Brighton Hebrew Congregation, 132 Marriage Road, Melbourne (2026)

13/05/2026

Rabbi Gershom and Rebbetzin Grace Baraza – Now is the time to speak up (*from 29:58 mins)

Malka Lawrence speaks with Rabbi Gershom and Rebbetzin Grace Baraza, whose lives and journeys have taken them across Europe, Asia and Africa, before leading them into Jewish communal life and leadership at Brighton Shule Melbourne.

Both Rabbi Gershom and Rebbetzin Grace bring interesting journeys of faith, identity, resilience, and belonging that ultimately led them into Jewish learning, communal leadership, and spiritual life around the world.

OmnyStudio Podcast Link: https://omny.fm/shows/lchaim-to-life/rabbi-gershom-and-rebbetzin-grace-baraza-now-is-the-time-to-speak-up

The program is replayed Fridays between 2PM and 3PM on Melbourne’s 3ZZZ 92.3FM.

12/05/2026

Today, Rabbi Baraza joined the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) in an important and impactful advanced level workshop exploring the effects of family violence on children and women.

The session highlighted the lasting emotional, psychological, and communal impact that children can experience, and the responsibility we all share in creating safer, healthier environments for families.

Rabbi Baraza deeply cares about these issues and wants everyone to know that he will always try to support any members and friends of the shule, no matter the situation they are facing.

Rabbi Baraza will always prove to be a listening ear to those who want to speak up, and a strong arm to protect the vulnerable ones.

In case you’d like to have a confidential and discreet discussion with him and/ or the Rebbetzin, please feel free to reach out.

11/05/2026

🌸✡️ Brighton Shule Celebrates Shavuot 2026! ✡️🌸

Chag Sameach! The festival of Matan Torah is almost here, and we’re pulling out ALL the stops! 🎉

📅 Friday, May 22, 2026
🕤 Shacharit begins at 9:30 AM

Join us for a truly unforgettable Shavuot morning filled with meaning, community, and DELICIOUS food! Here’s what’s in store:

🌾 Bikkurim Ceremony ~ 10:00 AM
A beautiful tradition celebrating the first fruits. Bring the kids, they’ll love it!

📜 Reading of the 10 Commandments ~ 10:30 AM
Stand together as we relive the incredible moment at Sinai!

🍦🧀 Kiddush, Ice Cream & Cheesecake (Before Mussaf)
Because is it even Shavuot without cheesecake?!

🥩🔥 Exciting Meat Smorgasbord ~ 12:00 PM
Stay for a spectacular feast that will leave you absolutely satisfied!

Whether you’re a regular or visiting for the first time, there’s a place for you at our table.

Bring your family, bring your friends, and let’s celebrate the giving of the Torah together! 💛

📍 Brighton Hebrew Congregation , The Friendly Shule
🔗 Tag someone you’d love to celebrate with!

08/05/2026

🔥 TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT 🔥
A Night of Torah, Flavor & Fire

📍 Brighton Shule | 📅 Thursday, May 21

Get ready for an unforgettable evening as we welcome the giving of the Torah with three powerhouse talks, a gourmet multi-course dinner, soulful singing, and the kind of learning that lights up the soul. ✨

🍾PROGRAM SCHEDULE

6:30 PM — Kiddush & Entrée🍷
Kick off the night in style

7:15 – 8:00 PM — “The Truth About ‘The Truth’”🎤
with Rabbi Gershom Baraza
Prepare to have your assumptions challenged.

8:00 – 9:00 PM — Main Course & Singing 🎶
Hearty food, heartfelt niggunim

9:00 – 9:45 PM — “Discovering AI & Its Torah Learning Applications”🤖📖
with Jonathan Odes & Rebbetzin Grace
Where ancient wisdom meets cutting-edge tech.

9:45 – 10:00 PM — Dessert & Coffee ☕🍰
Sweet fuel for the final stretch

10:00 – 10:45 PM — “Abortion in Jewish Thought”
⚖️ discussion with Rabbi Baraza
A serious, sensitive, and essential interactive conversation.

🍽️ The DELICIOUS DINNER IS COMPLIMENTARY
Members & Friends, all are warmly welcome! Donations are very welcome.

📲 RSVP IS A MUST
Seats are limited, reserve yours today!

🍼BABYSITTING WILL BE PROVIDED ON SITE
Come with your kids and enjoy a relaxing time while listening to inspiring talks

Come for the food. Stay for the Torah. Leave transformed. 🌄

03/05/2026

Join us for a new weekly shiur on Derech Hashem by the Ramchal. 📖

Derech Hashem is one of the clearest and most powerful sefarim for understanding the foundations of Jewish faith.

It presents a comprehensive overview of the entire Jewish belief system, exploring creation, Divine providence, purpose, and our relationship with Hashem. 🌍💡🙏

Deeply rooted in Kabbalah ✨, it uniquely explains these profound ideas without heavy kabbalistic terminology, making them accessible, clear, and deeply meaningful.

This is a tremendous opportunity for anyone looking to grow in emunah, clarity, and depth. 🌱🔥

🗓 Begins: Tuesday, May 12
⏰ Time: Tuesdays, after Maariv at 7:30 pm
📍 Location: Brighton Shule
👨‍🏫 Taught by: Rabbi Gershom Baraza

🥤 Snacks and drinks will be served.

All are welcome!

