This past Sunday, the seventh day of Chanukah, one week after the terrible tragedy and massacre on the popular Bondi Beach, Sydney, on the first night of Chanukah, the women of Melbourne rallied to turn their pain into a productive unity gathering. The gathering under “Women In Unity” saw close to 300 ladies from the different Shules across Melbourne come together in the Caulfield Shul Hall. We gathered to say Tehillim, hear inspiring speakers, and sing songs of Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah.

This gathering was to strengthen and inspire women to increase in mitzvos, simply be together, remember the 15 Kedoshim who were murdered “Al Kiddush Hashem,” and to wish a Refuah Shleima to the many who were injured and still in the hospital. 

It was a time of chizuk, connection, and light during such a painful week.

Thank you to Rebbetzin Riva Cohen and Rebbetzin Sarah Rabin for initiating and organizing this powerful gathering.

Rebbetzin Riva Cohen introduced the gathering by speaking about the number 13 as being the gematria, the numerical value of both the words of אהבה love, and אחד one, the weapon of Jewish unity אחדות, and loving kindness אהבת ישראל, as so often stressed by the Rebbe. 

Rebbetzin Sarah Rabin of Caulfield Shul spoke about “How difficult it feels to find words after such a tragedy, especially when people you know lost their lives al Kiddush Hashem. Sometimes the most powerful response is simply showing up and being present for one another.  She connected that to Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, and Parshas VaYigash, reminding us that even a small, fragile light and small steps closer still matter in dark times.”

Dr. Shira Wenig, visiting from Efrat, Eretz Yisrael, spoke inspirationally about the challenges, faith, and resilience on a daily basis of the men, women, and children living there.

Rebbetzin Zisy Zirkind skillfully and meaningfully brought the function to closure with the three themes of Chanukah, Increasing Light, Living with Mesiras Nefesh, and Re-Dedication to Torah and Mitzvos as expressed by the pure jug of oil and the Maccabees.

Thank you to the inspirational speakers, to Rivkah Joseph and Malki Khutoretsky for the musical interlude, and to surprise guest Ayala for her beautiful singing, and to every woman who came and inspired one another.

Printed Melbourne Candle-lighting time cards for the year, and bilingual Tehillim cards were distributed.

May Hashem bless us that Moshiach should come NOW, in the merit of the women.