Rural Australia’s Shluchim Move to Newcastle

Rabbi Yossi Rodal, who has been working with Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia for the last 6 years, is moving with his wife Malki and their children to Melbourne to serve as rabbi of the Newcastle Hebrew Congregation. Full Story

May 24, 2020 – 1 Sivan 5780

Sophie Deutsch, Australian Jewish News

Newcastle Hebrew Congregation hasn’t had its own rabbi and rebbetzin for 60 years.

But that will soon change when Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA)’s Rabbi Yossi Rodal and his family move from Melbourne to NSW in a few days.

“My wife (Malki Rodal) and I have been working with Chabad of RARA for five to six years now … We’ve loved the last few years but there comes a time when you need to settle down and get to know people for a longer period,” said Rabbi Rodal.

“Chabad of RARA has been to Newcastle many times over 20 years. Newcastle has a shul and a lovely community that we have got to know and have become close with.

“We’ll be covering the Central Coast and Newcastle as well as the Greater Hunter region up to Forster and inland into the greater Maitland area.”

Once social distancing restrictions have lifted, Rabbi Rodal hopes to increase Newcastle shul’s opening times – initially once a month on Shabbat mornings in addition to its regular opening time on Friday nights, with the intent to open more frequently down the line.