Sydney Community Celebrates 80th Birthday of Head Shliach

The Sydney Jewish community gathered at Chabad Double Bay on Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan to celebrate the 80th birthday of Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, Head Shliach to Sydney and New South Wales. The evening farbrengen, held on Thursday, drew well-wishers from across the community to honor Rabbi Feldman’s lifelong dedication to Jewish life in Australia.

Rabbi Feldman and his wife, Rebbetzin Pnina Feldman, were sent to Australia by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1968. For over 56 years, they have led the Chabad movement in New South Wales, helping to establish and grow institutions through The Yeshiva Centre, including Yeshiva College primary school, separate boys’ and girls’ high schools, kindergartens, a Rabbinical College, Chabad Houses, and a wide array of educational, religious, and support services. Together, they have educated thousands of Jewish students in Sydney, brought hundreds of Rabbinical students, and welcomed dozens of young couples to serve the community—many of whom continue in these roles today.

In a 1968 letter to the congregation, the Rebbe wrote, “You are fortunate to have chosen Rabbi Pinchus to serve as the rav and rosh yeshiva of your community, for he is from among the finest students of Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch” (Igros Kodesh vol. 25 pg. 236).

The Feldmans have also been blessed with a large family ka”h, including numerous grandchildren, many of whom have followed in their footsteps as community leaders and rabbis, serving Jewish communities throughout Australia and beyond.

Over the years, Rabbi Feldman has been recognized with multiple awards for his service, including:

Community Service Award from Premier John Fahey in 1995
Medal of the Order of Australia in 2002
Honorary Life President title from the Rabbinic Council of NSW in 2006
Patron of ORA title from the Organisation of Rabbis of Australia in 2008

Reflecting on his personal journey, Rabbi Feldman shared a memorable story about his wife’s grandfather, Rabbi Osher Abramson, who was the rabbi of the Mizrachi Synagogue in Sydney during a challenging time. Rabbi Feldman had sought guidance from the Rebbe, who encouraged him to support Rabbi Abramson in his communal work. When Rabbi Feldman expressed concern about Rabbi Abramson’s age, as he was already 70, the Rebbe, who was also over 70 at the time, smiled and replied, “I too am 70 years old, and I have plans for the next 10 years and for another 10 years after that.” Rabbi Feldman then shared advice on gratitude as a tool for long life, urging others to focus on their blessings and to thank G-d for what they have.

Rabbi Yossi Feldman, Rabbi at Chabad NSW, Rabbi Feldman’s eldest son and the event’s emcee and main organizer, spoke about the challenges his father had faced and how Hashem helped him to overcome them through faith and trust. He recalled the Rebbe’s assurance to Rabbi Feldman that his parnassah (livelihood) would come “like the manna from heaven.” He also mentioned how Moshe Rabeinu only started his mission at the age of 80, and that every Shliach has a spark of Moshe in them.

Justice Marcus Enfield, a long-time friend and supporter who had worked alongside Rabbi Feldman on many communal projects, spoke warmly about Rabbi Feldman’s empathy, kindness, and unwavering support for others, highlighting his calm demeanor and deep friendships.

Family members offered their reflections as well. Rabbi Nochum Schapiro, Rabbi Feldman’s eldest son-in-law, Director of Chabad North Shore and president of the Rabbinical Council of Australasia, shared the Rebbe’s teaching on Noach, highlighting that Noach was able to achieved extraordinary accomplishments. Rabbi Schapiro likened this to Rabbi Feldman, noting his remarkable achievements over his years of Shlichus alongside Rebbetzin Pnina.

Rabbi Motty Feldman of Dover Heights Shule shared his deep admiration, expressing how his father has been a guiding light, inspiring him to emulate Rabbi Feldman’s dedication to Shlichus and community service. He recalled growing up and watching his father in his service, how every night he would see him with a Sefer learning and engaging in some form of communal activity.

Rabbi Yanky Berger, Rabbi of Chabad Double Bay and also a son-in-law, highlighted the wisdom and guidance he had received over the years, encouraging others to draw from Rabbi Feldman’s knowledge and experience and how so many of the Jewish organizations in Sydney and beyond had been impacted in one form or another by Rabbi Feldman.

Rabbi Eli Feldman of Newtown Synagogue and Young Adult Chabad shared an anecdote highlighting his father’s selflessness, which has inspired Shluchim globally. He recounted how another Shliach was moved to encourage his major supporter to help all Shluchim globally with a special simcha fund after seeing Rabbi Feldman’s approach. Rabbi Feldman explained that Hashem has already ordained his support, so his organization would not lose out by encouraging his supporters to help other shluchim and communities as well. This message of faith and generosity has become a model for Shluchim worldwide.

Rabbi Elimelech Levy, Rabbi Feldman’s youngest son-in-law and director of Chabad Youth NSW, reflected on how he views his own Shlichus as an extension of Rabbi Feldman’s mission. He shared a coaching exercise called “future thinking,” in which one imagines celebrating their 80th birthday and speaks about their life’s accomplishments. In this case, he noted, they weren’t imagining but actually celebrating Rabbi Feldman’s real-life accomplishments and dedication to the community. To illustrate this, he read a letter from an Australian politician praising Rabbi Feldman’s lifetime achievements and ongoing commitment to the community—one of hundreds of messages received in honor of the occasion.

Close friend Moshe Ambarchi, reflecting on Rabbi Pinchus Hakohen Feldman’s age, noted the gematria of “Hakohen” being 80 and wished him continued strength in his leadership.

Rabbi Aron Amzalak added his own reflections on Rabbi Feldman’s positive nature, likening him to Noach through Rashi’s commentary on greatness across generations. He noted that Rabbi Feldman’s kind words have earned him respect and reverence in the community.

The joyous evening included music by Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff, creating an atmosphere of celebration and gratitude. Catering was provided by Rimon, with photography by Fergus Locke and video by Mark Singer capturing the special moments.

Rabbi Feldman’s 80th birthday celebration was not only a milestone but a powerful testament to his life’s work and enduring legacy—a legacy that has inspired, and will continue to inspire, countless individuals and families within and beyond Sydney’s Jewish community.