JEWISH & PROUD In North Queensland A Glimpse into Jewish Life in the Tropics. Connection. Community. Family. For Every Jew in FNQ B”HA sub community of Chabad of RARA
Help us reach every Jew in F.N.Q. Your support will change lives www.charidy.com/JewishNQ Tuesday, July 28A WORD FROM THE DIRECTORS:A sub community of Chabad of RARA I was recently asked, “What is your community feeling right now?” Good question. There’s so much happening in the world … Israel. Ukraine. Bondi. Economy. Royal Commision on Antisemitism. Disasters. People walk through our doors carrying the weight of all of it, the noise of the world along with the worries that don’t make the news. Stress. Uncertainty. Loneliness. Fear. Some people come to us struggling with health or family issues. Others are wrestling with Jewish identity. They’re unsure where they fit in. And still, they come. Because they believe there’s a better way to live, a brighter future to work toward. Because underneath all the struggle….is hope. And that’s why I am writing to you today. To ask for your help and support, Can you help us in our annual appeal? We have Matching Funds available. Whatever amount you give will be matched, up until we’ve raised $180,000. Think of an amount that works for you, then 2x that amount. That will be your impact! Your gift keeps the light shining bright. Every dollar turns into something tangible: A warm meal that reminds someone they’re cared for. A class that gives meaning and purpose. A visit to someone sick or grieving. A joyful moment that lifts an entire week. This is how light wins. And you help make it happen! Every day people find their own light, even when life feels heavy. These aren’t grand events. They’re little miracles in real time. They happen because of you. Rabbi Ari and Mushkie Rubin
With the 9 of Av in our rearview mirror, you can quietly sense the fast approaching month of Elul. The shofar will soon be heard each morning, reminding us that the High Holidays are right around the corner. Our thoughts naturally turn to Rosh Hashanah and to the places where we will gather to pray and celebrate together. th As I think back to last Tishrei, one image keeps coming to mind. When the singing began, Karin Ben-Nun quietly stood among hundreds of people filling our Rosh Hashanah service. Around her were locals from Cairns, families who had driven for hours, backpackers from Israel, visitors from across Australia, and children weaving between rows of chairs as only children can. For the next few weeks, they would blend as one community. Karin had travelled from Byron Bay with her husband and four children to spend Tishrei in Cairns. She threw herself into every part of it. She was there for the davening, listening as beautiful chazzanut, Torah insights, and heartfelt prayers carried the congregation through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. She joined nearly 200 people for the Rosh Hashanah meals, where conversations stretched long after dessert and nobody seemed eager to leave. She walked with everyone to Tashlich beside our very North Queensland creek, where crocodile warning signs are simply part of the experience. One day after the prayers, Karin shared some thought she’d been pondering. She had heard people speak about the power of a niggun her whole life. Only now, standing among a community singing together, did she understand what it meant to be carried by one. Meanwhile, her children had already made themselves at home. Within minutes they were running, laughing, and playing with children they had only just met. By the end of Yom Tov, it was impossible to tell who was local and who was visiting. .Karin didn't remain a guest for long. She served. She stayed afterwards to clean and sweep alongside everyone else. Her whole family joined in. But Tishrei was only getting started. Our sukkah grew beyond its walls and into the backyard beneath two marquees so there would be room for everyone. Volunteers spent three days cooking alongside Mushkie to prepare four community meals. More than 80 people filled the sukkah on the first night alone. We packed lulav and etrog sets and sent them across North Queensland so Jews living far away could perform the mitzvah. We loaded a pop-up sukkah, kosher food, Judaica, books, and supplies into the car and drove ten hours to Townsville so our community there could celebrate too. Then came Simchat Torah. Children danced with flags. Adults danced with the Torah. We remembered those murdered on October 7 while celebrating the strength and future of the Jewish people. Every person received an Aliyah. Every child came to the Torah. Every voice joined the singing. Looking around the room, it