Kehilat Nitzan is the first Masorti (Conservative) congregation in Melbourne, Australia, formed in March 1999. We provide traditional egalitarian services in which both women and men can participate equally. We offer a warm and friendly environment in which you can celebrate our Jewish way of life. Kehilat Nitzan is more than just a synagogue - it is a community.
We offer Shabbat and chagim (festival) services as well as shiurim (study sessions). Services are held every Shabbat evening and morning at Kadima, 7 Selwyn Street, Elsternwick (Map) Everyone is welcome to join in our services and activities.
Kehilat Nitzan is associated with Masorti Australasia. We are affiliated with Masorti Olami, the World Council of Conservative Congregations. You can read about us in an Australian Jewish News story (PDF) about Masorti Judaism in Australia.
Be sure to read our news updates and check out our upcoming events!
Evelyn Rose, our Executive Administrator, will be on leave from 1pm on Friday December 16 until February 6. All emails to her will be redirected to Rabbi Stein, who will try to reply quickly if it is urgent. Otherwise, Evelyn will follow up when she returns. If you would like to reach Rabbi Stein directly by phone, please call the shul office Tuesday through Friday. Rabbi Stein will be away January 9 through 27. During this time contact the president, Zvi Civins. (See the contact page for details.)
Read the latest Kehilat Nitzan News Sheet to find out more about upcoming events and news plus other communal events of interest. Get in-depth news and see photos of our congregational activities in the Kehilat Nitzan Newsletter for September 2011.
Our Musical Instrument Friday Night Service has resumed! Join us at 6:30 pm for an uplifting spiritual experience.
The Noam youth group (13 - 18) is having a "pre"-school picnic before the school year starts at Caulfield Park (corner of Balaclava and Hawthorn Roads). Call Nikki at 0437 527 490 or send her email for more information.
Rabbi Stein will resume his weekly Thursday night shiur on February 15 at 8 pm. The subject for the shiur will be in-depth studies of the beginning of the book of Exodus. Join us every Thursday at 8 pm at 2 Lempriere Ave, East St Kilda.
This annual worldwide event is sponsored by the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs and supported by the Conservative movement. We are generally the first group in the world to participate. This event provides an opportunity for everyone – women and men – to lay tefillin. If you have never done this before, here's your chance! The short morning service (45 minutes) will be followed by bagels and coffee. Please join us at 9:30 am on Sunday, February 5, at the home of John and Beverley Rosenberg, 40 Lansdowne Rd, East St Kilda. (Please bring tallit and tefillin if you have them.)
The Nitzanim singing troupe will be performing for the residents of Claremont Terrace (231 McKinnon Road, McKinnon) on Sunday, February 5, at 2:30 pm. Contact Evelyn at 9576 2255 for details.
Tu B'Shvat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, is the New Year for trees. In Israel, many people celebrate Tu B'Shvat by planting trees. A Tu B'Shvat Seder, which originated with the Kabbalists of Tzfat in the 16th century, follows a specific order and includes recitations and songs. Participants in the Seder drink four cups of wine and eat special fruits and nuts. Come and participate in our traditional Tu B'Shvat Seder on Wednesday evening, February 8, at 2 Lempriere Avenue, East St Kilda. Bookings are essential! Please call Pam on 9527 2431 to book.
The annual inter-shule day-long lawn bowls competition will be held on Sunday, February 19, beginning at 10 a.m. The cost of the day is $15, which includes a kosher lunch. We need 12 players for our team so if you would like to join in, please contact Helen Weiss ASAP at 9505 3015.
The Glen Eira Council has formally issued a town planning permit our new building! A presentation was given at the AGM about the new building. (Depending on your Internet connection, the PowerPoint presentation might require extra time to download.)