FAQs

Frequently Asked
Questions

Please read carefully, This is a list of common questions and answers that provide helpful information to you.

Weddings

  1. Complete our online request form.
  2. Book in a 15mins phone conversation with our rabbi in which he will take you through the offering, discuss wedding date and availability and other important details.
  3. Pay initial deposit to secure rabbi and the date.

While the selection of your wedding date will reflect your personal priorities, you will also need to take into account the Jewish calendar. Weddings are not held on the Sabbath, major Jewish holidays or Hol Ha-Moed (intermediate festival days) so that we do not mix- and consequently dilute- each joyous occasion. Days commemorating tragic events in Jewish history are also not appropriate times for a marriage celebration (e.g. from the end of Pesach until Rosh Hodesh Iyar, the three weeks prior to Tisha B’av (9th of Av) and on minor Fast Days). We will take you through and check these dates for you.



 

10% non-refundable deposit to secure the date and booking. Remainder payable two weeks week prior to the wedding.

 

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

  1. Complete our online request form.
  2. Book in a 15mins phone conversation with our rabbi in which he will take you through the offering, discuss potential Bar Mitzvah date, advise on availability and other important details.
  3. Pay initial deposit to secure rabbi and the date.

Normally a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony is planned for just after a Jewish boy turns 13 in the Hebrew calendar. Ideally the very first Shabbat but otherwise, as soon as practically possible after this date. Also keep in mind that  Bar Mitzvah parties and celebrations are not normally held on certain days such as those commemorating tragic events in Jewish history (e.g. from the end of Pesach until Rosh Hodesh Iyar, the three weeks prior to Tisha B’av (9th of Av) and on minor Fast Days). We will take you through and check these dates for you.

Normally a Bat Mitzvah ceremony is planned for just after a Jewish girl turns 12 in the Hebrew calendar or as close to this date as practically possible. There are certain dates when Bat Mitzvah parties and celebrations are not normally held such as those commemorating tragic events in Jewish history (e.g. from the end of Pesach until Rosh Hodesh Iyar, the three weeks prior to Tisha B’av (9th of Av) and on minor Fast Days). We will take you through and check these dates for you.

10% non-refundable deposit to secure the date and booking. Remainder payable two weeks week prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

End-Of-Life

  1. Complete our online request form.
  2. Book in a phone conversation with our rabbi in which he will take you through what is required and advise the nature of the ceremony.
  3. The Rabbi, the Chevra and the family will together work out arrangements, dates and timings.
  1. The Chevra kaddisha is contacted to collect the body and prepare the deceased for burial. With utmost care and sensitivity, the body is washed, dressed and sealed in a coffin.
  2. During this time, the family must purchase a burial plot (if this has not already been arranged) and these are normally arranged in the following Sydney cemeteries: Macquarie Park, Botany Cemetery, Rookwood Cemetery.
  3.  Once this has been finalised, the Chevra and Rabbi and family book in the time and date for the funeral and burial services. 
  4. The Rabbi and family then discuss the time and location for evening prayers memorial service/s (Shiva Minyan).

The Rabbi can be notified in advance to provide religious, spiritual or pastoral support to the loved one and their family. There is a Jewish custom to say prayers at together with or at the bedside of someone ill or in their final stages. The Rabbi can come to preside over these prayers and strengthen the family.

Yahrzeit Ceremony

The yahrzeit is the anniversary of passing according to the Jewish calendar. We can advise when this date would fall out.

On the anniversary of a Yahrzeit we increase in prayer, acts of kindness and charity. Some also have a custom to visit the burial place of their loved one on this day. We also recite the traditional Kaddish prayer and the memorial prayer. These prayers can be arranged inside a Shule or in a home in a more private ceremony with closest family and friends.

Don’t worry. We are here to make it easy for you. Our Rabbi will recite and provide the prayers and relevant blessings and make sure to include those who’d like to recite some blessings or words of memory. Kosher food should also be arranged, and we will say blessings over the various food types. We can advise in arranging these items.

Births

Normally we name a Jewish girl in the presence of the Torah. The father of the girl is given an ‘aliyah’, a call-up, and the Rabbi recites the naming blessing. This service can take place only on days when the Torah is normally read – Shabbat morning or afternoon, Monday or Thursday.

There are different customs here but most prevalent, is to give the child her name as close to her birth as possible.

A Jewish name is connected to a Jewish child’s soul. We believe it has a special power that is connected to their essence, their past and their destiny. Our tradition tells us that parents are given a special Divine wisdom in coming up with the right name that connects with their child. Our Rabbi can advise and assist with spelling, pronunciations and in coming up with this name. 

A Jewish circumcision ceremony must take place on the 8th day from birth. However, under certain circumstances such as if a baby is premature or unwell due to jaundice or other conditions, the Brit may be delayed. The Rabbi or mohel will advise here.

So you’ll need to find yourself a Rabbi and a Mohel (qualified in performing the circumcision).  Feel free to call us and we can advise you in finding the right Mohel and also tailor make the ceremony into a meaningful and personal experience.

Home Warming

A Mezuzah is a small scroll that is rolled up, inserted in a protective casing, and affixed to the right side of the doorposts to our homes.

There is a Torah command to put up a Mezuzah on “the doorposts of your home and on your gates”. We believe that through putting up the Mezuzah it adds a layer of G-dly protection both spiritual and physical. It brings abundance of blessing flowing through our homes. 

All you need is a Mezuzah scroll, case and double sided tape which we can assist you with acquiring. You can invite close family or friends to join and share in a L’chaim or a small kosher meal.