was hard to remember that North Queensland has no kosher supermarket. Being so far away from a Jewish community means there is no Jewish school, no Jewish clubs, no large Jewish infrastructure. The nearest Jewish community is a 22-hour drive south. But with whatever its lacking, it makes up with its beautiful, warm community eager to feel more Jewish. It is a community, built meal by meal, holiday by holiday, person by person, because people believe Jewish life should thrive wherever Jews live, no matter how far north they are. You can help keep that happening. Your gift to our Annual Campaign will ensure that this coming Tishrei there will be another place at the table, another family welcomed into the community, another child making lifelong friends, and another person discovering the beauty of Jewish life in North Queensland. Thank you for helping build a community that people become part of the moment they walk through the door. Jewish Life is Flourishing in North QLD Thanks to You! Breaking the fast after Yom KippurSome of the hundreds of honey cakes you help us deliver to homes in North Queensland Enjoying some Pizza in the Sukkah at Hebrew School
Members of our community were celebrating a birthday party together when Ofek noticed something that caught his eye. As Chassidic melodies filled the room, Rabbi Ari danced with joy. For Ofek, it stirred memories from another life. He had grown up in Tzfat, learned in yeshivah, and spent years immersed in Torah. After serving in the army, a deep personal crisis changed everything. “I came out a different person,” he writes. “No longer religious.” For years, he searched elsewhere for meaning. Then, here in North Queensland, something familiar began calling him back. After meeting Rabbi Ari, he accepted an invitation for a Shabbat meal. Then another invitation came. “Come tomorrow morning. We can learn Chassidus together.” That invitation changed his life. Every Shabbat morning we sat together learning Chassidic maamarim. We spoke openly. Every question had a place at the table. There was no pressure, only Torah, friendship, and time. One Shabbat morning, after an unforgettable night that left him searching for clarity, Ofek suddenly felt he had to come to shul. He drove while reciting the morning blessings, each turn brought him closer until he found himself standing outside our home. Barefoot. Covered in sand. Holding an empty water bottle. When he entered the small synagogue, he wrapped himself in a tallit for the first time in years. That morning was the yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. “Sometimes I wonder,” Ofek wrote, “maybe he was the one calling me.” Meet Ofek... “Every question I had," he relates, “the Rabbi answered with patience and kindness. This past High Holidays season, Ofek camped outside the Chabad House in his camper van just to be fully present. He prayed, learned, and even led parts of the service. The same young man who once left everything behind was now standing before the community, leading prayers with pride and joy. Today, he puts on tzitzit and tefillin every morning, reconnecting daily with his Jewish soul. Because of you, Ofek found a place where he could reconnect on his own terms, a home away from home. You made that possible. You opened the Door to a Jewish Journey It didn't begin in a synagogue... It began at a birthday party. From that day forward, he rarely missed our Shabbat morning learning. Slowly, his life changed.. With the help of a generous donor from Melbourne he got his old pair of tefilin replaced and began putting on tefillin again. He started keeping Shabbat. Then Yom Tov. Most importantly, he found a place where he could simply belong. “I could bring all my baggage, for better or worse.” “As I sat on the couch across from a Rabbi holding a baby, listening to me as if I were the only thing in the world, while his children ran joyfully across the house. “Most of all, I always felt wanted.” Later, when his journey took him to Melbourne, another Chabad House welcomed him with that same warmth. He wrote that Rabbi Dudu and Sarah Lider’s Chabad House became his home during one of the hardest periods of his life. Today, Ofek speaks with deep gratitude for the shluchim who opened their homes and hearts to him.. When people ask what Chabad does, the answer is simple: it gives people a place to belong. That's what Ofek found, and it's what hundreds of others continue to find each year. Your support makes sure that door stays open. Please join our Annual Campaign and keep our doors open for every Jew who walks through them, whether they arrive searching for community, friendship, or a way back to their Jewish roots.
