The Furthest Seders From 770

Warning: cyclone threat”, appears on all the weather sites, for the Cairns-Townsville region. The Shluchim are not discouraged, and the Passover Australia plans gain momentum. Fire and Water will not stop us.

Shluchim Mendel Wilansky and Shmuly Kesselman drive slowly through the flooded streets of a city experiencing intense flooding during a most recent superstorm that put Townsville QLD under 2 ft. of water. But what would shut others securely in their homes for a few days, the Shluchim couldn’t afford. Pesach was coming and the Jews in this town were relying on Passover Australia.

Passover Australia is a Merkos Shlichus program specifically for Pesach that helps run Sedarim in some of Australia’s most remote locals.

Merkos Shlichus Australia Pesach (under the auspices of the Shluchim to Yeshivah Gedolah Melbourne) of 5778, saw growth and success over and beyond any previous expectations.

The Shluchim of Yeshiva Gedolah Melbourne, spear-headed by Hatomim Hashliach Menachem Mendel Thaler, in conjunction with Chabad of RARA’s Rabbi Yossi Rodal, began preparing months in advance, for what was hoping to be, a new and improved version of the nationally acclaimed Passover Australia.

Five locations across rural Australia were slated to be conquered by the Rebbe’s foot soldiers. Darwin NT (led by Shluchim Menachem Mendel Sorkin and Eliyahu Schulman), Townsville QLD (led by Shluchim Menachem Mendel Wilansky and Shmuel Kesselman), Fremantle WA, (led by Shluchim Shlomie Naparstek and Shmuel Gurary) Central Coast NSW (led by Shluchim Menachem Mendel Shishler and Sholom Cheruff) and Brisbane QLD (led by Shluchim Menachem Mendel Thaler and Laibel Vogel) were the targets.

The Shluchim, in an effort to involve the Bochurim of Yeshiva Gedolah, offered the Bochurim to join and be a part. Close to half of the Yeshiva Bochurim gave up the opportunity to join their families for Yom Tov and chose instead to join in the spreading of Yiddishkeit and the Mivtzoyim connected to Pesach.

Mendel and Shmuly, like their friends, have a clear focus. There are Four Sons that come to the Seder. Each with their own style and questions. But the Rebbe taught us that there is in fact a 5th son. The one that does not attend the Seder at all. In fact, he may not know there is a Seder in town, that is until Passover Australia representatives find him and invite him!

Sunday 9 Nissan, the Shluchim set out to lay the groundwork beginning with home visits. From Teffilin to Mezuzahs, Matzahs and Jewish books, the visitations are well underway. The visits are to Jews from all backgrounds and drastically different affinities in the most far-flung areas, where hardly a religious Jew has ever been seen. The look on the faces of these Jews as they open the door is first surprise, then unbelievable excitement. “How did you find me?” is always the question. The Shluchim sit down to converse with their newly found friend, rekindling his soul and reawakening his Jewish pride. Again and again, home after home, the Shluchim find the 5th son. And time after time, he becomes part of the Jewish family.

A few days later the Bochrim arrive to each of their designated locations, and being Yud Aleph Nissan, the Shluchim arrange to conquer the Australian continent “through Limmud Hatorah” by hosting a country-wide video conference “Learning Hour”. All five groups of Shluchim and Bochurim, call in at the same time and experience a virtual Yeshiva, delving into a Maamer connected with the Rebbe’s new chapter of Tehillim, Perek 117. Following which, the Bochurim all attentively listen in to a shiur by Hatomim Hashliach Menachem Mendel Sorkin, in Darwin NT. This is their birthday gift to the Rebbe. After such unity and camaraderie, the Shluchim and the Bochurim sit down and Farbreng the night away, bringing the Hiskashrus and feeling towards the Rebbe, to these far and distant areas.

But soon enough, early the next morning, the Bochrim are back to work. A few days of intense working, sweating, cooking, baking, shopping and cleaning, and the Seder is ready.

Friday afternoon, Erev Pesach, the Shluchim arrange an early start to the festivities to allow their fellow Jews an opportunity to lay Tefillin and light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles before the Seder. The Sedorim begin, and slowly but surely the mood develops. As the Hagodo continues, sprinkled with insights from the Rebbe and Chassidus, the Jews of Rural Australia warm up setting off a new vibe. Matzah, Maror, Korach, Shulchan Aruch, the Seder flows on with ecstasy and new found contentment. Continuing with Niggunim and songs lasting way into the night.

As the guests reluctantly make their way home, each one stops to thank the Shluchim and Bochrim, and express their appreciation. As the evening closes, there ceases to be a 5th son. They’ve all joined in, they’ve all come home.

And the Shluchim and Bochrim on their part, turn towards their Meshaleach, their Rebbe, to express their appreciation for the honour he bestowed upon them to be his representatives in these five remote locations.

After Yomtov, as each group heads off to their respective airports to return and reunite in Melbourne, there is but one thought on their minds collectively: Thank you Rebbe for giving me the merit. Thank you for giving me a Pesach that is truly meaningful, a Pesach of giving to others. Of bringing home the 5th son.

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Special thanks was given to the sponsors: The Werled Foundation for their constant support, year after year, generously sponsoring an abundance of Matzah and wine, to Sedarim all over Australia and many other countries beyond. Merkos Suite 302 and the Merkos Shlichus Office, for their all of their support both financial and otherwise. And of course to every member of the Melbourne Anas”h community who donated their time, money or resources, we extend a heartfelt Thank you.