Chabad House now by the beach

DALIA SABLE

IT has long been said that where there is Coca Cola there is Chabad and now the Mornington Peninsula is no exception.

Chabad of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula will officially open its doors later this month, providing services to Jews in the area.

“There are a lot of elderly people, quite a few Russians, Israelis and Aussies, there are young adults, young families and uni students,” Chabad of Frankston and Mornington Penninsula’s Rebbetzin Rivkah Bondar told The AJN.

“Some people have thought they were the only Jews in the area when there are actually two other families in their street.”

Together with her husband, Rabbi Levi Bondar and their four young children, the family moved permanently to Frankston in July.

In the lead-up to the opening of the Chabad House, the Bondars ran services during the High Holy Days. Rabbi Bondar also runs weekly shiurs and the couple delivers challahs each Friday.

“People are so appreciative and happy to have us there. They are always offering their help or their houses. It’s nice to be so appreciated,” Rebbetzin Bondar said.

Having established a minyan in Carnegie, which began in their home with two people and grew to its own premises with more than 200 people, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Bondar decided they wanted a new challenge.

“We wanted to build a community [somewhere] where we, as a young, growing family, can live and afford to buy.”

Rebbetzin Bondar said since they made the move, they have received many phone calls from other young families who are keen for a sea change.

Despite the distance to Jewish Melbourne, the Bondar children still attend Yesodei HaTorah in Elwood for school during the week.

Chabad of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula will celebrate its official opening on Sunday, November 29 at 19 Shaxton Circle.

Enquiries: bondar770@gmail.com.