A HOME FOR EVERY JEW IN FNQA HOME FOR EVERY JEW IN FNQA HOME FOR EVERY JEW IN FNQWhen Michel and Daniella Medina left Venezuela years ago, they were looking for safety and a place to build a new life. They found both in North Queensland. After moving to Townsville they realised there is a whole Jewish family waiting for them. Far from relatives and far from established Jewish communities, they wondered what Jewish life would look like in this remote part of Australia. Then they found Chabad. "Since the first moment they made us feel like family," Daniella says. "We feel so supported and loved by everyone." That feeling came from Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, classes, children's programs, community gatherings, and friendships that grew over time. Michel and Daniella became active members of our community, coming to our online weekly shiurim, running events for Chabad and always lending a hand and helping wherever they could. They really show how a strong community is built by people showing up for one another. A few weeks ago, their own family needed that support. After the devastating earthquake destroyed Daniella's brother's home, our community came together to raise funds and help him begin again. For Michel and Daniella, it was another reminder that Jewish community reaches far beyond the walls of our Chabad House. As Michel says, "I'm so grateful to belong to this community. They put all their hearts into making this community the best experience we can have, even though we are so far away." Alongside the worry for loved ones overseas, they have found themselves drawing even closer to their Judaism. Michel rarely missing an opportunity to put on tefillin or join us for prayer when he can. Watching his connection to Yiddishkeit deepen has been a privilege. That commitment has not always been easy. As the only Jew in his social soccer group, Michel has faced moments of antisemitism that would have been enough to make many people hide their identity. Instead, he has done the opposite. He has become even prouder of who he is, finding strength in his faith and in knowing he has a community standing behind him. Thank you for being there for Michel and Daniella when they needed support! Thank you for helping create a Jewish home where every person is welcomed like family.When Dani Nehl and her family decided to move from Sydney to Cairns, one worry stayed with her. Would there be Jewish life here? Born in Haifa, raised through different countries, and devoted to her family, Dani knew how important community was. Before arriving, she imagined feeling alone. Then, during a visit to Cairns, everything changed. Walking along the Esplanade, she spotted the giant Chanukiah. Relief washed over her. You helped create a visible Jewish presence that welcomed her before she even met anyone. Soon after arriving, she contacted her friend Dovid Leinkram who told her about Chabad North QLD, a simple phone call to Rabbi Ari became the start of lasting friendships. Within days, a surprise Mishloach Manot gift appeared in the family's mailbox. She would later relate “that small gesture was such a powerful message for me it told me "You belong here” that meant the world to me”! The family's first Seder at Chabad sealed that feeling. Laughter filled the room. Families, travelers, and locals celebrated together. Dani calls it the best Seder she has experienced in twenty-four years. As life continued, Chabad became part of the family's weekly routine. New friendships grew through community events. Learning opportunities opened for every age. When Dani began planning her twin boys' Bar Mitzvah, she first looked to Israel. The costs quickly placed that dream out of reach. Then she attended a Bar Mitzvah at Chabad Cairns. The celebration was warm, meaningful, and joyful. She immediately asked Rabbi Ari if he would prepare her boys. Every Sunday since, they have arrived excited to learn. His patience and encouragement have helped them build pride in their Jewish identity. Today, Chabad is one of the happiest parts of Danielle's family's life. “Thanks to the various gatherings I have gained new friends, I am so grateful for all this beloved community has given to my family” You make it possible for new families to find friends, children to grow with confidence, and every Jew to know there is always a place to come home.. Meet Michel and Daniella... Meet Dani and David...
Our proud JewQ participants! Thanks to you, these young Torah scholars get to participate in a nation wide Jewish Study Championship and compete for a trip to NYC! Barak was 2 when Chabad North Queensland was first established. He has been to our Mummy and Me and Hebrew School and is now preparing for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah! he is The youngest of four siblings who have all prepared for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Chabad NQ, because you support Jewish education in FNQ!
Elad committed to put on Tefillin following the Bondi massacre and he has not missed a day since. He is proud to set an example for his daughters and says that starting his days with holiness has impacted his life in a profound way. Women events that strengthen the bond between our ladies and enhance their Jewish pride are right on brand for Chabad NQ. We get together before the festivals and take a deeper dive into the meaning of the Holiday so we can be better prepared and more connected when it arrives. Tamar showed up to a Chanukah event a few years back. At first, we thought she was a tourist, but after chatting, we realised she is a local who lives just a few streets away but has been hesitant to contact us. We didn’t get a chance to get any contact details and hadn’t seen her since. Then out of the blue she reached out a few months ago to ask about our Mummy and Me class. She had recently had a baby and wanted to join. She has now made friends with other Jewish mums and feels connected like never before.
