Melbourne’s Inaugural Israel Shabbat is scheduled for 13-14 May, the Shabbat immediately following Yom Ha’atzmaut and, coincidentally, the very day on the secular calendar when Israel declared its Independence

Israel Shabbat is a new initiative aimed at expanding the community’s celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.

Participating synagogues will offer their congregants a range of special Israel-related programming on the day which may include Israel-themed dinners or kiddushes, special Israel-related activities for the children or special speakers. Jewish Agency shlichim will be on hand to share a few words or to work with youth directors to develop special children’s programming. Zionism Victoria will provide various materials to assist participating congregations.

For enquiries, contact Daniella Gozlan at dgozlan@zionismvictoria.org.au or 9272 5507.

Participating Congregations

The Ark Centre
Beit Aharon
Beit Haroeh
Beit Yehuda
Blake Street Hebrew Congregation
Bnei Akiva
Brighton Hebrew Congregation
Caulfield Hebrew Congregation
Central Shule
Elsternwick Jewish Community
Elwood Talmud Torah 
Etz Chayim Progressive
Hamerkaz Shelanu
Kehilat Nitzan
Kehilat Ohr David
Kehilat Ohr Yisrael
Leo Baeck Centre
Melbourne Hebrew Congregation
North Eastern Jewish War Memorial Centre
Rambam Sephardic Synagogue
Sephardi Association of Victoria
Shira Hadasha
St Kilda Hebrew Congregation
South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation
Temple Beth Israel