The film documents the adventurous and altruistic life of Reb Moshe Zalman Feiglin Z”L, a devoted Lubavitcher Chossid who arrived in Australia in 1912 and has since steadfastly paved the way to the start of many of the Jewish educational initiatives in Australia.
The film documents Reb Moshe Zalman’s committed adherence to the directives of our Lubavitcher Rebbeim, and his resolute and valiant way of life that lead him in his youth to pioneer towns in northern Israel and later in life, to establish a self-sufficient Jewish agricultural community in Shepparton, a rural Australian town, which became the home to the very first Yeshiva on the Australian continent.
This film was produced by the Australian documentary film maker, Chaim Mehlman together with Reb Moshe Zalman’s grandson, Mottel Feiglin, and their team who uncovered a vast collection of treasured film reels, olden day audio tapes and photographs that until now have never been released to the public. Many of those date from as far back as the early 1900’s and those captured from the early 1930’s were taken by Reb Moshe Zalman’s youngest son, Reb Shmuel Feiglin Z”L who was an enthusiastic photographer and compiled a huge collection of movies from the early days.
The film relays vast historical and present-day interviews and many documentary sources as well as it encapsulates the book ‘Avrohom Avinu of Australia’ which was written by one of Reb Moshe Zalman’s oldest eynikels; Reb Uri Kaploun.
The title ‘Avrohom Avinu of Australia’ is the title that The Rebbe once gave to Reb Moshe Zalman.
This film is a magnificent compilation of treasured historical events and thus, it is an educational platform from which we can all be inspired.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOmyFGYja0c&feature=youtu.be
I live in America as a shaliach and I am humbled to be the beneficiary of such a selfless man who created the education that I greatly benefitted from!! Thank Gd for this much needed documentary that puts into perspective the sacrifice of such a family who planted the seed of Chabad that didn’t just create The Yeshiva Center – but literally brought Yiddishkeit to all of Australia!!!
I feel privileged to be acquainted with some of Reb Moshe Feiglin’s descendants who follow in his footsteps as leaders and teachers for our time. To the producers of this well done film, I look forward to Part 2!
Mrs. Adelstein
I am now watching this video with my children. It is the perfect way to spend Chol Hamoed, to inspire my family. a Big Yasher Koach for making this
Question: What motivated him to go to Australia? It mentioned his intense yearning to stay in EY but then he shortly after moved to Australia. Also why Australia?
I watched the whole thing it was amazing!
Things got tough in Palestine.. attacks from Arabs and the pending WWI
The reason that he would have had to leave E Y in such a rush was due to the fact that he had just heard that the Turks were on the way to arrest him for underground activities, in all likelihood connected with N.I.L.I.”
Why Australia ?
Amongst the reasons was the fact that the Australian Government had just then begun to sponsor assisted migration.
Mottel and company. It is truly an amazing film. I am very proud to be an Ainekel of Zeida Moshe. What “big shoes to fill”. This is the way all history should be taught. Kol Hakavod.
Leah Gurary
Great job Reb Mottel.
Thank you.
So heartwarming and beautifully done.
Thank you Mottel & Esther Feiglin such an amazing achievement and Zechus bringing to life the rich and inspiring history of our family and of the establishment of Chabad in Australia. You shall be blessed to continue the holy work of Zaida Moshe.
Yasher’Koach from a great great grandchild of our illustrious Zaida Moshe.
So grateful for this to be in existence to pass on to generations.
-A proud descendant of Zaida Moshe