A s w e s e t o u t t o s t a r t o u r r o a d t r i p v i s i t i n g J e w s a c r o s s F N Q , c o v e r i n g o v e r 1 5 0 0 k m , o u r e m o t i o n s w e r e a l l o v e r t h e p l a c e . T w o d a y s p o s t B o n d i , c o n f u s i o n a n d g r i e f w e r e p a l p a b l e . W h a t w e k n e w w i t h o u t a d o u b t w a s , t h a t n o w m o r e t h a n e v e r , o u r i s o l a t e d f r i e n d s , s p r e a d a c r o s s N o r t h Q u e e n s l a n d n e e d e d o u r h u g m o r e t h a n e v e r . S o o n a f t e r l e a v i n g o u r h o m e , w e r e a l i s e d w e h a d f o r g o t t e n s o m e t h i n g i m p o r t a n t a n d n e e d e d t o t u r n b a c k . A f e w m i n u t e s f r o m h o m e w e g e t a c a l l f r o m a d e a r f r i e n d , a s k i n g w h e r e w e a r e . H e e x p l a i n e d t h a t h e h a d j u s t w a t c h e d v i d e o o f a v i g i l i n B o n d i w h e r e h e s p e a k e r e n c o u r a g e d J e w i s h m e n t o p u t o n t e f i l l i n i n h o n o u r o f R a b b i E l i S c h l a n g e r H Y ” D . H e w a n t e d t o d o t h i s r i g h t a w a y a n d w a s a l r e a d y o n t h e w a y t o o u r h o u s e s o t h a t R a b b i A r i c o u l d h e l p h i m . W e p u l l e d i n t o t h e d r i v e w a y a t t h e e x a c t s a m e t i m e . T e f i l l i n w e r e l a i d o n o u r d r i v e w a y , a n d o u r f r i e n d c o m m i t t e d t o p u t o n T e f i l l i n d a i l y . L i t t l e d i d w e k n o w t h e c h a i n e f f e c t t h i s “ d e l a y ” w o u l d h a v e , p a v i n g t h e w a y f o r y e t a n o t h e r M i t z v a h . T h e d r i v e t o o u r f i r s t d e s t i n a t i o n . T o w n s v i l l e , i s m e a n t t o t a k e f i v e h o u r s . T h e d r i v e s t r e t c h e d i n t o t w e l v e h o u r s w h e n a s e r i o u s a c c i d e n t c l o s e d t h e o n l y r o a d i n t o T o w n s v i l l e . C a r s s t o o d s t i l l f o r h o u r s a l o n g t h e B r u c e H i g h w a y . W i t h t h e r e c e n t B o n d i a t t a c k s t i l l h e a v y o n m a n y h e a r t s , t h e s e n s e o f t e n s i o n w a s r e a l . T h e g o a l w a s s i m p l e : r e a c h o u r c o a s t a l c o m m u n i t i e s a n d c e l e b r a t e C h a n u k a h t o g e t h e r , a s p l a n n e d . T h e r e w a s n o w a y w e c o u l d t u r n b a c k . W h i l e w a i t i n g i n t r a f f i c , i t b e c a m e c l e a r t h a t t h i s m o m e n t a l s o b e l o n g e d t o o u r m i s s i o n . T h a n k s t o y o u r s u p p o r t , w e h a d t o y s i n o u r b o o t f o r t h e c h i l d r e n i n T o w n s v i l l e . A s t i m e t i c k e d b y , w e r e a l i s e d t a h t t h e c h i l d r e n t h e t o y s w e r e i n t e n d e d f o r w o u l d b e a s l e e p b y t h e t i m e w e a r r i v e d , s o t h o s e g i f t s f o u n d a d i f f e r e n t p u r p o s e . F a m i l i e s w e r e s t u c k r o a d s i d e w i t h t i r e d c h i l d r e n . W e s t a r t e d h a n d i n g o u t t o y s , w h i c h b r o u g h t s m i l e s , l a u g h t e r , a n d r e l i e f . T h a n k s t o y o u r s u p p o r t t h e m o o d c h a n g e d q u i c k l y . S t r e s s g a v e w a y t o w a r m t h . A n d t h e H a s h g a c h a P r o t i s c o n t i n u e s . . . O u r c a r h a p p e n e d t o b e s t o p p e d b e s i d e a p i n e a p p l e f a r m . A n I s r a e l i b a c k p a c k e r f i n i s h i n g h i s s h i f t n o t i c e d a r a b b i s t a n d i n g t h e r e i n a w h i t e s h i r t p l a y i n g w i t h h i s k i d s o n t h e s i d e o f t h e h i g h w a y . H e h a d n ’ t s e e n J e w i s h l i f e i n a l o n g t i m e . W e s p o k e , s h a r e d d o u g h n u t s a n d l a t k e s , g a v e h i m a m e n o r a h , a n d p u t o n t e f i l l i n t o g e t h e r , r i g h t t h e r e o n t h e B r u c e H i g h w a y . W i t h o u t o u r m o r n i n g “ d e l a y ” t h i s e n c o u n t e r n e v e r w o u l d ’ v e h a p p e n e d . " I d o n ' t t h i n k a n y o n e c a n e x p l a i n t h e f e e l i n g w h e n s o m e o n e g i v e s y o u s o m e t h i n g f r o m h o m e , i t ' s s u c h a h i g h , s u c h a g o o d f e e l i n g … m o r e t h a n j o y , " b a c k p a c k e r A s s a f Z a b a n s a i d . " I t ' s s o m e t h i n g d e e p i n s i d e y o u t h a t b e c o m e s h a p p y a g a i n , t h e l i g h t c o m e s o n a g a i n … i t w a s r e a l l y a m a z i n g . " N o n e o f t h i s w o u l d h a v e b e e n p o s s i b l e w i t h o u t y o u , w h o b e l i e v e t h a t J e w i s h l i f e m a t t e r s e v e r y w h e r e , e v e n i n t h e m o s t r e m o t e l o c a t i o n s , a m i d s t a t r a f f i c j a m . T h e j o u r n e y c o n t i n u e d , a n d v e r y l a t e t h a t n i g h t w e a r r i v e d i n T o w n s v i l l e . F a m i l i e s w a i t e d w e l l p a s t t h e o r i g i n a l t i m e , w e l c o m i n g u s w
