A colourful van has been turning heads across the New England this week, but its purpose goes far beyond novelty. Inside is a travelling kitchen, a small library, and two young rabbis on a mission to connect a community that is often invisible.
The visit is part of the work of Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia, an outreach initiative that supports Jewish people living in regional and remote areas where there is no synagogue or resident rabbi. Coordinated nationally by Rabbi Menachem Aron, the program brings bochurim – young, unmarried men studying at yeshiva (rabbinical school) – or newly graduated Rabbis from around the world to Australia for short-term tours, visiting communities that might otherwise go years without direct contact.
This week, brothers Menachem and Chaim Heidingsfeld, from Winnipeg in Canada, have been making their way through the region, stopping in Inverell and Moree before arriving in Armidale today. Their seven week tour will continue on to Tamworth tonight, where they are hosting a Shabbat (sabbath) meal expected to draw around 30 people tomorrow.
For the brothers, the journey is both a personal and professional step. Menachem, 24, describes the experience as “almost like a free rabbi internship,” giving young graduates of yeshiva the chance to build community skills while travelling.
“Guys come out of yeshiva and get involved in various projects, and it’s an opportunity to come out, see some of Australia, and flex a little bit of those community skills,” he said.
The work can be intense. On busy days, the pair will meet with many different Jewish people or families, with most visits being one-on-one and often lasting hours. They’ve had a number of very long days on this trip.
“Our first one was almost eight o’clock in the morning and our last one was like 9:30. That was a really jam-packed day,” Menachem said of of of their recent stops.
But it is the quieter moments that underline the importance of the tour. In many regional towns, Jewish residents may not know there are other yidden living nearby. Without the infrastructure that typically comes with a Jewish community – synagogues, mikveh (ritual bath), kosher stores and eating places, and so on – to connect people, many Jews in regional areas feel very isolated and disconnected from culture.
“This could be their only Jewish connection,” Menachem said. “Sometimes they won’t even know that there are other Jews living right around them.”
That connection can be life changing. Chabad of RARA celebrated their 25th anniversary last year, and made a documentary of their history for the occasion. The video includes the story of David, who grew up at Walcha not knowing he was Jewish, and finally had his bar mitzvah at 61.
Beyond conversation and connection, the young Rabbis also provide practical support, ensuring people have access to religious materials, information for upcoming holidays, and contacts for further assistance if needed. While a missionary-like service in feel, it is not like a Christian missionary seeking to convert people to their faith, as Judaism actively discourages proselytising, and conversion to Judaism is very hard. Their work is solely about connecting and helping.
For 23-year-old Chaim, the quieter of the two, the trip has been years in the making. He first heard about the opportunity while still at school and had long hoped to make the journey, helped along by a family connection — their father was born in Sydney.
“I heard that there’s an opportunity for young rabbis to go around Australia,” he said. “So it was always something I wanted to do.”
He had been planning the adventure for about three years.
“And then once I met the requirements to be able to do it, I started looking who I want to do it with. My brother was available, so I thought that sounds like a good trip.”
The plans were locked in and travel booked six months ago, before last Chanukah. But that long-held ambition to do a RARA trip only strengthened in the wake of the Bondi Beach antisemitic attack on December 14.
“If anything, more determined — 100%,” Menachem said of their decision to proceed with the trip.
Both brothers said the response they have encountered on the road has reflected a community seeking connection in difficult times.
“People have definitely been talking about it,” Menachem said.
“It affected a lot of people very deeply. But it also brought people together more, and people feel more connected, especially in times of challenge.”
While Chaim is still considering his future path as a Rabbi, possibly working in one of the behind the scenes roles that are essential in the Jewish world, Menachem is certain he will continue in the rabbinate with a goal of one day leading a synagogue, with a particular interest in youth and community work.
“It’s part of the reason I’m doing this.”
“I could see myself being involved in a young community or specialising in youth programs,” he said.
As they travel between towns, the brothers say the experience has reinforced the strength of the Jewish community, even when they are very spread out.
“It’s amazing to see that Jews are everywhere and still remaining connected, each in their own way,” Menachem said.
“You know, whether it’s their one Mitzvah or the full nine yards, everyone’s trying to work and improve and make this world a better place.
“And being able to do it with no infrastructure — or very minimal infrastructure — is probably the coolest part of this whole trip.”
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