21/04/2026

🔥 *Celebrate Lag B’Omer with Us!*
*A Community Evening of Unity & Joy*🔥

Gather around the bonfire as we light up the night with music, fire, food, and fun for all ages! ✨

📅 Tuesday, May 5
🕔 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Brighton Shule
💰 $15 per person | $40 per family

🎉 What’s in Store:

🔥 Fire Juggling Show
🥁 Drumming Circle
🍔 BBQ & Delicious Food
🎨 Face Painting for Kids
🏹 Arrow Shooting
✂️ A Special Upsherin Ceremony

Bring your family, bring your friends, and bring your spirit! Whether you’re swaying to the drums, roasting by the flames, or soaking up the warmth of community — this is a night you won’t want to miss.

👉 BOOK NOW: www.trybooking.com/DLPGL

Proudly presented by South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation & Brighton Hebrew Congregation Inc.

✨ Why We Celebrate Lag B’Omer ✨

Lag B’Omer marks the yahrzeit of the great Tanna, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (the Rashbi) — one of the holiest sages in our tradition and the author of the Zohar, the foundational text of Jewish mysticism.

On the day of his passing, Rabbi Shimon revealed the deepest secrets of the Torah to his students, filling the world with spiritual light so powerful that the sun itself is said to have stood still. He asked that this day be marked not with mourning, but with joy, unity, and celebration — which is why Jews around the world gather around bonfires, symbolizing the fiery light of Torah he brought into the world. 🔥

Lag B’Omer also commemorates the day the devastating plague among Rabbi Akiva’s students came to an end — a plague that struck because they failed to show proper respect for one another. That’s why this day is a powerful reminder of the value of Ahavat Yisrael — loving every fellow Jew, standing together as one people, and celebrating the unity that sustains us.

May we all merit the zechut of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai — may his light shine upon our community, our families, and all of Am Yisrael! 🙏

15/04/2026

📚✡️ Exciting News — Our Book Club is Back & Better Than Ever! ✡️📚

Shalom everyone! 👋

We’re thrilled to announce that our synagogue book club has been completely revamped! Whether you’re a longtime member or have never joined before, now is the perfect time to jump in.

🔹 What’s new?
We’ve refreshed the format with livelier discussions, guest speakers, and a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and Jewish literature that speaks to all of us.

🔹 Up Next:
Our first reading has been selected and we can’t wait to dive in together! Stay tuned for the title reveal and reading schedule — coming very soon.

🔹 Who’s welcome?
YOU! All ages, all reading speeds, all opinions. Whether you finish every page or just want to come listen and schmooze — there’s a seat for you at the table. 🪑

🔹 Want in?
Drop a 📖 in the chat or message me directly so we can add you to the book club group and keep you in the loop on dates and details.

Let’s read, learn, and grow together as a community. This is going to be special. 💛

Looking forward to seeing you there!

12/04/2026

Sefirat HaOmer – Customs & Restrictions

As we are in the period of Sefirat HaOmer (the 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot), here is a friendly reminder of the customs and halachot we observe during this time:

📖 Counting the Omer
Ideally we count each night after tzeit hakochavim (nightfall). If you forgot to count at night, you may count during the next day without a bracha and resume counting with a bracha the following night. If you missed an entire day, you continue counting without a bracha for the rest of the Omer.

🚫 Mourning Customs
In memory of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who passed away during this period, we observe:

• No weddings
• No haircuts or shaving (customs vary – consult Rabbi Baraza)
• No listening to live music
• No dancing or joyous celebrations
• Avoiding the bracha of Shehecheyanu on new items/fruits

📅 When do the restrictions apply?
Customs vary by community:
➤ Sephardim – generally observe from Pesach until the morning of the 34th day of the Omer
➤ Ashkenazim – various minhagim exist: some observe from Pesach until Lag BaOmer (33rd day), others from Rosh Chodesh Iyyar until Shavuot.
➤ Chabad – From Pesach until Shavuot.

Follow your family minhag. If you are in doubt, please contact Rabbi Baraza.

🔥 Lag BaOmer (33rd day)
A day of celebration marking the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Mourning restrictions are lifted for the day (or from that day onward, depending on your minhag).

We will have the Upsherin of Nosson Yitzchok Baraza*in Shule. Stay tuned for further updates.

✅ What IS permitted during Sefirat HaOmer:

• Engagement parties (without music/dancing, per many poskim)
• Brit Milah seudot
• Shabbat celebrations as usual
• Recorded/a ca****la music (according to some opinions, please discuss with Rabbi Baraza)

Wishing everyone a meaningful Omer period as we prepare to receive the Torah on Shavuot! 🙏📜

israel

05/04/2026

Special Blessing During Nissan🔔

“If one goes outside during the month of Nissan and sees trees that are blossoming he recites a blessing” (Talmud, Brachot 43b)

🤲 Blessing

The bracha is brought in Shulchan Aruch O.C. 226:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁלֹּא חִסֵּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם, וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת, לֵהָנוֹת בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם

Baruch atah Adonay Elohaynu melech haolam shelo chasar b’olamo klum u’bara bo b’riyot tovot v’elanot tovim l’hanot bahem b’nay adam.

⏱️ When is it said?

It should be said now, during the month of Nissan.

In difficult situations, contract Rabbi Baraza to discuss other timings also acceptable in your specific situation.

🌳 What kind of trees qualify?

This blessing is said on fruit bearing trees, at least on one tree.

The blessing is to be said upon seeing a blossoming fruit tree for the first time.

🗺️ Location:

There are lemon trees by the round about of McKinnon Road and Thomas St as well as in many other locations around Brighton.

📖 Optional Further Learning

https://www.ou.org/holidays/nisan-springtime-and-birkat-hailanot/

Brighton Hebrew Congregation

13/05/2026

12/05/2026

11/05/2026

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21/04/2026

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