Jonathan first heard about Chabad North Queensland from a friend at work. He had spoken about the community often enough that, when Jonathan found himself caring for his father, Joseph, in an aged care home in Cairns, he decided to reach out. A few days later, I walked into Joseph's room to meet them both. As we spoke, I asked Joseph whether he had ever put on tefillin. He smiled and admitted that he never had. Together, we wrapped the straps around his arm, placed the tefillin on his head, and recited the Shema. Later that day, Jonathan sent a beautiful message "As hard as it is to feel joy right now, it was incredibly uplifting to spend that time together and to see Dad put on tefillin for the first time. It brought a sense of peace into a very difficult chapter. Thank you for being there." Life settled back into its routine. We kept in touch, and I continued visiting Joseph from time to time. Then, months later, everything changed. Joseph's health deteriorated rapidly while Jonathan happened to be away from Cairns. There was no family member who could reach him in time. So of course I went. to visit him. Joseph was frail, but still aware. Once again we wrapped tefillin together, this time knowing it would almost certainly be for the last time. We recited Vidui, the prayers traditionally said near the end of life, and sat quietly together. In those final moments, Joseph was not alone. A fellow Jew sat beside him, praying with him and accompanying him as he prepared to leave this world. After Joseph passed away, another challenge began. In larger Jewish communities, the Chevra Kadisha quietly takes over. The sacred work of taharah, preparing the deceased for burial according to Jewish tradition, happens behind the scenes with trained volunteers who have performed it many times before. North Queensland has no Chevra Kadisha. When a Jewish person dies here, there is no organisation to call. Instead, members of our community leave work, rearrange family commitments, and come together to perform this final act of kindness. It is hard to find people who are willing to do the Tahara but after a lot of convincing I was able to cobble together a team. Together, we performed Joseph's taharah. Every detail was carried out with care for a fellow Jew making his final journey. A short time later, Jonathan wrote again. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you do, Thank you so much for everything you've been doing to keep our lights shining bright through dark times." Most people see a Jewish community through its celebrations. They think of Shabbat dinners, children's programs, holiday meals, and joyful gatherings. Those moments are precious, but they are only part of the story. A Jewish community is also the quiet visit to an aged care home. It is helping someone perform a mitzvah for the first time after a lifetime. It is sitting beside a Jew who has no one else there to say the final prayers. It is gathering ordinary community members to perform a taharah because there is simply no one else to do it. The happiest moments in a community are easy to capture on camera. The holiest moments rarely are. Your support of Chabad North Queensland means that every Jew, whether celebrating the happiest day of life or facing its final chapter, even in one of the most remote Jewish communities in the world, knows they are not alone. Thank you for helping us fulfil that sacred responsibility.You Help Ensure No Jew Faces Their Final Journey AloneChanging Jewish Lives in North Queensland - One Connection at a Time
