Australia: The Land Down Under is Full of Wonderful People!

For the last two weeks, Rabbi Ben and I have been in Sydney, Australia, where he is acting as chazzan and rabbi for Newtown Synagogue.  Rabbi Ben got his smicha in Australia and spent a total of about 7 years here, so he knows this place pretty well.  But this is my first visit and what has struck me most is how incredibly nice everyone is!

The Jewish community here is wonderful.  Unlike most places where I’ve been, I haven’t seen any divisions at all among Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, etc.  Everyone attends the same orthodox shuls and enjoys each others’ company – even though some people are walking to shul, while others are driving.  Some leave shul to go watch the latest rugby game while others are going home to a festive holiday meal.  Yet, nobody is judging anybody else. Nobody is fighting about whether there should be separate seating in shul or if G-d gave the Torah.  Nobody here has a “holier-than-thou” attitude. There is such a wonderful and strong feeling of community here among the Jews that is really refreshing.

And getting to know some people here individually has shown me exactly why this is.  Each and every individual is incredibly nice.  Without even asking for it, the president of Newtown Synagogue, who makes her own yogurt from scratch, made us a large container of fresh, homemade Greek yogurt.  Visiting some friends Rabbi Ben has not seen in years, we were showered with gifts – a gorgeous handmade necklace for me and a beautiful Rosh Hashana basket for us to share (you can never go wrong when giving Rabbi Ben apples as a gift!).  Other friends have had us over for meals and given us lifts to the kosher groceries.  It seems like we can’t go anywhere without being showered with hugs, presents, and pastries.

Yesterday, one friend of Rabbi Ben’s even made me a loaf of fresh gourmet whole wheat bread, possibly the most delicious bread I have ever tasted in my life, just because I told him how much I loved his bread when I tried it last week.  (And I am not kidding – this is the most AMAZING bread I have ever had. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.  The great thing is that he makes it in no time flat in this crazy ThermoMix TM31 machine he has that can make just about everything, so he didn’t even mind.  He’s selling the machines, so contact him at steigrad@gmail.com if you want to be able to make your own gourmet bread with only 2 minutes of effort… but I think he should just start selling the bread itself! It’s too amazing!!!!!)

Even strangers in the street or the store are incredibly warm, friendly, and helpful.  Any time I need help or directions, people will not hesitate to drop what they’re doing and go out of their way to help me.  One woman even walked several minutes with me just to make sure I wouldn’t get lost when I once asked directions.  Others have pulled out cells phones and looked things up online for me, or offered to help me with any number of things.

If you ever had any doubts or questions about visiting Australia, toss them aside right now.  This place is amazing! And not just because the Sydney Opera House is cool, or the Bondi to Bronte beach/cliff walk is gorgeous, but because it is a land filled with the most cheerful and hospitable people around. I think it is impossible to have a bad time in Australia!