Post-Smicha Program -- in Melbourne

I was pointed to the "advertisement" below in Shmais (thanks Berl). It sounds like a good idea especially for the serious bochur who hopes to go into Rabbonus or Shlichus. It would have been nice to have heard about it in Melbourne first but I suppose they expect their intake to come mainly from overseas.

Melbourne Launches Post-smichah Program

What makes a successful Rabbi? The more scholarly will suggest more extensive knowledge and a deeper understanding of the Torah. Pragmatists may propose that an awareness and understanding of his congregants is the most vital ingredient. Hands on, practical experience is certainly also a key.

The problem troubled a group of Melbourne philanthropists. They decided to create a new institution, "The Chabad Post Smichah Program", to address the issue. Founding patron, Mr. M. Gordon, feels that this generic name is very appropriate, “This is the first such program in the world” he explains.

The Orthodox world in general and the Chabad world specifically have rather defined Yeshivah systems. The missing link in this system is that once a student has received his Smichah (Rabbinic ordination), this system is over. 770 in New York (Chabad) or Mir in Jerusalem (non-chassidic) are possibilities for furthering their studies. But for many a student, there is just too much hustle-bustle and insufficient guidance to facilitate an organized and successful year of learning. As Rabbi D. Shmerling, a faculty member for the institution notes, “While teaching in the Los Angeles based Kollel Tiferet Menachem Smichah Program, I recognized a genuine desire on the part of the budding Rabbis for a defined curriculum to further their studies.” Rabbi M. Krasjansky, spiritual leader of Or Chadash and chairman of the Advisory Committee believes that just as important as it is to have a guided program, it is also important to provide for these young and fertile minds to follow the areas of learning in which they find passion.

The program will commence in Cheshvan and will complete its first year in Elul. It will concentrate on area's of halachah which are not covered in regular Smichah programs, but are vital for future life, especially in shlichus or rabbonus. (Other skills necessary for shlichus will also be taught.) Rabbi D. Shmerling, who was chosen to direct the program, will draw on his knowledge to guide the students. He has experience teaching both learned and serious rabbinic students in Kollel Tiferet Menachem and searching young men from secular backgrounds in Mayanot. This will enable him to successfully teach the young rabbi's, while simultaneously advise them about outreach programs for Ohel Devorah.

Strolling down the quiet, leafy Meadow Street, one would never imagine the gem situated at the street's end - Beis Chabad Ohel Devorah. The Shule is the home of a vibrant and diverse community. It is arguably the most centrally located Shule in Melbourne. Founding patron of "The Chabad Post-Smichah Program", Mr. M. Feiglin, was involved in the creation of the centre over two decades ago. He is proud that Ohel Devorah will be the host to this novel program. "The Ohel Devorah community is eager to welcome in the young Rabbis" he adds. It is envisaged that the full-time learning in Ohel Devorah will encourage and attract members, neighbors and guests to join in shiurim which will be commencing in the heimish Beis Chabad Ohel Devorah.

Many of Melbourne's leading Rabbonim and askanim have been instrumental in founding this venture. Some members of Ohel Devorah who have been involved include: HaRav C. T. Groner, its president Mr M. Feiglin, treasurer Mr M. Broner, board members Mr M. Dzienciol, patron Mr M. Fraid, Mr M. Gordon, Mr S. Grajzman, and Mr N. Rosenbaum. The rabbinic advisory board include Rabbi M. Krasnjansky, Rabbi Z. Telsner and Rabbi L. Weinberg (Johannesburg, South Africa).

Endorsed by leading Australian and overseas Rabbis, this new institute is sure to attract bright and dynamic Rabbis of the future. The staff include teachers, selected for their knowledge and skill at educating, as well as catering and maintenance staff of the highest caliber. There is no charge for students. A suitable and nearby premises has been purchased as the dormitory. It will provide comfortable accomodation for the students. There is no doubt that the experience and community involvement which the young Rabbis gain here, will impact greatly on their success in future posts.

