kehillat s'dot zahav (KSZ) is an incorporated association of Progressive Jews and those identifying with Progressive Judaism in or associated with the Goldfields region of Central Victoria, and now also the Ballarat area, Australia. KSZ is affiliated with Progressive Judaism Victoria and the Union of Progressive Judaism. It is a small community with around eight events per year, held in community halls, members' homes or the open air. Members and visitors come from Bendigo, Castlemaine, Ballarat area, Kyneton area, Melbourne and Shepparton. KSZ, with a strong interfaith remit, also offers events geared towards interfaith participation.
kehillat (from kehillah) = community or congregation. s'dot = fields. zahav = gold
Events 2025/2026
(Please submit enquiries to goldfieldsksz@gmail.com and we will let you know precise details including venues. All events except the Nature service and seder are free. Services are in Hebrew and English.)
Sunday December 21 2025, 10.45 for 11, children-centred chanukah celebration in Castlemaine
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Saturday February 7, 2026 – Interfaith nature service led by Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black, and then lunch, Malmsbury. 11 am socialise, 11.30 interfaith service, 12.45 lunch. www.trybooking.com/DIBSS
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Sunday March 15 – purim party in Castlemaine.
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Sunday April 5 – model seder (lunch event). Details tbc
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May, details tbc - parents and children event
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Sunday May 24 - shavuot themed discussion, service and lunch. Venue and time tbc​
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June, details tbc - social event
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Saturday September 19, venue tbc, shabbat shuvah. Workshop 10 am, Service 11 am, lunch 12:30 pm, service 2 pm.
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Sunday October 4, AGM 12.30, lunch, then 2 pm sukkot celebration in Bendigo.
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Saturday November 27, (tbc) combined service with Ballarat Hebrew Congregation in Ballarat​​
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Sunday December 6, chanukah celebration. Details tbc
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STATEMENT RE BONDI MURDERS December 14
KSZ deplores violence, and now especially the multiple murders in Bondi. KSZ extends condolences to all directly affected and sympathy to all those Jews who are traumatized even more by the increasing public antipathy, including graffiti scrawled in public parks calling for the dismantling of Israel and also chants of “intifada” heard at Free Palestine rallies.[1]
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KSZ is extremely grateful for numerous widespread expressions of support from the Central Victoria community and beyond. For instance, the Bendigo Islamic Association and Bendigo Islamic Community Centre has written “We unequivocally condemn this act of violence and affirm the sanctity of human life. BICC and BIA stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and with all communities impacted by fear, grief and trauma., In moments like these we are reminded of the importance of compassion, care and standing together against hate and violence in all its forms.”
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KSZ is also very grateful for the ongoing support of Bendigo police.
A semi-private chanukah party will go ahead next Sunday and the annual very popular open air interfaith service on Saturday February 7 starting 11 am in Malmsbury.
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Email kehillat s’dot zahav goldfieldsksz@gmail.com
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[1] The term intifada originally referred to any rebellion, uprising or “shaking off” but since the second Palestinian intifada has become associated with violent resistance.
October 2022, 2023 and (zoom) 2024
shabbat shuvah with study session then morning and afternoon services incorporating elements from rosh hashanah and yom kippur, enlivened by many musical video clips from Israel, the US and other countries,
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PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM
What is Judaism?
Jewish conception of God: One and indivisible, transcendent and immanent, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Source of the Moral Law; a God of justice and mercy Who demands that human beings shall practise justice and mercy in their dealings with one another. (Tobias. P/Keren-Black, J: A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century (2011)
October 2022, 2023, 2024
sukkot celebration in Bendigo.
November 2022
torah service and discussion forum, led by Rabbi Fred Morgan. in Kangaroo Flat. In October 2023 - Online shabbat service led by Dr David Kram
What is Progressive Judaism?
The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), established in London in 1926, is the international umbrella organization of the Reform, Liberal, Progressive and Reconstructionist movements, serving 1,200 congregations with 1.8 million members in more than 50 countries. (wupj.org)
December 2022
Chanukiah unveiling
and chanukah
Great Stupa Peace Garden
Bendigo.
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In December 2023 and 2024 - - Chanukah celebration in private home
Become a member? Click here for more information.