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
(Please submit enquiries to goldfieldsksz@gmail.com and we will let you know precise details including venues. All events except the seder are free. Services are in Hebrew and English.)
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Saturday February 15 – Interfaith nature service led by Rabbi Fred Morgan, AM, and then lunch, Malmsbury. 11 am socialise, 11.30 interfaithg service, 12.45 lunch, followed by workshop.
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Sunday March 16 – purim party in Castlemaine. 2.30 pm.
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Sunday April 6 – model seder in Malmsbury. Fee $25. 12 pm lunch event.
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Sunday May 18 - Tour to Ballarat synagogue, Pickups via minibus in Bendigo 9 am, Casltemaine 10.30, lunch in Ballarat 12.15, tour at 2 pm.
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Sunday June 1 - shavuot themed discussion, service and lunch in Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo. 10 am workshop, 11.30 service, 12.30 lunch.​
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Saturday September 27, 2.30 pm – shabbat shuvah service in Castlemaine. Workshop 10 am, Service 11 am, lunch 12:30 pm, service 2 pm.
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Sunday October 12, sukkot celebration inMalmsbury. 12 pm lunch, 2 pm sukkot service.
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Sunday December 21, time tbc, chanukah celebration in Bendigo or Castlemaine
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Memory Lane
February 2022, 2023, 2024
Interfaith nature-themed Shabbat
in the Malmsbury Botanical Gardens
with Rabbi Jonathan Keren Black.
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March 2022, 2023, 2024
Purim party in Castlemaine
fancy dress, Haman tashen
and megillat ester reading. Also March 2023 and 2024
April 2022, 2023, 2024
Model seder
in Castlemaine.
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May 2022, 2023, 2024- shavuot-themed
discussion day
in Kangaroo Flat.
Also May 21, 2023
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,
Heading 6
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.