Gimmel Tammuz events in Melbourne

This year it appears Rabbi Mendel Glukowsky from Rechovot in Israel is being brought to Melbourne to speak at various Gimmel Tammuz events. He will be speaking at a number of functions at various Chabad Houses and shuls and at the main community event this motzoei Shabbos at the Werdiger Hall. This community event is usually quite good with a couple of "minor" speeches and the main address by the guest speaker. Then comes what is now de rigueur at all major Chabad events and farbrengen - the video. (It seems that if one doesn't have a TV at home this is the next best thing!) Actually the video is usually quite good.

My only criticism is that there is a cover charge for the community event. I believe that if we want the "community" to attend and not just Lubavitchers it should be a free event - by all means request donations - but do not have a set charge. I understand that speakers cost money to bring out but if we really believe that the Rebbe was the Rebbe of all Jewry then we should try to attract all Jews to a function to honour him. The problem is that in Melbourne most of Chabad has become very insular and only the few Chabad Houses and some individuals are doing "outreach". The "powers that be" therefore assume that noone other than Chabadniks will be interested in honouring the Rebbe's memory.

Be that as it may, Gluckowsky is a good speaker and worth hearing.