This past week, 8 Kislev, saw Melbourne’s Friendship Circles’ inaugural volunteer award evening, entitled “5000 hours of Giving,” held at the Glen Eira Town Hall.
The evening was attended by well over 500 people from all corners of Melbourne’s Jewish community. Over 100 volunteers received the Friendship Circles’ Volunteer appreciation award.
The evening opened with the welcome address by Robbie Rubenstein, an FC child thanking the FC directors Rabbi Mordy and Elisheva Engel and program director Chaya Sziewicz. The resounding applause could be heard miles away. This was followed by a drama performance put on by the participants of the Drama Club. All eyes were fixed on centre stage as the Friendship Circle children re-enacted “a Week in the life of Friendship Circle,” which incorporated acting out the activities of the self defense, sports, arts and craft, bingo and dance clubs.
The highlight of the evening was a 10 minute video on the activities of Melbourne’s Friendship Circle. Professor Bebe Loff, a parent at Friendship Circle who heads a medical Department at Monash University, gave a parent response speech. Professor Loff noted that while the Australian Government spends millions and millions of dollars on research in her department, that may only one day achieve results, she has witnessed amazing results firsthand, with her daughter Orly, citing the example of how her daughter carried her own chair on stage, as part of the drama performance – something she had not witnessed her do ever before. Professor Loff noted the true need for the support of this most vital program.
In Rabbi Mordy Engel’s Volunteer recognition address it was mentioned that while volunteers weren’t paid, it wasn’t because they are worthless, but rather because they are priceless. Rabbi Engel thanked all the volunteers along with the activity coordinators, Mrs. Shira Loebenstein, Rivka Ash, Racheli Rosenzwieg and Miri Shepes.
The night culminated with a hilarious Chinese auction, as Melbourne’s noted auctioneer, Mr. Barry Feldman brought the entire audience to fits of laughter as he auctioned off Shabbos at Rabbi Mordy’s, with bids starting at $1,000.
As Bar Levin, a young adult in the Friendship Circle, left the hall, he urged Rabbi Mordy Engel “to please continue making programs for us to help us.”
A big shout out goes to the OC girls for giving so much time to the FC kids! 🙂 They are amazing, and giving!
We are so proud!
Looking good bud!! 🙂
the friendship circle chinease auction was one of the most amazing evenings ive ever been to. It was amazing
Go Mordy and Elisheva!! Kol hakovod to you and all the volunteers!
I hope it pays the mortgage
we miss you!!!!
Long live the Friendship Circle!!!
Keep up the good work.
Family Cohen
GO Kaila! we miss you!!!
Nice to see you Shaina
OMG mushkie peer we miss you sooooo much
love bambina push =>
go penina
go mushkie!!!!!!!!!!!
MISS YOU TONZ!!!!
Love,
me!!!!
yay miriam!!!
Chaya u did an amazing job!!!!
keep up the great work ur doing!!! everyones loving it!
looking good
your cap sticks out!
The Drizin’s in NYC
woot woot!!!
was an awsome nite!!!!!!!
GO FC MELBOURNE!!!!!
=]
LOOKING GOOD!!! HI from N.Y!!!!
why didnt all the kids go on stage???
there are so many more…..
hey this is a msg for Mushka Weiss! We love u! U rock my girl 😉
look above lol
ur acting skills are A+? where did u learn them?
Robbie I am so proud of you, it was a beautiful speech and you made everyone proud! Amazing jobs in your drama performances as welll!
We love you!
mushka weiss
i heard u rock FC in australia 😉
hello
You rock FC hunny! 🙂 Congrats on your graduation!!! :))))
chaya ur amazing.
we c u put lots of effort in ur work.
keep on the good work!!
OC Rocks the Planet
Elisheva and Mord, Very proud of you both. Kol Hakavod. It was absolutely amazing and a zechus to be there, Love Ma
Great music Mordi!! No 1 for simchas too 🙂
muxxy meyrs i hope the food was tasty 😉
keep the smile on
y dont we c u on the pics
chani, betty, adina are u guys hiding?
bassi did u leave early? i cant seem to find u on the pics?
look at the camera next time
ure amazing….. pancakes?
the black hand 😉
y arent u participating at the FC event?
completely agree!!!!
this was just the participants of the drama club, which was divided into groups for the performance. You only see some of the groups of that club.
Elisheva and Mordechai- Thanks for organising such a beautiful evening for the community. It was outstanding and a credit to you for all the wonderful work you do for the Friendship Circle. Kol Hakavod!
Well done Chaya – it looks amazing. Heard you spoke really well.
Chaya BH we are so proud of you that you are extending our Glasgow Scotland shlichus into Australia. Wonderful nachas BH. Keep trucking with Leible until Moshiach! Tat and Ma
u cried b/c no one wrote a comment for u so there u go…. FAVS ure amazing!!!
Keep up all the good work. Rem BC 😉
So proud of you! you look amazing and the everything looks so professional! i know you worked so hard xxxxxxx hugs from home skits.
they say a leader stands head and shoulders over the rest wadup! 😉
OMG Camper from Bunk Aussie!
NV
Go Engels! You are truly awesome. What a special night, by special people, for special people!!!!!!
what an amazing production. I only saw a tiny drop of the work “behind the scenes” UNBELIEVABLE. How awesome is your work. May Hashme continue to shower you with abundant blessings and hatzlacha.
Raizel Fogel
Thank you for make me so proud to be a Lub
It’s Zeida Sammy, We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!
photo credits to whom??????? Real talent over there..
the food looks good! Big K cakes, club sandwiches and daceries (sp?) yum!!
someone missing from the photos? Devorah Engel perhaps?
🙂
priceless not worthless, so beautiful!!!
Yes, Chaim Reicher!!! Whatta bloke!!
who rote comment 61?????
WE LUV YOU!!!!!
go zalman feiglin!!!
zoe that u???
😀
Hearty Mazel Tov to Elisheva and Mordy. You are truly insperational. You are shining stars. May you go from strenght to strength in all your endeavours ad bias hamoshiach.
Noson Gurary Buffalo NY
pls dont cry my dear ur tears are so prec to me ;( life is all good. u dont need those comments!!!!
u look good my girl and ur voice is amazing too keep up screaming in the dorm and ull lose it through and through!!!
Even though you were not there, your love and dedication for FC is something to be noted! Keep up all your hard work and long dedicated hours to FC! You make us proud!
Great job Mordy & Elishevah, Keep it up!!!!!!!!
thanks everyone for helping out. it means alot!!