From The Rabbi’s Desk
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” Christopher Robin, from Winnie the pooh Rosh Hashanah comes every year and it could be easy to fall into the habit of treating it as ‘just…
Since our earliest beginnings over ten years ago, Shabbat at ARK Centre has been a central drawcard for so many different people, often those who without ARK wouldn’t go to shule on a regular Shabbat at all. We are proud of the reputation we have built for providing a warm, fun, and highly inclusive Kabbalat Shabbat service.
On an average Friday evening, you can find scores of people of all ages gathering together to eat, drink, schmooze, enjoy a L’Chaim and bring in the Shabbat with much joy and singing.
With the advent of Covid-19, we couldn’t come together in person anymore, so we had to get creative. Despite not being able to gather together, we took advantage of social media and moved Kabbalat Shabbat to Facebook Live. It’s not the same but it is a great way to start Shabbat and connect with others in the community – it just required our members to provide their own scotch and herring this way.
Until the lockdown, ARK Centre had the pleasure of a number of our members and friends taking a more active role in services. We thank all those who lead the davening, delivered an occasional drosha (sermon), undertook the leining (reading from the Torah) and Haftorah. We look forward to the resumption of services and invite those interested in taking part in our services to contact the Rabbi.
GUEST SPEAKERS
We love having guests and bringing communities together. Welcoming guests on a Friday night allows us to show off the ruach (spirit) that is synonymous with ARK Centre and gives them an insight into what Orthodox Judaism can be all about.
September 2019
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, spoke about the differences and similarities between the Vietnamese and Jewish communities.
October 2019
Professor Shachar Richter from the Faculty of Engineering and Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology spoke about this fascinating topic, making it just a little bit more comprehensible for those non-tech people in the room (most of us).
November 2019
Michael O’Brien MP, Opposition Leader in the Victorian Parliament, and David Southwick MP, Member for Caulfield, joined us for an enlightening discussion about state and federal politics.
December 2019
We hosted our annual Indigenous Cross Communal Kabbalat Shabbat, which has become an important event in our calendar. This year it was our honour to host Shane Charles and some of his friends and family. Hearing the didgeridoo accompanying the Rabbi, Chazzan and the kids on the bimah for Lecha Dodi was extraordinary. With Rabbi Gabi on the shofar and Shane Charles on the didgeridoo, it was a sight – and sound – to remember for the ages.
January 2020
Multicultural Liaison Officer John Branagan from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) joined us to speak about the bushfire situation how funds that were being raised were being used. It was a true pleasure to host him, particularly in the light of what transpired over the terrible summer of fire, and the overwhelming support from the Jewish community.
February 2020
Our TuBishvat Kabbalat Shabbat was a joyous event celebrating the traditional New Year of the Trees and the great relief that the shattering fire season seemed to be diminishing in its ferocity. Our thanks to one member family for their donation of seedlings that everyone was able to take home to plant in their own gardens.
YOUTH SHABBATOT
A few times during the year Rabbi Gabi leads a vibrant Youth Shabbat to engage kids in the Shabbat morning service no matter how often they typically come to shule. He explains the service, not just the details of how and what we pray for but gives everyone a feeling for the joy of Shabbat and how much it means to those who are there.
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” Christopher Robin, from Winnie the pooh Rosh Hashanah comes every year and it could be easy to fall into the habit of treating it as ‘just…
How much have our lives changed? How much more change is still to come? How much can we cope with? Amidst all the turmoil, fear and concern, I’ve had the privilege of working with our Rabbi, staff and Board to…
It has been an eventful year, to say the least. Scroll through and look through some of the highlights of the past 12 months. Be sure to scroll to the end to check out the fabulous pictures… TISHA B’AV…
I’d like to share some of the thoughts going round in my mind this week. Two shoe salesmen from competing companies are sent to a foreign country to assess the market. Salesman One scouts around for a few days and…
At ARK Centre, we love a good party! Before we found ourselves is insolation we celebrated some truly fabulous Bar and Bat Mitzvot at ARK Centre. These milestones, along with a Call Up, Wedding, Baby Naming, Bris, Upsherin, or special…
Pastoral Care is a hallmark of any communal organisation. And for a very good reason: at the centre of all we are, all we do, the reason we exist is for the people who comprise our community. This year, Pastoral…
In 2020 we were fortunate to receive a grant from the Erdi Foundation for the development and delivery of our B’Nei Mitzvah Program. While our plans were restricted due to what transpired with the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain focused on…
ARK Times 2020, both in print and digital, would not have been possible without the incredibly generous support of our advertisers and those who made a donation without taking an ad. We thank each and every one of them for…
It’s not possible to start without stating the obvious; it has been and remains, a challenging time for everyone and ARK Catering is no different. The year started very well with big events both in and out of the Centre….
