Merkos Women
Merkos Women is “a place where a love for Jewish living and learning is ignited that provides students with the support and educational tools to underpin their life time journey of Jewish living and growth.”
Merkos runs a range of programs for Jewish Women in their twenties and was proud to include the Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle as a unique way to celebrate Rosh Chodesh with any women who may have had or still have an association with our organization. Merkos Women held their first event as an affiliate of the Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle on Rosh Chodesh Sivan in May 2015.
These events provide a warm and relaxed environment for others to connect and share their own stories. Their Story Presenters who have shared their life journeys have been drawn from women who have in some way been touched by Merkos Women. Often the stories are related to the theme of the month as well as the food selections and activities as per the RCWC program.
For further information about Merkos contact Nicole Kornhauser through the Contact Us page.
South Caulfield Shule
South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation is a vibrant, friendly Modern-Orthodox Synagogue located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne.
We offer daily services, warm welcomes, activities and programs for all ages and a traditional Orthodox Zionist Nusach (liturgy).
Formed in the 1950’s, we began holding services in Winston Ave, Caulfield South.
In 1962, the congregation moved to its current position in Leopold St, Caulfield South. Rabbi Daniel and Sarah Rabin joined as the spiritual leaders of the community in the beginning of 2018 and bring a sense of warmth, inspiration and engagement to the community. Our Shule offers a host of activities and programs on a regular basis geared at the different interests and ages within our community. These include weekly shiurim, guest lectures, playgroup, bar/bat mitzvah program, young adult events, seniors lunch program and events for women. We are excited to add the Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle to the list of offerings and look forward to the inspiration it will provide to all involved!
The Shiur Group
The Shiur Group is a grassroots group of women who gather together to learn Torah. They are unaffiliated with any organisation and enjoy the opportunity to learn, share and discuss together.
Their first event, as part of the Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle, was for Rosh Chodesh Av in 2016. Since then their story tellers have told stories of Holocaust survival, conversion, government, community activism and surviving illness. Story tellers have included a Lady and an OAM!
Events are organised by a dynamic group of women who work together to bring the theme of each Jewish month to life in these successful programs.
Both the Shiur Group study group and its Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle events are open to women from all walks of life.
For further information about RCWC at The Shiur Group contact Miriam Grossbaum through the Contact Us page.
North Eastern Jewish Centre
North Eastern Jewish Centre is the “Jewish heart of Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs” and “is a vibrant and growing community which has earned a reputation for its warm, friendly and inclusive approach to Judaism.”
North Eastern hosted its first event for Rosh Chodesh Sivan in 2017 and was immediately impressed with the content of the program and the way that the program was able to connect with such a wide array of people. Their first speaker shared her personal story on converting to Judaism which was engaging and meaningful.
While not located in the heart of Caulfield, this Shul is excited to be the newest affiliate of the Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle.
For further information about RCWC events at North Eastern Jewish Centre send your request through the Contact Us page.
Chabad Bentleigh
Although the RCWC hadn’t officially launched its program yet, Bentleigh Chabad was interested in starting at the beginning of the New Jewish Year 5775. With Karen Zafir as our representative, we all sprang into action and their first Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle tm Inc event took place to celebrate the new month of Cheshvan 5775.
A full program, including an inspiring true-life story, a message for the month, a themed interactive activity and delicious supper, had the guests enthralled and enthusiastic for the next one.
For further information about RCWC events at Bentleigh Chabad send your request through the Contact Us page.
Elwood Shule
Elwood Shul was the place that the Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle began in 2009. While serving as the Rebbetzin of Elwood Shule, Rebbetzin Sara Gutnick felt that a program was needed to provide a deeper level of meaning and engagement for the women of shule. Right from the very beginning, Elissa Blaser, who used to attend Elwood Shule when she visited her father who lived in Elwood, assisted with ideas and financial sponsorship in memory of their father.
That idea turned into a monthly Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle event at Elwood Shule over the span of five years and became a staple of the Shule’s programming. Each year had a theme which included: Through the eyes of the young, Legacies, Soul Journeys, and Stability and Change. These themes provided a framework for the story tellers and activities that occurred during this time.
The events were engaging and exciting and drew a diverse group of women who were previously uninvolved in the Shule’s activities.
For further information about RCWC events at Elwood Shule send your request through the Contact Us page.
