah in Melbourne's Central Business District is one of thousand of Sukkot that are open to all over all the world. After these speeches and Divrei Torah, the participants were invited to wash and sit down to fully catered luncheon in the Sukkah.

Corporate Fraud in the Eyes of Torah

Law Lecture at Chabad of Melbourne's Central Business District Today Chabad of Melbourne's Central Business District, under shliach Rabbi Chaim Herzog, hosted a lecture for Jewish lawyers and professionals on the topic of "Corporate Fraud in the Eyes of Torah". The first guest-speaker Mr. Ian (Yisroel) Waller, a prominent barrister and lawyer, spoke of how Australian law defines corporate law and its implications. Second guest-speaker Rabbi Dr. Shimon Cowen spoke of how Jewish law defines corporate fraud and its implications for Jewish businesspeople. The lecture featured a break in which a minyan for Mincha was held (as it is each week) and the lecture continued with a 'Question & Answer" session. This popular and fascinating lecture was attended by many of Melbourne's prominent law professionals, businesspeople and other Jews local to the area.

Inspiration and Divrei Torah at Chabad of Melbourne CBD

Chabad of Melbourne CBD holds a Mincha minyan daily at their premises in Melbourne's Central Business District. Last week on Monday, Mr. Motti Dominitz of Mosdot Shiloh addrssed the participants at the Minyan at a lunch and learn lecture. Mr. Dominitz spoke at length about the Mesirut Nefesh that the Jews who live in Shiloh must have on a daily basis in order to protect the precious site where the Mishkan stood for hundreds of years and in Yehudah and Shomron. The next day on Tuesday the Admor M'Stropkov (Stropkover Rebbe) farbrenged with participants about various Chidushei Torah that the Alter Rebbe has taught. Both events were well attended and enjoyed by the various professionals and businesspeople who work in the city and appreciate any chance to 'chap' a mincha and a shiur.

Rabbi Leibel Groner lectures at Chabad of Melbourne CBD

Rabbi Laibel Groner, Secretary of the Rebbe, lectured at Chabad of Melbourne CBD, the Chabad of Melbourne's inner city district, directed by Rabbi Chaim Herzog. At the lunchtime lecture, Rabbi Herzog introduced Rabbi Groner who worked closely with the Rebbe for forty years and who could share thousands of ideas and teachings learnt from such close contact with the Rebbe. Rabbi Groner did not disappoint his captive audience. Rabbi Groner recounted countless stories demonstrating how the Rebbe would do his utmost in every situation that he faced, to help each Jew - even Jews who had never heard of the Rebbe or had no known connection. Rabbi Groner recounted stories of how the Rebbe would ask of others to help their fellow Jews materially or spiritually. Rabbi Groner told intriguing stories of how the Rebbe took great interest in helping non-Jews who came to him for assistance and guidance. Rabbi Groner's talk concluded with him telling his captivated audience about the Rebbe's daily schedule and day-to-day life, how his entire being was for the greater good and the masses of his Chassidim and world Jewry. Tens of participants were inspired by Rabbi Groner's lecture and enjoyed the catered lunch served.

Unexpected Visitor Visits Chabad of Melbourne CBD

Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda Yaroslavsky the Moro Diasro and the Mazir Bais Din of Chabad Rabbis of Israel visited Chabad of Melbourne CBD where Rabbi Chaim Herzog is the shliach, the Rabbi davened Mincha and Farbrenged with a group of business people.

Gimmel Tammuz in Melbourne's
Central Business District, Australia

Rabbie Yosef Minkowitz, Principal of Beth Rivkah Montreal, who was Melbourne's guest speaker for Gimmel Tammuz spoke today before businesspeople and professionals at the Chabad of Melbourne CBD directed by Shliach Rabbi Chaim Herzog. Rabbi Minkowitz highlighted how the Rebbe's visions and words about what would occur in Eretz Yisroel, always came into effect. The Rebbe announced the good - that no one should fear the outcome of the Six-Day War and indeed there was victory. The Rebbe also forewarned about the danger of considering (and even more so the actual) giving away land to broker 'peace deals' and indeed we have unfortunately witnessed the tragedies suffered as a result of not heeding the Rebbe's words. Rabbi Minkowitz also spoke about the Rebbe's stance on 'prisoner exchanges and release'. After the lecture, a minyan for Mincha was held. Shortly after the organizers and participants were informed of the passing of the Head Shliach of Melbourne Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner A"H and the event was dedicated for his Aliyas Neshomoh.