For further information or to apply, please e-mail: postsmichahprogram@gmail.com

Head Shluchim?

Click on letter for a more readable size

Emmanuel has sent out this letter from Rabbi Y Krinsky, Chairman of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, officially appointing Rabbi Yossel Gutnick and Reb Arel Serebryanski as "Head Shluchim" of their various Chabad Houses.

What does this mean?

Both these gentlemen have either established or supported Chabad Houses over the past few years. Reb Yossel has and is being more active with this and, I assume, financially supporting his children in their establishment of various Chabad Houses in Melbourne and beyond. Reb Arel most notably lent his backing (sometimes with the financial support coming from his friends) to various shluchim who did not have the backing of the established Chabad House Rabbis for whatever reason. I don't see that this official recognition from Merkos actually changes anything. Both Reb Arel and Reb Yossel are secure enough to have never needed official backing for any of their ventures. In any case I wish them Mazal Tov on this "appointment" and hatzlocho in continuing their good work.

As Emmanuel points out in his email there is still no overall "Head Shaliach" in Melbourne. Rabbi Groner was always the official Head Shaliach with Rabbi Shimshon Yurkowicz as the de-facto head of the Shluchim "board of Rabbis". I have no idea what that group is called but, from my observations, it is an exclusive, self-appointed board. In essence I think it is a good idea that there is an place where Shluchim can brainstorm issues and work together. My issue is that this group of Rabbis, many of who established their own Chabad Houses with little consultation with anyone else, has decided that only they have to the right to approve of who can be called a Shaliach. I know of good, talented and dedicated people who have been given an extremely difficult time by this group when they wanted to establish a new Chabad House. Fortunately there are people like Reb Arel around who will back new shluchim in their ventures.

So the bottom line appears that everyone will continue and do their own thing. The more established Chabad Rabbis will still oppose the opening of new Chabad Houses (except by family members) and those rejected will have recourse to Reb Arel and Reb Yossel.

The main thing is that the Rebbe's work be continued in a positive way without egos getting in the way. Now that the "Head Shaliach" role is decentralised this should lead to positive outcomes.

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Pidyon Petter Chamor

Better late than never...

I was just informed of this video filmed by Chaim Mehlman of High Key Productions. For those who were not there it is a nice summary of the event.

Representative Leadership

There have been a number of comments here, in shul and around the community about the Vaad Ruchni and it's recent rulings. Unfortunately there is a lot of scepticism and cynicism about the leadership of Chabad in Melbourne and Yeshiva Shul in particular. These feelings have been brewing for a while but, with the passing of Rabbi Groner obm, they are being expressed more openly.

Due to a number of reasons, not the least Rabbi Groner's ill health over the last few years, our community has had a feeling of being rudderless. This is despite the many Chabad Houses and good works done by groups and individuals in the community. Even though there is a lot being done as far as outreach to the general Jewish community there is a feeling that not enough is being done to nurture our own community. I believe that this needs to start with either the Yeshivah Executive/Committee of Management, the Vaad Ruchni, Rabbi Telsner or maybe some other group of people who really care.

It appears to me that the established leadership has certain strengths and weaknesses:

The Yeshivah Executive/Committee of Management: From my observation this self-appointed committee work hard on an individual and group basis. I know that many, if not all, of them give much of their time to Yeshivah matters despite having businesses to run and the needs of their family to meet. The issues I see are that
(1) they are self-appointed therefore not giving other talented people in the community a chance to participate. This also ensures that only like-minded people are appointed to the executive and different points of view may not necessarily be heard.
(2) they appear to be mainly concerned with the running of Yeshivah and Beth Rivkah Colleges and not necessarily with the general Chabad community.
(3) being self appointed they are not accountable to anyone in the community and we have to accept their decisions as there is no other choice. I believe it would benefit everyone if they were subject to elections.
(4) there is no financial transparency. I assume that they control the finances but how would we know (see no 3 above).