JewishJewishJewishJewishInvesting in a proudEvery Thursday afternoon the Chabad House is filled with the joyous young voices of our precious local Jewish children. They come after a long day of school and are so excited to see what is in store for them each week. One of our students travels over an hour each way just to attend Hebrew School. One thing these young Jewish stars know for sure - they are guaranteed a fun filled afternoon, with exciting games and activities, and of course, a healthy dose of Jewish knowledge. This year we have been focusing on the fascinating stories of Tanach, from the falling walls of Yericho, through David and Goliath and the building of the first Beit Hamikdash. Each story and Jewish hero we learn about has a lesson to teach us that is relevant to us, as the future of the Jewish people, in 2026. Of course, instilling our students with a strong Jewish identity and steadfast Jewish pride is at the forefront of every lesson. Jewish Holidays are always a fantastic, hands on experience, and the children love making various yom tov themed foods to bring home to their families. Our students also participate in the JewQ international Torah Study Competition as well as spend time brushing up on their Hebrew through the comprehensive Hebrew Scouts program. Every Thursday is an adventure, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Each summer our youngsters get to experience what they look forward to all year long! Camp Gan Israel Cairns is where they are guaranteed a week full of fun, friendships, songs, trips and of course, a hefty dose of Jewish pride and enthusiasm. Our incredible counselors work tirelessly to give our campers memories and experiences that they will carry with them for years to come.Camp Gan Israel Cairns 5786futurefuturefuturefutureCairns Hebrew School 5786
Keeping Jewish Wisdom AliveKeeping Jewish Wisdom Alive Sandy Phillips didn't grow up knowing she was Jewish. Although both of her parents were Jewish, she was raised in the Anglican Church and knew very little about her heritage. Everything changed in 1993. While researching her grandmother's wartime service as a nurse, Sandy discovered her family's Jewish roots. It opened a new chapter filled with questions, curiosity, and a desire to learn. Years later, Sandy and her husband settled in Cairns. Her husband is a cousin of Rabbi Menny Overlander in Melbourne, making Jewish life feel a little closer, even in Far North Queensland. When they found Chabad North Queensland, Sandy found something she had been searching for. Like many people, she wanted to understand the traditions that had once been missing from her life. She since attends regularly with her husband, and particularly enjoy the festival meals and communal gatherings. One week, Rabbi Ari mentioned a book in his newsletter: Conversations with My Rabbi. The book was co-authored by Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whose life was tragically cut short in the Bondi massacre. Inspired, Sandy walked into the Stratford Library. "There it was," she wrote. "Standing proudly in front of me as a new addition." She smiled."Coincidence? No, I don't think so." She borrowed the book and soon bought her own copy. After reading it, Sandy wrote to the co-author, Nikki Goldstein, simply to say thank you. Nikki's reply captured exactly why the book was written. "I love hearing how people find the book and how it's helping them," she wrote. "This was Rabbi Eli's entire mission."" She shared that Rabbi Eli dreamed of the book finding its way into every Jewish home, helping people explore Judaism with honesty, warmth, and curiosity. Sandy shared the email exchange with Rabbi Ari and with the help of Nikki they used the book as a springboard for a new book club for the Chabad House and a campaign to try and get more people in the community ti buy the book. After that campaign Legana from Townsville bought the book and remarked “I think this should be mandatory reading for every school in the country”. Now she is spreading the message to thos she knows in Townsville. Jewish learning isn't reserved for experts. If you know Alef, teach Alef! You help make these conversations possible. Your gift to our Annual Campaign allows us to keep teaching, sharing, welcoming, and ensuring that every person, like Sandy, has someone to ask and somewhere to grow. Thank you for helping another Jewish family connect to their roots in a more meaningful way. It all started with a cancelled hotel booking. Leon Landau was meant to be staying in Port Douglas, but a burst pipe in his intended accommodation meant that his and his wife’s plans unexpectedly fell through. They booked the only place available with such short notice and ended up in Trinity Beach instead. Looking for kosher food, Leon searched for Chabad and discovered they were just a five-minute walk away from their new, last minute accommodation. The Landaus joined us for shabbat meal, and what seemed like a small detour quickly turned into something extraordinary. At the table, Leon struck up a conversation with another guest, Isaac. As they spoke, they uncovered something incredible: years earlier in Melbourne, Leon, a Hatzalah first responder at the time, had saved Isaac’s