New Rabbi for Chabad Canberra
Rabbi Shmueli and Rebbetzin Chasia Feldman of Sydney have been formally appointed to run Chabad of the ACT.
Playroom in Chabad Centre
Their appointment, maded by Rabbi Aharon Serebryanski, Director of “Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch”, Chabad’s educational arm in Australia, follows the relocation of Chabad Rabbi & Rebbetzin, Rabbi Dan & Rebbetzin Naomi Avital from Canberra to Melbourne.
Rabbi Shmueli Feldman comes from a distinguished Rabbinic family and is the son of Rabbi Pinchus Feldman OAM, Spiritual Leader of Chabad NSW. Rabbi Shmueli Feldman himself is a recognized chazan, orator and teacher. He has numerous Rabbinical qualifications including Shechita, Safrut and Semicha and has gained Rabbinic experience in Israel, Argentina, Russia and the USA. Rabbi Feldman most recently served as a Rabbi and the General Manager of Sydney’s Yeshiva Centre.
Rebbetzin Chasia Feldman received a BA in teaching from Michlelet Bayit Vegan in Jerusalem and is an accomplished teacher and program coordinator. In Sydney, the popular and dynamic Rebbetzin has been the coordinator of strongly attended women’s classes and social programs. The young couple and their two year old daughter Chaya Mushka are set to move to Canberra next week.
ChildCare Centre
Rabbi Feldman said that he and his wife are “looking forward to serve Canberra’s vibrant Jewish community building on the strong foundation established by the Avitals. We are particularly excited about welcoming enrolments for the newly renovated Gan Yisroel Preschool facility “
Rebbetzin Chasia and Rabbi Shmueli Feldman with their daughter
The Chabad of the ACT campuses were established under the auspices of Rabbi Serebryanski and are located in the leafy suburb of Giralang in North Canberra. Facilities include a fully functional Chabad House, state of the art Mikva and the Gan Yisroel Community and Preschool Centre. Construction of the architecturally designed Community Centre and Preschool Facility was completed a couple of weeks ago.
Rabbi Serebryanski said he “was delighted to have identified such a talented and energetic couple to continue the momentum established by the Avitals”. Recognising the crucial role that Jewish Schools have played in the development of Jewish Communities throughout Australia, Rabbi Serebryanski said that a major thrust of the Feldman’s activities would be to provide the Canberra Jewish Community with this same access to authentic Jewish education.
Rabbi Shmueli and Rebbetzin Chasia Feldman invite the community to the newly built Gan Yisroel Community and Preschool Centre, 3 Gari Place Giralang, this Sunday 20th January at 6:30pm for a Shloshim memorial service for Chaya Matilda Mazal Zelig OBM who passed away at age 80 and was a treasured member of the Canberra Jewish community.
Rabbi Feldman told J-Wire: “I am extremely grateful for all the groundwork put into Chabad ACT by Rabbi Avital. I face areal challenge in establishing the pre-school which will cater for 2-5 year-olds. We have received official permission to establish a school catering for uo to 65 children.”
The ambitious Rabbi Feldman has set his sights on all unafilliated Jews in the Canerra region including politicians, diplomats, civil servants, Israelis on temporary work assignments and backpackers.
The Chabad Centre has an Oren HaKodesh but no torah. “All part of our plans for the future” said Rabbi Feldman.
The Feldmans set up home within the Chabad Centre in Canberra next week.
