The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov Official memorial centre for those who perished on 14/12 terrorist attack - First night Chanukah 5786. Please support us: themitzvahhouse.org/donate

Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece, stopped by on his way to give evidence before the Royal Commission, taking the time...
24/08/2026

Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece, stopped by on his way to give evidence before the Royal Commission, taking the time to stand with Sydney’s Jewish community and show his support.

Accompanied by Mayor of Waverley, Will Nemesh, the Lord Mayor heard about the work of the Mitzvah House and the significance of this time of year as we approach the Jewish New Year.

We were honoured to present him with a copy of Conversations with My Rabbi.

Before leaving, the Lord Mayor gave us a warm hug — a simple gesture, but one that meant so much.

We deeply appreciated his visit, his kindness and, above all, his message of solidarity and support.

At a time when our community needs to know that we are not alone, these moments matter.

Noach Koncepolski The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

A young non-Jewish family visiting Sydney from Adelaide stopped by the Mitzvah House.As we spoke, it was clear how deepl...
23/08/2026

A young non-Jewish family visiting Sydney from Adelaide stopped by the Mitzvah House.

As we spoke, it was clear how deeply moved they were by what happened here. They asked whether there would be a memorial, and I showed them around the Mitzvah House before suggesting they visit the temporary memorial at the Menorah.

Before they left, I gave them a Mitzvah for Bondi flyer and encouraged them to do a good deed in honour of the kedoshim.

In moments like these, you’re reminded that kindness, compassion and remembering those we lost can reach far beyond our own community.

One good deed. One act of kindness. One more light

Natan Hõrák The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

This is Temur. He is a non Jewish man from Almaty, Kazakhstan.He has visited 83 countries, and Australia is just his lat...
22/08/2026

This is Temur. He is a non Jewish man from Almaty, Kazakhstan.

He has visited 83 countries, and Australia is just his latest destination.

Temur said he wanted to start his Australian journey in Bondi, as it was important for him to pay his respects.

He was a lovely man, and he went on to say, “You know, I’m from a city called Almaty. That’s where Rabbi Levi Yitzchak is from.”

My jaw dropped. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson was the father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He was a renowned scholar and spiritual leader who was exiled by the Soviet authorities for courageously preserving Jewish life. He spent his final years in Kazakhstan and is buried in Almaty.

“Yeah, I visited the grave of one of the leaders of the Lubavitch Chabad movement.

“Chochmah. Binah. Da’at.”

These three Hebrew words, wisdom, understanding and knowledge, form the acronym “Chabad.” They represent the philosophical foundation of the Chabad movement. The intellect is used to deeply understand and internalise ideas, and that understanding is then harnessed to guide and refine our emotions and actions.

He then confidently explained the translations correctly.

A bloke from Kazakhstan, I tell you.

Thanks for stopping by, Temur.

The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

Levi-Yitzchak, Miriam, Menachem and Dovid Sydney & New York.Dovid was born in Sydney and brought his two sons, Levi-Yit...
20/08/2026

Levi-Yitzchak, Miriam, Menachem and Dovid Sydney & New York.

Dovid was born in Sydney and brought his two sons, Levi-Yitzchak and Menachem, to Australia for their first visit and to spend time with their grandmother, Miriam.

Dovid shared that he believes if you’re a Jew visiting Sydney, you have to visit this holy site.

With great nachas, Miriam told us that when her grandsons arrived in Sydney, the first place they said they wanted to visit was Bondi.

It was a truly heilige visit for this family from New York a moment to pause, reflect and recite Tehillim together.

Zay gezunt

Natan Hõrák The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

The most beautiful family came by from Melbourne. The children were completely engaged and enraptured as they listened t...
19/08/2026

The most beautiful family came by from Melbourne.

The children were completely engaged and enraptured as they listened to an explanation of why their dad was going to put on Tefillin.

As Dad put on the Tefillin, he became unexpectedly emotional. Tears welled up in his eyes as he said the Shema, with his children standing beside him.

