Out of Hospital, Rabbi Groner Makes Surprise Appearance at Yeshivah Fundraiser

Melbourne, Australia — Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner, the spiritual head of Melbourne’s Lubavitch community, defied the odds on Monday by leaving his hospital bed to attend a celebration of 50 years of Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah Ladies College.

Rabbi Groner, who has been suffering ill health of late and was admitted to Cabrini hospital for emergency treatment for fluid on his lungs earlier this month, stunned the 1000 guests at the Regent Plaza Ballroom when he arrived in a wheelchair, but clearly in good spirits.

A visibly emotional Rabbi Groner, 82, recalled to the audience his memories of one of the earliest drawing room meetings nearly 50 years ago to raise money for the then fledgling school.

He had told a story to those at the meeting about a hunter who caught a bird in his bare hands. Two options faced him: to crush the bird to death or to open his hands and let him fly away and live.

“Your task,” he told the crowd, “is to open your hands to ensure the future of all that we have worked for”.

US-born Rabbi Groner was sent here as a shaliach of the Lubaitcher Rebbe in 1958. Since then he has helped build the Lubavitch movement in Melbourne, which among other institutions boasts Yeshivah and Beth Rivkah.

The event’s keynote speaker, American constitutional lawyer Nat Lewin, relayed his experience advocating for religious freedom for Orthodox Jews utilising provisions of the American Constitution.

The patrons of the event were longstanding Yeshivah benefactors brothers Ruben Fried and Morry Fraid.