LEXI LANDSMAN
LAUNCESTON’S tiny Jewish community has received a massive injection of resources following last week’s arrival of two new Chabad shluchim (emissaries).
Aryeh Leib Kaplan and Shenor Zalman Shachar, both from Israel, will spend four months at the northern Tasmanian Chabad house, mainly serving the 2500-odd Israeli backpackers who descend on the Apple Isle over the Australian summer.
Kaplan and Shachar, both 22, will provide accommodation, Shabbat meals and other facilities ranging from internet access to crisis assistance to travellers, as well as the local Jewish community.
Yossi Gordon, a Melbourne-based rabbi who has run Chabad Tasmania for the past 23 years, said the pair’s arrival is “a big milestone for Chabad and for the whole Jewish community in Tasmania”.
“I hope they will help strengthen the Jewish commitment of the Jewish people but especially those who are distant from Jewish values,” Rabbi Gordon told the AJN.
The shluchim have already met some 20 Jews in the area and will continue to help local and foreign Jews reach their needs. “When you help someone else you will always gain. I am certain that the shluchim, the backpackers and the entire Jewish community will gain,” Rabbi Gordon said.
Kaplan, who is originally from Jerusalem, said the Tasmanian Jewish community warmly welcomed them.
“They’re a very lovely community, everyone is open to help. It’s amazing. I’m very happy to be here and I hope we’ll have a lot of work to do.”
Daniel Albert, president of Hobart Hebrew congregation, said: “I’m pleased that now there will be assistance to Jewish visitors to the north of Tasmania.”
David Clark, of Hobart Hebrew congregation, said he hopes that the Chabad house will provide a point of contact for travellers. Chabad House Launceston was established in 1987.
LAUNCESTON’S tiny Jewish community has received a massive injection of resources following last week’s arrival of two new Chabad shluchim (emissaries).
Aryeh Leib Kaplan and Shenor Zalman Shachar, both from Israel, will spend four months at the northern Tasmanian Chabad house, mainly serving the 2500-odd Israeli backpackers who descend on the Apple Isle over the Australian summer.
Kaplan and Shachar, both 22, will provide accommodation, Shabbat meals and other facilities ranging from internet access to crisis assistance to travellers, as well as the local Jewish community.
Yossi Gordon, a Melbourne-based rabbi who has run Chabad Tasmania for the past 23 years, said the pair’s arrival is “a big milestone for Chabad and for the whole Jewish community in Tasmania”.
“I hope they will help strengthen the Jewish commitment of the Jewish people but especially those who are distant from Jewish values,” Rabbi Gordon told the AJN.
The shluchim have already met some 20 Jews in the area and will continue to help local and foreign Jews reach their needs. “When you help someone else you will always gain. I am certain that the shluchim, the backpackers and the entire Jewish community will gain,” Rabbi Gordon said.
Kaplan, who is originally from Jerusalem, said the Tasmanian Jewish community warmly welcomed them.
“They’re a very lovely community, everyone is open to help. It’s amazing. I’m very happy to be here and I hope we’ll have a lot of work to do.”
Daniel Albert, president of Hobart Hebrew congregation, said: “I’m pleased that now there will be assistance to Jewish visitors to the north of Tasmania.”
David Clark, of Hobart Hebrew congregation, said he hopes that the Chabad house will provide a point of contact for travellers. Chabad House Launceston was established in 1987.
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