It was such a beautiful moment of connection, inspiration and Jewish identity a father sharing something deeply meaningful with his children, and his children witnessing that connection firsthand.

We were truly inspired by this beautiful family and so grateful they stopped by the Mitzvah House.

Noach Koncepolski The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

It was an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Chief Cantor of Tzahal, Mr Shai Abramson, to the Mitzvah House – Ohel Eli...
18/08/2026

It was an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Chief Cantor of Tzahal, Mr Shai Abramson, to the Mitzvah House – Ohel Eli & Yaakov.

Shai is currently visiting Australia for a series of special events supporting the important work of the Joint.

Beyond his extraordinary voice, Shai is a true mensch warm, humble and genuine. It was a real pleasure to spend time with him and welcome him to the Mitzvah House.

We wish Shai continued success and hope his magnificent voice continues to uplift, inspire and strengthen the Jewish people for many years to come.

Noach Koncepolski The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

Yesterday morning, through the pouring rain, John and Louise made their way to the Mitzvah House.Visiting Sydney from th...
17/08/2026

Yesterday morning, through the pouring rain, John and Louise made their way to the Mitzvah House.

Visiting Sydney from the Gold Coast, they told me there was no way they could visit Sydney without stopping by Bondi Beach rain, hail or shine.

They shared warm words of support, friendship and hope, as well as their frustration at what they are seeing in parts of our community.

During our conversation, Louise told me her father was Jewish and that one of her favourite Jewish foods is kreplach

We said our goodbyes and they headed off into the rain.

A few minutes later, John came back.

“I had to come back,” he said, “to reiterate our support and our hope for a better Australia.”

A brief encounter on a very rainy Bondi morning, but one filled with warmth, humanity and hope.

Thank you, John and Louise, for stopping by and for reminding us that even on the darkest days, there are people standing with us.

Noach Koncepolski The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

Why do we hear the Shofar in Elul?The month of Elul is the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, a time of reflection, prep...
16/08/2026

Why do we hear the Shofar in Elul?

The month of Elul is the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, a time of reflection, preparation and returning to our connection with G-d.

So why do we blow the shofar?

The shofar is a ram’s horn and has been sounded as part of Jewish tradition for thousands of years. During Elul, we blow the shofar each morning as a spiritual wake-up call.

Its sound reminds us that Rosh Hashanah is approaching and encourages us to pause, reflect on the year that has passed, think about the person we want to become, and prepare our hearts for the High Holy Days.

The shofar is not just something we hear it is something we are meant to listen to.

Come down to The Mitzvah House during Elul and fulfil the mitzvah of hearing the shofar.

Stop. Listen. Reflect. Awaken your soul.

Noach Koncepolski The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

15/08/2026

On Friday morning, as we ushered in the month of Elul, the Shofar was sounded at the Mitzvah House for the first time since the Bondi attack on December 14.

A powerful sound of Jewish resilience, renewal and hope.

And even the dog couldn’t resist joining in! 🐕📯

The Shofar will be sounded every day of this month throughout the day at The Mitzvah House.

Noach Koncepolski Natan Hõrák The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

This week at the Mitzvah House, we met Andrew from Clovelly. Born in Scotland and now proudly calling Australia home, An...
13/08/2026

This week at the Mitzvah House, we met Andrew from Clovelly.

Born in Scotland and now proudly calling Australia home, Andrew shared something his mother taught him from a young age: “Always look after the Jews because of what happened to them in the Holocaust.”

Those words have stayed with him throughout his life.

Andrew has always had a fascination with Hebrew and shared stories of the close friendships he formed with former Israeli soldiers who visited Sydney in the 1990s. He also spoke with sadness about the tragedy that unfolded here in Bondi, remembering Chanukah celebrations in the city and the significant security presence that was already part of those occasions.

Before leaving, we gave Andrew a copy of Conversations with My Rabbi and our One Mitzvah for Bondi flyer.

It was a beautiful reminder that connection can come from the most unexpected places and that a simple conversation can open the door to something much deeper.

Eli Gescheit The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

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