August 18, 2010
Rosh Hashana Heralds Month of Activities
To celebrate the Jewish New Year, Jewish Care is having a month-long party and you are invited join us in the celebrations! Residents, friends and family are encouraged to get involved in an extensive program of events kicking off with fun-filled Rosh Hashanah celebrations (from Wednesday 8 September) and running throughout the Hebrew month of Tishrei (including activities for Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah).The extensive program will include: synagogue services, kiddushim, shofar blowing, honey and apple gift giving, Shiurim (lessons), dinners and parties, dancing with the Torah, Sukkah gatherings and more. “This will be the biggest and most inclusive Tishrei program yet, as we’re reaching out to more people, families and friends of Jewish Care than ever before,” said Jewish Care’s Rabbi, Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant.
Events will be held across the range of Jewish Care sites – including aged care residences Montefiore Homes Community Residence, Smorgon Nursing Home, Gary Smorgon House and the Mark and Dina Munzer Community Residence. Jewish Care has also partnered with Chabad of Malvern and the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation to provide an exciting program of services and parties for disability services clients and their families.
“As we approach the New Year, a major focus for the Jewish Care Cultural and Spiritual Centre is to extend the services we provide and connect with a wider cross-section of the Melbourne Jewish community. To this end, we are expanding our services and program for clients, volunteers and staff of community support, disabilities services and healthy ageing.”
To assist with this new direction, Jewish Care is pleased to welcome Rabbi Dovid Small, the newest addition to Jewish Care’s Cultural and Spiritual Centre’s team. Originally from Pennsylvania, USA, Rabbi Small provides rabbinical, Kashrut and pastoral support to Montefiore Homes and Smorgon Nursing Home residents, staff and clients.
“Developing and extending our Tishrei program would not be possible without the support and enthusiasm that Rabbi Small has brought with him,” said Rabbi Kluwgant. “In particular, he is working on creative new ways to engage elderly people in Simchat Torah celebrations, hosting a series of dancing and singing sessions with residents and friends.”
To find out more about Tishrei celebrations and how you can get involved, contact Daniella Matich on 8517 5609 or email dmatich@jewishcare.org.au.