Pre-Chanukah Celebration in Sydney
On Monday, Councilors, Rabbis, communal Lay Leaders, council staff and friends joined together to celebrate the upcoming Jewish festival of lights in Sydney’s Waverley Council – and what a wonderful atmosphere it was.
This year marks the last Chanukah party to be held at Waverley Council – as we know it: with New South Wales Council amalgamations to take place in the near future, next year’s Chanukah Party is set to be first of its kind to take place in the newly-formed Eastern Beaches Council.
Hosted jointly by Mayor Sally Betts of Waverley Council and the Yeshiva Centre – Chabad NSW Headquarters, the Pre Chanukah celebrations began with a whole lot of social schmoozing and feasting on delicious Chanukah goodies Jam Doughnuts and Potato Latkes. Red and white wine flowed as the joyful chanukah music filled the room.
Formalities began with a joint welcome and introduction by council executive Jeanette Kearney and Rabbi Elimelech Levy of Chabad Youth NSW. the Mayor, Cr. Sally Betts, was invited to light the Shamash – Center candle – and spoke about the wonderful community of Waverley and the cohesive and united bond among all the various religions and cultures living together. Cr. Betts spoke of proud and long standing relationship with Chabad NSW and of the important work it does and role it plays in today’s society, noting Rabbi Pinchus Feldman OAM, Dean and Spiritual Leader of the Yeshiva Centre, and Rabbi Dr. Dovid Slavin, Executive Director of Yeshiva College and Our Big Kitchen, as examples of communal stalwarts and selfless individuals who are helping to make the world a better place.
Rabbi Feldman spoke of one of the many messages of Chanukah, in being a light onto others and also onto oneself. Rabbi Feldman’s powerful and inspirational words left people requesting copies of his notes to be used on further occasions.
Following the traditional lighting ceremony led by the Mayor and Rabbi Feldman, the young and talented grandson of the Rabbi, Chaim Feldman of yeshiva College Bondi, brought joy to the crowd with a melodious rendition of the familiar Maoz Tzur hymn.
Following the formalities, guests again enjoyed catching up and making new acquaintances, and of course helping to consume the chanukah delights in a well spirited manner.
Special thanks to, Jeanette Kearney, Jacqueline Blazek, Rabbi Eli Feldman, Rabbi Elimelech Levy, Dovid Feigenson and Menachem Naparstek for helping to coordinate this special function.
