If we study the map of the world, Melbourne appears isolated
from the rest of the Torah world. Today, however, this is
only a geographical perspective. In truth, Torah and
Yiddishkeit are thriving down under in Australia.
Melbourne, tucked away in Australia's southeast corner, is
not as Torah-isolated as many tend to think. Numerous
prominent Torah communities, both old and new, have dotted
the city's suburbs, along with a number of kollelim
and programs for kiruv rechokim.
Over three years ago, Rabbi Yehudah Kohn opened Merkaz
HaTorah -- The Torah Centre. The Centre has developed into a
vibrant place where people of all ages and different stages
of Yiddishkeit and learning ability come together.
Rabbi Kohn, originally from Gateshead, England, spent many
years learning at Kollel Beis HaTalmud, the Lakewood Kollel
in Melbourne and was, at the same time involved in its "Back
to Sinai" program. Over the years, he has had a close
involvement within the wider community, in addition to giving
shiurim on a daily basis. An accomplished talmid
chochom and sofer, he has been instrumental in
bringing many Yidden back to Yiddishkeit. During this time,
he realized that there was a significant sector of the Jewish
community which was relatively isolated.
The Power of Torah
In our tefillos each day we say, "Vesein chelkeinu
besorosecho" -- we ask Hashem to give each and every one
of us our portion in Torah. Chazal tell us that before a
child is born, a mal'ach teaches him the entire Torah.
Then he forgets all of it when he is born. The
meforshim explain that the purpose of this learning is
that later on in life we be able to again master Torah and
better comprehend what we are learning, since we once learned
it already. Thus, every Jewish soul has its very own share in
Torah.
Throughout many years of community work in Melbourne as in
many other places throughout the world, the underlying
principle of the approach to outreach has been that Torah was
given on Sinai to all Jews, not only to those now possessing
the necessary skills to learn a blat gemora.. Maran
HaRav Shach, shlita, is constantly encouraging the
learning of pure Torah with people who have unfortunately not
been exposed to it, rather then beginning with philosophical
discussions of various aspects of Yiddishkeit. He quotes the
Chazal that says: Me'or shebo machzirom lemutov -- the
light and sweetness of Torah will inspire a person to become
a better Yid.
Our responsibility in conveying this Torah is not only to
ensure that it be accessible to those seeking it but, to
offer shiurim, one-on-one study, seminars and other
activities to the public in a language that they can
understand, with an approach they can appreciate and a method
they can enjoy. In this way we bring them the sweetness and
pleasure of Torah.
The fruits of this approach are apparent to anyone involved
in this enterprise. Newly-excited individuals take their new-
found knowledge and commitment back into their local
synagogue, where observance often rises as a result.
A Vacuum
As his awareness of Torah and Yiddishkeit increases, the
individual or family needs to affiliate with others who will
support the change in lifestyle and the new value system. It
is imperative that one have a mokom Torah not only to
welcome these people into their shul and homes, but
also to provide an environment to facilitate future
growth.
Many people may be members of a particular synagogue even if
it is not necessarily conducive to Torah-true Yiddishkeit.
Many others are not members of any particular congregation,
or are, perhaps, newcomers to Melbourne. And then there are
yet others, who are slowly but surely discovering their
roots, who really do not belong anywhere in the existing
institutions! This creates a vacuum.
On Rosh Chodesh Adar 5756, a dream nurtured by so many for
many years finally became a reality. On that day, Merkaz
HaTorah opened its doors. The roshei hakollel of
Kollel Beis HaTalmud gave it their support along with their
heartfelt wishes for success.
Beginning in a quiet, unassuming manner, a house on a small
street was rented in an area blessed with many Jewish
families yet not within easy reach of any synagogue.
Shiurim and other learning activities were begun.
Slowly but surely a solid core of interested people arranged
for a minyan on Shabbos morning. Gradually,
minyanim for the other Shabbos tefillos were
added. The davening at Merkaz HaTorah has a warm,
inviting quality, allowing newcomers to feel comfortable and
to want to come back.
After two years, they had far outgrown their premises and
moved to a newly refurbished building that could cater to the
ever-increasing numbers attending tefillos and
shiurim. But there was still something basic missing:
They had no sefer Torah of their own.
The opportunity arose to buy a beautiful sefer Torah,
and with the help of a few individuals, Merkaz HaTorah
finally celebrated a hachnosas Sefer Torah. Along with
ushering in the sefer Torah, the celebration served as
an acknowledgment that the organization has truly become an
integral part of the Melbourne Torah community, generously
contributing to the continuity of Yiddishkeit in
Australia.
May they be zoche to the fervent prayer and
brocho, in the timeless words of Shlomo Hamelech upon
the chanukas habayis of the Beis Hamikdosh: May
Your eyes, Hashem yisborach, be open to this house day
and night, so that the Torah learned there, the
tefillos said there and all the mitzvos taught within
their walls, together with all the other spiritual
achievements, find favor before You, Hashem, so that they may
merit, together with all of Klal Yisroel, the
kibbutz goluyos from the far-flung corners of the
globe, so as to see the rebuilding of the true mokom Torah
veyiras Shomayim in Jerusalem, speedily in our days.
