YG Chanukah Parade

The "Chanukah Parade" held last Thursday was a great success. The atmosphere was wonderful and the organisers did a great job. Thanks go to YG Shaliach Sholom B Cunin and to Rabbi Binyomin Serebryanski who organised the occassion.

Sholom Cunin sent me this publicity

"Let there be light" – Menorah Parade!

The Menorah, or chanukia, is traditionally lit by the window or door of Jewish homes, symbolising the power of light over darkness and right over might

The Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi M M Schneerson took this idea a step further, stressing that menorahs be kindled in public throughout the world, with Menorah Lighting ceremonies, to illuminate the pathways of freedom for all mankind.

To spread this important message a spectacular motorcade of over a hundred and fifty cars and vans with illuminated Menorahs on their roof, traveled along the streets of Melbourne And has brought the happiness and message of Chanukah to all, Jews and non-Jews alike.

This menorah parade was organized by Rabbi Binyomin Serebransky of Chabad, and Sholom B. Cunin together with the rabbinical students in the Yeshiva Gedolah, the students also handed out over 3000 menorahs to jews that hadn't had the chance to buy there own, thus spreading the Chanukah spirit to others, as the Rebbe teaches "every Jew is like a candle, all it needs is to be lit, and it will shine brightly".

Where is security when you need them?!

I enjoyed this video of the shluchim to Yeshivah Gedolah arriving at Melbourne airport last week. The chayos is great!

Thanks to SS for sending me this.
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Yeshivah Gedolah 5767

Click on photo for larger picture

Finally, after three tries, I think I have got this right!

From LEFT to right (starting third from left):
Executive Director: R. Avraham Procel.
Magidei Shiurim: Rabbi Shmuel Lesches, Rabbi Mordechai Szmerling.
Mashgiach: Rabbi Sholom Ber Engel.
Rosh Yeshiva: Rabbi Binyamin Cohen.
Mashpia: Rabbi Yaakov Winner.
Member of Hanhola: R. Yechezkel (aka Henry) Herzog.
President: R. Yosef Yitzchok Gutnick.
Members of Hanhola: R. Mendel Serebryanski, R. Reuven Tartarka.

Crown Heights.info had this year's photo of the YG bochrim and hanholo.

Thanks to "Insider".
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Photos of YG Siyum Sefer Torah

Joe Salter and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Binyomin Cohen

CrownHeights.info has photos by everyone's favourite photographer Roei Chemny of the Siyum Sefer Torah at Yeshivah Gedolah last month. The Sefer Torah was donated by Mrs Elizabeth Slater and Joe & Batia Slater in memory of Mr John Slater.

As the article accompanying the photos says "John Slater’s reputation in business and the Jewish community was one of absolute integrity, kindness, and generosity." It is a great tribute to Mr Slater and fitting that this Sefer Torah be donated to Yeshivah Gedolah where it will be used regularly.
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YG Shluchim in Fiji

Sholom Cunin, Berel Lerman and Fiji resident Peter Bott
at the island’s first Tanya printing

Shluchim from Yeshivah Gedolah again went on Merkos Shlichus to Fiji. The report on Chabad.org talks about how they printed the Tanya there.

A pair of Chabad-Lubavitch rabbinical students printed what is suspected to be the first Hebrew book to ever be published in the republic of Fiji.

The two students came to the island nation to reach out to its tiny Jewish community as part of Chabad's summer peace corps-like program.

While there, they commissioned a printing of the Tanya, the foundational chassidic treatise penned by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe. The printing represents the 5241st time the Tanya, the second-most printed book in the world has been published.

While most of the Jews there were surprised by the students' visit, says Berel Lerman, they "were always ushered in to their home or office with a smile."

Following the printing, the pair gathered together some of the local Jews and studied from the Fiji edition of Tanya.

"Community members were excited when they heard about the printing of the first Hebrew book on the Island," reported Sholom Cunin.

Yeshivah Gedolah Shluchim - Pesach Adventures

The Shluchim from YG went on mivtzoim during Pesach as usual and this year have been very active as far as publicising their good deeds. A few weeks ago they produced a very professional looking booklet with stories of the events that took place around Australia and in New Zealand. Now they have produced a video of these same events. It is great to see their achievements in outlying communities. Keep up the great work!

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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Inclusive Kinnus Torah

Yesterday a Kinnus Torah took place at Yeshivah Gedolah which included many of the Torah institutions in Melbourne. As well as Kollel Menachem and Yeshivah Gedolah there were speakers from Kollel Beis HaTalmud and Mizrachi's Kollel Torah Mitzion. Bochrum from the Smicha program and Yeshivah College Mesifta also spoke. According to reports on the YG blog over 125 people attended.

Yasher Koach to whoever organised this. This trend of trying to be inclusive of all can only be a positive thing for the entire Melbourne Jewish community.

Rabbi BG Cohen and Rabbi Y Greenwald

Rabbi Glukowsky in Melbourne

From COL with a photo of the farbrengan at YG last night:

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Glucowsky, shliach and Rabbi of Anash in Rechovot, was guest of the Chabad community in Melbourne, Australia. During his stay, Rabbi Glucowsky is scheduled to farbreing in several Chabad centers in Sydney and in Melbourne, but the major event will be held this Motsai Shabbos in presence of a large crowd. The Rabbi's first destination was the Yeshiva Gedola in Melbourne, which he valued, knowing he Rebbe's high regard for this institute. There Rabbi Glucowsky inspired the attentive crowd with meaningful stories and practical lessons. When asked to speak about current events, Rabbi Glucowsky proclaimed that our response to the disengagement is 'connection'. This is achieved by fulfilling the Rebbe's directives especially concerning internal matters between Anash and the temimim.