Melbourne’s first-ever Father & Son Mishmar, led by Mishmar Director JJ Hecht, was an overwhelming success as over 150 fathers and sons packed the YG Zal. After the learning, they enjoyed a fun game show, spark machines, and a live photo magnet station.

Baruch Hashem, for the first-ever, Father & Son Mishmar was an overwhelming success. The Zal was packed with over 150 fathers and sons! So many people came that we had to keep bringing out more chairs. Then more tables. Curriculums ran out. Wow! There were so many people we thought we might have to end up asking people to BYOC… bring your own chair.

It’s important to note this wild feat: Per the supreme importance of Seder HaYeshiva, which only ends about 7:00 pm, leaving just 15 minutes to completely set up for this giant event beginning at 7:15! That’s right, the event with nearly 200 participants, had only 900 seconds to pull together! According to nature this should’ve been a memorable disaster.  And yet, everything was in place right on time. The grand entrance with a red carpet. The GREAT Mishmar backdrop, also serving as a Photo Booth. Hundreds of drinks and “Sholom Edelman’s Birthday Cupcakes” dispersed for all our dear attendees. A large thank you is appropriate for his kind father, Rabbi Edelman. Heaps of chairs, table, all the books. It was all one enormous super stunt. 

To add to this, the moment Mishmar ended (8:25), the Zal needed to be ready again… 5 minutes later! The Bochurim, Shluchim and even some dedicated Hanhala jumped in and came to the rescue. Soon after, everything was cleared and reset. The smoothness of it all was nothing short of a neis. The Rebbe’s Brachos were visibly seen in every moment of this legendary evening. 

After the Torah learning, famed Shliach JJ Hecht led the crowd in a unique chant iconic for Mishmar ‘85. “The age gap killed the usually all participating – unforgettable chant “MISHMAR IS GREAT!”” said JJ after the event. 

The program then shifted to a fast-paced and fun Family Feud Game Show. While things got a little hectic, the kids had a great time participating and cheering each other on. Team “Sons” won by an absolute landslide. 

One of the highlights of the night was the live photo magnet station, where beautiful keepsakes were printed on the spot. Originally, the plan was to use simple logo magnets, but thanks to a generous sponsor, the deluxe version came to life. Families walked away with cherished memories on their fridge. Thanks to the one and only Anonymous Sponsor #1! 

The raffle was another hit, with prizes including a basketball, a soccer ball, and even a drone. And of course, the food was gourmet. There were the special birthday cupcakes and cake, fresh popcorn, an array of room chilled drinks, and crispy French fries, better known as chips to the Aussies. The atmosphere felt like a Mishmar celebration in every sense.

To elevate the experience even more, professional lights, sound, and gear were brought to elevate the night. There were even massive spark machines that really wowed the crowd. This was all thanks to the efforts of a devoted Bocher, Zevy Litzman who took charge. May he continue to have tremendous Hatzlacha in Yeshivah. 

He was assisted by another legend, Dean Cohenka. May both of them be blessed with only revealed good and Hatzlacha in every area.

The game show was manned behind the scenes by Bocher Mendel Cyrulnik, a creative supermind himself. 

After the event, a kind man approached the one who arranged the event, Mishmar Director JJ Hecht, expressing how much he loved the evening and even offered to help pay for the function. When he later heard that part of the cost was still uncovered, he sent over a large sum of money within minutes, and transferred the full remaining balance. Anonymous Sponsor #2 is an absolute sweetheart! Wow! 

As we all know, it can sometimes be difficult to ask, instead he came over and offered. What a man! 

And of course, another event sponsor that we thank with much gratitude is David Cohen & Family. 

May G-d shower all our generous sponsors with many more dollars to share, and may their families experience only revealed Brachos, and have true Chasidishe Nachas for all their children. Amen! 

And none of this would have been possible without the help of all the Bochurim and Shluchim who stepped up for setup, clean-up, and everything in between. Their incredible dedication is recognised and not overlooked. 

We would like to thank every single Father & Son who made time to come out there tonight. It was a blissful scene to see so many new faces in the Yeshivah Gedolah of Melbourne. 

And lastly it must be made mention that without the help of G-d Almighty, through the Rebbe’s brachos, this entire program would have been a flat failure. Instead, it was with great Hatzlacha. THANK YOU! 

May all these efforts and all the hard work put in truly hasten the coming of Moshiach Now!