50th Anniversary For The Yeshiva Centre in Sydney

More then 1000 friends and supporters gathered on February 27 at The Westin Hotel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Yeshiva Centre and 20 years of the Yeshiva Gedola Rabbinical College.

The evening was chaired by Robert Gescheit President of the Dover Heights Shul, the Australian Rabbinate sent their greetings with R. Mordechai Gutnick President of the Australian Organization of Rabbis, Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks who could not attend in person delivered his address via tele-video conferencing, and the Dinner Host Yeshiva Life Governor Harry Triguboff AO with Federal Member for Wentworth the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP brought the prime ministers message to the dinner participants.

The following is a transcript of the videotaped address at the Yeshiva gala dinner by Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth:

It’s an enormous honor and privilege to add my words of blessing and congratulation on this double anniversary, 50 years of The Yeshiva Centre in Sydney and 20 years of its great educational institution the Yeshiva Gedola.

Chabad is one of the truly remarkable organizations in the Jewish world, indeed in Jewish history as a whole. This is because somehow it has touched every Jewish community in the world. No other group that I can think of has had such a transformative effect. Of course this was the inspiration of the Lubavitcher Rebbe of blessed memory, a leader, a giant – whose love of Israel and love of the Jewish people, as well as his passionate dedication to Torah and to reaching out to the lonely, disengaged, and disaffiliated has inspired all that Chabad does to this day. Wherever it has been the Chabad movement has brought Jews back to their faith and to their roots; by the sheer power of the enthusiasm and love which everyone associated with Chabad conducts his or her work.

I was enthralled when I saw the work Chabad has actually done in Sydney. Quite clearly it has deepened and intensified Jewish commitment. The Yeshiva in particular is a magnificent institution. Last year alone some 30,000 men, women and children took part in its activities; an astonishing figure. In these 20 years it has sent out over 500 rabbis and educators, each of whom will be a major influence in their own right. That speaks very highly to the credit of Rabbi Feldman, the pioneer, the founder of Chabad in Sydney. I say to Rabbi Feldman “Hazorim Bedima, Berina Yiktzoru” – “He who sows with tears will reap with joy” Beginnings are difficult, but now surely you see the results of all you have done and you gather in with joy.

Friends, let me add a word to all the supporters of Chabad who are present this evening. I don’t think there is a finer investment you can make in the future of our people or our faith. The support you give Chabad today is creating the Jewish tomorrow; and judged by the past the future will be very exciting indeed. So continue to give and support. Help Chabad so that Chabad can help us.

Let me just end with a little story that always summed up for me what Chabad is all about. It actually happened on our honeymoon. Elaine and I were thinking where we shall go and I had a passion to see the Alps because I had never been to visit them before. We arrived in a little town, a little village in Switzerland with brilliant sunshine and the most magnificent scenery. The next morning I woke up, drew the curtains and the Mountains were nowhere to be seen. I suddenly realised that low cloud had come down and made them completely invisible. Well, for the next 3 or 4 days Elaine and I climbed Mountains in thick mist, not able to see more than 3 feet in front of us. And when we did so, we sang Chabad songs. Why? Because as I said to Elaine, if a Jew is lost anywhere in the world, Chabad will find them.

That is Chabad for me and I’m sure for you. May you continue to help it and may Chabad continue to bring blessings to us all.