Shmoozing Strathavon

This year's Yom Tov season was honestly one of the best we've ever had. And, the momentum continues! 

Of course, the Shabbos Project is definitely pumping up the action at Strathavon this week. Add to that the Dove barmitzvah and we're in for a really special, mega-Shabbos. 

Our Shabbos Project team has done an outstanding job putting together a spectacular programme.

Shabbos will begin with a special candle-lighting programme for women. The programme includes spiritual insights into candle-lighting by our Rebbetzin and Rebbetzin Ruthie Abrahamson, special prayers and song with Yael Benjamin.

The men will daven an outdoor Mincha and relive the ancient Kabbalistic tradition of going outdoors to welcome Shabbos. Rabbi Gavriel Abrahamson will share some insights before davening and Nami Falkson will lead us in singing to welcome Shabbos. 

After Shul, we will have a kiddush under the stars.

We have great children's entertainment on Shabbos as well, so your kids will have a wonderful Shabbos experience. 

We'll have a special davening, seeing as it is Rosh Chodesh. Josh, our barmitzvah boy, will lead the Hallel. 

After the Barmitzvah kiddush, we're heading down to the park for an overbooked Shabbos in the Park. The programme there includes family learning, kids' activities and traditional Shabbos songs. Don't worry, we have all sorts of creative seating plans for the park- blankets, benches & picnic tables, cafe tables & chairs and bean bags available. Thank G-d, we have had a very good response to the Shabbos in the Park and are full.

We have excellent security in place over Shabbos, both at Shul and at the park. If you would like to park your car at Shul over Shabbos, please note that we will lock the gate at 5:45 p.m. The Chief Rabbi has also organised free Uber for first time users to get to Shul before Shabbos (to the value of R200). Go to www.uber.com to download the app and use the code keepingittogether. 

Thank you Dani Zekry, Hazel Lerman, Candice Kessler, Shaun Levitan, Gary Weinstein, Charlie Meyerowitz, Robin Bayhack and Steven Chalom for putting together a truly spectacular Shabbos.  

Special thank you to our sponsors, who helped make this Shabbos amazing: Liberty, Neil & Lauren Dove, Ronen & Dani Zekry, Marc & Hayley Wachsberger, Mark & Shirley Collie, Shaun & Hayley Levitan and Shaun & Dina Hurwitz.

The Shabbos Project is right after Yom Tov, and our team has spectacular plans to make it something special. Highlights are: Mega candle-lighting, Kiddush under the stars, Shabbos in the Park and Havdalah ceremony.

We need your help to:

1) Sign up on www.shabbos.co.za

2) Get others to sign up on www.shabbos.co.za   

3) Consider hosting someone for that Shabbos.

4) Bring a siddur or two from home (with your name in), so that we have enough for everyone on what is going to PG be a busy Shabbos. 

Thanks to the generosity of Michael Mendelowitz and family, as well as the input of a few of our Shul's members, the much-anticipated installation of ceilings on the two wings of the Shul is now in progress.

This exciting development will, please G-d, be completed in time for the Shabbos of the Shabbos Project.

We were BH bursting at the seams over Yom Kippur! Besides the extra seats we put out following Rosh Hashanah, we had to put out extra, extra seats at Kol Nidrei.

Yoav Dogan, Rabbi Groner and Rabbi Shishler conducted a powerful davening, punctuated with page-guidance, practical instructions and insights shared by Tzur Gerber and members of the community.

Once again, our security team ran a slick operation, which allowed us all to daven with peace of mind.

At Kol Nidrei, the rabbi spoke about the power of community and how we should give time to our communities. He mentioned that antisemitism wilts in the face of Jewish unity and that we need to come together as Jews. He also launched the exciting Chabad Strathavon initiatives for the Shabbos Project. All available on www.shabbos.co.za

At Yizkor, the rabbi spoke about ensuring that our children receive excellent Jewish educations, paying tribute to Rabbi Nachman Bernhard, who was a pioneer of Torah education in South Africa. As the rabbi said, "You ask your rabbi for advice on medical and business matters, you should consult him (and the rebbetzin) on his real area of expertise: Jewish education. 

Before Neilah, the rabbi shared stories of how the Rebbe predicted in the 60's that Communism would fall, but it took time. He likewise predicted that we'd see Moshiach in our times, so we shouldn't lose hope if it seems to have taken long.

As every year, the service ended with the spine-tingling chants of Shema Yisroel and Hashem Hu HoElokim, followed by the uplifting victory tune, known as Napoleon's March. 

Breaking of the fast was sponsored by Ziona Lipchick. 

The good news of Yom Kippur was the announcement that a principal donor and a number of secondary donors had stepped up to complete the installation of the long-awaited ceilings on the wings of the Shul. 

Next project: Ceilings for the kitchens and bathrooms and the the remaining light-fittings.