life. Neither had recognized the other until that very moment. Nothing is by chance! Divine providence - Hashgacha Pratis! But the story doesn’t end there. Inspired by the experience, we asked Leon if he would be up for facilitating a First Aid class for members of the community while he was here, which he graciously took on. When Leon reached out to a first responders group he is on, asking for dummies and training equipment, he got a respose from... you guessed it! Someone living 2 minutes away from both Leon’s hotel and the Chabad House. The class was well attended and went smoothly. Leon was engaging and thorough and thanks to him, there are more people trained in CPR and lifesaving knowledge in North Queensland, ready to assist if ever needed. By the end of the evening, everyone walked away with practical skills and a greater appreciation that ordinary people really can make a meaningful difference when they know what to do in an emergency. Moments like these remind us how Hashem guides every step, even when plans change. Nothing is by ChanceNothing is by Chance
Shavuot is only hours away. You hope there will be a minyan. You hope there will be a place at the Yom Tov table. Mostly, you hope someone will welcome you. Barry Feldman travelled from Melbourne to beautiful and warm Cairns for Shavuot. Over the next few days, Barry joined every minyan, shared Yom Tov meals, celebrated with new friends, and experienced something remarkable. “I found a community that opened its doors, set another place at the table, and treated me like family from the moment I arrived.” He relates. In the northernmost Jewish community in Australia, he felt completely at home. From the moment Barry walked through the doors of Chabad North Queensland, someone greeted him with a smile. There was a place for him at every minyan, a seat waiting at every meal, and new friends who treated him like an old friend. After hearing the Ten Commandments, more than 80 people gathered for the Yom Tov meal. Around the tables sat local families, backpackers, visitors from across Australia, and people celebrating Shavuot for the very first time. The room was filled with singing, laughter, Torah, conversation, and, of course, plenty of cheesecake and pasta. Barry loved every minute. Before leaving for the airport, he stopped to put on tefillin one last time. Standing beneath the blue North Queensland sky, he recorded a message. "I'd like to tell you all what an amazing few days we've had." "We sang with the community of Cairns." "We ate with the community of Cairns." Then, with a smile, he added, "Don't tell anyone I think I ate too much cheesecake and pasta." Behind the humour was something much deeper. Barry admitted that he hadn't arrived carefree. "I came a little bit worried," he said. "A little bit annoyed with life." Like all of us, he was carrying the pressures that life brings. Yet after just a few days surrounded by a warm Jewish community, praying with others, sharing meals, and celebrating together, he left with a different outlook. "We think good and it'll be good." "It's okay not to be okay." "We go home with a smile." That smile didn't happen by chance. It happened because, in the northernmost Jewish community in Australia, there was a minyan to join. There was a beautifully prepared Yom Tov meal. There were open doors. There was a community ready to welcome every Jew who walked in. Whether someone is visiting for a weekend, travelling after the army, moving to North Queensland, or searching for Jewish connection, they deserve to find a place where they immediately feel that they belong. That is what Chabad North Queensland works to create every single week. One day, years from now, someone will look back and say, "This community changed my life." Long before they say those words, someone has to prepare the Shabbat meal, answer the phone, welcome them at the door, and make room for one more. Thank you for making sure we're always ready.Imagine arriving in a town where you hardly know anyone...Imagine arriving in a town where you hardly know anyone...Imagine arriving in a town where you hardly know anyone... Your gift to our Annual Campaign keeps the lights on, the tables full, the programs growing, and the doors open for every Jew who comes through them. Thank you for helping create a Jewish home in North Queensland that people leave with full hearts, lasting friendships, and a smile that stays with them long after the flight home. Tuesday, July 28 FOR EVERY JEW IN F NQFOR EVERY JEW IN F NQFOR EVERY JEW IN F NQFOR EVERY JEW IN F NQ CHARIDY.COM/JEWISHNQ