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10
Living a Jewish Life at a Distance
My husband, Mervyn and I live on the North Coast of Tasmania, which is 3-4 hours drive from Hobart,
where the closest functional Synagogue is situated. This makes it impossible to attend synagogue
services on a regular basis. However, we do endeavour to visit for regular services about once a month
or so as we are able. We also endeavour to attend festivals and any special events if at all possible.
A trip to Hobart means for me, as I still have to work, taking a day off work or swapping a day. As I work
only part time this is mostly possible but one
can’t do this too often as the boss may not
be too happy at having the roster changed
all the time. There is also the cost
financially to consider, we are on a low
income and a trip means, fuel costs, which
are not going down, and accommodation for
one or two nights. However, we feel the
fellowship with others is important and
supporting the synagogue important so we
enjoy our trips to Hobart.
We are also very fortunate in that we have a
couple of other Jewish families living about
20-30 minutes drive away. Every so often
we get together for a function or festival
observance.
I think for me, what I miss most about living so far away from a community are the social functions, such
as being involved in groups like NCJW, or the opportunity to be part of classes, such as Hebrew learning
class and Study groups. I am currently doing a Hebrew Class on line – direct to Israel. This is good but
not near as good as being there in a class where it is more interactive.
We do not believe it is impossible to live a Jewish life away from synagogue, because Judaism is a
religion of the home. The practical part of living a Jewish life is centred on the way we live in our homes
and everyday life. While the fellowship with other Jewish people is important and being part of
Synagogue functions is important, you can live a Jewish life without this. However, life is much richer
with the company of others of like faith and one way to encourage this is to invite people to visit you in
your home. We have been able to accommodate a number of Israeli backpackers and they have greatly
enriched our lives. Mavis Rudd
Ex-Tasmanian’s Reunion
On Tuesday evening 26 June at the home of Pnina Clark’s sister and brother-in-law, Rabbi and Mrs
Yehudo Heidingsfeld, some 30 or so Melbourne ex-Tasmanian residents gathered to help Rabbi
Gordon’s daughter Chani and new son-in-law Shlomo Reuven and their families celebrate the last of the
Sheva Brachos, the week-long series of festive meals which follow a traditional Jewish wedding.
Rabbi Gordon had long dreamt of holding such a re-union and the wedding festivities provided an
excellent forum for it, the venue being especially appropriate as Pnina’s sister has visited Hobart on a
number of occasions and is well known to a number of us.
It was such a success that all present, and even more so, those who were not able to attend expressed a
wish for a repeat some time.
There was much reminiscing and the inevitable enquiries of “what are you doing now”, and the evening
had a distinct medical “flavour” due to the presence of several of the ex South African doctors who made
their way to Australia via Tassie, as well as Drs. Robert Hanner and Paul (Shraga) Joffe who did their
studies here, Robert in the early 80’s and Shraga who finished just last year.
Additionally, there were several other doctors who spent some time here as part of their studies or other
reasons. Other guests included past president of the congregation, Caroline Heard, and Andrew
Wayman, who studied law here a couple of decades ago. I won’t try to list everybody, so I won’t get into
trouble for missing someone, but will take this opportunity to pass on greetings as requested many times
that evening, to those of you who knew them. David Clark
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