Today, Thursday the first day of Chol Hamoed in the Diaspora, Chabad of Melbourne Central Business District directed by Shliach Rabbi Chaim Herzog held a luncheon and lecture in their large Sukkah in City Square.
Many businessmen and professionals who work in the area used this opportunity to ‘bentch’ Lulav and Etrog in the morning and various schools including ‘King David School’ (a Progressive school) visited with their classes.
The highlight of the Sukkah exhibition which lasts all Chol Hamoed, was the luncheon which was attended by Melbourne’s Lord Mayor John So, the Deputy Lord Mayor and Rabbi Levi Mochkin.
Rabbi Herzog thanked the Lord Mayor and the City of Melbourne for their continuous support for the past four years that the Sukkah exhibition has been held and asked the Lord Mayor to speak.
The Lord Mayor spoke at length about how Melbourne is a multicultural city that is made up of people who speak over 200 different languages and every religion. The Lord Mayor spoke of how the Sukkah represents unity – where everyone is welcome to live in harmony. He spoke of how lucky we are to live in Melbourne, a city where people of all denominations also live with tolerance.
The Deputy spoke of how he appreciates the merit he has to help Rabbi Herzog to open this Sukkah which demonstrates that everyone can coexist and work together for greater good. He also spoke of how he is proud to help members of the Jewish community by giving them more opportunities to fulfill the Mitzvah Sukkah while at work.
Rabbi Levi Mochkin then addressed the participants explaining the Chassidic messages behind Sukkot according to the Rebbe’s teachings. Mochkin also pointed out that this Sukkah in Melbourne’s Central Business District is one of thousand of Sukkot that are open to all over all the world.
After these speeches and Divrei Torah, the participants were invited to wash and sit down to fully catered luncheon in the Sukkah.