The Vaad Ruchni:
(1) Nobody is really sure how they were appointed. We are told that Rabbi Groner directed that a Vaad Ruchni be setup before his passing but there appears to be general disbelief about that.
(2) While I have the utmost respect for the individual members some of them appear to be political appointments.
(3) The original statement from the Executive about their appointment states that the Vaad Ruchni will work together with the Committee of Management. I know that a lot of people feel that their rulings are subject to approval by the Executive and this weakens the impact and respect of the Vaad Ruchni.
(4) I don't believe that the Vaad Ruchni has made a convincing case that they should be allowed to make statements and rulings which affect us all. Already one of the members is involved in an unfortunate business dealing which negatively impacted on a number of people here.
(5) The latest ruling about exiting shul was, I believe, a good one. Unfortunately the practical aspects were not thought through and it became a source of annoyance and amusement.

Rabbi Telsner: I think that Rabbi Telsner has impressed most of the community with his knowledge and his commitment to serving the community. Being that he is only the Rav of the shul and has no input into the schools or the wider Chabad community. He is therefore the spiritual leader of the Yeshivah Shul and not of Melbourne Chabad which is, I believe, to the detriment of the community.


It seems obvious to me that there needs to be some way of uniting the whole of the Melbourne Chabad community. Demographics have changed drastically in the last 15 or 20 years and the community is not just based in Hotham Street but throughout Melbourne. There needs to be some mechanism where we can all meet together and discuss our needs and formulate a way for the community to proceed into the future. It appears that there needs to be an elected committee which is accountable to everyone and has fixed terms so that those elected understand that they have to perform or they will not be elected next time. In other words a simple democracy.

I know that there are a number of people and families who think that it is their right to "run" Melbourne but times have changed. There are many extremely talented people (men and women) - some are not even wealthy or related to the "major" families - who have a lot to give and who would love to devote their free time to the community. If we give everyone a chance it can only be a positive thing for us all.


It goes without saying that these ideas are mine alone. I welcome comments and input from others who have a different insight.
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A Practical Ruling

To many people's pleasant surprise the new Vaad Ruchni has come out with a practical takonah regarding the consumption of alcohol in the community. After the previous update a week ago I, for one, was despairing of seeing anything down-to-earth coming out of their meetings. Thank G-d they have issued what I feel is a decisive statement based firmly on the Rebbe's wishes in this matter. We can only hope that this ruling is taken seriously by all in our community.

The takonah as published on the Yeshivah Community Website:

VAAD RUCHNI UPDATE

ALCOHOL

The abuse of alcohol is a problem in society at large on all levels, but we feel that it is our duty to address this issue as it exists within our community. This is especially so, since there have, over the years, been several incidents in which young people have put themselves into potentially dangerous situations through over-drinking.

We feel that a meaningful and significant improvement in the situation can be achieved only if we base our whole approach to the drinking of alcohol on the specific Takonoh (decree) of the Rebbe. This was first instituted by the Rebbe about forty-five years ago, and subsequently repeated, emphasized and reiterated by him in public on countless occasions. The Takonoh was that for any person less than forty years of age, the maximum amount of alcohol consumed is a sum total of not more than one Reviis, (In Halocho there are differing opinions as to the actual size of a Reviis, the accepted opinion in Chabad is 86ml) and that this Reviis should be split up into three or four separate times of saying L'Chaim, example: a person should say not more than four L'Chaims, the total amount not exceeding 86ml. In the event of his having made Kiddush on wine, the amount of wine he drank is included in the total shiur of alcohol permitted. Kiddush itself should not be made on vodka or whisky.

We believe that if the above takonoh is observed, it is highly unlikely that alcohol consumption will be a problem. Unfortunately, quite apart from the fact that some people consider the above Takonoh to be outdated and irrelevant and do not take it seriously, there are, in addition, social and practical circumstances which encourage people to behave in a way totally inconsistent with both the letter and spirit of the Takonoh.

