Yud Shvat Farbrengen Unites Sydney Community

Sydney’s Jewish community gathered in large numbers to mark Yud Shvat at a deeply moving communal farbrengen, jointly hosted by Chabad NSW, Chabad of Bondi, and Tzemach Tzedek, with the participation of the Lazaroff family, who co-hosted the evening as a seudas hodaah.

Approximately 300 people attended the farbrengen, which was filled with inspiration, warmth, uplifting music, and a powerful sense of communal connection. The evening unfolded in a vibrant atmosphere, with wonderful food, heartfelt singing, and deep Chassidic teachings that resonated strongly throughout the room.

The program opened with live music and singing by Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff and Rabbi Menachem Feldman, setting a tone of joy and elevation through niggunim and song.

Rabbi Pinchus Feldman OAM, Head Shliach to NSW since 1968, then introduced a powerful video of the Rebbe, recorded on Yud Shvat 5741 (1981). Rabbi Feldman explained that in this historic farbrengen, the Rebbe spoke about the unique spiritual strength invested in this generation — a time when responsibility is greater, but so too are the Divine resources granted to fulfil the mission of bringing holiness, light, and goodness into the world.

Following the video, Rabbi Avrohom Perlow led the assembled community in the recitation of Tehillim on behalf of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisroel, Jewish communities around the world, and particularly the Sydney community, where many are still recovering from the traumatic Bondi Beach terrorist attacks on Chanukah.

A moving highlight of the evening was the siyum made by Shlomo Levitan, who completed Maseches Tamid in honour of the shloishim of his late father, Hashliach Reb Yakov Levitan ob”m hy”d. The siyum added a deeply personal and emotional dimension to the farbrengen.

The farbrengen continued with inspiring words from Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff, who spoke about recognising miracles and focusing on the good that continues to unfold even in difficult times. He shared a teaching from the Rebbe, recounting a parable in which the greater the doctor who enters a sickroom, the greater the angel that accompanies him and the greatest physician is accompanied by the angel Refoel, whose presence itself brings healing. The message resonated deeply: even when human strength seems exhausted, Divine assistance arrives in ways beyond expectation.

Rabbi Lazaroff was followed by his son, Laibel Lazaroff, who spoke with courage and sincerity. Rabbi Mendy Ulman noted that Laibel had been serving as a volunteer rabbi-in-training at Chabad of Bondi prior to the attack. The evening also served as a Seudas Hoda’ah, expressing heartfelt gratitude for Laibel’s recovery from his gunshot wounds sustained in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. His words were received with deep emotion and admiration.

The keynote address was delivered by Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, who spoke on the foundational Chassidic discourse Basi LeGani. Rabbi Kantor explained that in times of spiritual and moral challenge, G-d opens His greatest “treasure houses,” providing extraordinary inner resources to ordinary people. Just as a king, desperate to win a war, releases all hidden treasures to equip even the foot soldiers, so too every individual today is empowered with the strength and responsibility to make the world a better place.

Throughout the evening, the Mezamrim Choir enhanced the program with stirring song, featuring Rabbi Yehoshua Niasoff, Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff, Rabbi Chaim Koncepolski, Rabbi Noach Koncepolski, Rabbi Meir Vilenkin, and Rabbi Menachem Feldman. Each, a respected chazan in his own right, and together they brought extraordinary joy, song, and dancing to the farbrengen, particularly among the bochurim shluchim in attendance.

Following the formal program, Rabbi Kantor continued farbrenging with a large group of men — young and old — well into the early hours of the night, concluding a powerful and uplifting Yud Shvat experience.

The farbrengen was coordinated by Rabbi Elimelech Levy of Chabad Youth NSW, who also served as MC for the evening. Catering was provided by Mila Catering, and photography by Daniel Katzsound by Chaim Ayalon and video by Mark Singer.