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 2026
Please email expressions of interest to goldfieldsksz@gmail.com and we will let you know precise details including venues and times. Services are in Hebrew and English, with a strong educational focus). If you're not especially religious, come for the lunch period and enjoy some nice company.
Saturday September 19, shabbat shuvah. Workshop 10 am, Service 11 am, lunch 12:30 pm, service 2 pm. Bendigo area.
Sunday September 27, children's party and sukkah setup at 10 am, AGM 12.30, lunch, then 2 pm sukkot, then 3 pm interfaith reception, Malmsbury area.
Sunday December 6, chanukah celebration. Details tbc
There may be some zoom educations workshops as well - details to be circulated on the KSZ email network.
PAST EVENTS 2026
Sunday December 21 2025, 11 am: children-centred chanukah celebration in Castlemaine area
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.
Sunday March 15 – purim party for adults in Castlemaine area. Sunday March 22: purim party for children in Castlemaine area.
Sunday May 24 - shavuot themed discussion, service and lunch in Bendigo area
Friday August 7 - Sunday August 9: combined weekend in Bendigo with the Kedem congregation from Melbourne. Kabbalat shabbat and meal, morning (shacharit) service on Saturday, tour of Jewish Bendigo, evening meal, Sunday workshop discussion. Bendigo area.
WISHING ALL A SWEET AND SAVOURY YEAR
(September 15, 2026) David Kram here, President of one of the largest congregations - geographically speaking - covering the regions of Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton areas in Central Victoria. A small, diverse and inclusive Progressive congregation under the umbrellaship of Progressive Judaism Victoria and the Union for Progressive Judaism, with strong links to individual congregations in Melbourne such as Temple Beth Israel, Leo Baeck Centre and Kedem. leshanah tovah umetukah to all, to which I add not only sweet (metukah) but savoury too. Let's all work together for the good of society. goldfieldsksz@gmail.com
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.
In December 2023 and 2024 - - Chanukah celebration in private home
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