‘Our Big Kitchen’ Hosts Shabbos Meal on Sydney Beach

Our Big Kitchen, a Sydney soup kitchen directed by Chabad Shliach Rabbi Dovid Slavin, hosted a Friday afternoon ‘Shabbos meal’ on Tamarama Beach, which was attended by 150 friends and supporters of the organization.

From the Australian Jewish News:

OUR Big Kitchen’s (OBK’s) Shabbat dinner at Tamarama Beach last Friday was “just a magical night”, OBK founder Rabbi Dr. Dovid Slavin told The AJN this week.

Around 150 people – including non-Jews – enjoyed a Shabbat service, tiara making, candle lighting and kiddush before tucking into a three-course kosher meal on the sand.

“We had an eclectic mix of people,” Rabbi Slavin said.

“The feeling on the night was absolutely remarkable. The weather was magnificent, the setting was spectacular, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was just very, very special.”

Among those who enjoyed the festivities were Christian and Muslim attendees.

“For the interfaith guests … [the feedback was] just very, very positive,” Rabbi Slavin said.

He added: “People sat for a long time – singing, talking, chatting, sharing, hoping.

“The overwhelming sentiment of the night was ‘if only the rest of the world can see us participating [and] can be like this’. It was just an idyllic situation.”

He also paid tribute to efforts of the event’s main organiser, Leah Greengarten.

Greengarten told The AJN the night was “truly spectacular”.

“There was a fantastic buzz and it was incredibly spiritual,” she said.

“It’s pretty amazing that in broad daylight 150 Jews can gather on a beach to celebrate being Jewish.

“Everyone loved the evening, the stream of praise has been really positive.”

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6 Comments

  • Purim Katan 5776

    We all know that in Sydney, it’s summer time, & shkia is around 7:45 pm last Fri. So it’s obvious that they r making early shabbos, kinda like what ppl in Bklyn do. However, there r some issues here, what about carrying, is there an eyruv on the beach, also once its shabbos, can’t b in any pics, even if a non jew is taking the pics. What do they do ? Happy Purim Katan 2 every1

  • To comment #1

    1st of all, does the beach have a din of Reshus HaRabim, if so, how is it possible to make a reshus HaRabim into a Reshus Hayachid ? I spoke with Rav Schwei about Eastern Pkwy, & he said many many Reshonim hold even less than 600, 000,000, is still a Reshus HaRabim & you can’t make a Reshus HaRabim into a Reshus Hayachid, so what’s the vort over here at the beach ? Do we have a Talmid Chacham who knows Halacha share with us some insights into this issue please. Thank you. Happy Purim Katan ☺☺ to the world !!!

  • Eruv on the beach

    FYI – having been to the event myself i call tell you that an Eruv was made for this event

    this Beach is not very big and does not attract large crowds

  • CH'er

    To comment # 1 & 2

    Your concerns and questions are greatly appreciated. We need other fellow Jews for care & concern. May you both be blessed in all of your endeavors.

    However, please reread again the article. In the first paragraph the 3rd & 4rth line. It says there “…Friday afternoon Shabbat dinner…”

    Have a wonderful day

  • 2 comment #4

    Yes I get ur point about “Friday afternoon shabbat dinner” what do u think it means, I’m sure it means that they took on shabbos early, it doesn’t mean @ 1 or 2 pm it means being Mekabel Shabbos early, bec in the Sydney area it’s summer my friend, unlike in Bklyn, where it’s still winter all the way through March. So unless u could prove that it’s not shabbos when they r doing this, y would the shluchim just be doing something, not really on shabbos then go home & make shabbos again, does it really make sense. Think this over comment #4. Thank u

  • CH'er

    thank you # 5 for your thoughts, fair enough,, honestly IDK just figuring there was a Friday afternoon pre Shabbat meal, before the incoming of Shabbat ,, perhaps someone that does…..