The three main venues where alcohol consumption has been a problem have been:

(i) Kiddushim and farbrengens;

(ii) Simchos such as a Sholom Zochor, weddings, engagements, etc;

(iii) At the Shabbos/Yomtov table of a Baal-Habayis.

In all of the above, very often several bottles of alcohol are left on a table, where they attract the interest of those who are included in the Takonoh, and who therefore should not be drinking more than the Takonoh permits.

In order for the Takonoh to be observed, surrounding circumstances must be arranged in a way that actively encourage its observance. We therefore recommend that the Institution of a "Sar Hamashkim" (server of drinks) which has for generations been in practice at Chassidic farbrengens, is here both necessary and timely. Practically speaking, the arrangement should be that at any of the above, there should be one or more persons who are responsible for the distribution of alcohol. This person (or persons) will go around and offer L'Chaim, in small-size cups only to those present. Given that no alcohol will be placed on the table, and that those in charge of distribution are responsible people, there is no reason why anyone should drink over the limits of the Takonoh. School age children up to and including secondary school students should not be given any vodka or whisky. At farbrengens for school age students, L'Chaim should be said on wine or soft drinks.

The key to all of the above is responsibility. Those who organize a farbrengen must be responsible for arranging a distributor for the duration of that farbrengen. The host is responsible for a similar arrangement at a Sholom Zochor taking place in his home. He is similarly responsible for the amount of alcohol distributed and consumed at his Shabbos/Yomtov table. We therefore feel that no event should be advertised on Yeshivah notice-boards or websites, etc. or announced in Shule unless there is someone who accepts responsibility for making and implementing the appropriate arrangements. We hope that everyone will appreciate that such restrictions are in everyone's best interests, and represent a minor inconvenience which yields major results.

Needless to say, all of the above concerns only the maximum amount of alcohol allowed. If, however, a parent wishes that their son should drink no alcohol whatsoever, their wishes must be respected.

Ksivo Vchasimo Tova

A New Regime?

The new Vaad Ruchni

The following statement just appeared on the Yeshivah Community Website:

Yud Gimmel Tammuz, 5768
July 16, 2008

Following the recent passing of our esteemed Shliach, Rav and Morei Da'asra, Rabbi Y. D. Groner of blessed memory, I am writing to provide some very important information.

In the weeks before his passing, Rabbi Groner issued instructions to establish a Vaad Ruchni made up of the following members:
Rabbi B. Cohen
Rabbi A. Glick
Rabbi C.T. Groner
Mr S. Gurewicz
Rabbi Z. Telsner
Rabbi S. Yurkowicz

The Vaad Ruchni will work together with the Committee of Management, providing guidance and advice on Chabad-Lubavitch ethos and teachings relating to any of the Yeshivah Centre moisdos (institutions).

In the zchus of Rabbi Groner may the entire Yeshivah Centre community work together to ensure that the Rebbe's moisdos to which Rabbi Groner, the Rebbe's Shliach, devoted his life, continue to grow from strength to strength.

Yours sincerely,

Don Wolf
Chair-Committee of Management.

This can only be a positive undertaking. In general I am impressed with the members of the Vaad who come from diverse backgrounds and, I feel, all have the best interests of our community at heart. I look forward to seeing positive changes and improvements which I hope will begin very soon.

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I just came across this newscast from SBS Radio. Journalist Greer Fay Cashman, formerly of Sydney, reports on Rabbi Groner's funeral in Jerusalem. Some of what she said is in doubtful taste but, overall, it does give us a feeling of the occasion.
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Support for Israeli Backpackers

According to a report in the Ma'ariv newspaper ten percent of Israeli youth traveling abroad after their army service come to Australia. In Melbourne these travelers are catered to by Rabbi Dudu and Sara Lieder from their Chabad House on Carslile Street. Many young people who have never experienced a Shabbos or Yom Tov, lit Shabbos candles or put on tefillin are having their first taste of yiddishkeit not in the Holy Land but in the Land Down Under.

