In light of the recent traumatic attacks impacting the Sydney Jewish community, a special Unity Farbrengen was held to bring together Anash, families, and friends in a setting of warmth, reflection, and chizuk.

Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, shliach of the Rebbe to New South Wales since 1968, felt there was a clear need for an intimate gathering that would allow the community to come together on a deeper level. While a major communal Chanukah event drew over 20,000 participants on the final night of the festival, Rabbi Feldman emphasized the importance of a more personal farbrengen—one where people could sit together, sing together, and draw strength from one another.

The Unity Farbrengen was coordinated by Chabad Youth NSW and hosted at Chabad of Bondi, with a full catered dinner. The evening was MC’d by Rabbi Elimelech Levy.

The program opened with the singing of solemn Chabad nigunim, led by chazanim Rabbi Menachem Feldman and Rabbi Chaim Koncepolski. They were later joined by Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff and Rabbi Noach Koncepolski, whose beautiful melodies were woven throughout the night, creating an atmosphere of deep emotion and connection.

A powerful video of the Rebbe from the 1970s was then shown. In the video, the Rebbe addresses the incomprehensibility of the Holocaust, explaining that it cannot be understood intellectually or emotionally. Instead, the Rebbe emphasizes the eternal nature of the soul, and that the relationship between body and soul is momentary when compared to the everlasting G-dly spark that gives life and meaning.

Rabbi Feldman then spoke about the importance of the community coming together to give one another chizuk and encouragement during difficult times, highlighting the strength found in unity and shared purpose.

Words of comfort were also shared by Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner, head shliach of Melbourne, as well as by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Rav of Chabad of Bondi and host of Chanukah at the Sea, where the tragic attack had taken place days earlier.

The guest speaker for the evening was Rabbi Mendel Lipskar, head shliach to South Africa, who traveled to Sydney on behalf of Agudas Chasidei Chabad to bring comfort, encouragement, and inspiration to the community. Rabbi Lipskar spoke passionately about resilience, faith, and the enduring strength of the Jewish people.

The evening concluded with remarks from Rabbi Nochum Schapiro, Rav of Chabad North Shore and President of the Rabbinical Association of Australasia, who encouraged participants to immediately begin bringing menorahs into their office buildings and places of work, spreading light and Jewish pride.

The Unity Farbrengen was held in honor of all those who perished, to strengthen and uplift those who were wounded or impacted, and to commemorate Didan Notzach on Hey Teves. It served as a powerful reminder that through unity, faith, and increased light, the Jewish community continues to stand strong.

Photos by Sam Babus of SB Creative