Former Chief Rabbi Visits Melbourne Campus

The Yeshiva Centre of Melbourne, Australia bade a warm welcome Friday morning to the Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Amar.

The former chief rabbi was accompanied on his visit by Rabbi Shlomo Sabbach of Rambam Sephardic Synagogue, Mr. Chananya, the chief Rabbi’s personal assistant, and Mr. David ben David, a local member of the community.

Greeted by Rabbi Sholom Mendel Kluwgant, Rabbi Amar was given a brief history about the Yeshivah Centre and the founding families who came to Australia under the Shlichus of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe some 65 years ago, and they continued on, under the auspices of the Rebbe.

Touring the campus, Rabbi Amar’s first visit was with a boys’ Year 4 class, where he offered a blessing for success in learning.  Creating quite a bit of excitement, a parade of boys followed as the next stop was a visit with the Kinder 10 class, where the students were reciting She’hakol, to which the Rabbi answered “amen”.

Moving through the primary school and on to the senior campus, Rabbi Amar spent time with the boys of the Mesivta and spoke with them about the importance of revision; that their studies should become imbedded in their minds.  “Like planting a seed, you must work it,” he explained, “similarly with study – it must be cultivated in order to grow.”

Rabbi Amar was welcomed to Beth Rivkah Ladies College by school Principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler, and enjoyed a conversation about the school and girls’ studies.

Visiting the Gurewicz Early Learning Centre, with the children at play, Rabbi Amar offered several beautiful blessings: one for a shiduch to a teacher and another for refua shelayma to a student who needs it.

Finishing his visit at Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Colleges, the Rabbi and his team made their way to the Kollel, where he gave a shiur to the members and administration of the Kollel.

Rabbi Amar was extremely impressed with Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Colleges and gave his blessing that the school should go “mechayil el chayil” – from strength to strength – and continue to expand and grow.