A few months ago Mrs Riva Cohen found out that while the Lieders provided Shabbos meals for dozens of Israelis each week their budget could not meet the expense of providing meat or chicken for these meals. She promptly formed Ohel Sara where she invited women in our community to contribute towards ensuring that a full Shabbos meal could be provided. This is not just about a free meal for some young people travelling around Australia but, by proving a complete Shabbos meal, this encourages them to spend more time at the Shabbos table with the Lieders. This provides them with a genuine, warm Shabbos experience which they often have never been part of before.

Every dollar raised goes exclusively toward these meals. In order to contribute to this worthy cause you can write a check to Solomon Kosher Butcher, purchase a Solomon voucher or leave cash in an envelope and slip it under Mrs Cohen's door. Alternatively you can email me at aussieecho@gmail.com and I will advise you how to make a contribution.
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Mazal Tov Rabbis

The latest crop of bochurim completing their rabbinical studies in Melbourne graduated this week from Machon Chaim LeSmicha. An article and photos appear in COL. Featuring in the group are some "home grown" boys which is always nice to see.

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Dinner for JCOM

The Jewish Centre of Ormond McKinnon held a fundraising dinner last week at Kimberley Gardens. A report of the event appears in Shmais with the same report but more photos on CrownHeights.info. From the accounts I heard from those who attended it was a very enjoyable evening.

Rabbi Levi and Channie Kurinsky have only been in the McKinnon area for two years but already they have made a big impact. This young, dynamic and hard-working couple have established ties with that community and are attracting people both young and old to their events.

Why, I hear you ask, is their centre not called a Chabad House? There are many different hypotheses and I am reluctant to write too much about this. It just seems strange and very wrong that people who are doing positive things in the community and making a Kiddush Hashem and a Kiddush Lubavitch cannot call their organisation a Chabad House.

Mazal Tov Rabbi Levi and Channie on your achievements so far. Haztlocho Rabbo for the future. May you go from strength to strength.

Antisemitic Attack on Carslile Street

From The Age

The papers this morning have reported on the assult of two young men on Saturday night at Glicks on Carslile Street. The violent, antisemitic attack occured after Ephraim Manshari finished his shift at Mister Glicks. Another young man, Alon "Tam", was also physically attacked while walking past the shop. Thankfully, from the photos, it appears that he did not suffer serious injuries. But whatever injuries Alon, Ephraim or anyone else suffered we wish them a Refuah Shleima.

Hopefully police will be able to catch these violent thugs as it initially appears that they escaped without being caught. This was despite being chased by some members of the Community Security Group who were eating nearby. I don't know what the solution to this sort of violence is but, as Alon is quoted as saying, all antisemitic incidents, no matter how seemingly minor, should be reported to the police and to the Jewish authorities. We have a right to walk the streets of Australia peacefully just like any other person.

News reports can be seen in the Jewish News, The Age, NineMSN, The Australian and News.com which has the most detailed description of events.

Lag BaOmer Photos

Alex's Moshiach Car

COL has lots more photos from the parade in Melbourne yesterday. See them here.

Lag BaOmer 5767

This is a nice video retrospective of past Lag Baomer parades in Melbourne.

This Sunday, May 6th, Chabad Youth will be holding another Lag BaOmer parade starting outside Yeshivah at 11:00am. The fair will be held from 12:00 until 4:00pm in Princess Park (off Hawthorn Road at Maple Street).

Heatwave in Melbourne

The temperature has just reached 39.8 degrees celcius in Melbourne at 1:30pm - this translates to 103.6 in the old money. It is so hot that they stopped play at the Australian Tennis Open.

I hope all my Northern Hemisphere readers are enjoying their winter.

Art by Miriam

"Friends"

"A set of two plaques made entirely from wood, bark and stone
collected from the small Russian town of Lubavitch"

I saw on COL that Melbourne artist, Miriam Teleshevsky, has a new web site Art by Miriam and that it won an design award. I had never heard of this award (not that that means much) and did some research. It seems that this is an advertising gimic by a website designer to drum up business...But that doesn't mean that Miriam's website is not worth a visit.

Although much of her artwork is not to my taste there are some nice pieces. In particular I like the ones reproduced above. These two pieces above are very different but appeal to me. Check out her website to view of many other examples of her artwork.
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Photos of Melbourne

COL has some nice photos taken in Yeshivah Gedolah and at Kimberley including the extremely nice one of Rabbi Groner above. See them here.
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Our Own Worst Enemy

One of the news channels in Melbourne just aired an "exclusive" story about a Lebanese tradesman who has been threatened by a Jewish customer. The Jewish (Israeli?) man owns a convenience store in Frankston and employed the tradesman to do work in his shop. He now refuses to pay him stating that the tradesman stole computers from the store.

The news report played messages left by the Jewish store owner threatening the Lebanese tradesman and stating that he shouldn't &^$% with Jews. The shop owner also said that in a court case the Lebanese man would lose since all judges are Jewish.

Obviously the hot headed store owner didn't expect his phone messages to be used against him. It is very unfortunate (and stupid) to take a business dispute and create a racial incident. The Jewish/Israeli man explicitly mentioned that the tradesman is of Arab descent and his threats were based around that.

Hopefully this idiotic man's threats will be ignored by the press and this story will fade away to oblivion where it belongs.
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Police Officer Involved in Hate Crime

The latest update in the Simchas Torah bashing of Menachem Vorchheimer appears in The Australian here. It turns out that the driver of the bus is a serving police officer and that he refused to give Menachem any information about which club the football players were from. It will be interesting to see if the Victoria Police investigation goes anywhere or whether it will fade away. Knowing Menachem he will not let this rest - and rightly so.


What is interesting to me is that the average Aussie is repulsed by the racist behaviour of a small section of Australian society. I have been approached by a number of non-Jews expressing their disgust at what happened.

Some other blogs have also commented on the bashing: A long article appears in a blog whose stated aim is "To balance the undue adulation of AFL players through scrutiny of their negative off-field behaviour". See the post here. Also"The Diary of an Average Australian" has his say here.
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Chabad of CBD's Sukkah

Lord Mayor John So and Rabbi Chaim Herzog in the Sukkah

Rabbi Chaim Herzog of Chabad of Melbourne CBD has built a Sukkah in the city according to the report in COL here. There are some nice photos of the event held in the Sukkah which was attended by Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So, Rabbi Yossel Gutnick and businessmen and others that work in the CBD.
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Tehillim at Yeshivah Shul

The front of the Tehillim booklet

(click on the photo for a larger view)

The above Tehillim brochure was given out last night at the gathering in Yeshivah Shul to say tehillim for the situation in Israel. There was a fairly large crowd present and, after communual tehillim (and the mandatory video), Rabbi Meir Sholomo Kluwgant spoke briefly.

It is always good to get together to say tehillim - every little bit helps - but I still don't understand why Yeshivah organised a separate evening the night before the communual event at Caulfield Shul. In any case, please turn up tonight at 7:00pm at Caulfield Shul for the "Communual Solidarity Tefillah" gathering.

Let's hope that the situation in Israel concludes very quickly in a positive way.
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Gathering at Yeshivah

As well as the gathering organised for Thursday night at Caulfield Shul (see previous post here), there will be a gathering at Yeshivah Shul tonight, Wednesday July 19, Tammuz 23.
The announcement as I received it:

URGENT CALL TO ALL MEN WOMEN & CHILDREN

Due to the dangerous and critical situation of our
brothers and sisters in our Holy Land, Eretz Yisroel, a gathering
for Torah, Teffiloh and Tzedokoh, will take place
at the Yeshivah Shul,

Wednesday evening 7pm
19th July

The programme will begin with Ma'ariv

We urge all men women and children to participate in this important event

We also remind all, of the Communal Solidarity Gathering
that will take place this coming Thursday evening,
at the Caulfield Shul

The Gabboyim
Yeshivah Shul
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